What is a Spanner Wrench Where to Used?
A wrench or spanner is a tool used to provide grip and mechanical advantage in applying torque to turn objects-usually rotary fasteners, such as nuts and bolts-or keep them from turning.
Spanner wrenches are simple looking tools that pack a punch. Spanner wrenches have a long handle with which to get a good grip and have a hook-like metal tool to get good torque on household applications, such as plumbing and gas repair.
In British English, spanner is the standard term. The most common shapes are called open-ended spanner and ring spanner. The term wrench refers to a type of adjustable spanner.
Spanners come in all shapes and sizes, many being developed to deal with a specific job. By far the most important consideration when using a spanner is to ensure that it fits the nut perfectly. Too loose, and it will round the comers of the nut - and slip, often damaging the nut. Always buy good quality spanners, forged in carbon steel or chrome vanadium material
In American English, wrench is the standard term. The most common shapes are called open-end wrench and box-end wrench. In American English, spanner refers to a specialized wrench with a series of pins or tabs around the circumference. (These pins or tabs fit into the holes or notches cut into the object to be turned.) In American commerce, such a wrench may be called a spanner wrench to distinguish it from the British sense of spanner.
Higher quality wrenches are typically made from chromium-vanadium alloy tool steels and are often drop-forged. They are frequently chrome-plated to resist corrosion and ease cleaning.
Hinged tools, such as pliers or tongs, are not generally considered wrenches in American English, but exceptions are the plumber wrench and mole wrench.
Wrenches have existed for many centuries, but saw a great blossoming of development starting in the nineteenth century. The first patent for a wrench was granted in 1835 to Solymon Merrick
Types of Spanners & Wrenches
- Open end spanners
- Double open end spanners
- Combination spanners
- Ring spanners
- Gas Spanners
- Box Spanner
- Cross Wheel Spanners
- Pipe Wrenches
Function
Spanner wrenches are widely used in the plumbing industry to unscrew old water pipes, faucets, and other plumbing pipes that have seldom been touched in years.
Spanner wrenches can be bought in different sizes to fit most plumbing or gas repair jobs. Gas pipes are easily turned with a spanner wrench and are present in most repairmen's tool bags.
Spanner wrenches come in different shapes, colors, with various sized "hooks"' to fit most any application in the heating and plumbing industries. Two or more "'hooks" may be attached to one large spanner wrench to be used as a multi-tool.
Significance
Spanner wrenches work similarly to a plumber's pipe wrench but with less fuss. Spanner wrenches are easier to use than pipe wrenches and have as good or greater torque as a pipe wrench.
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