American name British/Commonwealth name
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combination wrench combination spanner open-ring spanner
flare-nut wrench tube wrench line wrench flare spanner flare nut spanner brake spanner crow's-foot spanner
ratcheting box wrench ratcheting ring spanner
flex-head socket wrench Saltus wrench swivel head spanner
Which type spanner is best?
- STANLEY 70-964E Chrome Vanadium Steel Combination Spanner Set with Maxi-Drive system (12-Pieces)
- Stanley 70-379E Matte Finish Double Open End Spanner Set, 8-Piece Set, Chrome.
- Taparia 1171-8/1171N-8 205mm Steel Single Sided Adjustable Spanner Wrench (Grey)
How are spanners measured?
Spanner wrenches come in various sizes from 4 inches to 18 inches in length.To determine what size spanner wrench you have, measure from the end of the handle to the edge of the fixed side of the vise. Some spanner wrenches have the size printed on the handle.
BOLT DIAMETER (INCHES) AF SPANNER SIZE (INCHES) SPANNER SIZE (MM)
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3/8 INCH 9/16 INCH 14.29 MM
7/16 INCH 5/8 INCH 15.88 MM
11/16 INCH 17.46 MM
1/2 INCH 3/4 INCH 19.05 MM
Noun. spanner (plural spanners) (Australia, New Zealand, Britain, Ireland) A hand tool for adjusting nuts and bolts; a wrench.
What is the difference between a spanner and a wrench?
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 American English, spanner refers to a specialized wrench with a series of pins or tabs around the circumference.
What is the difference between a spanner and a socket?
A socket wrench (or socket spanner) is a type of spanner (or wrench in North American English), that uses a closed socket format, rather than a typical open wrench/spanner to turn a fastener, typically in the form of a nut or bolt.