SPANNER – Types of Spanner
INTRODUCTION
Wrench which is the other name for spanner is a tool is used to turn objects ,mostly rotary fasteners like bolts and nuts, by providing grip and preventing them from turning since it provides the mechanical advantage.
TYPES OF SPANNERS
There are many different types of spanner and one can differentiate them simply by their appearance. Some wrenches are designed to carry out specific tasks while others can be used for doing general jobs. The various types of spanners may include:
· open ended spanners
This is the most common type since it is used for doing general jobs. One can easily recognize it since it has U-shaped jaws that contain the opening whose dimensions are the width of the bolt/ nut head. The U-shaped jaws have two flat sides that grip the fastener on the opposite sides which assists in loosening or tightening.
· Ring spanners
They are very simple and have a profile which is enclosed in a ring. They are designed in such a way that the ring heads are offset from handle thus making it easier to reach the fastener.
· Combination spanners
They are basically very simple and are made up of two wrench heads; one ring and one open ended; and a shaft. The heads are usually slightly inclined from the shaft thus allowing better access to the fasteners.
· Scaffold spanners
These are designed for taking down and fitting scaffolds which are the temporary structures that support workers and materials during construction work. They have a handle and a flexible socket head.
· flex head spanners
They have suspended heads in a frame in such a way that they swivel back and forth enabling the tool to be used any angle.
· Box spanners
They have two profiles at right angles, one at each end and are made from metal tubing. They are turned using a tool known as a Tommy bar.
· Insulated spanners
These are basically any wrench that is insulated so as to protect it user from electric shock or electrocution. They are preferred when a person is working near live wires.
MATERIAL USED
The material used to make most spanners is an alloy of steel known as chrome vanadium steel. This name is usually written on the shaft of most spanners. An alloy is basically a combination of two or more metals. Each of these materials has a role that it plays. Chromium, for instance increases the hardness of alloy while Vanadium provides ductility, toughness and structural strength.
SPANNER JAW SIZES
The various types of spanners we discussed are of different sizes. The size of every wrench jaw corresponds to the width of the bolt/ net head that it can be used to tighten or loosen. These jaw sizes are also marked on the shaft near the jaws. However, a special type of wrench known as an adjustable spanner can be used to tighten or loosen different sizes of nut/ bolt heads.
SUMMARY
A spanner is therefore one tool that should not be taken for granted since it helps to make work easier when it comes to tightening or loosening fasteners.








