Engineering:Plumber wrench
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A plumber wrench (or plumber's wrench, pipe wrench, Swedish wrench or Swedish pattern wrench[1]) is a form of plier described as a pipe wrench that uses compound leverage to grip and rotate plumbing pipes. Similar to the action of a Vise Grip plier, its jaw opening is adjusted to width by rotating a threaded ring. Its advantage is that it grips with significant force without needing to engage a lock nut like an adjustable tongue-and-groove plier. Like these, it can also be used on nuts, particularly hex shaped, and other flat engagement points. If used carelessly it can dent or break plumbing pipe.[2]
History
The plumber wrench was invented in 1888 by the Swedish inventor named Johan Petter Johansson.[3][4] It shares some principles with both the Stillson-pattern pipe wrench and the rigid pipe wrench, as well as various forms of adjustable pliers, such as the vise grip and "Channelock" tongue-and-groove plier.[5] Johansson invented the tool to eliminate the need for tradesmen to transport a heavy trolley of fixed-size pipe wrenches to every job site.[3]
Johansson's tool is used rather than traditional pipe tongs to tighten or loosen threaded pipe fittings.[6] It is not widely known in North America, but is common in Europe.[1]
Johansson also improved the adjustable wrench, with a patent in 1891.[7]
See also
- Monkey wrench
- Pipe wrench
- Tongue-and-groove pliers
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Wrenches and accessories". Atesina S.p.A.. http://atesinatecnologie.catalogoutensili.it/Default.aspx?TabId=1542&id=144098.
- ↑ "Plumbing Tools List – List of tools that plumbers use". Certified Plumbing. March 28, 2020. https://certified.plumbing/plumbing-tools-list/. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Johan Petter Johansson – pipe wrench" (in en-US). https://www.tekniskamuseet.se/en/learn-more/swedish-inventors/johan-petter-johansson-adjustable-pipe-wrench/.
- ↑ "GB Patent: 188,818,593 - Pipe Wrench". https://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?pn=188818593&id=55132.
- ↑ "The Plumber's Wrench—History, Technical Evolution, and Regional Practices in Europe and North America". https://www.akc-loodgieter.nl/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/The-Plumbers-Wrench%E2%80%94History-Technical-Evolution-and-Regional-Practices-in-Europe-and-North-America-Google-Documenten.pdf.
- ↑ "The History Of Plumber Wrenches And Their Uses". Plumbers 911. March 21, 2015. http://washingtondc.plumbers911.com/the-history-of-plumber-wrenches-and-their-uses/. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
- ↑ "Who is Bahco?". Bahco. http://www.bahco.com/en/about/. Retrieved 2016-11-11.
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