A Guide to Wrench Types

When life throws a wrench in your plans, you need the right tool for the job. Explore the differences between a torque wrench, monkey wrench, box wrench and specialty options today to prepare your toolkit. While most wrenches are designed to tighten and loosen nuts and bolts, choosing the right tool for the job is key to a safe and efficient DIY project.

Standard Wrench Types 

These are the wrenches you’ll typically find in a complete set. If you had to buy just a few tools for any project, you should choose one or more of these. These wrenches won’t offer you the specialized performance you need for some projects, but most DIY projects can be tackled with the right size of standard wrench. Standard wrenches come in SAE (inches) or metric dimensions, so be sure you have the right set for your application. SAE fasteners are more common in household applications, but many automobiles use metric dimensions.

Box

These wrenches have a closed loop, typically on both ends, and are usually sold in sets. They aren’t adjustable, so you’ll need to choose the right box wrench for the size of your nut or bolt. Thankfully, they’re usually clearly marked in terms of size.

Open-End

Choose an open-end wrench if you need to access a hard-to-reach fastener. They typically come in the same sizes and sets as box wrenches but use an open end to reach fasteners from the side. Most open-end wrenches come in a full set, but you buy a single wrench if you typically work on a single fastener size.

Combination

Many standard wrenches offer a combination of box and open-end heads. These are called combination wrenches and are probably the second most common type, after adjustable wrenches. A single wrench can only be used for a single fastener size, but it allows you to choose between closed or open-end convenience.

Socket

A ratcheting feature allows you to twist a socket wrench back and forth to loosen or tighten a fastener. This design helps you work on a project without removing the wrench, which can save you time. Sockets can come in deep well or standard depth and can be either SAE or metric.

Adjustable

Unless you’re an expert mechanic or trades professional, you probably can’t look at a fastener and know its size. Instead of carrying an entire set of box, open-end or combination wrenches, many homeowners choose a few adjustable wrenches. These handy tools allow you to work on a wide range of nuts and bolts without swapping tools. You can also grab a single adjustable wrench without measuring the fastener.

Wrenches for Special Applications

Standard wrenches can help you take on most projects, but they aren’t the best for special projects. Set aside your standard crescent wrench and pick up a specialized option to take on tough fasteners or speed up your project.

Plumbing

Plumbers need to work in confined spaces to install sink basins and pipes. While these tasks can usually be handled with a crescent wrench or open-end wrench, these specialized tools can help you get into tough spots and quickly address stubborn fasteners:

• Garbage disposal wrench

• Pipe wrench

• Basin wrench

Each of these wrench types is designed to work on the component they’re named after. A pipe wrench is typically made of steel and is adjustable to work on 4-inch septic line unions. Basin wrenches have an asymmetrical handle to reach behind the basin and work on hidden fasteners. Garbage disposals have nuts that adjust the cutter plate, so a garbage disposal wrench uses a long handle to conveniently reach and adjust these irregular fasteners.

Auto Repair

Vehicles use a stunning array of fastener shapes and sizes. Many of these fasteners are also hidden deep within your car or truck. If your socket wrench can’t reach a fastener, or if you’re looking for a way to speed up your automotive maintenance task, choose one of these tools:

• Torque wrench

• Strap wrench

• Spark plug wrench

• Lug wrench

• Fan clutch wrench

• Impact wrench

These wrenches come in a number of sizes and designs. Most loosely resemble a standard type of wrench, but others are almost unrecognizable as a wrench. A spark plug wrench uses a T-bar style to offer torque and a shaft that makes it convenient to reach spark plugs. Impact wrenches are typically powered by electricity or compressed air to remove lug nuts to replace tires.

Bike Repair

Set aside your auto repair wrenches and pick up a few specialty tools to work on your two-wheeled transportation. Bike repair wrenches perform tasks that are difficult or impossible to handle with standard wrenches, so be sure to shop for these as you maintain your bike:

• Dog bone wrench

• Spoke wrench

• Cone wrench

• Pedal wrench

Spoke wrenches, for example, use a disc shape and slotted end to adjust the spoke tension. The small ends of a spoke are difficult to adjust without this specialized tool. Dog bone wrenches can fit into spaces that your standard wrench set can’t, making them ideal for working on your bicycle.

Shop for Wrenches at Max Warehouse

Wrenches are only one type of hand tool that you should have in your DIY kit. Whether working on your house, car or bicycle, shop for wrenches and other hand tools at Max Warehouse to enjoy a great deal on quality brands. Search for a single monkey wrench or a full socket set before taking on your next project.