Wrench
American name British/Commonwealth name Description Group
open-end wrench open-ended spanner A one-piece wrench with a U-shaped opening that grips two opposite faces of the bolt or nut . This wrench is often double-ended , with a different-sized opening at each end . The ends are generally oriented at an angle of around 15 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the handle . This allows a greater range of movement in enclosed spaces by flipping the wrench over common
box-end wrench ring spanner A one-piece wrench with an enclosed opening that grips the faces of the bolt or nut . The recess is generally a six-point or twelve-point opening for use with nuts or bolt heads with a hexagonal shape . The twelve-point fits onto the fastening at twice as many angles , an advantage where swing is limited . Eight-point wrenches are also made for square-shaped nuts and bolt heads . Ring spanners are often double-ended and usually with offset handles to improve access to the nut or bolt common
combination wrench combination spanner open-ring spanner A double-ended tool with one end being like an open-end wrench or open-ended spanner , and the other end being like a box-end wrench or ring spanner . Both ends generally fit the same size of bolt common
flare-nut wrench tube wrench line wrench flare spanner flare nut spanner brake spanner crow's-foot spanner A wrench that is used for gripping the nuts on the ends of tubes . It is similar to a box-end wrench but , instead of encircling the nut completely , it has a narrow opening just wide enough to allow the wrench to fit over the tube , and thick jaws to increase the contact area with the nut . This allows for maximum contact on plumbing nuts , which are typically softer metals and therefore more prone to damage from open-ended wrenches common
ratcheting box wrench ratcheting ring spanner A type of ring spanner , or box wrench , whose end section ratchets . Ratcheting can be reversed by flipping over the wrench , or by activating a reversing lever on the wrench . This type of wrench combines compact design of a box wrench , with the utility and quickness of use of a ratchet wrench . A variety of ratcheting mechanisms are used , from simple pawls to more complex captured rollers , with the latter being more compact , smoother , but also more expensive to manufacture . The one pictured also features a drift pin on the tail common
flex-head socket wrench Saltus wrench swivel head spanner Similar in concept to a socket wrench . A Saltus wrench features a socket permanently affixed to a handle . Sockets are not interchangeable as with a socket wrench . The socket often rotates around the handle to allow the user to access a fastener from a variety of angles . Commonly a Saltus wrench is part of a double-ended wrench , with an open-end type head on the opposite side from the socket head common
spanner wrench or simply spanner [ referring to any of these ] ; [ when specifying pin vs hook vs C , the same terms are used as in British English ] pin spanner hook spanner C spanner pin face spanner A wrench with one or several pins or hooks , designed to drive spanner head screws , threaded collars and retainer rings , shafts , and so on . Note the difference in the American and British senses of the word spanner . In American English , spanners are a subset of the class of tools called wrenches common
striking face box wrench slammer wrench slugger wrench hammer wrench slogging spanner flogging spanner This is a specialized thick , short , stocky wrench with a block end to the handle specifically designed for use with a hammer , enabling one to impart great force . Used commonly with large fasteners , especially a nut and stud which both have index marks : the nut is screwed hand-tight , then further tightened with the striking wrench a known number of index marks calculated from the elasticity of the bolt or stud , thus giving precise torque ( preload ) . Striking wrenches also provide shock and high force used to release large and/or stuck nuts and bolts ; and when space does not allow room for a large wrench common
adjustable wrench adjustable end wrench Crescent wrench adjustable spanner shifting spanner wrench The most common type of adjustable wrench in use today . The adjustable end wrench differs from the monkey wrench in that the gripping faces of the jaws are displaced to a ( typically ) 15 degree angle relative to the tool 's handle , a design feature that facilitates the wrench 's use in close quarters . The modern adjustable end wrench was invented by Johan Petter Johansson of Bahco . The common use of Crescent wrench to describe this design is derived from the Crescent brand , owned by Apex Brands , Inc. Apex Tool Group , LLC adjustable
self-adjusting wrench self-adjusting spanner With a serrated jaw which is self-tightening adjustable
monkey wrench gas grips King Dick An old type of adjustable wrench with a straight handle and smooth jaws whose gripping faces are perpendicular to the handle historical
pipe wrench monkey wrench Stillson wrench Stillsons Pipe wrench A tool that is similar in design and appearance to a monkey wrench , but with self-tightening properties and hardened , serrated jaws that securely grip soft iron pipe and pipe fittings . Sometimes known by the original patent holder 's brand name as a Stillson wrench adjustable
socket wrench socket wrench socket spanner A hollow cylinder that fits over one end of a nut or bolt head . It may include a handle , if it does not then it is often just referred to as a socket and is usually used with various drive tools to make it a wrench or spanner such as a ratchet handle , a tee bar ( sliding tommy bar ) bar or a knuckle bar ( single axis pivot ) . It generally has a six-point , eight-point or twelve-point recess , may be shallow or deep , and may have a built-in universal joint socket
clamp ratchet wrench clamp ratchet spanner An open-ended multi-size ratchet wrench . The ratcheting mechanism allows the nut to be clamped-on or loosened with a reciprocating motion ; flip the wrench to change direction of the drive . The wrench takes the advantage of the clamp action to allow multiple sizes in both SAE and metric standards . Each wrench typically will allow up to 3 non-metric sizes and 3 metric sizes adjustable
breaker bar break-over handle knuckle bar jointed nut spinner flex head nut spinner Power Bar This tool is a long non-ratcheting bar that allows the user to impart considerable torque to fasteners , especially in cases where corrosion has resulted in a difficult-to-loosen part socket
crowfoot wrench crow's-foot wrench crow 's foot A type of wrench designed to use the same drive sizes as socket wrenches , but non-cylindrical in shape . The ends are the same as those found on the open-end , box-end , or the flare-nut wrenches . These wrenches are used when torque must be measured , or when the application precludes the use of a regular socket or wrench . Also used in place of conventional open/box wrenches where the wrenches are large , usually at a lower cost , or for when space and weight restrictions are critical socket
ratchet wrench ratchet handle It contains a one-way mechanism which allows the socket to be turned without removing it from the nut or bolt simply by cycling the handle backward and forward . ( The photo shows both ratchet and sockets . ) socket
speed handle speed wrench speed handle crank handle speed brace A crank-shaped handle that drives a socket . The socket-driving analog of the brace used to drive a drill bit . Used instead of a ratchet in a few contexts when it can save substantial time and effort - that is , when there is a lot of turning to be done ( many fasteners ) , ample room to swing the handle , ample access to the fastener heads , etc . Has less leverage than a conventional ratchet wrench . Used occasionally in automotive repair or job shop work socket
torque wrench torque wrench A socket wrench drive tool that is employed to impart a precise amount of torque to a fastener , essential in many cases during the assembly of precision mechanisms socket
Allen wrench Allen key hex key L wrench Allen key A wrench used to turn screw or bolt heads designed with a hexagonal socket ( recess ) to receive the wrench . The wrenches come in two common forms : L-shaped and T-handles . The L-shaped wrenches are formed from hexagonal wire stock , while the T-handles are the same hex wire stock with a metal or plastic handle attached to the end . There are also indexable-driver-bits that can be used in indexable screwdrivers keys
Types
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. In Commonwealth English (excluding Canada), spanner is the standard term. The most common shapes are called open-ended spanner and ring spanner. The term wrench is generally used for tools that turn non-fastening devices (e.g. tap wrench and pipe wrench), or may be used for a monkey wrench - an adjustable pipe wrench. In North 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 specialised 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 for ease of cleaning.