A well-equipped workshop is full of various types of wrenches, thanks to which no job is scary. In order to always have the most important things at hand, we need to know perfectly well what their types are, what they are for and know which type to use for specific installation tasks. This is what we will look at in the following article.
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What types of keys are there?
Although most keys are well-known and recognizable, when it comes to their division, naming and selection, there is a certain problem. This is because there are so many of them, so it is easy to get lost in this diversity. To organize the knowledge, we have prepared this helpful list and answer what types of keys are there?
Flat wrenches
Let's start with the easiest. Flat wrenches , as they are, everyone sees - are the most popular type of wrench, used in a huge number of tasks. They are designed to fit the screws that are to be unscrewed or screwed in the most precise way. Of course, they are appropriate when the screw is easily accessible. In other cases, you have to reach for another type of wrench.
Socket wrench (ratchet)
A ratchet wrench , also known as a socket wrench, does a much better job of this task. As the name suggests, special sockets in the shape of a hexagonal hole are used here, which allows for effective unscrewing or tightening of screws, even in hard-to-reach places. This is much faster than with a regular flat wrench.
Allen key
Of course, this list also includes an Allen key , which is an invaluable aid in countless tasks, for example when assembling furniture, repairing a bicycle and many others.
Pipe wrench
The pipe wrench is used in almost all hydraulic work. It is characterized by great strength, but also quite heavy.
Swedish key
The Swedish wrench is also essential in plumbing. Also called an adjustable pipe wrench, it has a characteristic handle with a pliers design. It is no coincidence that its inventor, Johan Petter Johansson, gave it the nickname "iron hand".
French wrench
Without the popular "French wrench" it is hard to think about proper work. The French wrench can be adapted to the type of work performed, which is ensured by its specially adjustable handle. It is also invaluable for every plumber, in a situation when you need to tighten or loosen screws or nuts of large diameters (also in the shape of a cylinder).
Hook wrench
A very interesting solution is also a hook wrench , whose special feature is the hook-shaped jaws, providing a strong grip, great for dealing with nuts and bolts with damaged edges.
Impact wrench
The impact wrench provides real comfort while working, because it is based on impact, thanks to which we can tighten and loosen screws quickly and effortlessly.
How to choose the right wrench for installation work?
We have already learned about the different types of wrenches, learning the most important things about their characteristics. This makes it easier to match them to your needs. When choosing a wrench for the appropriate installation work, you need to assess its usefulness. We can say that universal flat wrenches of different sizes are sufficient for many tasks. However, there are situations when they will not be suitable, especially when the screw is mounted in a hard-to-reach place. In this situation, we need to have socket wrenches (ratchet wrenches) at our disposal, or perhaps a more specialized type of wrench, described above, hook wrenches.
Every workshop must also have access to an Allen key. And best of all, a whole set of keys of this type in different sizes. They do not take up much space, they are handy. If we want to ensure great comfort while performing various types of tasks while tightening and unscrewing screws, let's definitely choose an impact wrench. A separate category of keys are those used for plumbing work. And here it is worth having different types of keys at hand, such as pipe, Swedish and French.
You can read more about Allen keys here: An indispensable tool at work: Allen key
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It is good that the wrenches are of high quality, i.e. made of solid, durable materials, handy, comfortable to use. Taking this into account, we especially recommend models such as the Ironside S 1 1/2" 170130 pipe wrench . These are perfectly designed with attention to every detail, professional pipe pliers. Thin jaws at a 45-degree angle provide three starting points around the pipe, facilitating access to tight work spaces.
It is also good to have at hand the Rothenberger ALUDUR 18 inch 2 1/2" hook wrench , the body of which is cast from very light, high-strength aluminum. Jaw and hook teeth, induction hardened, forged and ground.
We especially recommend wrenches that make it easier to perform various tasks. The most popular here are cordless impact wrenches . Among them, DeWalt impact wrenches stand out in particular, the solid and valued DeWalt, which is used by professionals all over the world. Let's take for example the DeWalt 1/2 1355Nm 2X5Ah impact wrench model with exceptional parameters: tightening torque 1355Nm, breakaway torque 1898Nm, 4 operating modes, mounting with a safety ring, 2 x 5Ah batteries, charger, TSTAK.
We are sure that after this overview it will be easier to find out what keys are available and which ones to choose for specific tasks!