Adjustable wrench - who will benefit from it and how to choose it?

An item that should appear in every craft lover's toolbox is, for example, an adjustable wrench - useful for working with pipes, screws or various types of nuts. What types are currently produced? Who particularly benefits from its specific variations? You can check it out below.

What is a wrench and what types does it have?

First, a brief explanation - an adjustable wrench is a kind of hand tool with an adjustable distance between the working jaws. Surely you have come across different types of such a key while working. The most popular types of tools of this type are wrenches:

• French;
• Swedish
• English;
• hydraulic;
• type "frog";
• self-cleaning;
• designed for pipes only;
• overtake

In order not to get confused in the maze of all available types, we will try to characterize them well. Thanks to this, you will know what kind of work a particular type of tool is suitable for.

Adjustable wrenches for installation work

Let's start with tools that are especially useful for hydraulic and gas work. These include: French, Swedish, hydraulic and pipe wrenches.

Adjustable wrench - for whom is it suitable?

This wrench has double-sided jaws, the distance between which is adjusted by a rotating guide located in the handle. Thanks to this, the opening of the jaws can be smoothly controlled and adjusted to the size of the screw. This small wrench is especially recommended for plumbing work. This can be in variants with a large distance between the grips or relatively small. The knurled handle used on many models provides a good grip on the tool.

Swedish wrench - who needs it?

It is also one of the representatives of accessories for plumbing work. The Swedish adjustable wrench is characterized by two handles, the top of which remains motionless, like its jaw. On the bottom there is a screw adjustment with a counter screw. It is she who provides the initial spacing of the jaws. When clamping the handle, it is also possible to shift the lower jaw relative to the upper jaw to the optimal distance. Such an adjustable wrench is useful for plumbing work that requires a strong grip and great effort.

Pipe Wrench for Plumbing

This type of tool is designed for very tight and jammed pipes. This adjustable pipe wrench has a reinforced construction, making it very strong and will not break when very high force is applied during operation. When purchasing a pipe wrench, consider the maximum working width. Typically, manufacturers indicate the maximum pipe diameter that a particular wrench model can handle.

Adjustable hydraulic wrench for special applications

Among the typical adjustable wrenches was a representative needed for assembly work. The hydraulic adjustable wrench has a unique jaw design that prevents the object from slipping. This is especially important when its surface is wet or made of slippery material. This type of adjustable wrench allows the application of very high forces and is especially recommended for complex and demanding installation and repair work.

Universal adjustable wrenches for installation and assembly work

Other types of hand-held attachments can be used for more than just hydraulic work. Many of them are used for assembly or installation.

Socket wrench of the English type - who will come in handy?

This is perhaps the most popular of all adjustable wrenches. Colloquially, every traditional adjustable wrench is referred to as an English wrench because that is where it was patented. Its structure is characterized by a single handle with a slightly flattened surface. It can be covered with plastic so that it does not slip out of the hands. Adjustment is made by a special worm wheel and allows the lower jaw to slide. Often such an English wrench has a special measure that allows you to accurately fit it to the pitch of the bolt or nut. This tool is designed for assembly work, minor repairs and unscrewing elements with nuts.

Socket wrenches - where do they come in handy?

This is a very simple and versatile type of tool. At the heart of these pliers are two handles and lower sliding jaws. Their adjustment is carried out using a guide placed on a special irregularly shaped screw. As a result, the pin jams and an appropriate gap is obtained. The frog key is useful for homemade in the home garage. It allows you to smoothly adjust the size of the jaws and apply the appropriate force.

https://www./klucz-zabka-juco-250-mm-juco,p1209055671,dom-i-ogrod-Klucze samozaciskowe – specjalistyczne narzędzie do różnych prac

A tool based on an automatic clamping system is especially useful in hard-to-reach places. It doesn't matter if you need to unscrew a stuck nut, pipe or other element. This self-locking wrench is used when you cannot use two hands at the same time. This can be useful for hydraulic work, as well as for car repairs.

Hook wrenches for special applications

In this case, this is perhaps the most original key of all. This large adjustable wrench has a hook structure, especially at the top. It can be stationary or have smooth adjustment. Mainly used for loosening nuts with broken threads or damaged parts. Copes very well with elements with non-standard screw-out options, such as external hydrants.

How to choose the right wrench for yourself?

Application should be the main selection criterion. The most versatile of all devices are English keys, frogs and self-locking keys. If you need something more specialized, suitable for difficult tasks and loosening jammed pipes, choose a hydraulic or Swedish wrench. And if you're looking for a wrench that doesn't require constant turning, you can find your favorite ratchet version.

: