How to make a universal wrench from improvised materials

Open-end wrenches: GOST classification, types and sizes of tools

In order to tighten or unscrew a bolt, nut, tap head, coupling, etc., an open-end wrench is used. Every master who performs everyday work around the house or deals with equipment has come across this tool at least once in his life.

Standard sizes of open-end wrenches

Any tool has its own characteristics and parameters. There are also generally accepted standard sizes of open-end wrenches. To determine the size, you need to pay attention to the span of the part that its motionless jaws have. This is the so-called throat of the instrument. The handle of any open-end wrench has a digital marking. This is the size in millimeters that determines the width between the jaws.

Standard sizes can range from minimum (2.5x3.2 mm) to maximum (70x80 mm). These are acceptable GOST standards that cannot be violated under any circumstances. GOST also specifies other characteristics of open-end wrenches, for example:

• A special calculation of the maximum deviations of the pharynx size is carried out;
• Any manufactured open-end wrench must have specified strength and hardness;
• The trademark marking is established;
• The decorative and protective coating of the key, etc. is taken into account.

Types of keys

Now let's look at what varieties there are. The most commonly used wrenches have two jaws. Another name for it is a double open-end wrench (GOST 2839). If you need to unscrew a fastener with a mag of 18 or 20 mm between opposite edges, then you need to choose a tool with a handle on which the designations 18 and 20 are located.

It happens that in force majeure circumstances a tool of the required size is not always at hand. In this case, a key one size larger is suitable. When using a tool that is not suitable for its intended purpose, you need to use a knife or screwdriver, install them in an empty space.

Types of horn instruments:

• composite (GOST 16.983). Their design contains an end structure nozzle, a hollow socket and a handle, short or long;
• adjustable (GOST 7275.75). These are open-end wrenches where the size can vary;
• narrow profile keys. These are specific keys for a certain type of activity;
• There are star, Bristol and hex keys (GOST 11737.93) that are used to work with bicycle and computer equipment, with screwing in fasteners in hard-to-reach places that border almost on jewelry work.

How to choose an open-end wrench?

How to choose the right tool so that it meets all GOST standards? The variety of models shows that there are different types of products for every need. You need to consider the purpose of its use and the complexity of the task you set for it. The material used for the production of modern nut products is special tool steel; it consists of an alloy of vanadium and chromium.

There is also one unique tool that will help solve all problems at once, and eliminate the need to think about which open-end wrench to choose. There are universal models that contain all products at the same time. This tool can handle nuts of various sizes with all types of heads. It does not slip on a smooth surface due to its powerful teeth, which is its main advantage.

There are also electric keys, the name speaks for itself. This tool can be powered by battery or batteries. Therefore, each home craftsman himself determines which products are best suited for him.

The price category is quite varied. Most often, the price depends on the versatility of the technical characteristics and the manufacturer. The cheapest is a single-sided horn instrument, where the open mouth has 3.1–85 millimeters.

When purchasing, you also need to remember about the long handle, which can limit the range of movement of the key when turning. If one of the jaws is shortened, then, naturally, the radius of the wrench increases. In this case, you will be able to place the head on the side of the nut. If the handle is artificially enlarged, the applied force increases, and the jaw jaws will separate or even break. A hammer will be able to help set them in place when spreading, but the material will not be as strong as before. When you have a product made of 40xFA or 40x steel, then there is a method of hardening the sponge.

There is another option on how to repair a broken or worn out pharynx. By welding the metal layer, you can adjust the volume of the throat using an abrasive tool. When the open gap is more than 25 mm, then this option for restoring the product will be the most effective.

The service life of carob products can range from a year to five. When talking about durability, they always mean a ring wrench (GOST 2906). It cannot be crushed, but it can wear out. There are restrictions on the use of this type of key. It can only be used if it is put on the nuts, but it cannot be used to unscrew, for example, union bolts of flexible hoses. The advantage is the hexagonal or twelve-sided jaw, which makes it possible to carry out work more intensively.

How to make an open-end wrench with your own hands?

For those who decide to make this instrument themselves, there are some small recommendations. You need to start manufacturing using a sample of a ready-made similar product. Complete a drawing of the required product, taking into account which you will make your key.

First, we make a blank from a steel sheet with a size several millimeters larger than the external size of the sides of the finished product. There are difficulties with thick instruments. You shouldn't cut it out with a hacksaw. And choosing a gas torch as a cutting tool is contraindicated. It is advisable to use forging in the process. This can be done by flattening a metal rod.

Then, when the workpiece is ready, we begin to make markings. If the workpiece does not have very smooth edges, then it is advisable to file them down to remove scale. Afterwards it is necessary to apply paint to the treated surface. You can use quick-drying varnish or paint. Applying the sample is done after the paint has completely dried. It is advisable to use some kind of press to prevent the sample from slipping when delineating.

The scriber is a metal sharpened wire. Then the final marks must be placed on the separation of the workpiece and the sample, retreating a few millimeters from those already made, and then marking them. First, place the core at the risk with an inclination, and level it when striking with a hammer. The step between the pits in the pharynx should be 4–5 mm.

Then we drill out the throat. You can use an electric drill with drills with a diameter of 5–6 mm. The drill should not get too hot. You can cool it in water. Then, when you make the second shed, you need to remove the excess.

Well, at the end you need to harden the part. At home, this can be done using gas. If you use a special stove or forge, it will be ideal. To remove the product, use pliers by lowering the key into the water. It is necessary to remove and immerse until the sponges completely darken. This is the technology for making an open-end wrench.

• Author: Nikolay Ivanovich Matveev
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From chain and pipe

The wrench is suitable for tightening nuts and is always useful in the garage. To work, you need a piece of square pipe 25x25, a bicycle or motorcycle chain with a length of 500 mm. Place the chain on the outer edge of the pipe (2-4 links), weld it or place it on bolts and washers.

The popular bookmaker has launched a mobile application for Android, you can follow the link absolutely free and without registration.

To work with nuts, the chain is inserted into the pipe, placed over the nut and can be twisted. This simple system does not break edges and is useful when unscrewing bolts and other fasteners. The larger the nut, the larger the chain loop should be - the pipe helps fix the “key” to the hardware.

How to make a convenient and inexpensive carrier for firewood from scrap materials

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Torque wrench without scale: how to replace it

In order for the key to be easy to use and to operate normally, the user needs to know a simple formula from a school physics course, namely, that a moment of 10 N*m is the product of a weight of 1 kg applied at a distance of one meter from a point. Thus, it is not difficult to guess that a lever of 0.5 m reaches this value with a force of 2 kg, 0.2 m - 5 kg, etc.

Based on these calculations, the master must purchase or find the following parts for making the tool:

• A handle that has square-shaped tips, and the length of the product must correspond to the above calculations to achieve a more accurate result.
• If you cannot cut the lever, you can always mark it with a marker or simply put on a tight clamp, which will be the starting point for applying the load on the fastener.
• Instead of a dynamometer, you can take an ordinary high-precision steelyard - a scale that shows the load in grams depending on the tension force. Experts advise purchasing this device with a division price of at least 100 grams and a weighing limit of up to 50 kilograms.

Important!

To make a torque wrench, you just need to fix the steelyard on the handle at the marked mark, put the attachment on the opposite end of the lever and carefully pull the scale until the required result is displayed on the scale, which will correspond to the torque achieved when tightening. In order not to get confused in the readings of the device, it is enough to spend 15 minutes and draw up a detailed table of the dependence of the readings of the device, the length of the lever and the final force in N * m.

Electronic steelyard up to 50 kg

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In our office you can see the completed works live, touch samples of baguettes and mats

A high level of professionalism and an excellent technical base allow us to complete the design of paintings and photos in the shortest possible time.

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Manufacturing

We saw off the remaining horn from our key and level the surface with a grinder.

We also cut off the edges of the key on both sides.

Now we take a piece of metal 6 mm thick, apply it to the key and measure the distance at which to drill holes.

We drill holes for our M8 bolts.

We saw off the corners of the resulting workpiece, rounded the chamfers and polished it.

We thread the bolts into the holes, screw the nuts onto them and align them with the landing cuts on the key.

Now we weld the nuts into place and grind the weld.

Varieties

As you can see in the photo of adjustable wrenches, they can be:

• Pipe. Allows you to press the object being processed.
• French. They are used quite rarely.
• Removable. They can grip pipes of various diameters.

There are also adjustable wrenches with a ratchet. A ratchet is an additional device designed to facilitate the manipulation of tightening/unscrewing fasteners. It is placed in the hole located on the opposite working end of the key.

How to use the key

After some simple manipulations, we received a good universal key for use. Using this key is very simple.

We need to loosen the bolts and adjust the bolt or nut to the desired size. It is enough to tighten the clamping bar with the bolts by hand and you can unscrew the nut.

This is a useful tool that can be made from a broken key. A very good solution for those who want to give wrenches a second chance.

I also provide for viewing the video on which the article was written.

I wish you all successful homemade projects and the implementation of all plans.

Hold the product firmly but without pain

Protective equipment should be held tightly. And in such a way that it would be difficult to knock them out of your hands. Even though you squeeze the keys tightly in your palm, it shouldn't hurt. Otherwise you will not be able to defend yourself. And you will only be distracted by pain.

The safest option is to hold the keys between your fingers, just like the Marvel hero Wolverine does. Therefore, this technique received a similar name. It consists of placing the lock opening agent between your fingers and leaving the blade with the teeth at the bottom.

Refrain from excessively squeezing the object, as there is an extremely high risk of injuring your hand. According to Matan Gavish, another founder of the Krav Maga Academy, with this approach you risk causing more injury to yourself than to the attacker. And this is an indisputable fact. During a panic, this probability increases several times.

Metal barbs can easily damage the skin between your fingers. The resulting acute pain will distract you and reduce the effectiveness of any blow. If the base of the product gets on the inside of your arm, it will also cause unpleasant pain. To the point where you might drop your keys.

During your escape, you will be left without access to your home. But if this is the only chance to avoid a collision with the attacker, then you can throw the keys in his face and use this distracting maneuver to escape.

But the most reliable option is to hold the product in your fist, leaving a flat, jagged piece outside your hand.

A simple homemade tool for unscrewing spline nuts

To unscrew spline nuts, which are often used on mopeds, motorcycles and other equipment, a special spline wrench is usually used. However, if it is not at hand, then you can get by with a homemade tool.

To make this device you will need a piece of metal pipe and a bearing. From the tools you will need to prepare an angle grinder (angle grinder) and a welding machine.

The first step is to disassemble the bearing into its component parts. For homemade work, you only need the outer clip. If there is no bearing, you can use a piece of steel pipe of suitable diameter.