DIY: What are the different types of keys?
In DIY stores, you'll find a multitude of different wrenches, each with a very specific use. Adjustable wrenches, spanners, open-end wrenches, fixed wrenches, torque wrenches, open-end wrenches... Let's take a look at the main types of wrenches and the essentials for your toolbox.
Summary
• Fixed keys
• Adjustable wrenches
• Keys for a specific use
• The 7 keys you should always have in your toolbox
One key, one use. What keys should you have in your toolbox to meet all your work and renovation needs ? An overview.
Fixed keys
Fixed wrenches each have a specific use. These "female" wrenches grip the flats of nuts and bolt heads. Therefore, to select the correct size, it is necessary to purchase various sizes, adapted to:
• The size of the nut,
• The bolt or screw to be handled,
• Accessibility to the anchor point
• To the required tightening torque.
The flat key
Featuring a U-shaped end, the open-end wrench grips two flats of the nut or bolt. Typically available in packs of 7, 8, or 12, the open-end wrench is used to tighten or loosen nuts, bolts , and screws with hexagonal or square heads. Its flat shape allows access to tight spaces, such as behind a threaded rod against a wall , a common situation in plumbing . It is also used for assembling furniture , repairing household appliances , and installing electrical equipment .
The ring spanner or polygon spanner
The open-end wrench has a socket, also called a ring end, available in sizes of 11 and 13 mm. It provides significant pressure and a better grip on all types of bolts, and is particularly effective on seized fasteners. It is also ideal for tightening/loosening screws in hard-to-reach places.
The combination key
The combination wrench combines an open-end wrench and a 6-point box-end wrench. Versatile, its closed end loosens stubborn nuts, while the open end quickly finishes the job.
It can be used, for example, to replace plumbing fittings, change taps, or attach mudguards. Sold in sets and in various sizes, it's an essential tool for DIY enthusiasts who need both strength and precision.
The pipe wrench and open-end pipe wrench
The L-shaped socket wrench has a lever arm for effective tightening in hard-to-reach places. Highly resistant to torsion, it is widely used in mechanics. It allows access to hidden bolts or nuts and offers a long grip to increase torque. Some socket wrenches have a hexagonal jaw on one side and a polygonal jaw of a different diameter on the other.
Adjustable wrenches
Unlike fixed wrenches, adjustable wrenches have an adjustable opening, allowing you to work on various sizes of nuts or bolts with a single tool. Ideal for older, often large-diameter, fasteners, they are highly valued in mechanics and plumbing.
The adjustable wrench
The adjustable wrench is considered the more robust version of the open-end wrench. Equipped with a knurled knob for adjusting the opening, it is widely available and affordable. Its advantage lies in its ability to adapt to different nut sizes, thus offering a practical alternative to full sets of wrenches. However, it only tightens on two sides, which can limit its effectiveness in situations requiring significant force.
The wrench
The adjustable wrench, also known as a Stillson wrench or pipe wrench, works on the same principle as an adjustable wrench. It consists of a movable jaw that can be adjusted in size using a ratchet mechanism located on the handle, thus adapting to different sizes of nuts, pipes , and other parts. However, its adjustment mechanism is located on the handle, perpendicular to the jaws, which can make it less practical to use in confined spaces. On the other hand, its extra length allows for greater tightening torque, which is very useful for jobs requiring strong rotational force, such as in mechanics or plumbing.
The ratchet wrench or socket wrench
The socket wrench features a ratcheting mechanism that allows access to nuts and bolts in tight spaces. Easy to use, it has a head that fits various socket sizes. Its automatic return mechanism allows for quick and efficient back-and-forth movements for tightening or loosening, making this wrench very practical to handle.
The pipe wrench
The pipe wrench, equipped with serrated jaws, is ideal for gripping pipes during plumbing work . Mechanics also use it to grip headless screws. However, it is not suitable for tightening or loosening the heads of hexagonal screws or nuts.
Keys for a specific use
There are also DIY wrenches for specific uses, such as:
• The Allen key : perfect for socket head cap screws, it is essential for assembling flat-pack furniture and cycling equipment.
• The Torx key : specially designed for six-pronged Torx screws, it is widely used in construction , automotive and furniture.
• The spark plug wrench : ideal for tightening car spark plugs , it has a socket attached to a flexible T-handle.
• The washbasin wrench : used exclusively in plumbing, it allows you to install taps under washbasins and access difficult places thanks to its long articulated handle.
• The cross wrench : practical for tightening car wheel nuts, it is commonly used when changing tires.
• The torque wrench : it measures and controls the tightening force of nuts and bolts with precision in mechanics.
The 7 keys you should always have in your DIY toolbox
For basic DIY projects, it is recommended to have the following tools in your toolbox:
1. A versatile adjustable wrench that adapts to different nut sizes.
2. A set of open-end wrenches for nuts with hexagonal or square heads.
3. An Allen key for socket head cap screws.
4. A combination wrench
5. A pipe wrench for accessing hidden areas in plumbing.
6. A Torx key for six-pointed star-head screws.
7. A ratchet wrench with socket set for quick and precise tightening/loosening.
With these wrenches in your workbench or toolbox, you'll have the basic tools to carry out most of your small DIY jobs at home.
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