When speaking of hand tools wrenches are primarily used to turn nuts and bolts to apply a solid connection. In usage, torque is applied to the object that needs to be turned and the shape and action of a wrench determine how pressure is applied. Also known as a spanner, the most common variety is open at one end and closed at the other. The closed end allows for a more secure fit on specific makes of nuts and bolts. Sets of these common wrenches, also called combination wrenches, can be found in many different measurements.

Hand tools wrenches can be used for a variety of purposes but the majority of these involve some kind of application of pressure to turn an object. Certain trades, such as plumbing and automotive repair, use many different wrenches to suit the job being performed. In addition, there are many wrenches that have been created to serve a specific need. There are wrenches that are only used to remove and replace hard to reach oil filters on automobiles. Another example of this is that some furniture construction utilizes special types of bolts that can only be turned by an Allen wrench.

Because of the many uses of a hand tool wrench, there are many different varieties. While the combination wrench is the most common, another type that is used by many people is the socket wrench. The majority of socket wrenches are constructed with a ratchet that allows a user to continue to apply pressure by turning the handle without removing the head from the bolt or nut. These socket wrenches have many different variations, including torque, crowfoot, and Saltus wrenches. Another types is called an adjustable wrench. This variation of a wrench has one open end, similar to a combination wrench, that can be adjusted to perfectly fit bolts. In this manner, one adjustable wrench can be used in place of most combination wrenches. However, the closed end of a combination wrench provides more torque and a tighter fit on the nut or bolt. Pipe wrenches and monkey wrenches are examples of variations on the idea of the adjustable wrench. In older times, one of the more popular types of wrenches was known as an alligator wrench. This wrench was used primarily by factory workers and farmers in times when nuts and bolts often had a square head.

Selecting the right quality hand tools is of extreme importance. With wrenches, there are certain ways to tell the quality of the tool. Firstly, the wrench should be constructed of a quality hand tools material, such as chromium-vanadium. This material is less resistant than others to the pressure that will be put on the tool. Additionally, the hand tool wrench should be drop-forged, which refers to the process of how the wrench was constructed. Another aspect that should be considered by a potential buyer is if the wrench has been chrome-plated. These types of wrenches are more resistant to corrosion and can be identified by the color and texture of the chrome. When choosing hand tools wrenches, as is the same when selecting any other tool, it is advised to buy the best product possible as the extra cost can often be absorbed by never needing to buy a replacement.