This article covers wrenches, some of the most commonly used hand tools in industries like machinery, automotive, construction, and heavy industry. Wrenches are built on the physics principle that force increases as the lever arm increases, and they’re tools used to install or remove nuts with various head shapes (hex, Allen, etc.) or threaded machine parts.
Repair Wrench Types
Open-end wrench
Box-end wrench (ring spanner)
Allen wrench (hex key)
Combination wrench
Half-moon (offset) wrench
Open-end, combination, box-end, and half-moon wrenches are all very similar to each other in terms of function. Their jaw sizes are manufactured in two separate types, metric and SAE (inch). Because their jaw is a closed shape, box-end wrenches have greater strength.
Adjustable Wrench Types
Adjustable wrench (monkey wrench)
Multi-function wrench
Water pump pliers
Plier wrench
Special Wrench Types
There are also wrench types made for special applications. These are designed and manufactured differently, in various shapes and sizes according to their intended use. Box-end wrenches with a pipe extension and slugging wrenches, which are resistant to impact, are a group of wrenches where extra force can be applied at the point of use. They’re generally used in heavy industry and on construction/earthmoving equipment.
Ratcheting combination wrench
Wrench with a pipe extension
Open-end slugging wrench
Socket wrench
Sockets are manufactured in 6-point and 12-point versions, in both metric and SAE sizes. 12-point sockets were designed to solve the problem of fitting the socket onto a bolt or nut during use.
Deep sleeve socket
Deep sleeve sockets are a product made for use in cases where a stud is tall and the nuts sit deep.
Ratcheting combination wrench with flex head
Box-end slugging wrench
Chain wrench
Lug wrench
This is a group of wrenches used to install and remove wheel lug nuts on motor vehicles and other bolts/nuts requiring extra force.
There are two types: single-arm and cross (spider) type. In the image above, we see a cross-type lug wrench.
T-handle wrench
The lathe chuck key is a good example of a T-handle wrench.
