Teaching you how to use a wrench.
2016-09-03
Introduction: The wrench is one of the most common hardware tools found in our homes. Based on their power source, wrenches can be categorized into electric wrenches and manual wrenches. At present, manual wrenches are still more widely used in households. Although this tool is ubiquitous in our daily lives, most people may not be familiar with its various classifications and applications.
First, let’s talk about the most common and also the most primitive type—the open-end wrench. Also known as a fixed wrench, the open-end wrench comes in two varieties: single-head and double-head. The size of the opening can be adjusted to fit different nut sizes. Some models are designed with fixed, non-adjustable sizes according to standard dimensions, including square, hexagonal, and dodecagonal types. Among these, the dodecagonal wrench—also called a梅花 wrench—is the most frequently used by the general public. Its advantage lies in its ability to be used in confined spaces, with a relatively small turning radius and a wide range of applications. It is especially convenient for assembling and disassembling hexagonal nuts or bolts located in slightly recessed areas.
Another common type of wrench is the socket wrench, which consists of a set of sockets of varying sizes. Its curved handle allows for continuous rotation, greatly improving work efficiency and conserving physical energy. Among this set of wrenches, there’s also a ratchet wrench, designed specifically for working in tight spaces. Thanks to its smaller turning angle, it’s ideal for tightening or loosening screws and nuts.
Another tool commonly used in mechanical and electrical work is the Allen wrench. This wrench features a long, flexible shaft with a handle at one end and either a square or hexagonal socket at the other. A replaceable socket is fitted over the square or hexagonal head to secure it in place. At the top of the wrench, there’s also a long pointer. The scale plate is fixed to the handle base, with each graduation representing 1 newton (or kilogram-force per meter). Thus, this wrench proves invaluable when operations require a specific tightening torque or when several nuts (or screws) need to be tightened with the same torque. Additionally, this wrench is often used for assembling and disassembling large nuts—for instance, electricians frequently employ it to install and remove steel structures such as transmission towers.
There are many other common types of wrenches. For example, the adjustable wrench—also known as an adjustable spanner—is a tool used to tighten or loosen screws or nuts with angled heads. When using it, hold the handle with your right hand. The farther back your hand is positioned along the handle, the easier it will be to turn the wrench. When tightening small nuts, since you’ll need to keep rotating the worm gear and adjusting the opening size of the wrench, you should grip the handle closer to the fixed jaw and use your thumb to adjust the worm gear so that it matches the size of the nut.
There are too many types of wrenches to go into each one individually. When selecting a wrench, it’s best to take into account its intended application range. This will help you choose the right type and model more appropriately, saving you effort and boosting your work efficiency. Finally, let me remind you: It’s common in daily life for people to use wrenches as hammers, which can cause significant damage to the tools. Improper handling can even deform the wrench’s shape. Therefore, I recommend that you always choose the right tool for the specific job—this is the correct approach to working safely and effectively.
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