Hand wrench lengths

[Chucktin]

Trying to convince wife (snowball chance in hell comes to mind) that I do know what I'm talking about. I remarked that a wrench length is related to it's jaw size. An nn" wrench is x long so you don't put too much torque on the nut or bolt head and "wrench" things off.
So she said "(Alright, smart guy) what is the correct length and how is it determined?"

Duh.

I remember studying the text that told me that, why a wrench head is on an angle, why there are open-end and box-end wrenches, the difference between the number of points in a socket, etc but ... I don't recall a formula for the length of a wrench by jaw size being on the same page. Is there a direct relation? Or am I imagining something?

 

[dalejrfan88]

I think several companies make longer wrenches for increased torque. They also make stubby wrenches for tighter spaces, so i would say there is no standard length.

 

[VictorBravo]

Well, the existence of stubbies and long patterns sort of throws a "wrench" into your theory.

I think it's merely a function of balance and normal use. A small jawed wrench has a relatively shorter handle because (1) smaller fasteners take less torque and (2) are likely to be in relatively confined spaces.

There might be some particular formula, but it could be based on aesthetics as much as physics. And I note that some wrench manufacturers generally have longer patterns than others.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

There is no real standard length. I have all different types of wrenches and it varies about 1 to 1.5 inches on smaller sizes, and then 2 to 3 on larger sizes.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Trying to convince wife (snowball chance in hell comes to mind) that I do know what I'm talking about.
So she said "(Alright, smart guy) what is the correct length and how is it determined

Safest way for YOU to determine that is have Her measure those wrenches with the cloth ruler from Her sewing kit. Ask Her late at night if She could measure some tools. .

 

[Sal Bandini]

The relationship only exists when you apply the Feigenbaum constant, which nobody uses anymore since we started throwing metric tools in with the SAE.

 

[Chucktin]

Fiegnbaum's constant ... okay...

 

[Sal Bandini]

Go with that. She will give you a strange look, and then just say 'whatever" and walk away.