What A Backup Wrench Is, When It Would Be Needed, And Who Uses It

There are all kinds of wrenches out there, some of which you have probably heard of. Strap wrenches and plumber's wrenches are tools of the trade for plumbers, while carpenter's wrenches help carpenters tighten and loosen bolts and nuts. Socket wrenches with interchangeable heads are the go-to tool for auto mechanics. Yet, what is a backup wrench and who uses it most? Those answers follow.

A Backup Wrench Is Just an Extra Wrench

Weird, but true; a backup wrench is just the extra wrench you use to backup the work your primary wrench is doing. Weirder still, you could have a backup wrench in every size for all of your primary wrenches in particular sizes. In short, you have two of every size wrench, just in case. It seems like overkill, but when you consider who uses backup wrenches and for what purposes, it makes absolute sense.

Fixing Everything from Thread Couplers to Pipes

In an industrial setting, a backup wrench stabilizes a thread coupler or pipe while you attempt to connect the thread coupler or pipe to something else. If the two things you are attempting to connect are also wet and/or slippery, the backup wrench removes the slippery factor so that you are not constantly losing your grip. Similarly, you would use a backup wrench to hold a nut in place on one side of a project that you are attempting to assemble, while you are screwing in a bolt on the opposite side through the nut. This keeps the nut from turning while you are attempting to turn the bolt through it.

Who Would Use a Backup Wrench

The funny part is, just about anyone working on anything may need a backup wrench. If there is already one wrench involved, there is a good chance you will need two. Therefore, if what you are going to work on requires a wrench for any part of its assembly or repair, make sure you have a backup duplicate-sized wrench just in case you need the backup at some point during the project or repair.

If you have no experience using wrenches, watch somebody who does. This could include the plumber you invite over to fix your sink, the industrial plant maintenance person, the car mechanic, and even a mechanical engineer. Each of these professions regularly uses a backup wrench during the course of their daily operations for various tasks. Contact a company, like SMP Specialty Maintenance Products, for more help.

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