How to choose the best wrench

The wrench is a tool indispensable for solving assembly measures, both in the domestic sphere and on an industrial scale. This tool allows you to save time and power when performing installation work, increases the efficiency and durability of connections. Consider what types of wrenches exist and how to choose the right tool.

The purpose of the wrench and its difference from the screwdriver

The purpose of this tool can be guessed from its name.The wrench is needed for tightening and loosening nuts and bolts with considerable effortA: Some models can develop a force of up to 65,000 Nm (Newtons per meter). Many craftsmen who have not encountered this tool confuse it with a screwdriver, apparently because of the external similarity to the latter. And the main difference between the tools is considered a different type of ammunition. But in fact, the wrench has a lot more differences, which turn into a huge advantage if you compare it with a screwdriver.

So, how does a screwdriver differ from a wrench? In most wrenches, a pulse-impact clutch is installed, but it differs from the same punch clutch in that the force is not directed along the axis of the unit, but in the direction of rotation of the cartridge. The shock (impulse) mechanism operates as follows: the drive of the apparatus twists the cartridge through a massive coupling element until the force reaches a certain threshold. Further, the leading element of the clutch is released from the engagement and accelerates, the acceleration of the element occurs within the incomplete rotation, after which it strikes the cam located on the axis of the cartridge. The massiveness of the element and the speed gained by it create high torque thanks to which it turns out to “break” stuck bolts and nuts.

Due to the high discharge current, even expensive, professional cordless wrenches can work continuously for only 15-20 minutes, which is not the case with screwdrivers.

Based on the above differences, the use of a wrench instead of a screwdriver is impractical.

Tool types

The wrench, being a highly specialized tool, performs quite impressive amounts of work. It’s hard to say which wrench is better, because the type and power of the tool is selected based on the goals and objectives that it has to accomplish.

1. Electric. High-speed, powerful and accurate unit, virtually no vibration. The electric motor of the device operates on 220V mains and is equipped for better cooling with a fan, which allows the tool to work for a long time.
   
2. Rechargeable. This type of wrench is convenient for its mobility and allows you to work away from the mains. The accumulator device can be used in construction at installation of various panels, laying of communications and for performance of small installation operations.
   

3. Pneumatic tool. As it is easy to guess, the prefix “pneumo” means that compressed air is used to set the cartridge in motion. The latter is fed through a high pressure hose connected to the compressor. Due to the absence of an engine, the pneumatic wrench is notable for its ease and does not cause master fatigue during operation. Also, the air wrench is not afraid of overheating and can be used in places where the use of electric tools is unacceptable (rooms with high humidity, places with high explosive hazard).
   

4. Hydraulic. The drive in this tool is a hydraulic pump with a valve. The apparatus operates according to the following principle: the force developed by the hydraulic cylinder during the translational motion of the piston is converted into torque by means of the ratchet wheel. The hydraulic wrench, depending on the model, can develop a tremendous force, sometimes reaching up to 65,000 Nm.
   It should be noted that hydraulic wrenches are of two types: cap and cassette. The figure below shows a circular tool.

   The following photo shows the hydraulic cassette type of the unit.Usually it is used in places where it is impossible to get close to the flare tool.

   

5. Petrol. This type of wrench is used mainly in the repair or construction of railway tracks. The gasoline wrench is convenient to use far from the power supply, in difficult field conditions, due to its complete autonomy.
   

6. Gearbox This is a hand wrench multiplier, popularly called “meat grinder”. The gear wrench consists of a planetary gearbox placed in a metal housing. With the rapid rotation of the handle turns are transmitted through the gear to the output shaft, which starts spinning much slower than the handle, but with a many-fold increased effort.
   

Thanks to this hand tool, you can unscrew such fasteners that you cannot “pull” off the place in the usual way. It is often used in field conditions for trucks, buses, tractors as a wheel wrench.

Wrench selection options

When choosing a tool, you need to decide for what purpose you are going to use a wrench: household or professional. Their main difference is the power and duration of continuous work.Household appliances have low power, quickly overheat (applies to network apparatuses), and the working units in them are made of less durable materials than in the tool class pro. The power of the device at 400 watts will be enough to use it in everyday life. If we talk about the speed of rotation of the cartridge, then for domestic needs 20-40 rev / min will be enough. A professional tool should have a speed of about 1500 rpm.

When choosing a tool on battery Note the type of battery (battery). Typically, household devices use nickel-cadmium batteries that are afraid of charging when they are not fully discharged, and in professional devices they use lithium-ion batteries, which can be recharged at any stage of battery discharge.

But it is worth knowing that lithium batteries are afraid of a full discharge, from which they lose capacity and fail.

Do not forget about the additional features that enhance the usability of the tool.

1. Impact mechanism. The tool can be both shock and unstressed. The impact wrench will be useful when tightening “important” fasteners, for example, the nuts of the wheels of a car, where a lot of force is required when tightening and unscrewing.Unstressed tool with this task will not cope.
2. Tightening force adjustment. This function is not recommended to be neglected. For example, if you have to tighten the nuts with a “vulnerable” thread, it breaks them off in 1 second without a force regulator. Also, the wrench, with adjustable torque, allows you to evenly tighten the connection, which is useful when installing car heads.
3. Gear type. Not always the wrench in the form of a gun allows you to solve all the problems during repair and installation work. Sometimes the fastener may be in places inaccessible to the “pistol” type of apparatus. Therefore, for such purposes it is customary to use an angle wrench.
   
4. Built-in lights. Very convenient addition to the tool, especially at car repairs.

Also, when choosing this tool, pay attention to how it lies in the hand, whether the handle is comfortable, how much weight the device has, where the start button is located, etc. Ergonomic parameters determine the comfort of use.

For a better understanding of which tool to choose, the rating of the most popular models of various types of wrenches is presented below.

Electric power tool

DeWALT DW 292

It is a wired impact wrench that is powered from a 220 V network. The unit has a good torque (440 Nm), has a capacity of 710 W and can produce 2700 beats per minute.

Hitachi WR22SA

Hitachi WR22SA is an professional device, allowing you to unscrew and tighten the hardware with a thread diameter of not more than 24 mm (M24). The tool can be used for cars.

This network wrench has a torque of 640 Nm, power - 850 W and develops 1800 rev / min. The whole body is made of aluminum, which increases the strength of the unit and increases heat transfer. Therefore, the tool is often purchased by motorists. for garage. With it, you can unscrew almost any “stuck” nut on the car.

Minus: according to the owners of the device, electric wrenches of this model are sometimes subjected to overheating, which occurs in the mechanical part of the device.

DeFort DCW 12

DeFort DCW 12 can also be called a network, but this wrench works from the voltage of 12 volts. It has a torque of 350 Nm, develops a maximum of 3300 rev / min. In the configuration there is an adapter that allows the device to work from the vehicle's cigarette lighter. There is also an adapter with “crocodiles” for connecting the device to the battery.

Basically, this unit is used. for cars.

Delta Turbo 2000

The most powerful tool in this segment is Rolling electric wrench.

It is used mainly for trucks, when mounting wheels. Delta Turbo 2000 - it is a cargo nut wrench operating at 380 V, having a power of 1500 W.

He also has a square one-inch cartridge and can develop torque of up to 2500 Nm, which will be enough for wheel bolts.

Since the device has a weight of 65 kg, it is installed on the chassis.

Electric battery tool

Bosch GDR 10,8-LI

This is a pulse wrench, which, without exaggeration, can be said to be one of the best devices in its segment.. This tool is powered by a Li-Ion battery with a voltage of 10.8 V, has built-in protection of the battery against complete discharge and overload, is compact in size and weighs only 1 kg.

It is very convenient to use when working, when the fastener is at a height above the height of the master.

The device has a torque of 105 Nm, a spindle speed of 2600 rpm and the number of pulses per minute - 3100. Bosch GDR 10,8-LI is successfully used for household tasks for repair and installation, as well as for professional use.

Bosch GDS 18 V-LI HT

it most powerful cordless wrench (shock) with a battery of 18 V, as it has a torque of 650 Nm.

Due to the metal case of the gearbox, the device has high strength and reliability. The device weighs 3 kg and can be called the lightest among the devices of the “High-Torque” class, that is, among the tools with high torque. Therefore, if you require powerful and mobile toolit is better to choose the wrench of this particular model.

The only disadvantage of this tool is the price. You can buy it for about 15 thousand rubles.

Makita 6940 DW

This wrench is corner tool and complements the line of cordless wrenches.

This model has a length of 370 mm and a height of 60 mm. Thanks to such dimensions, the side tool is effectively used in hard-to-reach places. The maximum torque value of the wrench is 30 Nm, and the rotational speed is 2000 rpm. In addition, the device can produce 2700 pulses per minute.

Alkitronic EFCip series

The wrenches of this company are industrial tools.

Any EFCip series impact wrench has a synchronous motor (without brushes), due to which the drive is subject to less wear and does not require maintenance.

The case of the device also differs in durability as it is made of an aluminum alloy. Units of the EFCip series operate at a voltage of 100-235 V with a frequency of 45 to 66 Hz and can develop torque in the range from 60 to 6500 Nm.

Industrial apparatus Alkitronic EFCip is torque wrenchSince the progress of its work is monitored by a microprocessor, which, when it reaches the required torque (tightening force), turns off the engine. All the necessary parameters are displayed on the LCD display on the back of the instrument, where the control buttons are also located. In the nose of the unit, near the gearbox, there is a non-rotating gear wheel, on which a special nozzle is put on.

Based on the listed data, the Alkitronic EFCip is the best wrench of all listed above.

The main disadvantage of this unit is the high cost.

Pneumatic

Compressed air wrenches are practically not used in everyday life, because besides the tool itself, you need to purchase a compressor. These units are used most often in the professional field.

Wurth DSS1 / 2 ″

This is a pneumatic tool. premium class. This tool has a percussion mechanism; four positions for adjusting the torque; loosening torque of 1321 Nm, and wrapping - from 60 to 835 Nm, cartridge type - ½ inch.

To work the wrench requires only prepared air without impurities, that is, well cleaned and saturated with oil vapor. For these purposes, use the BPV (air preparation unit) and the oil sprayer, which is connected at the tool inlet. The oil sprayer enriches the air passing through the tool with oil vapors designed to lubricate the mechanical part of the unit.

So, if you need a powerful, reliable, low-noise pneumatic tool, the choice of wrench can be completed on this model. No wonder this unit is often used as a tire in the auto repair shops.

YATO 1/2 YT-09540

it pneumogunwhich also well proved as the reliable and powerful tool.

The unit has: torque 1150 Nm; ½ inch square cartridge; 10,000 rpm; weight 2.02 kg. There are 3 positions for adjusting the twisting force, and 2. for loosening. 2. Effective tool operation is possible at a pressure not lower than 0.63 MPa.

Wrench is used most often in car services for car wheel nuts.

Hydraulic wrenches

This type of tool is the most powerful of all listed. They are mainly used to loosen or tighten fasteners in places where a very strong connection is required.

PLARAD FSX / SX-EC

it cassette hydraulic wrench with a torque of 250 to 45,000 Nm. The tool has a very durable and at the same time lightweight body.

Due to the fact that the cassettes are removable, you can quickly select them for the desired size of the nut.

Minus: high cost, which is typical for industrial tools.

PLARAD MSX / MX-EC

it end analog the above unit. It also has a durable and lightweight body, but it has a huge torque, which is 65,000 Nm.

At the same time, the minimum torque of this unit is 200 Nm. In front of the case shock absorber available, allowing to quench the beating and vibration during operation. The handle can be rotated 360 °, which allows the use of a wrench in hard to reach places.

Minus: high cost.

Gasoline Impact Wrenches

As stated earlier, these are fully autonomous and powerful gasoline engine wrenches.

Wrench BG-1

it travel toolused in laying and repairing railroad tracks.

The unit has a torque of 1000 Nm; power 2.3 hp; the minimum number of revolutions per minute is 200; the maximum number of revolutions per minute is 500; weight - 18 kg.

The disadvantages of this tool include its weight, which creates a significant load on the back and arms of the operator.