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spanners

A wrench or spanner is a tool used to provide grip and mechanical advantage in applying torque to turn objects—usually rotary fasteners, such as nuts and bolts—or keep them from turning.
In the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand spanner is the standard term. The most common shapes are called open-ended spanner and ring spanner. The term wrench is generally used for tools that turn non-fastening devices (e.g. tap wrench and pipe wrench), or may be used for a monkey wrench—an adjustable pipe wrench.In North American English, wrench is the standard term. The 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 steels and are often drop-forged. They are frequently chrome-plated to resist corrosion and for ease of cleaning.
Hinged tools, such as pliers or tongs, are not generally considered wrenches in English, but exceptions are the plumber wrench (pipe wrench in British English) and Mole wrench (sometimes Mole grips in British English).
The word can also be used in slang to describe an unexpected obstacle, for example, "He threw a spanner in the works" (in U.S. English, "monkey wrench").

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  1. D

    Octagonal box spanners?

    Hi, I am in NSW, AU, trying to replace the washers in some shower taps but have not been able to find a tool to undo the nuts holding the handles on. I can perhaps brute force it but this is a rented property so don't really want to do that! The nuts are octagonal! They have a slot in them but...
  2. B

    Nerrad Tapex Kit

    Any of you fellas (or gals) used or own this kit? Was looking for decent tap/backnut spanners and came across this kit. Seems pricey at 150 quid but looks comprehensive enough. Any other bits of kit you'd recommend? As stated before I'm an UK plumber, back from Australia and now in Ireland...
  3. A

    Alternate adjustable spanners

    Evening peeps, Quick question, bahco spanner’s keep getting nicked so I’m sick and tired keep dishing out for bahcos, looking for another alternate anyone uses ox or teng adjustables ? Cheers
  4. A

    Best adjustment Spanners

    evening all, I’ve got wickes own Spanners but they are pure toilet!! What do you guys/woman recommend ? Are ox tools any decent Thanks
  5. leelister6

    Basin/bath backnut spanners

    Can find absolutely nothing to fit some of the older backnuts or the newer ones which Bristan seem to be fitting. Me old Record crowsfoot too big, no room for basin wrench, bought a box spanner from toolstation and it's a couple of mm too big so gonna end up rounding the nut off. Anyone got any...
  6. M

    Bahco or Monument (wrenches, spanners and stiltons)

    Hi, just wondering what wrenches, spanners and stiltons you guys use and would recommend? I've brought Stanley and Draper tools from Amazon and I was very disappointed in the quality of those items. I have a Monument adjustable wrench which is awesome but is there better out there?
  7. R

    New pump and immersion spanners

    Just seen these in this month's HVP magazine. Look great and with a lifetime guarantee! Anyone used them? Sponners From Darlo
  8. A

    Bath replacement kit. Makes life easier

    This is tool is great for replacing bath taps. Can be found on eBay. The clip on components don't really work well but the box spanners with the ratchet work great. You can also buy box spanners for mono bloc that connect to the ratchet separately. I think it's sold now in Tool Station...
  9. A

    Can you recommend me a set of ratchet swivel head spanners and where to get.

    As title says. Hoping to pick up today so if anyone knows somewhere that sells a decent set for a reasonable price that would be great. Thanks
  10. S

    Beaver spanners on eBay

    My apprentice has bought some lazer cut from 6mm plate 2 spanners one for all your 15mm comp nuts flank drive and one for 22mm nuts
  11. B

    Leaking Tap

    Please help I have an Abode tap, it appears that the hot side is causing a slight drip. I have removed the grub screw and the handle . I have tried to remove the inners of the tap to see what state the washers are. However as you can see from the pictures the main inner is only protruding a few...
  12. D

    Rachet Spanners

    Does anyone ever find the need or a job that you'd need a ratcheting spanner for, I like the look of the wera joker 4 piece set..
  13. E

    Spanner maintenance?

    Hi guys, Question from a newbie - my dad's been doing various plumbing related bits and bobs for a while and was talking about spanners distorting and malfunctioning like I ought to know what that was - I took the nod, smile and try to find out from someone more knowledgeable than me later on...
  14. A

    Core Drill bits

    Hi All, I'm quite new to the trade, so I didn't have a lot to spend on tools. I bought some cheap core bits, but I find every time I use them it's a real pain to get them off the arbour. The drilling winds it on so tight I can't get it off on site, needs a vice and long steel bar to loosen it...
  15. N

    Ratchet spanners

    Hi guys, am looking for a pair of ratchet spammers, seem to remember there being a link or thread on here about them, they're about £45-£50 big solid silver ones that look like pump pliers it have smooth teeth' like a set of adjustables,cheers
  16. N

    large size box spanners

    anybody know where i can get box spanners for for 1 1/4 -1 1/2 waste nuts , i have had a couple of jobs lately where access was tight and it would have been a lot easier with a box spanner i struggled with a large claw on my basin wrench
  17. A

    Biasi Riva HE. They built a boiler you cant service.

    I diagnosed the problem in 2 mins, magnetic proximity switch not energised for DHW. Ok, lets clean the flow switch. Errrrrrrrrrrr, none of my 65 spanners or sockets fit the top nut, to big for 17mm, too small for 18mm. Out of curiosity I call tech, they say" oh ye, its a problem, throw the whole...
  18. M

    Fixed Spanners or Adjustable?

    I was wondering what other people thought, my point is this. I, like most people, use adjustable spanners. But recently I'm starting to find that the extra bulk around the business end of an adjustable spanner is making any tight intricate adjustments, especially when you need to just nip up...
  19. S

    Adjustable spanners!

    Hello there I hope you don't mind me posting and I would really appreciate your help! Basically I want to get my boyfriend some adjustable spanners as part of his christmas present. I know bahco is a good make, I've been looking at them, but I have no idea which size/spanner I need to be...
  20. T

    Bahco Spanners, what size?

    Hello all, I'm going to buy a couple of Bahco spanners (wide jaw), as they are so highly rated on here. I'm just wondering what sizes would I be best getting? I was thinking a 6" and 8"? Any help is really appreciated, Thanks in advance!
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