How Wrenches Changed the Way I Think about Digital Tools

About a year and a half ago, I made up my mind to rebuild a motorcycle.

You will get efficient and thoughtful service from Probuilt.

I had no mechanical training, no hand-me-down garage wisdom from friends or relatives &#; no real experience at all.

But I had recently repaired a starter motor for my currently-running vintage motorcycle, and I was hooked.

So I bought myself an already-running Honda dirt bike, and holed up in my garage on weekends and evenings to tear it down.

Since then, I&#;ve come a long way. I&#;ve rebuilt the wheels, the brakes, and the engine&#;s top end. And I&#;m this close to getting it back on both wheels again.

In that time, this project has taught me so much. About motorcycles, of course, but also about myself and the world.

I could go on forever with lessons I&#;ve learned while rebuilding this motorcycle. But, for today, I&#;d like to talk about my newfound appreciation for a category of object I&#;d never given a second thought: the humble hand tool.

The exciting era of creative wrench design

Somewhere &#; tucked into a toolbox or collecting dust on a laundry room shelf &#; everyone has a wrench or two.

By now, it&#;s safe to say that I have more wrenches than most people. Combination box wrenches, hex wrenches, socket wrenches, torque wrenches &#;

Each of these wrenches serves a different purpose. I have short wrenches for hard-to-reach spaces, wrenches for different bolt heads, wrenches that ratchet, and wrenches that adjust. And all of them are in several different sizes.

It sounds like chaos, and sometimes it is. But the wrenches in my toolbox are part of a highly standardized system that&#;s been evolving for centuries &#; and which has had a deep influence on the world we live in.

The origins of threaded bolts go back to ancient times. By the first century BCE, wooden threaded bolts were already common.

Around the s, their metal counterparts appeared, but it wasn&#;t until the Industrial Revolution that we had the equipment required to manufacture them on a large scale. By the mid-s, metal bolts were everywhere, and tool inventors were keen to develop wrenches for the new market.

The earliest U.S. wrench patents are for basic-looking adjustable &#;rack&#; wrenches, but the creativity of the designs of the mid-19th century is nothing short of inspiring.

It&#;s hard to believe that a wrench with a rotating head would withstand much torque, but in , Charles B. Bristol thought it was a good idea.

And I can&#;t imagine this clamp-like wrench being very effective, either, but both Hollen and Pierce backed it.

There were wrenches with wavy handles and ratcheting heads, wrenches with heads that arced around bolts, and hundreds of designs for making wrenches adjustable.

For all the weirdness of the designs, I can&#;t help but wonder what it must have been like, to live in a time where the technological playing field for something so basic was so wide open? When there was room for anyone to bring a new, interesting idea to the table? For a wrench?

Of course, this openness couldn&#;t last &#; and thank goodness it didn&#;t.

In the 20th century, we standardized fastener sizes and types, and settled on a few solid wrench designs for different applications, which worked well and could be mass-produced.

Nobody is inventing wrenches anymore.

Instead, using the shared foundation of standardized wrenches and fasteners, we&#;ve pushed technology forward. We developed cars, farm equipment, construction machinery, factories &#; and of course, motorcycles.

What&#;s the &#;wrench&#; of our time?

Based on my unscientific observations of an archive of old tool patents, the mid-s were the most volatile for wrenches &#; the era when inventors were testing their most unique and creative ideas.

In that time, a confluence of new manufacturing equipment and demand made the wrench market perfect for innovation.

After that time, it became more important to standardize, so we could use those wrenches and bolts to advance our technological horizon.

Now, it&#;s almost impossible to imagine a new fastener technology, much less sell one. It would have to be pretty darn good to persuade manufacturers to upend their assembly lines. And even then, the old bolts and wrenches would never completely disappear.

Technology philosopher Jaron Lanier calls this process &#;lock-in.&#; And though the history of wrenches and bolts is old news, the storyline is particularly relevant to the digital era.

Because, as Lanier writes, digital technologies are even more susceptible to lock-in than the hardware that preceded it.

&#;The brittle character of maturing computer programs can cause digital designs to get frozen into place.&#;

&#;The process of significantly changing software in a situation in which a lot of other software is dependent on it is the hardest thing to do. So it never happens.&#;

Lanier cites several examples of locked-in technology, including MIDI and files. But I&#;d argue we&#;re on the precipice of some serious lock-in with online communication platforms, too.

has been firmly entrenched for years, and instant messengers are now common in every modern workplace.

Despite Facebook&#;s shortcomings, it&#;s hard to imagine a social media platform overtaking it any time soon. We haven&#;t seen a successful new large-scale social media platform since Snapchat, and even it is shrinking.

But it&#;s not just the platforms that are becoming locked in &#; it&#;s the concepts they&#;re based on

Notifications, newsfeeds, likes, comments, posts &#; these elements may seem inevitable, but it&#;s only because we&#;re used to them. In truth, they are only ideas about ways we can communicate online.

Unlike the humble wrench, it&#;s hard for us to judge the utility of these concepts. With a wrench, there are clear, obvious goals. Can it grip the bolt firmly? Can you use it to adequately tighten or loosen those bolts?

But online communication tools serve a variety of purposes.

Sometimes, we want to be interrupted by a time-sensitive . Other times, it&#;s a focus-killing annoyance.

Sometimes, it&#;s fun to scroll mindlessly through cat gifs on Reddit. Other times, it&#;s sheer procrastination.

Without clear goals, it&#;s easy for us to fall prey to the actions the platform chooses for us. And don&#;t fool yourself:

Every platform has ideas about what you should be doing on it.

Keep scrolling so we can serve you ads. Click the notification so we can pad our number of daily active users and secure funding.

This is especially difficult for us, because we tend to accept polished-looking technologies as &#;done.&#; And so many things on the internet are slick and polished.

So pay attention to how your online tools make you feel. Don&#;t be afraid to reject the ones that don&#;t support your goals.

In the same way you&#;d reject a wrench that slips, you have the power to reject digital platforms and tools that don&#;t work for you.

Because digital tools are nothing more than that: tools.

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A wrench, many types of which are referred to as spanners in the U.K, is a tool for turning fasteners, such as nuts, bolts, and pipes, for the purpose loosening or tightening them.

Wrenches are essential tools if you plan to get involved in any kind of mechanical work where fasteners need to be manipulated, making it a must-have tool in the fields of automotive repair, plumbing and a host of other industries. However, for a very straightforward-sounding tool, there are a host of different types, and you may be confused about which one you need for getting the job done.

If so, fear not! After reading this post, you will know each of the main types of wrench as well as when and how to use them.

Spanner Wrench

Seeing as it has already been mentioned that many types of wrenches are referred to as spanners in the U.K, it might be good to explain what Americans refer to as a spanner wrench, which is a very specific type of wrench. A spanner wrench is basically a lever with a hook on it, and it is designed specifically for tasks that require adjusting or fastening components with small holes or pin rather than flat surfaces, as in the case of nuts and bolts, providing a secure grip without damaging the object.

Monkey Wrench

One of the most common types is the monkey wrench. A monkey wrench is an adjustable tool with a straight handle and parallel, smooth jaws that can be adjusted to fit various nut and bolt sizes using a screw mechanism. Its design provides a secure grip without damaging surfaces, making it versatile for numerous tasks. Commonly used in plumbing, mechanical, and general repair work, the monkey wrench is known for its strength and ability to handle large or bulky fasteners, making it essential for adjusting different fasteners' sizes effectively. If you are looking for a monkey wrench for some help with some heavy-duty tasks, you should definitely check out this one from Deen. The grooves carved into the mouth of the wrench help ensure that the corners of nuts and bolts are not stripped away, as there is less of a requirement to use excessive force. Another good option for a monkey wrench is this one from Engineer, which comes with a non-slip handle, and thinner jaws that significantly reduce the weight of the tool, making it a popular choice for women.

Open-End Wrench

An open-end wrench is a hand tool with a U-shaped opening designed to grip two opposite faces of a bolt or nut. This design allows for quick and easy placement on the fastener, making it particularly useful for tasks requiring frequent repositioning. Typically, an open-end wrench features different-sized openings on each end, providing versatility for various fastener sizes.

The wrench is ideal for use in confined spaces where a full rotation is not possible, as it can easily be repositioned without removing it from the fastener. However, the tradeoff of this simplicity is that, as it only engages with two faces, it generally provides less torque and grip compared to box-end wrenches described below.

Open-end wrenches are commonly used in automotive repair, plumbing, and general maintenance for their simplicity and ease of use. Check out these 6-piece and 7-piece open-end wrench sets of various sizes from Tome, both of which come with a convenient organizer.

Box-End Wrench

A box-end wrench, also known as a ring spanner or box wrench, is a hand tool designed to securely grip and turn nuts, bolts, and other fasteners. Unlike open-end wrenches that grip only two flat surfaces, a box-end wrench features a closed loop (typically hexagonal or double-hexagonal) that surrounds the fastener completely. This design provides a 360-degree grip, reducing the risk of slipping and allowing for the application of higher torque. Box-end wrenches come in various sizes to fit different fastener heads and are particularly useful when a strong, secure grip is needed. Some, such as these deep offset wrenches from Deen are angled to facilitate access to fasteners in tight or awkward spaces, making them versatile tools in mechanical and engineering tasks.

Combination Wrench

The combination wrench aims for the best of both worlds in one tool by having a box-end wrench head on one end and an open-end wrench on the other.

 Providing this dual functionality makes combination wrenches particularly handy for handling a variety of tasks, quickly switching without needing to change tools, and are often used in various mechanical, automotive, and household tasks.

 Examples of combination wrenches are this set from Tone, which comes with its own wrench organizer for convenient storage, and this 10-piece box set from KTC, a well-known brand used heavily in the automotive, and particularly the motorsports industry.

Adjustable Wrench

An adjustable wrench, sometimes referred to as a &#;Crescent Wrench&#; after the brand that popularized it, is another versatile tool with both a fixed and movable jaw. Adjusting the latter allows it to fit various sizes of nuts and bolts. They typically have what is known as a &#;worm gear,&#; which is a small, screw-like component located on the side of the wrench's head. Turning the worm gear forces it to engage with the teeth of the movable jaw, causing it to move closer together or farther apart from the fixed jaw. It is a particularly useful tool when you are likely to come across fasteners with a wide range of sizes, such as in plumbing, bicycle maintenance, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) work, and construction work. Examples of adjustable monkey wrenches are these ones from Fujiya and KTC, whereas this one from Tone is an adjustable pipe wrench (pipe wrenches will be explained a little later in this post.)

Torque Wrench

A torque wrench is a precision tool designed to apply a specific amount of force, or torque, to fasteners like bolts or nuts. Typically resembling a socket wrench, it features a built-in scale that indicates when the desired torque has been achieved, often through a distinct "click" sound or other visual cue. By allowing users to set an exact torque value, the wrench ensures consistent and accurate tightness, removing the uncertainty that comes with relying solely on the user's judgment. This precision helps prevent over-tightening or under-tightening, which can lead to damage or failure of the components. 

Examples of torque wrenches include this Tohnichi Click-Type Ratcheting Torque Wrench, which comes in ten sizes and tightens bolts to a preset torque based on the size of the wrench, as well as this Tohnichi Motor Sports Wrench, that boasts motorsport vehicle-level accuracy.

For more information on torque wrenches, I recommend you check out this article I wrote on choosing and maintaining torque wrenches.

Allen Wrench

An Allen wrench, also known as a hex key, is a versatile tool favored for its simplicity and effectiveness in providing a secure grip on hexagonal fasteners. The tool's design allows it to fit snugly into the socket, enabling the application of torque to tighten or loosen fasteners. The wrench's L-shaped design features a long arm for greater leverage and a short arm for use in tight spaces. Allen wrenches come in various sizes to accommodate different hex socket sizes and are commonly used in assembling furniture, bicycles, machinery, and in various mechanical and automotive tasks. You can find a collection of Allen wrenches/hex keys here.

Pipe Wrench

A pipe wrench is a heavy-duty hand tool, specifically designed for gripping and turning pipes and pipe fittings, that features adjustable, serrated jaws that can be tightened around various pipe sizes. This means that even when applying significant force, a secure grip can be applied. The tool's long handle allows for the application of substantial torque, making it particularly effective in plumbing tasks such as installing or removing pipes and fittings. Due to its strength and versatility, the pipe wrench is an essential tool in plumbing and maintenance work, ensuring reliable performance when dealing with threaded pipes and other cylindrical objects. There is a wide range of pipe wrenches to choose from here.

If you are confused about whether you need a monkey wrench or a pipe wrench, this article may help clear things up.

Ratchet Wrench/Ratcheting Box Wrench

Ratchet wrenches and ratcheting box wrenches are tools designed to make fastening and loosening nuts and bolts more efficient by incorporating a ratcheting mechanism.

Ratchet wrenches are tools that feature a socket attached to a handle with a ratcheting mechanism that allows the wrench to apply force in one direction while moving freely in the opposite direction without removing it from the fastener. This feature makes them ideal for working in tight spaces and speeds up the process of tightening or loosening bolts. Ratchet wrenches are versatile because they can be used with interchangeable sockets, making them suitable for various fastener sizes. Ratchet wrenches are commonly used for automotive repair, bicycle maintenance, and furniture assembly.

Ratcheting box wrenches combine a traditional box-end wrench with a ratcheting mechanism. The box end fits over the entire fastener head, allowing for continuous turning without lifting the wrench after each turn. This provides a secure grip, making them especially useful for high-torque applications and working in confined spaces. Applications include plumbing, electrical work, heavy machine maintenance, and construction.

In terms of ratchet wrenches, offerings from Deen include this keychain ratchet wrench and this thumbwheel ratchet wrench, as well as this Fast Action Twist Handle Reversible Ratchet Wrench & Screwdriver, that gives you the benefits of a ratchet mechanism for a wrench and screwdriver in one tool.

Socket Wrench

A variation on the above is the socket wrench, which features a ratcheting handle and a socket, which is a detachable, cylindrical piece that fits over the head of a fastener. By switching out the socket, you can adapt the tool for use with a variety of different fasteners, making it extremely versatile.

 This 72-piece socket wrench set from Koken is likely to have all of the sizes of socket that you will ever need.

Pedal Wrench

A pedal wrench is a specialized tool specifically designed for the removal and installation of bicycle pedals. It features a long handle that provides the extra leverage needed to loosen or tighten pedals, which are often securely fastened to the crank arms and may require significant force to remove. The wrench head is thin and flat, with an open-end design, typically sized to fit the standard 15mm or 9/16-inch flats on pedal axles. This thin profile allows the wrench to fit into the narrow space between the pedal and the crank arm, where a standard wrench might be too bulky. Built for durability, pedal wrenches are usually made from strong materials like steel to withstand the high torque required for these tasks. Essential for bicycle maintenance, the pedal wrench is commonly used by both professional mechanics and DIY enthusiasts, especially for tasks like pedal adjustment, bike disassembly for travel, and general maintenance.

Lug Wrench

Another type of wrench that is designed for a specific task is the lug wrench, which is a tool designed to loosen and tighten lug nuts on vehicle wheels, primarily when changing tires. It typically comes in either a cross-shaped (X-shaped) design, offering four different socket sizes, or an L-shaped form with a single socket. The tool's strong, durable construction, usually made of steel, allows it to withstand the high torque needed to remove or secure tightly fastened lug nuts, making it an essential part of vehicle emergency kits.

Crowfoot Wrench

A crowfoot wrench is a specialized tool designed for accessing fasteners in tight or obstructed spaces where traditional wrenches or sockets cannot fit. It features an open-end or box-end design without a handle, allowing it to be attached to a ratchet, extension bar, or torque wrench for enhanced leverage and control. The tool's versatility and ability to grip fasteners securely in confined spaces make it a valuable addition to any toolkit, and its flexibility makes crowfoot wrenches particularly useful in automotive repair, plumbing, and mechanical work, where fasteners are often located in cramped or hard-to-reach areas.

Basin Wrench

A basin wrench is a specialized plumbing tool designed for working in tight spaces, particularly under sinks where faucet mounting nuts are located. It features a long handle and a swiveling, spring-loaded jaw that pivots to grip nuts securely, allowing for easy tightening or loosening in confined areas where standard wrenches cannot reach. The long shaft of the basin wrench enables access to narrow spaces behind or under sinks, making it ideal for tasks such as installing or removing faucets. Its self-gripping design ensures a firm hold on the nut, allowing sufficient torque to be applied without slipping. This tool is essential for faucet installation and plumbing repairs, especially in kitchens and bathrooms where space is often limited.

Tap Wrench

A tap wrench is a hand tool designed to hold and turn taps, which are used for cutting internal threads in pre-drilled holes. It features a handle and a clamping mechanism to securely grip the square end of the tap, ensuring it doesn't slip during use. Tap wrenches come in various types, including T-handle wrenches, which are ideal for tight spaces and provide good leverage, and bar-type or adjustable wrenches, which offer greater leverage for larger holes or when more force is needed. These tools are essential in metalworking, woodworking, and DIY projects for creating threaded holes that allow screws or bolts to be securely fastened.

Strap Wrench

A strap wrench is a versatile tool designed to grip and turn objects with smooth or irregular surfaces without causing damage. It features a handle attached to a flexible strap made from materials like rubber, nylon, or leather. The strap wraps around the object, and as the handle is pulled, the strap tightens, providing a secure grip. They are particularly useful in plumbing, automotive work, and household tasks, as they are ideal for tasks such as loosening or tightening pipes, jars, and cylindrical objects, and the adjustable strap length allows the tool to accommodate various object sizes.

Flare Nut Wrench

A flare nut wrench is a specialized tool designed for gripping and turning nuts on tubing, such as brake and fuel lines. It features an open-ended design similar to a box-end wrench but with a small opening that allows it to slip over the tubing, providing more contact with the nut than a standard open-end wrench. This design ensures a secure grip, reducing the risk of rounding off the corners, making it particularly useful for soft metal fittings found in automotive, plumbing, and HVAC applications. Flare nut wrenches are essential for tasks involving brake lines, fuel lines, and hydraulic fittings, as they offer a strong grip on nuts prone to damage, allowing for secure tightening or safe removal. If you need a flare nut wrench, you can get this set from KTC.

Chain Wrench

The chain wrench is a specialized tool designed to grip and turn cylindrical objects like pipes, especially when other wrenches may not provide a secure hold. It consists of a handle attached to a length of chain, which wraps around the object. When the handle is pulled, the chain tightens, creating a secure grip through friction, allowing significant torque to be applied. This makes chain wrenches particularly useful for working with large-diameter pipes or in tight spaces where standard wrenches might not fit. The adjustable chain can accommodate various sizes, making the tool versatile for tasks in plumbing, construction, and industrial settings, where strong, reliable gripping is essential for turning smooth or irregularly shaped objects.

Impact Wrench

An impact wrench is a powerful tool designed to deliver high torque with minimal user effort, making it ideal for heavy-duty tasks. It is commonly used in automotive repair to remove lug nuts and engine bolts, as well as in construction for fastening large bolts and nuts. The tool operates using a hammer mechanism that stores energy in a rotating mass, which is then delivered to the output shaft, generating high torque. Impact wrenches can be powered by compressed air (pneumatic), electricity (corded or cordless), or hydraulics, and are available in various sizes, ranging from small 1/4-inch drives to large 3 1/2-inch drives for major construction. Despite delivering high peak torque, the design ensures minimal torque is felt by the user, making it efficient and easy to use in tasks such as heavy equipment maintenance and product assembly.

An impact wrench will often make use of deep sockets such as these ones from Koken, which provides a range of different sizes, enabling you to reach nuts and bolts blocked by obstacles, without the need for an extension bar. Made from durable chrome molybdenum steel, they are designed to withstand the high force and torsion from powered impact wrenches and drivers, making them ideal for quickly removing seized nuts and bolts. 

A Wrench For Every Job

As you will have noted from this post, wrenches come in a huge array of types and whether you need one for a specific job, such as a pedal wrench for bicycle repair or a lug wrench for changing tires, or more general types requiring differing levels of tightness (box-end, torque wrench) and accessibility (crowfoot, flare nut), you will be able to find one suited for every job. If you need to cut down on the number of tools you need to carry, there are combination wrenches (open-end/box-end), double-ended open-end wrenches, and adjustable wrenches that fit this purpose.

What kind of wrench do you use most in your daily life or work? Let us know in the comments.

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