When selecting the correct wrench for a given tasks, it is necesary to use the correct wrench to avoid damaging the fastener that you are attempting to adjust. If you do not use the correct size of wrench for the size of the bolt or nut that you are adjusting, then the wrench will slip from the bolt or nut. The slipping of the wrench will round the corner of the bolt or nut.
When the corners of the bolt or nut are rounded, the bolt or nut is stripped and becomes difficult to remove. Thus, it is necesary to ensure that the size of the wrench match the size of the fastener prior to beginning to apply force to the fastener. There are several differently types of wrenches that is used for different tasks within the machinery.
Choose the Right Wrench for the Job
Combination wrenches has an open end and a box end, and are useful in tasks that require either the open or box end of the tool. Open end wrenches are useful for loosening fasteners, but can slip if too much force is applied to the fastener. Box end wrenches can grip all of the corner of the fastener, so they are useful for tightening fasteners that are rusted to the machinery.
Ratcheting wrenches allow for the fastener to be continuously turn without removing the wrench from the fastener, which is helpful in tight space. Additionally, there are also specialized wrenches that are used for specific task, such as flare nut wrenches (for brake lines), pipe wrenches (for plumbing task), and torque wrenches (for tasks that require specific amount of force). Wrench sizes is categorized into two different measurement systems: the SAE system and the metric system.
The SAE system uses fractions of an inch, and is mainly used in American made machinery and domestic trucks. The metric system uses unit of measurement in millimeters, and is used in machinery from other parts of the world. Thus, wrench sizes from the two systems are not interchangeable.
A metric wrench must be used on metric bolts, and an SAE wrench must be used on SAE bolts. If you use an SAE wrench on a metric bolt, the wrench will slip from the bolt and damage the bolt. For example, a half inch wrench is similar in size to a 13 mm wrench, but a half inch wrench will not be an exact match for a 13 mm bolt.
Thus, it is necesary for each task to use the specific wrench size for that task to avoid damaging the bolt. Within both measurement systems, wrench sizes come in a variety of size. Within the SAE system, wrench sizes range from small quarter inch wrenches that are used for small screws to large wrenches that are used for the axles of large trucks.
Metric wrench sizes range from small six millimeter wrenches to large thirty two millimeter wrenches. For instance, a ten millimeter wrench is a common size for removing bolts from vehicle, as ten millimeter bolts are common on fender and exhaust manifolds components. Because each task may require different sized wrenches, mechanic often have both SAE and metric wrench sets in their tool kits.
Understanding the physical design of the wrench can improve it’s effectiveness. For example, the open end of a wrench are often angled at fifteen degrees to the rest of the wrench, allowing for repositioning of the wrench without having to remove it from the fastener. Box end can have six or twelve pointed corners, and a twelve pointed box end will work better with fasteners because it will slide into the corners of the fastener more smoothly.
Additionally, wrenches with longer shanks provide more leverage to the mechanic when turning fasteners, and some wrenches may have knurled handles to provide better grip on the handle if it becomes greasy during operation, or may even have the size of the wrench stamped on the handle for easy identification. When using a wrench, there are several rule that should of been followed to avoid injury and damage to the wrench. For example, the wrench should always be pulled towards the body when turning a fastener, rather than pushed in the opposite direction, to avoid striking the knuckles.
Additionally, a box end wrench should be used to loosen stubborn fasteners due to the better grip that it provides. Other rules include not using extensions on a wrench other than a breaker bar, not using an SAE wrench on a metric bolt, and avoiding using a metric wrench on an SAE bolt altogether. When building a tool kit, it is necesary to include each of the different type of wrenches.
For instance, a set of metric wrenches from eight to nineteen millimeters will be useful for cars and motorcycles. Additionally, a set of SAE wrenches from quarter inch to seven eighths inch in size will be useful for plumbing tasks and small motors. Thus, by selecting each of these components and ensuring that the size and type of wrench are correct for the task, the corner of bolts will not be rounded and tasks will be completed more efficienty.
