Going to a mechanical store to buy some tools? Or more precisely spanners? Then you’ve got to read this guide to get an awareness of the right application of each spanner. You don’t have to go to the store with a blank mind on the right spanner to buy. You might end up buying a wrong tool best for some other task. This guide gives a basic description in simple words on each spanner types and what they are best suited for.
Open-ended spanner.
This is one of the most common spanners. It is U-shaped on both ends. They are available in various sizes and length. But certainly, the more the size, the more the density of the spanner. The spanner always has different size measurement on its two ends. Open-ended spanner is best suited for dealing with bolts and nuts that are difficult to access, for instance, bolts located in the tight areas of your car’s engine.
Box-shaped spanner.
They are round end shaped spanners. They are more comfortable and faster to work with when compared to the open-ended spanner due to its feature that makes it possible for the tool to fit tightly over bolts and nuts. Though easy to handle, it would be a wrong choice when dealing with remote and difficult-to-access bolts and nuts.
Combination.
You could as well consider buying a tool that combines the features of both the box-shaped spanner and the open-ended spanner. With this tool, you can be able to easily access remote bolts using the open-ended side of it and get to work faster when dealing with easy access nuts using its box-shaped side. The combination spanner has the same measurement on both sides of the spanner.
Adjustable.
The adjustable spanner comes with its own advantages. With it, you can get to loosen any nut not beyond its largest size. You can easily screw it down to deal with smaller nuts and expand to a larger size when dealing with larger nuts. This type of spanner might be useless when dealing with nuts and bolts located in tight locations or corners.
Allen.
They are hexagonal T or L-shaped spanners that can only be used on some types of bolts. Bolts that are compatible with the Allen spanner are those with a slight depression on its top surface that allows the Allen spanner to fit into. They are not as widely used as flat-surfaced bolts. The Allen spanner can’t be used to loosen nuts. They are very easy to handle.
F-Clamp spanner.
Compared to the above-listed ones used mostly for metal, the f-clamp is used mainly for plumping and piping purposes. It is am F-shaped adjustable spanner. It is used for holding and fitting together plastic parts.
The above-listed spanner types are just some of the most used spanners at least if all you will be needing spanners for is for basic home repairs not as a professional. There are other types such as torque, alligator, ratcheting and socket.
