A monkey wrench and an adjustable wrench are both hand-held wrenches used to fasten and loosen objects such as nuts and bolts. The primary difference between the two is that a monkey wrench has fixed jaws that do not move whereas the adjustable wrench has adjustable jaws that can be tightened and loosened.
When using a monkey wrench, the width of the opening must be wide enough to fit around the size of the nut or bolt in order to grip and turn it. With an adjustable wrench, the adjustable jaws can be tightened or loosened to fit the size of the nut or bolt.
An adjustable wrench is generally preferred over a monkey wrench due to its versatility and ease of use. Additionally, an adjustable wrench can often be used for a variety of different sized nuts and bolts.
With a monkey wrench, the user must have multiple sizes in order to accommodate different sized nuts and bolts.
Is there such a thing as a monkey wrench?
Yes, there is such a thing as a monkey wrench. It is a tool that is used primarily for plumbing, electrical, and general maintenance jobs. It is an adjustable wrench with a toothed jaw that can be tightened or loosened by moving a scissor-like mechanism.
It is meant to grip and turn round nuts, square nuts, and bolts. The name comes from the idea that it can be used to “monkey” around in tight spaces. It is an incredibly versatile tool that can be used for a variety of tasks, from plumbing repairs to attaching parts to machinery.
It is also a very handy tool to have in any DIYer’s toolbox.
What is an alligator wrench?
An alligator wrench is a type of adjustable wrench that is most commonly used in plumbing and electrical repairs. It gets its name from the way its handle is designed to look like the head of an alligator.
The most common types of alligator wrenches have screw-type adjustable jaws, although there are also hinged models available. The size of the jaws varies and can range from smaller pins and tubes to large pipes.
The adjustable jaws of an alligator wrench allow it to exactly fit and securely grip whatever is being turned. This makes them ideal for tight spaces, as well as for turning nuts and bolts that are otherwise difficult to access.
Alligator wrenches are typically made from chrome vanadium steel and come with a comfortable handle for extra grip. Alligator wrenches are a popular choice for professionals and DIYers alike, as they are strong and relatively inexpensive compared to other adjustable wrenches.
What do Americans call a spanner?
In the United States, a spanner is most commonly referred to as a wrench. Wrenches come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from small pocket sized wrenches to large adjustable wrenches. Generally, a spanner has a fixed head, with an adjustable jaw to fit various sizes of nuts and bolts.
There are also other specialty wrenches, such as pipe wrenches, ratchet wrenches, Torx wrenches, etc. Wrenches are an essential tool in any handyman’s arsenal, used for tightening and loosening a variety of fasteners.
Why do they call a monkey wrench a monkey wrench?
The term ‘monkey wrench’ is derived from ‘monkey claw’, a term used for the pipe-wrench’s predecessor which was invented during the late 18th century. The ‘monkey claw’ was a tool consisting of two pieces of metal in the shape of a claw that were attached to a lever.
This tool was used to tighten or loosen connections, such as pipes. However, due to the shape of the tool and how it was used, people started referring to it as a ‘monkey’s claw’, as it was similar to the way a monkey might grab a banana with its own claw.
In the late 19th century this term was shortened to ‘monkey wrench’ and came to mean any kind of pipe wrench.
Why is a spanner called a monkey wrench?
The term “monkey wrench” is believed to originate from the British phrase “monkey’s tail wrench,” which referred to a particular type of spanner with an adjustable end that resembled a monkey’s tail.
In North America, the phrase eventually shortened to “monkey wrench. ” It wasn’t until the 19th century that the term “spanner” was applied to a hand-held tool for tightening or loosening bolts or screws.
Today, the terms “spanner” and “monkey wrench” are often used interchangeably to refer to any adjustable wrench, but technically a spanner specifically refers to any type of wrench or tool that requires two points of contact to turn a fastener, whereas a monkey wrench provides only one.
What is a spanner in England?
A spanner is a term used in England for a wrench, which is a handheld tool that’s used to tighten, loosen, or adjust nuts and bolts. The term “spanner” is often applied to a specific type of wrench with jaws that curve around a nut or bolt, allowing for the nut or bolt to be tightened or loosened.
Some countries outside of England, particularly in Europe, use the term “spanner” to refer to a larger tool, most commonly an adjustable spanner, which has multiple settings and is designed to fit a variety of sizes and shapes of nuts and bolts.
Where did the term throw a monkey wrench come from?
The term “throw a monkey wrench” likely originates from the days of the traveling craftsmen of the 18th and 19th centuries. As the craftsmen traveled and worked on different machines, they would bring with them an essential tool of the trade, a monkey wrench.
This tool is shaped like an adjustable wrench, but with a longer handle and usually with toothed jaws. One of the primary uses of the monkey wrench was to adjust the settings of a machine or tool, as settings would often become tweaked or become out of alignment.
Therefore, to “throw a monkey wrench” meant to make an adjustment, whether it is literal or figurative.
Today, the phrase “throw a monkey wrench” is often used to describe when something disrupts or interferes with a plan, thus implying that the disruption is unexpected and unwelcome. To put it simply, it means to mix things up or disrupt the consistency of something.
What is the largest size adjustable wrench?
The largest size adjustable wrench available on the market typically measures up to 22 inches. This type of adjustable wrench is also called a crescent wrench or an adjustable spanner. This adjustable wrench can access tight spots and offers a variety of sizes with one wrench.
It is also more affordable than buying multiple sized wrenches. This wrench is ideal for loosening and tightening large bolts, nuts, and other fasteners.
What are huge wrenches called?
Huge wrenches are sometimes referred to as “monkey wrenches” due to their size and strength. A monkey wrench is a large adjustable wrench with parallel jaws that are used to loosen and tighten nuts, bolts, and other fasteners.
The name comes from early blacksmiths who used a tool with a similar shape to remove horseshoes from horses. Monkey wrenches are usually made of steel, though the jaw me be coated with a softer material such as plastic to protect surfaces like aluminum or brass.
Some newer versions of the tool have a round or angled head to fit into tighter spaces. Monkey wrenches are an essential tool in any home workshop or construction job, and come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes to fit every need.
How many wrench sizes are there?
Generally, wrenches come in sizes that range from 0 – 24 millimeters, but can also go up to 40 mm, as well as larger sizes. The most common wrench sizes are metric with imperial sizes such as 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 inch also available.
Each size of wrench is used for a particular job, with larger sizes being better for larger fasteners. If you’re not sure what size wrench to use, measure the head of the bolt or nut you’re trying to tighten for the most accurate result.
However, it is important to note that some fasteners require specialty wrenches in order to function properly. For example, Torx wrenches are available in sizes ranging from T5 – T70, and Allen wrenches come in sizes from 0.
050” to 3/4”. The variety of wrench sizes available mean there is something for every job.
What is a monkey wrench used for?
A monkey wrench is a type of adjustable wrench or spanner used typically for turning fasteners such as nuts and bolts. The earliest monkey wrenches were primitive and made of forged iron, with jaw openings adjusted by filing the ends of the handle.
By the late 19th century, many monkey wrenches were made from cast iron, with a sliding jaw adjusted by a screw. Most modern monkey wrenches are constructed from steel with a chrome finish, and the jaws are adjusted by an adjusting nut.
Monkey wrenches are most commonly used in automotive and plumbing applications, but can also be useful for a variety of other tasks. These include loosening and tightening pipes, fastening metal structures and rigging, and more.
A monkey wrench usually offers more gripping power and a wider jaw opening than a standard adjustable wrench, making it an ideal tool for working in tight spaces.
What is a crows foot wrench?
A crowfoot wrench, also known as a crow’s foot wrench, is a type of wrench or spanner used to work on nuts and bolts in tight or awkward spaces. It’s similar in shape to a socket wrench, but unlike a socket wrench, it’s open-ended, featuring three or four prongs, or teeth, on the head, which resemble the footprints of a crow.
Because of its shape, a crowfoot wrench is typically used in places where a traditional, closed-ended wrench won’t fit. It is typically used in combination with a ratchet, an extension bar, and a socket to fasten or unfasten nuts, bolts, and other small parts around corners.
Crowfoot wrenches are available in various head diameters, ranging from fractional inch sizes to large diameter, metric sizes, and come in materials such as chrome vanadium steel, alloy steel, and stainless steel.
What kinds of wrenches do exist?
The most common types are socket wrenches, open-end wrenches, adjustable wrenches, Allen wrenches, and Torx wrenches. Socket wrenches are used to drive and turn fasteners, typically nuts and bolts. Open-end wrenches are designed to fit onto a fastener head and turn it quickly, though they do not grasp the fastener as securely as a socket wrench.
Adjustable wrenches are designed to fit all sizes, within a certain range, of fasteners. Allen wrenches are hexagonal-shaped tools used to turn a variety of fasteners, usually found in furniture and appliances.
Lastly, Torx wrenches are star-shaped tools used to drive Torx screws and fasteners, which are more secure than the more traditional types.
What type of tool is a wrench?
A wrench is a hand tool used for gripping and turning bolts, nuts, and other items with a specific shape. It fits around the item, providing a certain amount of torque that can be adjusted using different sizes or types of wrenches.
Wrenches are typically divided into two main types: socket wrenches and open-end wrenches. Socket wrenches are designed to fit around nuts or bolts, while open-end wrenches fit around the flat side of nuts or bolts.
The two types of wrenches can also be used for turning pipe fittings. Such as adjustable wrenches, box end wrenches, and Torx wrenches, that are used for more specific purposes.
Why are Stilsons called Stilsons?
The Stilson wrench, sometimes referred to as a “pipe wrench,” was named after Charles Stilson, who patented the tool in 1869. Stilson was a lifelong inventor, originally from Connecticut and later from Massachusetts.
He was inspired by the traditional spud wrench, which was mainly used for pipe turning, and saw an opportunity to improve upon it. He decided to make his wrench adjustable and also saw the potential in its application as a multi-tasking gripping tool, with some minor modifications.
He applied for and was granted a patent for the Stilson wrench on April 28, 1969, officially giving it its current name. The tool is still produced today, with improved features and materials, but it still bears Stilson’s original design and the name he gave it.
The Stilson wrench is still used in plumbing and carpentry, as well as other DIY projects, and it remains one of the most versatile and useful tools out there.
What is special about a pipe wrench?
A pipe wrench is a special type of wrench used to turn pipes and pipe fittings, especially those made of softer metals such as steel, brass, or lead. It is a specialized type of adjustable wrench that has serrated jaws and is used to grip and turn pipes.
The serrations allow the wrench to securely grasp the pipe so that it can be turned without slipping. Pipe wrenches come in a variety of sizes and styles, including straight, offset, and chain wrenches.
One of the main design features of a pipe wrench is the self-cleaning teeth. As the jaws of the wrench move from side to side, he serrated teeth dislodge debris and allow the teeth to keep gripping and preventing slipping.
The long handle allows an individual to put more torque on pipes than a standard adjustable wrench. This is especially necessary for pipe fittings that are hard to turn, such as a tight union or a galvanized pipe.
Pipe wrenches are a simple and effective tool for anyone who works with pipes or pipe fittings. They are durable, easy to use, and come in a variety of sizes and styles, making them an indispensable tool for most plumbers and pipe fitters.
What is the drive on a ratchet?
The drive on a ratchet refers to the material that binds the socket to the ratchet head. Most ratchets will either have a square drive, which means the socket that is connected to the ratchet has a square shaped portion that will slide into the drive end of the ratchet head or a hex drive, which means that the socket has a hexagonal shaped portion that will slide into the drive end of the ratchet head.
Both the square drive and hex drive are meant to help hold the socket secure so that it does not move around when in use. The drive on a ratchet also helps to determine the torque that the ratchet can handle.
A higher drive size will allow for more torque and force to be used when using the ratchet as opposed to a smaller drive size.
