In ancient days, adjustable wrenches were not used because they were not invented yet. After invention, it did not take long for people to learn and embrace their uses. Adjustable wrenches are used mostly in construction sites. Its bolts tighten, loosen for fixing, balance, and adjust. There are universal adjustable wrenches that can be used to perform most wrenching tasks, but in some cases require a specific wrench to accomplish the task like in fixing sockets. Only a socket wrench can be used to install and adjust sockets.
ADJUSTABLE WRENCH FUNCTION
As we have seen above, adjustable wrenches are in the construction and building industry. Below are some of the functions performed using adjustable wrenches.
- For Furniture
Do you have a mid-modern bed in your house? If yes, am sure you needed to open its bolts using an adjustable spanner for it to fit the entrance, and use the same to put it back together. Other furniture types that require a wrench are chairs and tables whose parts are fit using bolts.
- In bikes
Bikes like bicycles and motorbikes use adjustable wrenches to fit the engine space for motors and peddle for bicycles. Also, a bicycle seat is fitted to the stand by bolting.
- Vehicles’ tires
Until now, you have to use a Wrench to change most vehicles’ wheels and tires, and spin in opposite direction to fit another back.
- Vehicles’ engines
All vehicle engines are fitted in by round locking bolts that require a circular open-ended wrench to adjust. Adjustable wrench uses are also seen in other micro and macro parts inside and around the engine.
- Plumbing
Plumber and pipe wrenches are among the adjustable used in plumbing to install/ adjust or change things like pipes, toilet seat, sink, taps, and gutter guards.
- Opening windows
Some windows like the Nissan windows require a spanner to loosen or tighten the contact joint. Others like in modern housing are connected to the frames using bolts that require spanners and wrenches to tighten or loosen the connection.
- Changing seats
If you have used public transport, I know you have seen seats bolted to the vehicle board since the connection is rather more visible than in other vessels of transport. Though, most seats in planes, ships, and small vehicles are bolted. Adjustable wrenches are used to tighten or change them if any is defective.
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ADJUSTABLE WRENCH TYPES
- Adjustable spanners
An open-ended adjustable wrench allows its use with different-sized fasteners.
- Spud Wrench
You may use its tale side to hold something to another by inserting it through the holes. The front side is used to rotate bolts to connect the holes of the same
- Monkey Wrench
An adjustable wrench type though it adjusts vertically and has larger jaws. Best for large fasteners like those in vehicle wheels, or for machine assembling using robots because their grasp is well coded and easily applied.
- Pipe Wrench
Just from its name, it is used to install and fix pipes by putting the fitting to the throat of the wrench and twisting it in either direction.
- Plumber Wrench
It is a universal adjustable wrench that fits most plumbing pieces of equipment like pipes of all sizes, gutters, and taps.
- Crescent wrench
It is similar to an adjustable spanner. The difference in name is the location it’s used. In America and Canada, they refer to it as crescent wrench while adjustable spanner is named that way in the UK.
• Offset Adjustable Wrench
It opens in parallel to the item you want to work on. It can go as low as ¼” thus fitting through the narrowest holes and adjusting the smallest nuts such as those found in electronics.
• Snap & Grip adjustable auto adjustable wrench
Their structure allows them to open small nuts like those found in phones. It a lost saves time lost when using other Adjustable Wrenches because its adjustments are auto. Famous users of this type of wrenches are vast and robotic item manufacturers.
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WHAT SIZE ADJUSTABLE WRENCH SHOULD I GET?
The Wrench size you choose is utterly dependent on the tasks you want to perform with it. For example, if you want to use it for tiny fasteners either the spanner for that purpose or take one that can adjust to fit a lower grip.
Follow the combinations below.
- ¼, ½, 3/8, ¾, 5/8, 5/16, 7/8, 7/16, 9/16, 11/32, 11/16, 15/16 and 1 as your standard combinations whose metric combinations are as follows respectively. 6, 11, 9, 15, 13, 7, 17, 10, 12, 8, 14, 18, and 19.
- ¼, ½, 3/8, ¾, 5/8, and 5/16 are good in electronics stuff like phones, sockets, etc.
- 7/8, 7/16, 9/16, 11/8/11/16, and 15/16 are medium combinations best in plumbing and carpentry.
- 1 is best used in mechanics because the fastening required is of high width.
- All wrenches can combine two bolt sizes for example, if the bolt size is 1/4, a ¼ and a ½ wrench can operate that bolt size. Others can go up to 3, 4, or even 5 sizes up or down.
In the buyers’ guide for these adjustable wrenches are guidelines on what task best suits that particular tool.
Every Adjustable Wrench comes with a users’ menu of how to combine the sizes. Follow yours and find out the best tasks for it.
• Alternatively, you may also ask the spanner that is suitable for the tasks you want in the tools shop, supermarket, or from the manufacturer, and I am sure you will get some assistance.
In conclusion, adjustable wrench use is for the present and future of the manufacturing and assembly industries. You cannot go an inch without needing them. They come in different types and are designed to handle different tasks. Though some can multitask, they may not fit in all adjustments due to the size and nature of the task. For example, a spanner used in plumbing can be used in electronics, but not in all electronics due to size differences. However, their use is widely spread in all major industries. Just choose the right sized Wrench for your task, and you will like having one.
