A wrench is part of every well-equipped toolkit. Wrenches can help you loosen and tighten bolts, screws, mechanical caps, cases, and more. Whether the job calls for a basic combination wrench, a powerful torque wrench, or a high-end ratchet wrench — or some combination of all of them — having the right wrenches at hand is an important step in building a toolbox that can help you tackle any problem.
Let’s take a look at some essential characteristics of quality wrenches and which ones you should choose for particular tasks.
Wrenches: The Basics
In general, a quality wrench is going to be constructed using Chrome-Molybdenum or Chrome Vanadium steel. Not only is this material durable, but it helps to withstand corrosion, damage, and wear and tear.
Another factor to consider when choosing a wrench is the finish. This has to do with more than just looks. A satin-finish wrench offers a better grip. On the other hand, MaxChrome full-polish chrome tool may be easier to clean and offer a professional look depending on how and where your tools are being used.
Extra durable options may include a black industrial finish, which is less flashy but can withstand maximum wear and tear.
What Types of Wrenches Should Be in Your Tool Kit?
There are over 40 different kinds of wrenches on the market today. Obviously, you won’t need all of them in your toolbox, but several types are important for most common jobs.
Combination Wrenches
A combination wrench is designed to offer maximum flexibility. It has a closed loop at one end and an open U-shape on the other. These wrenches are popular because they’re helpful for whatever function you need, whether it’s the open grip of a U-shape or the tighter diameter offered by a box-end wrench.
Torque Wrenches
Torque wrenches are most often seen in a mechanics toolkit. They’re notable because they’re calibrated to deliver a specific amount of torque to a job and can be extremely useful when precision is required in tightening or removing a specific fastener.
Box-end Wrenches
Box-end wrenches have closed loops at both ends. These wrenches tend to be thin enough to fit into narrow workspaces, such as part of a car engine. Each closed loop has a different inner diameter and can flexibly tighten or loosen any bolt, screw, or fastener of that size.
Ratchet or Socket Wrenches
A ratchet wrench is also sometimes referred to as a socket wrench. These powerful wrenches fit over the joint you’re working on and use a ratcheting feature to quickly loosen or tighten a screw or bolt. Because it’s not necessary to lift up the wrench, it can be significantly faster to use this type of wrench.
Ratchet wrench sets typically come with a core body and a number of adjustment sockets, offering maximum flexibility for a wide range of different projects.
Specialty Ratchet Wrenches
Ratchet box end wrenches combine the ratcheting mechanism of a socket wrench with the closed loop of a box-end wrench, lending additional power for hard-to-remove fasteners.
A ratchet flex head wrench often has a closed box end on one side and an open-U on the other. The box end includes a tilting flex head that makes it easier to maneuver around complex mechanical set-ups and allows the user to get leverage as they torque the items they’re working on.
Adjustable Wrenches
An adjustable wrench is a multi-purpose tool that lets you quickly and easily adjust the size of the wrench to fit a variety of different-sized bolts and nuts. It’s a versatile tool that can be good to bring along when you have limited space in your toolbox and don’t necessarily know the exact size of tools you’ll need to work with.
Allen Wrenches
Another common type of wrench is the Allen wrench, which often features an L shape or T shape. The long span of iron after the bend can be used as a handle, creating a more flexible setup for tackling tough projects. The shorter end is typically inserted into the head of the screw or bolt that’s being worked on.
Allen wrenches are highly portable and often come in a variety of sets, so you’ll always have different options to meet any needs that arise during a project.
Impact Wrenches
One of the lesser-known but still incredibly helpful wrenches on the market is the impact wrench. At first glance, it’s easy to mistake for a drill. However, this cordless and chargeable wrench can be used when particularly stubborn nuts or bolts refuse to turn. By applying significant pressure, even the most rigid fasteners will loosen and enable you to get on with the job.
Having the right wrenches in your toolbox is an essential part of tackling every mechanical challenge that comes your way quickly and easily. Make sure to have a variety of high-quality options so you’re well-prepared for any job that comes up.