Combination spanners are essential tools across a number of industries, from furniture assembly to automotive repair. They’re extremely versatile tools offering a ‘two-for-one’ deal, where each end of the spanner features a different loop.
There are also different types of combination spanners available to suit distinct applications. In this article, we’ll talk about what combination spanners are, how they work, and how to use them within your industry.
This new information will help you make the right decision when investing in new spanners and other tools for your business.
What is a Combination Spanner?
Combination spanners are used to work on bolts, nuts, screws and other metal pieces. These versatile tools have been in the market since the early 1900s but gained popularity in the late 1960s when manufacturers began to make them with more durable materials like carbon steel and aluminium alloy.
A combination spanner is essentially a blend of two tools—one end features an open-ended head, while the other end has a ring head. The tool serves one main purpose—to help workers make more efficient use of their time.
You’ll find combination spanners used in a huge range of industries, including construction, manufacturing, and farming. They’re also popular for home DIY jobs.
Combination spanners have a number of benefits including:
– Time savings: The combiner spanner can do twice the work a single spanner would do, which means less time spent on manual labour and more hours for other tasks.
– Productivity: Combining two tools into one reduces the size of equipment needed and decreases material waste.
How Does a Combination Spanner Work?
The open-ended side of a combination spanner is U-shaped with a fixed breadth. Its head features two flat sides designed to grip opposing ends of a fastener and tighten or loosen it.
The enclosed loop end of the combination spanner goes over a fastener’s head— the user can then twist the tool clockwise or anti-clockwise to adjust the fastener.
Generally, the open-ended side of a combination spanner will be stronger than the ring head. As such, the open-ended head is the best option when you finalise tightening the fastener (or when starting to loosen one). The ring head, being more ergonomic to use, is best for general loosening and tightening.
Combination Spanner Sizes
Combination spanners come in a range of sizes designed for tasks big and small. Keep in mind that a single spanner will work with only one nut or bolt size—that is, both ends will work with the same-sized fastener.
A combination spanners’ heads will typically range from four to 50mm. Larger fastener sizes also mean the spanner will be longer.
If you’re unsure which spanner size you’ll need for your project—or if you’ll be working with a variety of differently-sized fasteners—spanner sets are a smart option. A typical combination spanner set will include seven to 12 spanners of varying sizes— although sets with up to 45 pieces are available.
Conclusion
Combination spanners are incredibly handy tools that essentially offer two tools for the price of one. Available as single tools or in a set, they’re an essential tool for any industry where loosening and tightening nuts and bolts is a standard part of the job.