Small wrench. Types of wrenches

There are more than 250 types of sockets and tool wrenches in the OBI hypermarket catalog. Products are sold individually and in ready-made sets at a price of 45 to 10,000 rubles per heading.

Features of choice

When buying products from this subcategory, the following nuances are taken into account:

  • . Manufacturing material.
  • . Design features.
  • . The size.

For the manufacture of quality tool using hardened carbon steel. This material is characterized by high resistance to moisture and strength. In addition to piece items, there are sets of several dozen devices with a hard carrying case.

By design features Distinguish between products with a ratchet and adjustable mechanism, horn and end tools. Products with a T-handle and an extended working part are designed for tightening bolts in hard-to-reach places Oh. Torque samples are also commercially available with a special device for controlling the tightening force of the nuts. Key sizes are indicated in millimeters or inches according to generally accepted international standards.

Order in the OBI store manual locksmith tools for home and industrial needs using your phone.

Payment and delivery methods

  1. Purchase goods online with delivery
  • . You can pay for the order in cash or by bank transfer.
  • . You will coordinate the date and time of delivery with the operator by phone when confirming the order.
  • . The terms of the free service depend on the city, amount and weight of the product.
  • . Unloading goods, lifting and transferring are additional services and may be paid separately, check with the store operator.

Detailed information about the intervals and zones by city, the conditions for unloading and lifting the order are located, where you can independently calculate the cost of your delivery in advance, indicating the postal address and parameters for unloading.

  1. Order and collect yourself where it is convenient for you
  • . When filling out the order form, indicate a convenient date and time for you to visit the hypermarket.
  • . You can pay for the purchase in cash or by bank transfer at the cash desks of the store.

Purchased goods can be picked up at any of the OBI stores in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Ryazan, Volgograd, Nizhny Novgorod, Saratov, Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Omsk, Krasnodar, Surgut, Bryansk, Tula and Volzhsky.

There are several types of wrenches. They are used for tight fastening of joints, including a bolt and a nut. They are made from an alloy of chromium and vanadium. In order to prevent rusting of the key, chrome plating is used.

The first key was created by Solimon Merrico, who patented it back in 1835. There are many varieties of keys, all of them are very necessary for a person for construction and repair work in everyday life.

Purpose of wrenches

If you carefully consider the types of devices in the photo, you can understand that in addition to the models found in our homes, there are many more variations of them. They differ from each other not only in form, but also in the purpose of application..

For example, a fire hydrant wrench is used for only one purpose. While the rest, say, combined or adjustable tools, can be used for various areas.

Such a variety of devices is necessary to ensure comfort in work, not only professional specialists but also in the lives of ordinary citizens.

A properly designed tool helps to quickly complete the repair task assigned to a person.

Types of keys

The size is usually indicated by parameters such as the distance between the jaws.. In the 19th century and early 20th century, the nominal size of a tool was most often determined by following the general parameters of the thread it created. In modern practice, there are designations based on the total distance between two planes.

Dimensions should be considered according to such indicators as the mouth (distance from one sponge to another), thread parameter (nuts), handle length. The next parameter carries a distance from 3.2 mm to 155 mm, the second from M1.6 to M 110; and the third - from 150 millimeters to 500.

Open-end wrenches one and two-sided

These keys have open ends.. Their hole is presented in the form of a U. Most often they are different in size. Such products should be used when working with nuts and bolts, which are very difficult to access. They give a lot of room during unscrewing.

Double ended ring wrenches

The device is wrapped type at two ends has a closed circuit. The product is most often used for nuts or bolts. hexagonal shape. But in some cases it can be created in the shape of a square. The loops at both ends are the same size. Products of this type are used when open models cannot perform their task.

combination keys

Combined appliances, as their name implies, are presented in the form of a combination of a box model and an open-end wrench. They possess closed loop at one end and open at the other. The wrench can be used to loosen bolts and nuts, and then quickly remove them with the open end.

Combined types of keys are most often used to perform combinations, as a result of which both rings acquire the same diameter.

Adjustable and adjustable wrenches

Such products are presented open type. They are applied only from one end. Overall size holes were not fixed. It may vary depending on the bolt or nut. But these types of wrenches are almost impossible to use in hard-to-reach areas.

This type adjustable key most commonly used today. The adjustable end device differs from the usual one in that the gripping surfaces of the jaws in it are shifted 15 degrees to the side with respect to the device handle. The modern adjustable socket wrench was created by Johan Peter Johansson.

Now you need to consider how to use an adjustable product:

  1. Decide on the nut or bolt you want to fasten.
  2. Open the rotary key while turning the screw. Check if you have opened it well so that the nut can fit completely into it: if not, it should be opened more. Make sure it is open a little more than the size of the nut or bolt itself.
  3. Slide the free part of the tool head onto the nut while holding it in place. Rotate the screw mechanism so that it can grip the nut tightly.
  4. Turn the device clockwise to tighten the screw more tightly, or counterclockwise to loosen it considerably. Continue turning until the nut is tight or loose enough to be removed.
  5. Release the device and loosen the mechanism screw.

End models

It is customary to put the end device completely on a bolt or nut. When this kind of wrench is used, it does not need to be completely removed from the head of the nut or bolt after the turn is completed. The handles can be removed and re-inserted while the socket remains above the bolt.

Adjustable device, the main disadvantages:

  1. Relatively big size, can become a significant obstacle when working in hard-to-reach places.
  2. The backlash of the movable jaw does not allow the nut to be tightly compressed, ultimately, with a little effort, the wrench smoothes the corners of the nut and breaks off, at which time a person can get a significant injury.
  3. Over time, the mechanism of the movable sponge wears out a lot, leading to a strong backlash.
  4. The low strength index does not allow to create a large and twisting moment.
  5. The need to adjust the position of the movable sponge.

The only advantage is the ability to change the distance between the jaws. But even this advantage can be negated by socket wrench with interchangeable or bicycle heads.

Impact wrench

Types and sizes of products can be completely different. The impact type is a special thick, short and stocky device with a blocky end of the handle, which is specially designed to work with a hammer, which helps to give it more power in work.

It is used most often with large fasteners, a special nut and a font that have indication marks.

Impact wrenches are very durable, can withstand high strength, which is needed to release large stuck bolts and nuts. They will also help when free space does not allow the use of a large device.

Hex Tool

Such a device has a hexagonal end. Tools are used during the unwinding of a bolt with a hexagonal recess at the end. The method of such work is similar to the method of operation of a screwdriver. In order to better understand the principle of operation of such products, it is worth studying the types of wrenches, especially you need to pay increased attention to the photographs of the products.

Illustrative information helps to learn more about the features of any model.

Hexagonal devices come in two forms: with L-handles and T-handles. L- figurative keys are created from hexagonal wire, while T - shaped handles are considered to be the same hexagonal wire with a metal or plastic handle attached to a specific end.

Types of key and its name can also be studied in a hardware store. Most of the names of the devices come from their appearance.

Such hexagonal products have a head on a short arm and a hexagonal ball head on a longer arm. They enclose a large contact surface on the head of the screw. This reduces the possibility of heavy wear or rounding of corners in the screw.

A ball on a long arm is needed so that the key can be easily inserted into the head, which will help turn it at a certain angle, this is very important for use in hard-to-reach places.

The round shafts of the keys fit well in the hand and make the operation as easy as possible.

Since for such quality products stainless steel is used, then there will definitely not be any problems with rust. If you noticed it on the surface of the device, then there can be only one reason. This is due to active use instrument in order to turn the screws or bolts of excess steel. The pressure after itself leaves traces or components of another metal on the stainless beak, and in this case, corrosion develops under the influence of oxygen.

balloon instruments

This type of device is used to loosen and tighten the nuts on the wheels of a car. In the United Kingdom and Austria, it is widely used as a wheel brace..

Wrenches of this format may have an L - shaped metal rod with an end product on a curved tip and a knee on the other. The capturing tip is used to remove the caps from the wheels, which are fixed with the hooks of the tips.

On the market building tools Gedore is especially popular. It creates high-quality products that are actively used by motorists from all over the world. Appearance The first Gedore sets will definitely appeal to every car enthusiast.

Another common species, sometimes called the key spider, is represented as a cross with spaced nests at each of the four ends.

It is best if the bolts (or nuts) are tightened with a torque tool. These devices are much cheaper. Installing wheels while using them requires more force. Excessive force can make the nut very difficult to remove. In addition, the uneven distribution of force between the nuts and the device itself can lead to deformation of the brake rotor if the car has disc brakes.

For this reason, balloon tools are best used only to remove the nuts from the tip, and not to tighten them. In practice, such a rule is very often not observed even by professional mechanics themselves.

For every auto mechanic or common man, whose profession is inextricably linked with the use of a large number of tools, you can buy cutlery in the form of wrenches. Such an unusual gift will definitely please them.

tubular model

  1. The tubular device is represented by a tube, at the ends of which there are hexagons, special holes are made in the tube for a knob (a rod that plays the role of a lever). The hex size at the end of one key will vary considerably. Equipment and some machines, including cars, are sometimes equipped with such simple products.
  2. In some cases, the manufacturer bends the pipe, while obtaining an L-shaped tubular device. They have the same hexagon index at the end of one key, and the functionality of the positions is just like that of L-shaped end devices.
  3. A type of tubular device is considered to be a candle (for automotive spark plugs), it has a hexagon on one side.

In the cavity of the pipe, there may be protruding parts of threaded connections, for example, strongly protruding parts of a candle.

Products equipped with a ratchet

Cap and end products can be modified together with a ratchet mechanism (in other words, combined with a ratchet). The main advantage of such a ratchet wrench is that it does not need to be thrown. Another important advantage is the small angle at which the wrench is turned to carry out the screwing and unscrewing of the nut.

Ratchet mechanisms differ significantly from each other, for example, in terms of the number of teeth, if the mechanism has 72 teeth, then 5 degrees will be enough to turn, if 50 teeth, then 9 degrees, and so on. The formula for calculating is the angle of 360 degrees divided by the number of teeth. This is very important when working in very cramped conditions.

The main disadvantage of the device is the ratchet, which is considered its weak point, as it can easily break under load.

open end wrenches


There are quite a few types of wrenches, as they are needed for different nuts, bolts and are used in different situations. Somewhere it is more convenient to use one type, somewhere else, it all depends on the size of the nut, how it is located, and how to approach it. Consider all the main types of keys, their sizes, shape, advantages relative to each other. There are many manufacturers in this market, therefore, prices vary greatly. We can say that there are no high-quality and cheap keys. A good thing is not cheap, this applies to them.

Open end wrenches(on 1 photo). This is probably the most commonly used type. It is called so because its ends resemble horns. Sold both in sets and individually.
These keys have two different sizes at the ends. For example, 8*10, 10*12, 13*15 and so on. The size range is quite wide, ranging from 4mm to 55mm.

One-sided open-end wrenches.


They are mainly used in industries, it is unlikely that this will be useful in everyday life. Sizes start from 36mm, maximum 95mm. You can work with force by putting on one side of the key metal pipe, which greatly increases the tightening force.

Ring spanners are double-sided.


They have two different sizes at the ends, for example, 17*19, 19mm*22mm and so on. Sizes from 6mm to 55mm. Unlike open-end, the ends are in the form of a ring, which allows you to turn the nut without breaking off, without constantly rearranging the key, and it will not break.

Single ended wrench.


It has a ring on one side only, for greater tightening force it can be used in conjunction with a pipe. Sizes from 30mm to 50mm.

Ring impact wrench.


Has one ring. Unlike simple ones, drums are noticeably thicker. There is a special place for hitting with a sledgehammer or a hammer, they are mainly used for powerful tightening. Available in sizes from 27mm to 105mm.


On the one hand, these have a ring, on the other, the shape of an ordinary open-end wrench. The dimensions are the same on both sides. For example, 10*10, 12*12, etc. Combines the advantages of carob and ring spanner.
Minimum size 5mm, maximum 32mm.

socket wrenches(tubular).


Good in cases where the nut is deep in the part, and it is simply impossible to crawl with other keys.
They usually come in two sizes different sides. They are simply in the form of a tube, this can be twisted with a simple screwdriver, there is a special hole for this, they are L-shaped, they resemble the Latin letter L in shape, it can be twisted without the help of foreign objects, just by hand, as the shape allows.
This also includes candle keys, also made in the form of tubes, especially for spark plugs.

adjustable wrenches.

Its main advantage is that it adapts to many sizes, has sliding lips. There are several types, small and large, up to 19mm, up to 30mm, up to 35mm, up to 46mm. Often the nut has a non-standard size, or the necessary key was not at hand, then the adjustable wrench will completely solve the problem.


They are universal, the jaws are sliding, so they cover several diameters at once. Dimensions - from the smallest zero number, capable of clamping a maximum diameter of 28mm, to the largest number 5, this will already cover a 120mm pipe.
According to foreign nomenclature, sizes are marked in inches. For example, a key for 1 inch, 1.5, 2, 3 inches.
The shape of the jaws is L-shaped (straight) and S-shaped (rounded jaws). For capture round blank an S-shaped lip is better, as there are three points of contact, if the workpiece is flat, an L-shaped lip is better.

Star keys(Torx).


They come in the form to twist faster, there are also simple ones for manual use. As a rule, these are used to repair household appliances, in cars, cell phones.
I have sizes from T5 to T50. The smallest ones (T5, T6) are sold only in sets for cell phones.

Hex Keys.


Applicable for the repair of equipment, furniture assembly (4mm key for confirmation - furniture self-tapping screw). There are in sets and piece. Sizes from 1.5mm to 24mm.

sparkless keys.


Very specific. They are used only in explosive industries. They do not give a spark when they hit metal or fall, if the work is connected with gas, then these are used. They are easy to recognize by their color. It can be yellow, or the color of copper is reddish.

Wrenches are used to work with bolted connections. They come in several varieties, each of which is used for specific purposes. The choice of instrument configuration depends on the complexity of access to threaded connection. If it is in an open place, then any wrench will do, but if you need to dodge, then you need a special form of the tool.

Varieties of wrenches

First of all, the tool differs in size. Each one is designed for a specific hex nut. The key size is indicated by numbers that correspond to the diameter of the landing throat in millimeters. Foreign tools may have an inch designation, but they are practically not used in the CIS.

There are more than 10 types of wrenches, which are divided into the following groups:
  • Monolithic.
  • Adjustable.
  • Composite.
  • with a special profile.

Special keys can also be noted, but they are used very rarely and only in special designs. Most of these tools are almost never used, so they can be ignored.

Monolithic wrench

The monolithic wrench is a one-piece metal structure. This tool is the most common. It is mainly made of special steel, which includes chromium and vanadium. Monolithic type is divided into several subtypes:

  • Rozhkovy.
  • Union.
  • End.
  • Combined.
Rozhkovy

The open end tool is used for nuts and bolts from 3.6mm to 95mm. This is the most common key that is used in all areas, including car maintenance. Its design is a flat profile, at the end of which there are two axes for covering the heads of threaded connections. The horn instrument is single-sided and double-sided.

One-sided has horns on only one side, while the second is a cut profile. Often, to work with a tightly clamped connection, a tube can be put on the second end of the wrench to increase the leverage of force, and to facilitate untwisting. double sided key has horns at all ends. Usually they are designed for nuts of different diameters.

Thanks to flat design open end wrenches pretty compact. The direction of their jaws has a deviation of 15 degrees. This reduces the risk of slipping and adds extra maneuverability. The disadvantage of the horn design is the fragility of fixing the joints. When untwisting with strong force, metal is abraded on the edges of the bolts. In addition, breaking off or expanding the horns is possible.

Union

The ring wrench has a size from 6 to 55 mm. Its working part is a ring with edges, which ensures complete crimping of nuts and bolts. When working with such a tool, the risk of licking the edges is eliminated. The cap design can also be one-sided and two-sided. The one-sided variation includes a tool in sizes from 30 to 55 mm. The disadvantage of the cap type is the need for open access to the threaded connection. If the nut is only a few millimeters from the obstacle, then it will not be possible to fix the key on it.

End

The working part of such a tool is a tube with an internal notch for fixing the edges. The wrench is used to loosen deep seated bolts and nuts. Reliability of fixation corresponds to the cap. Depending on the shape, there are tubular, "T" and "G" shaped. The former are a straight tube, with ends fitted to the edges and a small through hole in the center, which are used to thread the pin to facilitate turning. Such wrenches are called candle wrenches because they are used to change spark plugs in internal combustion engines. "T" and "G" shaped keys have 6 or 12 faces. Their curved shape is adapted to certain working conditions.

Combined

Such a double-sided tool has an open-end and ring spanner at each end. Available in sizes from 5 to 32 mm. It is possible to have the same or different size open-end and box wrench. Such a tool is often included in standard kits for servicing motorcycles and other small equipment.

adjustable type

The adjustable wrench is more advanced, but not as robust design like a monolith. It can change the size of the girth of the working part, therefore it is suitable for a wide range of nuts and bolts. There are several subtypes of adjustable tools:

  • Adjustable.
  • Pipe.
  • Adjustable.
  • French.
Adjustable

Adjustable resembles a carob, but is more massive. Its feature lies in the sliding jaws. Such a tool is universal. It allows you to work with non-standard sizes nuts. Changing the working width is done with a simple worm-type adjuster. Such a tool fixes only two faces, so it can lick nuts. It must not be hit with a hammer, as the worm adjuster may jam and bend, making further attempts to adjust the width impossible.

Trubny

Pipe wrench refers to universal tool. It comes in 5 sizes with a coverage range of 0 to 120mm. Adjustment is carried out using a clamping nut on one of the handles. The capture of faces is carried out by two sponges like a lever. The tighter it is clamped, the more reliable the fixation will be. There are several options for the shape of the lips. They are flat and rounded. The former work with ordinary nuts, while the latter can capture rounded connections.

Adjustable

The adjustable wrench also provides a grip on the lever system. To work with it, you need to apply a strong force, since its design is more primitive than pipe. The surface of the adjustable mechanism is serrated, which provides a tighter contact between the two handles. There is also a notch on the lips. It increases the reliability of the fit of the horns to the surface of the faces.

French

The french wrench is very old design. Despite this, it can be found in the tool kit of many motorists and mechanics. The French design was invented back in the 18th century. Since that time, the principle of tool adjustment has changed slightly. It should be noted that such keys suffer from the presence of backlash, which complicates the reliable fixation of the jaws. They do not tolerate shock, so if the nut does not give in, then it is best to use a tube to increase the leverage.

Composite type

Composite type is a socket head. On the one hand, they have 6 or 12 faces for fixing the nuts, and on the other, 4 faces for holding the knob. When assembled, the composite key repeats the design of the conventional end type. The advantage of the heads is that they fit under one collar. Thus, a whole set of end caps and one handle can fit in a small box. At the same time, it will present all the popular sizes that are required for work.

Handles of several designs can be used for heads:
  • Hinged.
  • With ratchet.
  • L-shaped.
  • With screwdriver handle.

The disadvantage of heads is that they do not fit everywhere. For hard-to-reach places, they are often unsuitable. This is due to the thick walls of the nest. In addition, when working with dirty and rusty joints, there are times when the head fits tightly on a nut or bolt, after which it is difficult to remove it. With force, the crank simply pops out of the mounting hole, while the nozzle remains in place.

Keys with a special profile

Special profile wrenches are male tools that fit into special holes on the bolts, rather than capturing their heads. There are hex and star wrenches. They have a small diameter and are mainly used for fixing furniture connections. They are also used for assembly and disassembly of household appliances.

The hex key is an ordinary L-shaped rod, machined into 6 faces. It is he who is used for conformation in the assembly and repair of furniture. Wrenches with a diameter of 1.5 to 24 mm are available. You can often find an even variation of the key in the form of bits for .

A star-shaped wrench is an L-shaped rod with a curly sharpening at the end, resembling the shape of a screwdriver. It is used to work with small bolts in household appliances and elements of the car interior. Small wrenches are used for disassembly mobile phones and tablets. Often, a special screwdriver is used instead of a torx type.