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Spanners are one of the most common hand tools found in any tool bag, box, or kit and are used for fastening and loosening nuts or bolt heads with a hexagonal shape. Spanner tools are also commonly called wrenches, particularly in American English. They are typically made from hardened chrome vanadium steel or beryllium copper. The most common types can consist of a ring-style spanner on one end and an open jaw spanner on the other (a combination spanner), or two open jaw ends (an open-ended spanner).

The ring end recess, if present, is generally a six-point or twelve-point opening. This ring end will most likely match the size of the open jaw end, but always check the size marking each tool. The open jaw is typically offset by 15 degrees to allow for greater freedom of movement during operation, which also allows a higher torque force to be applied to help turn the chosen fastening.

Ratchet spanners include a mechanism that helps the user apply maximum force with minimal effort. The mechanism allows the user to use the spanner to tighten a nut or bolt, then move the handle back to the starting position with the head remaining on the nut or bolt without loosening it.

Spanners are available in a variety of metric (mm) and imperial (in) sizes to allow for greater functionality across a wider range of applications, though adjustable spanners (or shifting spanners) are often a preferred choice because users can increase or decrease the size with ease. Our range includes products from leading brands such as Bahco, Facom, Ega-Master, Stanley, Wera & RS PRO, and are available as individual pieces or as part of a larger spanner set.

### How do Spanners Work?

In the case of open-jaw spanners, these tools work by holding the opposite sides of a nut or bolt to channel the physical movement of the user, applying torque force to the fastening so that it can be turned. The same rules apply to ring-style spanners, the only difference being that the ring fully encases the fastening rather than applying force to opposite sides. Depending on the material they are made from, spanners can often withstand large amounts of torque being applied to stubborn fasteners.

### What are the Different Types of Spanners

Combination Spanners - A combination spanner will have the open jaw spanner on one end and the ring-style spanner on the other.

Open-Ended Spanners - As the name suggests, these tools have an open jaw at each end, however, they often differ in size.

Ratchet Spanners - Ratchet spanners allow the angle of the tool to be adjusted by the user without removing it from the fastening. Also known as socket wrenches: view our range and ratchet spanner sets in our socket wrenches section.

Ring Spanners - Ring-style spanners have enclosed openings to grip the complete fastening rather than just opposite sides. Double-ended ring spanners often have offset handles to improve access to nuts and bolts.

C Spanners - Also known as hook spanners, these are high-quality tools designed to loosen retaining rings and adjust chains. View our range of [C Spanners here.](/web/c/hand-tools/spanners-sockets-wrenches/c-spanners/)

### Who uses spanners?

Spanners are used across many industries, such as automotive, aerospace, construction, and manufacturing, because of their functionality and versatility. They are ubiquitous tools found everywhere from home tool sets to factory floors. For domestic work or DIY purposes, spanners serve an abundance of purposes. We recommend getting a spanner set for the home to ensure that you always have the right sized spanner on hand.



Shop our vast range of spanners, from individual ratchet spanners to complete spanner sets with multiple sizes and styles.

Spanners, Ratchet & Combination | RS

Spanners

Shop our range of 15mm Spanners. Free Delivery Available.

15mm Spanners | RS

Shop our range of 32mm Spanners. Free Delivery Available.

32mm Spanners | RS

Shop our range of Bahco Ratchet Spanners. Free Delivery Available.

Bahco Ratchet Spanners | RS

Shop our range of Facom Combination Spanners. Free Delivery Available.

Facom Combination Spanners | RS

Shop our range of Gedore Combination Spanners. Free Delivery Available.

Gedore Combination Spanners | RS

Shop our range of Open Ended Spanners. Free Delivery Available.

Open Ended Spanners | RS

Shop our range of Ratchet Spanners. Free Delivery Available.

Ratchet Spanners | RS

Shop our range of STAHLWILLE Ring Spanners. Free Delivery Available.

STAHLWILLE Ring Spanners | RS

Shop our range of 24mm Spanners. Browse our latest offers for Spanners. Fast and hassle free delivery.

24mm Spanners | RS

Buy 10mm Spanners. Browse our latest Spanners offers. Fast and hassle free delivery.

10mm Spanners | RS

Shop our range of 19mm Spanners. Browse our latest offers for Spanners. Fast and hassle free delivery.

19mm Spanners | RS

Buy 21mm Spanners. Browse our latest Spanners offers. Fast and hassle free delivery.

21mm Spanners | RS

Buy 22mm Spanners. Browse our latest Spanners offers. Fast and hassle free delivery.

22mm Spanners | RS

Buy 30mm Spanners. Browse our latest Spanners offers. Fast and hassle free delivery.

30mm Spanners | RS

Buy 17mm Spanners. Browse our latest Spanners offers. Fast and hassle free delivery.

17mm Spanners | RS

Shop our range of 13mm Spanners. Browse our latest offers for Spanners. Fast and hassle free delivery.

13mm Spanners | RS

Buy CK Spanners. Browse our latest CK Spanners offers. Fast and hassle free delivery.

CK Spanners | RS

Buy from our selection of Spanners from GearWrench. At RS, we strive to give you the best offers from our supplier and to promptly deliver in the shortest time.

GearWrench Spanners | RS

Buy from our selection of Spanners from Knipex. At RS, we strive to give you the best offers from our supplier and to promptly deliver in the shortest time.

Knipex Spanners | RS

Buy Teng Tools Spanners. Browse our latest Teng Tools Spanners offers. Fast and hassle free delivery.

Teng Tools Spanners | RS

Explore our entire range of Facom ratchet spanners, as individual pieces or as part of a full Facom set of spanners.

Facom Ratchet Spanners, Ratchet Ring Spanner | RS

<p>Ratchet spanners are small handheld tools used for tightening and loosening nuts and bolts. Ratchet spanners have a closed ring head on at least one end that contains a ratchet mechanism; the other end might have another ratchet of a different size or a different end type of the same size. The ratchet mechanism helps the user apply maximum force with minimal effort. The mechanism allows the user to use the spanner to tighten a nut or bolt, then move the handle back to the starting position with the head remaining on the nut or bolt without loosening it.</p><p>Facom ratchet spanners are considered some of the highest-quality ratchet spanners on the market, with the company having over 100 years of experience in tool manufacturing. Some of Facom's expert ratchet spanners are flex head ratchet spanners.</p><h2>Ratchet Ring Spanner Set</h2><p>Most ratchet spanners are designed as ratchet ring spanners, wherein the ratchet mechanism is housed within the ring-shaped drive head. Ring spanners fully envelop a nut or bolt and create multiple contact points between the two elements. The greater the number of contact points the more torque is generated when force is applied.</p><h2>Facom Ratchet Spanners</h2><p>Facom ratchet spanners, or ratchet wrenches, typically come in sets that contain ratchet spanners over a range of sizes. Facom's ratchet spanner sets include some of the most popular sizes, such as Facom 24mm, 10mm, and 13mm ratchet spanners.</p>

Shop from an elite selection of Wera ratchet spanners from their Joker collection of high-performance spanners.

Wera Ratchet Spanners, Wera Joker Spanners | RS

<p>Wera spanners are a series of hand tools from the renowned German manufacturer Wera. Within their catalog of spanners, Wera has a subcategory of high-performance spanners, including open-jaw and combination spanners that they've branded the Joker series.</p><p>A combination spanner is a spanner with an open jaw head on one end combined with a ring-style head on the other end. With Wera Joker spanners, these ring-style heads sometimes contain a ratcheting mechanism. Ratchets make it easier to tighten or loosen because the mechanism allows the spanner to return to a starting position without removing it from the nut or bolt.</p><p>Wera's Joker series is stamped with the tagline &quot;Can.Do.Everything.Better.&quot; Wera designed the line of hand tools to solve some of the most common challenges users have with spanners. This includes problems such as the need to constantly flip the tool to get the right angle or the tool slipping from the user's hands. The result is an enhanced version of traditional tools that guarantee better performance.</p><h2>Wera Ratchet Spanners</h2><p>RS carries every type of Wera Joker spanners, from their combination ratchet spanners to their open-jawed spanners. We even carry Wera Joker spanner sets that contain many different sizes of spanners, and a specific Wera Joker ratchet spanner set for a set of combination spanners.</p><p>The open-jaw end of each Wera Joker spanner has a unique addition they've called a limit stop. It is a small black plate that blocks the jaw from sliding over a nut if approached at the right angle. This helps users get better control when they turn and lets them apply more directional force.</p><p>The jaw also is perfectly perpendicular to the handle, unlike traditional wrench jaws which are angled, and contains a 12-point double hex design. Together these features reduce the difficulty of attaching the jaws to a nut in tight spaces and limit the return angle to 30˚ for shorter, faster turns.</p>

Shop our range of Combination Spanners. Browse our latest Combination Spanners offers. Find out more today at RS.

Combination Spanners | RS

<p>Combination spanners, also known as combi spanners, are hand tools used for tightening and loosening nuts or bolt heads with a hexagonal shape. They are typically made from hardened chrome vanadium steel or beryllium copper and typically comprise of a ring on one end and an open jaw on the other. </p><p>The ring end recess is generally a six-point or twelve-point opening and sometimes offers a ratchet mechanism that helps apply maximum force with minimal user effort. Combination wrenches are available in most metric (mm) and imperial (inch) sizes to allow for greater functionality across a wider range of applications. </p><h2>Popular combination spanners</h2><ul><li>Ratchet End / Open-End - Consists of a ratchet ring spanner at one end and a standard open end at the other.</li><li>Height Safe spanner - A ring hook is attached to the handle that can be securely attached to a wrist strap for working at height</li><li>Non-sparking spanner - Ideal for use in potentially explosive environments such as Power stations, Paint Manufacturing, Oil Plants, Distilleries, Fire-fighting, Aerospace industry.</li></ul><h2>Imperial Spanners</h2><p>Imperial spanners use the AF (Across Flats) system, where the measurement is taken between two parallel sides of the fastener. An inch spanner will fit an inch fastener. </p><h2>Metric Spanners</h2><p>Metric refers to the size of the thread rather than the size of the head of the fastener. Common sizes include M6, M8, M10 and M12. The 'M' prefix is short for metric while the number indicates the width of the threaded section. For example, while there can be a few variations in millimetres, you would normally see a 10 mm spanner being used for an M6 fastener. </p><h2>Typical Application: </h2><p>Combi spanners are used by:</p><ul><li>Mechanics</li><li>Electricians</li><li>Network Engineers</li><li>DIY Enthusiasts</li></ul>

Browse our full range of individual ring spanners, covering offset spanners to ratchet spanners, from leading international brands.

Ring Spanners, Offset Ring Spanners | RS

<p>Ring spanners are a classification of spanners identified by having a ring end that is used for tightening and loosening fasteners like nuts and bolts. The ring end opening is placed over the fastener to grip the entirety of its edges, rather than just on half of the edges as if you were using a traditional spanner or wrench. Ring ends look and function similarly to ratchet ends, only without the ratcheting mechanism.</p><p>Ring spanners are a preferred type of spanner to use because they fit over a fastening and can therefore generate more torque than a c-spanner or generic wrench head. Torque is the directional force that is generated through a spanner to tighten or loosen fastenings like nuts and bolts. The greater the number of contact points between the spanner and the fastening, the greater torque can be generated.</p><p>That said, because the user must place the ring spanner over the fastening, some fastenings may be inaccessible for a ring spanner. For example, ring spanners are quite popular for mechanic and bicycle work because all of the parts are open. One of the more common sizes is a 21mm ring spanner.</p><p>RS carries all types and sizes of ring spanners, both as individual pieces and as part of a spanner set. You can sort our range by type or size, or by brand, such as our house brand RS PRO.</p><h2>Different Types of Ring Spanner</h2><p>There are a few different types of ring spanner to choose from, with each type having its own benefits. Each type of ring spanner will be available in the same sizes, as it is often prudent to carry multiple types of same-sized spanners to be prepared on the job.</p><p>Six-point and 12-point Spanners - The ring end recess on a spanner has either a six-point or twelve-point opening. The difference between the two types lies in how much torque each can produce. Since the greater the number of contact points, the greater the amount of torque, a 12-point ring end spanner will generate more torque.</p><p>Ratchet Ring Spanners - Ratchet ring spanners are the same shape as a standard ring spanner but will contain a ratcheting mechanism to assist in tightening and loosening fastenings such as nuts and bolts. The ratcheting mechanism in the ring head simplifies using the spanner because the user does not need to remove the spanner from the fastening after each time they apply force. Instead, they can simply return the spanner to the starting position without any noticeable resistance.</p><p>Offset Ring Spanners - Named for their crooked shape, offset ring spanners are a two-in-one wrench tool that is designed to access hard-to-reach places. Each end of an offset ring spanner will have a different-sized ring end, usually the next size higher or lower.</p><p>Insulated Ring Spanners - Single-end ring spanners that are surrounded by thick insulation to protect against electric shocks.</p><h2>Benefits of Using an Offset Ring Spanner</h2><p>Offset ring spanners are an ideal tool for mechanics and DIY enthusiasts alike because they combine two sizes of spanner heads in one tool, have a long handle, and are great at generating torque and they have a design feature that makes them more suited to access hard to reach places.</p><p>While it may seem logical that having more tools makes you more prepared for any job, the reality is that tools are heavy and take up space. Because of that reality, offset spanners and other multi-size tools are preferred by tool owners.</p><p>In addition, mechanics appreciate the crooked handle design because they can approach fastenings from different angles. Working on a car engine or other automotive parts does not afford much space, so having flexibility with your tools makes a big difference.</p>

STAHLWILLE Ring Spanners

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