An adjustable wrench, also called an adjustable spanner or an adjustable crescent is a tool, which can be used to loosen or tighten a nut or bolt. It has a “jaw” (the part where the nut or bolt fits), which is of adjustable size [source: Websters].
What do the British call an adjustable wrench?
In British English, spanner is the standard term. 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 spanner.
What are the 6 main types of wrenches?
Adjustable Wrench. Tightens/loosens nuts and bolts. Combination Wrench. Tightens/loosens nuts and bolts. Open-End Wrench. Tightens/loosens nuts and bolts. Ratchet Wrench. Tightens/loosens nuts and bolts. Short-Body or Stubby Wrench. Tightens/loosens nuts and bolts in tight spaces. Crowfoot Wrench. Basin Wrench. Pipe Wrench.
What is a spud wrench?
A spud wrench is a wrench with an adjustable or standard box wrench on one end and a tapered spike on the other. The spike can be used to line up bolt holes when installing pipe fittings, doing automotive work or—in the case of iron workers—for lining up bolt holes in girders and beams.
What are the three types of torque wrenches?
There are four basic types of torque wrenches, each with slightly different operating principles: beam or deflection, dial indicator, clicker, and digital.
What are other names for a wrench?
Synonyms
hook spanner.socket wrench.jaw.spanner.tap wrench.adjustable spanner.open-end wrench.carriage wrench.
Why is it called a crescent wrench?
Although the term “crescent wrench” is thrown around as though it were a type of tool, crescent wrenches got their name from the Crescent Tool Company in the early 1900s. It was first created by inventor Karl Peterson, although a wrench by the Swedish company BAHCO may have inspired Peterson’s design.
What are crescent wrenches used for?
A crescent wrench is useful for turning nuts and bolts within a certain range of sizes.
What do British call wrenches?
The Brits call it a spanner, the Americans call it a wrench. But whichever you prefer, it’s also interchangeable with other similar tools, such as the box-end wrench (ring spanner) and the flare-nut or tube wrench (crow’s foot spanner).
What is a crescent wrench called in England?
An adjustable spanner (UK and most other English-speaking countries) or adjustable wrench (US and Canada) is any of various styles of spanner (wrench) with a movable jaw, allowing it to be used with different sizes of fastener head (nut, bolt, etc.)
What are big wrenches called?
Pipe Wrench
The pipe wrench is a bigger, sturdier adjustable wrench. They are usually used by plumbers to hold metal pipes and fittings together. However, the heaviness of this tool can leave behind scratch marks, which is why they’re usually used “behind the scenes.”
What are flat wrenches called?
A drum key or square-holly socket wrench consists of a T-shape with a flattened handle. As the name suggests, it is used to tune different percussion instruments, such as drums. A drum key with longer handles provides you to apply more torque than shorter handles.
What is a chain wrench?
Chain wrenches and chain tongs are adjustable chains that tighten around an object to grip it so the object can be turned.
What was an alligator wrench used for?
This “alligator” wrench (so-called because of its shape, like an “alligator’s mouth”) was used to turn iron and steel pipes and rods which could not be turned with a regular wrench. A pipefitter often used such a tool in fitting or removing air- and water-piping from a locomotive.
What is a construction wrench?
Definition of construction wrench
: an open-end wrench used by steel construction workers and having a long handle tapering to a blunt point that is used to hold matching holes (as for bolts or rivets) in alignment.
