How to Use an Adjustable Wrench?
2 Answers
Usage of an adjustable wrench is as follows: 1. An adjustable wrench consists of the wrench body, a fixed jaw, a movable jaw, and a worm gear, among other components. Its opening size can be adjusted within a certain range via the worm gear. 2. Before use, adjust the wrench size according to the part to be tightened, ensuring no gap to prevent slipping and damaging the part. 3. Ensure the wrench's opening line is parallel to the hexagonal sides of the nut. Do not place the wrench on the nut's corners before use, as this may damage the part. 4. Avoid using an overly large wrench to tighten smaller screws. 5. Do not reverse the direction; the fixed jaw should bear the main force to prevent the movable jaw from loosening, which could cause injury or part damage. 6. An adjustable wrench is designed for tightening and should not be used as a hammering tool. Additionally, do not arbitrarily extend the wrench handle. 7. Ensure no one stands in the direction of force application to prevent injuries caused by improper force. 8. After use, clean the wrench with alcohol or rust remover to prevent rust and ensure ease of future use.
When using an adjustable wrench, I mainly focus on two points: adjustment and force application. First, clamp the wrench onto the nut, observe the nut size, then turn the worm screw to adjust the opening until it fits snugly around the nut—don’t over-adjust. Always position the fixed jaw in the direction of force to prevent slipping. Then, stabilize the wrench head with one hand while gripping the handle with the other, applying steady force toward yourself. If a screw is extremely tight, avoid forcing it, as this can damage the wrench’s worm gear mechanism. Routine maintenance is simple: regularly apply grease to the worm screw to keep it smooth, and wipe off any oil residue after use. I often use this in auto repair shops—adjustable wrenches are incredibly handy for tackling screws of different sizes, especially those awkwardly positioned small nuts in the engine bay.
