What Is a T-Shaped Wrench?
A T-Shaped Wrench is a tool used to tighten or loosen a hexagonal bolt or nut. It does not need to be replaced like a spectacle wrench or a wrench, thus reducing the burden of continuous work.
Although there are ratchet wrenches that do not need to be replaced, T-shaped wrenches are faster once you learn how to turn them. Some holder type wrenches are easy to turn for DIY beginners.
Usage of T-Shaped Wrenches
T-Shaped Wrenches are used for tightening and loosening bolts or nuts during assembly and disassembly, both in daily DIY and in specialized fields such as machine maintenance. They are mainly used for tightening or loosening bolts or nuts that are located in spaces where a wrench or wrench cannot fit.
T-Shaped Wrenches are not suitable for cars with little space in the engine compartment because of the space required to turn the handle. However, it is an easy-to-use tool for maintenance of motorcycles and other vehicles with engines outside.
Principle of T-Shaped Wrenches
A T-shaped wrench has a shaft and a handle perpendicular to each other. The end of the shaft has a threaded socket for a hexagonal bolt or nut.
Some T-shaped wrenches have a pipe holder on the shaft to make it easier and faster to turn the shaft.
It is important to select the appropriate type of wrench for the situation, as they are easy to use even for DIY beginners.
Features of T-Shaped Wrenches
1. Quick Turning Leads to Improved Efficiency
Turning a T-shaped wrench quickly allows you to tighten or loosen a bolt or nut efficiently. The handle can be turned more than 360 degrees continuously, so there is no need to replace the wrench after turning it a certain degree, as is the case with other wrenches.
2. Tightening a Bolt Or Nut In a Narrow Space
This wrench can be used for tightening bolts or nuts in places where the space to install the bolt is too narrow and there are obstacles that prevent a spectacle wrench or wrench from turning the bolt.
4. Even a Weak Person Can Tighten The Torque Relatively Easily
The T-shaped handle is easy to grip and apply pressure, making it possible for even a weak person to apply torque. Gripping the handle with both hands makes it easier to apply force.
How to select a T-Shaped Wrench
1. Standard Type
The key to selecting a T-shaped wrench is to consider the size and functionality of the wrench depending on the purpose of use.
Like a monkey wrench, a T-shaped wrench does not have a variable gripping width. Therefore, if the size is not correct, there will be a gap between the bolt and the nut, resulting in inadequate tightening.
The sizes range from 8 mm for the smallest to 28 mm for the largest, and it is convenient to have about 8 mm to 14 mm available. Shaft lengths range from 254 to 307.5 mm, and handle lengths from 200 to 300 mm. The larger the bolt size, the longer the shaft and handle.
For T-shaped wrenches, which are specialized for quicker turning than the standard type, a handle length of 130 mm is most suitable. The standard type has no moving parts, so it is less likely to break and more durable.
2. Flex Type
With this type the shaft and the screw hole part of the flex wrench are separate parts, connected by a link mechanism.
When working in tight spaces, it is sometimes difficult to get the shaft straight out from the bolt. In such a case, the flex type can tighten the bolt by pulling out the shaft at an angle.
3. Socket Type
As with the flex type, the threaded hole at the end of the shaft is a separate part as a socket, but the socket type is used by replacing the socket to match the bolt. Since the movable part is located at the back, it is not as strong as the standard type.
Other Information on T-Shaped Wrenches
How to Use T-Shaped Wrenches
Make sure the size of the T-shaped wrench matches the size of the bolt or nut. Place the bolt in the threaded hole of the trench.
After installation, turn the shaft by hand so that the bolt is inserted 3-4 turns. One hand should lightly support the shaft while the other hand should lightly hold the handle and turn it. The key is to continue until the handle is no longer turning vigorously.
Finally, tighten the handle by grasping it firmly. When turning, support the shaft so that it is vertical, and when tightening, hold the shaft straight against the bolt or nut and tighten firmly.
Be careful not to tighten the shaft at an angle, as it will not tighten properly.