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Biography
Other usesRefimprove|date=November 2008A spanner or wrench is a tool used to provide grip and mechanical advantage in applying torque to turn objects—usually rotary fastener s, such as Nut (hardware)|nuts and screw|bolts —or keep them from turning.
In British English , spanner is the standard term. The most common shapes are called open-ended spanner and ring spanner . The term wrench refers to a type of adjustable spanner.cite web|title=AskOxford|url= http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/wrench? view=uk|accessdate=2010-04-20
In American English , wrench is the standard term. The very most common shapes are called open-end wrench and box-end wrench . In American English, spanner refers to a specialized wrench with a series of pins or tabs around the circumference. (These pins or tabs fit into the holes or notches cut into the object to be turned.) In American commerce, such a wrench may be called a spanner wrench to distinguish it from the British sense of spanner .
Higher quality wrenches are typically made from chromium - vanadium alloy tool steel s and are often Forging#Processes|drop-forged . They are frequently Chrome plating|chrome-plated to resist corrosion and ease cleaning.
Hinged tools, such as pliers or tongs , are not generally considered wrenches in English, but exceptions are the plumber wrench and Locking pliers|mole wrench .
History
Wrenches have existed for many centuries, but saw a great blossoming of development starting in the 19th century .Citation needed|date=August 2011 The first patent for a wrench was granted in 1835 to Solymon Merrick.Cite web | last = Bellis | first = Mary | title = History of Wrenches | url = http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blwrench.htm | accessdate = 2008-11-09
Types
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Other types of keys
These types of keys are not emic and etic|emically classified as wrenches by English speakers, but they are etically similar in function to wrenches.
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Size designations
Size is usually determined by dimensions such as across-flats distance (inscribed-hexagon size). In the 19th and early 20th centuries, it was common to define the nominal size of the wrench according to the nominal size of the screw thread that it was meant to be used on. This is seldom if ever done anymore. (The accompanying photo explains visually.)
References
reflist
External links
Wiktionary|Spanner|WrenchCommons
http://www.sat.dundee.ac.uk/~psc/spanner_jaw.html Spanner Jaw Sizes Additional background information and spanner jaw size table.
http://www.baconsdozen.co.uk/tools/conversion%20charts.htm Conversion chart Whitworth/BSF/AF and metric spanner and thread sizes
Types of toolsMetalworking navbox|toolopen Category:Metalworking hand tools Category:Woodworking hand tools Category:Wrenches|
