A spud wrench is primarily used for tightening and loosening plumbing pipes, as well as fastening metal pipes and fittings,such as elbows and tees. The serrated teeth at one end, allows the spud wrench to firmly grip the connector for easier installation and removal.
It is also sometimes used for setting the angle on certain pipes and fittings, such as the supply and drain on a toilet. Additionally, if used alone, a spud wrench can be used to turn valves.
Do I need a spud wrench?
It depends on the project you are working on and what material you are working with. A spud wrench, also known as a Stillson wrench, is a wrench used for turning and holding pipe. It is often used for projects involving plumbing and pipefitting.
Generally, a spud wrench is best for working on larger pipes, such as those made from cast iron or steel. If you are working on smaller pipes, made from copper or plastic, you may find other types of wrenches more useful.
Additionally, if you are working on a project that involves tightening or loosening large nuts, bolts, or other fasteners, then a spud wrench may not be the best tool for the job. In that case, a socket wrench or an adjustable wrench could be more appropriate.
Why are they called spud wrenches?
A spud wrench is an adjustable torque wrench specifically designed for working with large pipes. As such, they are sometimes referred to as pipe wrenches. The name “spud” actually derives from a slang term used by plumbers and pipe fitters to refer to a pipe fitting.
The term is thought to have originated in the U. K. , and is actually a reference to the potato spud, due to the similar shape of a pipe fitting and a whole, unpeeled potato. Thus, the tool is often referred to as a spud wrench, as it is specifically designed to work with this type of fitting.
What was the wrench originally used for?
The wrench was originally used as a general-purpose mechanical hand tool to turn nuts and bolts, a function it has performed since the 1500s. It was traditionally a sturdy metal tool with either a fixed or adjustable jaw on one end, with the other end usually shaped for grasping more securely.
As the Industrial Revolution gained momentum, so too did the variety of types and shapes of wrenches. Variations of the traditional wrench include ratchet wrenches, torque wrenches, and pipe wrenches, to name a few.
Even today, the traditional wrench is still used in almost every trade, as it remains one of the most indispensable and versatile tools.
Who invented the Stillson wrench?
The Stillson wrench was invented by American mechanic and inventor Daniel C. Stillson in 1869. It was a breakthrough in plumbing tools because it allowed for easier gripping and greater torque. Stillson was an experienced machinist, and the design of the wrench was based on the threading of screws.
Its original purpose was to turn pipe threads, but it quickly became popular among plumbers and other tradespeople as a general-purpose wrench. The Stillson wrench remains popular in plumbing today and has been refined over the years as technologies have improved.
How does a spud wrench work?
A spud wrench is an adjustable type of wrench that is designed with one fixed point and two adjustable points. The wrench gets its name from the traditional pointed spud bars used by plumbers. The most common type of spud wrench is one where the handle is tubular with the adjustable points located on either side of the handle.
To use the wrench, one adjustable point is placed onto the spud bar and the other adjustable point is placed onto the object being worked on. The wrench can then be twisted and moved around to loosen, tighten, adjust, or remove the object as desired.
The size of the spud bar, combined with the adjustable points of the wrench, make it a useful tool for working in tight spaces—such as sink pipes—or for objects with an irregular shape.
What’s a spud nut?
A spud nut is a type of doughnut made from mashed potatoes and cooled mashed potatoes, white flour, sugar, butter, and/or shortening. The doughnuts are deep-fried and served hot, often dusted with sugar.
They can be filled or topped with chocolate or other flavorings or have a simple sugar icing. Spud nuts are popular in the southeastern United States, specifically the Carnicom family in Georgia, and were originally served as a morning snack.
The Carnicom family is credited with bringing the spudnut to wider popularity in the 1930s.
Why are construction wrenches pointy?
Construction wrenches are typically pointy because they make it easier to reach difficult to access areas in construction work. For example, when doing electrical work, you may need to secure a nut or bolt in a recessed area or in a tight space.
Pointy construction wrenches allow you to fit into these tight spaces and secure the hardware. Pointy wrenches also feature greater flexibility than standard wrenches, so you can get to those hard-to-reach spots with greater precision and accuracy.
On top of that, the pointy shape of the wrench head gives you better visibility and a larger range of motion. Finally, the point of the wrench is engineered to prevent slippage or possible slipping of the nut or bolt, ensuring a secure fastening.
What is a left handed monkey wrench?
A left-handed monkey wrench is a type of adjustable wrench specifically designed for use on left-handed threaded fasteners. It features a head designed to work in combination with left-hand threads so that a user can unscrew them with clockwise rotation.
This prevents the fastener from becoming stuck and allows for easy adjustment. Left-handed metals are historically very strong, an advantage for the user thanks to the additional torque the left-handed threads can provide.
This can be especially helpful in cases where maximum torque needs to be applied in a small space. Many left-handed monkey wrenches are marked with both left-handed and right-handed thread types so that users can identify the appropriate direction for each application.
What are box end wrenches for?
Box end wrenches are a type of wrench designed for tightening and loosening nuts and bolts quickly and accurately. Unlike traditional open-ended wrenches which require patience and precision to get the job done, box end wrenches drive around the sides of the nut or bolt head with a deep fitting “socket” that fits securely on the fastener and prevents slipping.
This is extremely helpful when fasteners are rusted, corroded, or otherwise difficult to access with traditional wrenches. Box end wrenches are typically constructed of steel, and are available in both metric and standard sizes to enable the user to work on a variety of different tasks.
Box end wrenches are invaluable in automotive, plumbing, and other DIY projects, and should be included in every toolbox.
How do you remove a radiator spud?
Removing a radiator spud is a relatively straightforward process.
First, turn off your water supply, to avoid any water damage while working.
Next, use a pipe wrench or adjustable pliers to loosen and remove the compression nuts at the base of the spud. If there’s a shut-off valve connected to the spud, you may need to turn off the shut-off valve as well.
Once the nuts are off, you’ll be able to remove the spud, along with the small copper sleeve that sits on the valve stem, and the small plastic bushing on the spud itself.
Next, use a screwdriver to unscrew and remove the spud itself. You may need to lightly tap the spud with a hammer to loosen it if it’s stuck.
Finally, replace the spud with a new one, ensuring that it is the correct size for your system, and screw it into the radiator. Re-attach the copper sleeve and plastic bushing, and re-tighten the compression nuts.
Once you are finished, you can turn the water back on and check for any leaks.
What are the most common wrenches?
The most common wrenches are combination wrenches, open end wrenches, ratcheting wrenches, box wrenches, and adjustable wrenches. Combination wrenches are hand tools that can be used to turn fasteners such as nuts and bolts.
The head of the wrench is typically constructed of chrome vanadium steel which is strong and resistant to rust and wear. They typically come in a set with both metric and imperial sizes. Open end wrenches often come as part of a combination wrench set, with each side of the wrench head having a different size & shape on each end.
They are used to fasten nuts and bolts with an open end. Ratcheting wrenches have a ratcheting mechanism built into the head of the wrench. They are used for turning round fasteners like nuts and bolts quickly and easily without removing and replacing the wrench.
Box wrenches are designed to have a snug fit to the fastener and also can have a ratcheting mechanism to make it easier to loosen or tighten fasteners. They also come in sets with various sizes and shapes.
Adjustable wrenches are a type of spanner or wrench which features a head which can be adjusted to suit different sized objects. They often have a small width which allows it to be used in tight spaces.
