Spanners & Socket Wrenches – Tool Tutorials

by | Jun 7, 2022 | Tool Tutorials | 0 comments

In this blog post, you’ll discover:

 

  • What a spanner is – and how it’s different from a ‘wrench”
  • How a socket wrench works – and why it’s NOT the same thing as a torque wrench
  • Something to remember when buying new sockets
  • A useful tip to avoid rounding down nuts or bolts

Quicklinks:

What is a Spanner?

image of a spanner set
A spanner is a type of gripping tool that’s used to loosen or tighten nuts and bolts, such as when you’re changing the oil.

In terms of tools, a spanner is one of the most basic yet also one of the most common tools you’ll use.

Spanners vs. wrenches

Many people think that a spanner is the same thing as a wrench, and while it’s not the most outrageous thing out there, it’s not 100% accurate either.
Pictured on the left is a wrench. Notice that it has a small wheel on it.

If you roll this wheel, you’ll adjust the width of the wrench’s grip.

Compare this with spanners (pictured on the right). Notice that it has a permanently fixed grip. 

In other words, you can’t adjust this grip.

For this reason, spanners are often sold in sets of 5-20.

image of a spanner set
A socket wrench does the same as a spanner – it loosens and tightens bolts.

But it has one key difference – the socket wrench has a ratchet mechanism so you can turn the bolt or nut without adjusting your grip.

For this reason, a socket wrench is sometimes known as a “ratchet wrench.”

Aside from that, socket wrenches also use detachable sockets, typically sold in sets.

Socket wrench vs. Torque wrench

Many people think that a socket wrench is the same thing as a torque wrench – this is false, however.

Yes, they’re both used to tighten down bolts and nuts, but a torque wrench (pictured below) is used for one purpose only – to tighten down nuts and bolts to the correct tension – also known as “torque.”

Shop for torque wrenches at Amazon

So if you have a torque wrench, don’t use it as a regular socket wrench.

How to attach and remove a socket

Attaching a socket to a socket wrench is easy – simply slide the square-shaped end onto the socket wrench’s head (which, for the record, is also square-shaped).

To remove a socket, press the button on the back of the socket wrench’s head.

Buying new sockets? Something to keep in mind

If you need to buy extra sockets, remember to check the socket wrench’s size.

Socket wrenches come in all shapes – typically in the following sizes:

  • 1/4″
  • 1/2″
  • 3/8″

These sizes refer to the rectangular end of the socket wrench that you attach the sockets onto.

 

How to Use a Spanner or Socket Wrench Properly

Whether using a spanner or a socket wrench, you must use one with the correct size.

Why? Because if you use a socket or spanner that is too big, you could damage the edges of the bolt or nut. 

This is sometimes known as “rounding down,” – and it’s terrible news.

The bolt or nut will be harder to remove if you round down the edges. 

So how can you determine whether the spanner or socket is the correct size?

Simple – take the spanner or socket and slide it across the edges or bolt head and wiggle it gently back and forth.

There should be next to no wiggle room when you do this – if there’s too much of it, switch to a smaller size.

 

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