Why the funny angle on this wrench?

[Kestas]

Why the funny angle on the right side of this wrench? I've done lots of wrenching and run into my share of tight spots. What can this angle do that the left side couldn't?

 

[sberry]

Its used a lot on hydraulic lines and fittings. Sometimes just a little bit of different angle is needed, lots of interference with stuff like that. They make 12 point tubing wrenches just for the same reason.

 

[sweet victory]

Those are called obstruction wrenches, 4 way wrenches, etc. Like stated above, good for things like fittings in confined spaces. The Snap On 4 way wrenches are the gold standard, but Tekton has a set out that they're trying to compete with at a far lower price point.

 

[larry_g]

Do the math; If you had a straight on open end wrench then you would have to swing the handle at least 60* to be able to get on the next flat. (hex nut, 6 sides, 360/6=60*) So on most combo wrenches the open end is off set 30* so you can turn the nut 30* and flip the wrench and do another 30* on the same flat. The "funny angle" on your wrench allows you to use the other end to get down to 15* swing increments.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[sberry]

Do the math; If you had a straight on open end wrench then you would have to swing the handle at least 60* to be able to get on the next flat. (hex nut, 6 sides, 360/6=60*) So on most combo wrenches the open end is off set 30* so you can turn the nut 30* and flip the wrench and do another 30* on the same flat. The "funny angle" on your wrench allows you to use the other end to get down to 15* swing increments.

This is why they pay you the big bucks,,,, its all about the math.
I figured it was to reach around the corners.

 

[Zapp Branigan]

Those are called obstruction wrenches, 4 way wrenches, etc. Like stated above, good for things like fittings in confined spaces. The Snap On 4 way wrenches are the gold standard, but Tekton has a set out that they're trying to compete with at a far lower price point.

Snap on is quite safe from the competition. I bought the Tekton sets and the first time I handled them I got a nice deep cut from the chrome plating.

 

[sweet victory]

Snap on is quite safe from the competition. I bought the Tekton sets and the first time I handled them I got a nice deep cut from the chrome plating.

Holy moly! I guess Tekton's marketing team has partnered up with Harbor Freight's team then.

 

[lauver]

Why the funny angle on the right side of this wrench? I've done lots of wrenching and run into my share of tight spots. What can this angle do that the left side couldn't?

Kestas,

If I'm not mistaken, the wrench you posted is an ignition wrench, and that funny angle was designed to work around and inside old school distributers with mechanical points.

I don't use my ignition wrenches for distributor maintenance anymore, but they do come in handy for other small assemblies. And, they don't take up much storage space in my tool chest.

 

[Samuel D]

If you had a straight on open end wrench then you would have to swing the handle at least 60* to be able to get on the next flat. (hex nut, 6 sides, 360/6=60*) So on most combo wrenches the open end is off set 30* so you can turn the nut 30* and flip the wrench and do another 30* on the same flat. The "funny angle" on your wrench allows you to use the other end to get down to 15* swing increments.

Open-ended spanner jaws are rotated by about 15 degrees from the handle, not 30. That gives you a 30 degree difference when you flip the spanner. That allows operation with limited room to swing the spanner as you say. But if you wanted to improve that at the other end, you’d rotate the jaws by only 7.5 degrees, not 75 degrees or whatever these spanners have. So clearly the large angle of rotation has another purpose.

 

[checkthisout]

Why the funny angle on the right side of this wrench? I've done lots of wrenching and run into my share of tight spots. What can this angle do that the left side couldn't?

Access a fastener that the left end can't.

 

[larry_g]

Open-ended spanner jaws are rotated by about 15 degrees from the handle, not 30. That gives you a 30 degree difference when you flip the spanner. That allows operation with limited room to swing the spanner as you say. But if you wanted to improve that at the other end, you’d rotate the jaws by only 7.5 degrees, not 75 degrees or whatever these spanners have. So clearly the large angle of rotation has another purpose.

I stand corrected on the 15/30 degree angle. To early in the morning.. However most of these at sharp angles are to divide the other angle. Is the one above at 82.5* maybe? 15+7.5+60

lg
no neat sig line

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

i don't own them, but at work those came handy sometimes with restricted space.

 

[Dave.R]

Snap on is quite safe from the competition. I bought the Tekton sets and the first time I handled them I got a nice deep cut from the chrome plating.

Hey Zapp,

If you haven't already, get a hold of us at tekton.com/tool-help so we can swap out that wrench.

Dave

[email protected]

 

[Zapp Branigan]

Thanks for the offer Dave, but I just peeled the offending chrome off and put them to work quite a while ago. I went over them pretty good after getting cut though just to make sure it wouldn't happen again. It wasn't worth the hassle, but it's good to know you'd stand behind them.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I have a set of 4 way wrenches that I bought when I started working on the hydraulic lines on my equipment. They are a life saver