The Ultimate Hand Tool Buying Guide

It is very difficult to imagine a tool kit which does not contain a spanner. This is because it has a multitude of aspects associated with it. Don’t get fooled by the size, this pocket-sized tool is one of the most popular tools used for a variety of purposes ranging from repairs to home maintenance.

Mostly made of chrome vanadium steel, a conventional spanner can last a lifetime, only if you purchase it from the right brand. The most common e-commerce platforms are bombarded with a plethora of tools such as combination, ratchet, double end spanner, and more. The right spanner is not just about the quality, it is more about the dependency. Different tools have different applications.

Which spanner suits your dependency?

Let’s discuss.

Open-ended spanners

It consists of a couple of U-shaped profiles. The shape is tailor-made for passing over nuts on rods which are very arduous to access with any other types of spanner. This tool is widely used in car mechanics and for a variety of plumbing activities. Most of the times, open-ended spanners come in sets, comprising of tools belonging to different sizes.

Ring spanners

The widespread popularity of this instrument is all down to its extra-ordinary grip. They are used for a variety of purposes. A ring spanner makes contact with all the six sides of a fastener and so they are less likely to slip. It is often equipped with a ratcheting mechanism which makes the task faster and easier.

Adjustable Spanners

It resembles the shape of an open-ended spanner with the moveable jaw as the only exception. This moveable jaw is packed with a worm screw which can adjust fastener of different sizes. The moveable jaw put a check on the gripping power and so they are not used for tightening smaller fasteners. It is mainly used for dealing with unique types of fasteners.

Box Spanners

More like their open-ended counterparts, this type of spanner is also used for different plumbing activities and fixing different parts of a vehicle. A conventional box spanner comes with a hexagonal profile which connects with the fastener head from different directions. This makes it very easy to turn any type of fasteners. This tool is generally made from metal tubes.

Insulated Spanner

Spanners are very handy when it comes to electrical works. An insulated spanner is very popular among electricians. It is packed with a plastic coating which prevents electricity from passing.

Building Own Spanner Kit

A set of box spanners accompanied by mid-range wrenches can cover your daily needs. A typical spanner kit comprises of different spanners belonging to different sizes made for dealing with various fasteners.

a) 4-10 mm fasteners are used for light jobs.

b) 10-23 mm fasteners are used for general tasks.

c) 24mm + fasteners are used for heavy-duty tasks.

You can individually buy open-ended or double end spanners but a spanner set offers a better ROI. Invest in high-end models manufactured by top brands.

Summary : A spanner is one of the most widely used tools. Your toolbox is incomplete without a set of spanners. There are different types of spanners used for different purposes. Read this article to know exactly what type of spanner you need.