This section provides an overview for hook wrenches as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 13 hook wrench manufacturers and their company rankings.
Table of Contents
Figure 1. Hook wrench
As the name suggests, a hook wrench is a wrench whose tip is shaped like a semicircular hook.
There are many other names for hook wrenches, such as "hook wrench," "hook wrench," "pin wrench," "ring wrench," "lock ring wrench," "S-shaped head wrench," "coil-over wrench," and "slotted nut wrench."
Hook wrenches are used to tighten or loosen special slotted nuts. Special grooved nuts have various names such as "grooved round nut," "nut for bearing," "bearing nut," "lock seat," "spring seat," "lock ring," "lock nut," "stem nut," "slotted nut" and "castle nut."
They are mainly used in the maintenance of automobiles, motorcycles, and bicycles. It is a specialized tool indispensable for adjusting vehicle height, suspension, steering, seats, etc.
Figure 2. Hooking and fixing the hook wrench
The hook wrench hooks the tip of the hook into the groove of the nut and fixes the nut firmly with its jaws, so that it can be tightened or loosened with torque. It is important to select the right size of hook wrench because it is impossible to apply force if it cannot be hooked and secured.
If you do not have a hook wrench, you can grab it with water pump pliers or other tools, or you can put a flat-blade screwdriver on the groove and hit it from behind with a hammer. However, it is recommended to use a hook wrench as much as possible because it does not apply enough torque and damages the nut.
The following five points should be considered when selecting a hook wrench.
Figure 3. Nut size is measured by maximum outside diameter
If the hook wrench is not the correct size, it cannot be used because it cannot be hooked into the groove of the nut to fix it in place. When purchasing a hook wrench, it is recommended to measure the nut size. Note that the nut size is not the inside diameter (inside the groove), but the maximum outside diameter.
The size range is specified as "25-30 mm," "30-38 mm," and so on. Nuts within the range can be worked.
There are two types of hook wrenches: general type and adjustable type.
General Type
The general type is simple, easy to use, and difficult to break. If the size of the nut to be worked on varies, it is necessary to prepare a hook wrench for each size.
Adjustable Type
Adjustable type hook wrench is a hook wrench that can be adjusted in size. It is called "adjustable hook wrench," "universal hook wrench," or "adjustable hook wrench." There are various types of size adjustment, such as sliding type, worm gear type, and open/close type.
The applicable range is wide, such as "25 to 70 mm" and "35 to 105 mm," and it is convenient because one wrench can cover almost all nuts. However, unlike the general types, these nuts have movable parts that may break if too much force is applied.
There are two types of hook wrenches: one with a "hook type" tip (jaw) and the other with a "round pin type" tip (pin). Generally, most nuts have a groove, so the hook type will work fine.
Some nuts have round holes instead of grooves, in which case a round pin type hook wrench is required.
The thickness of the hook wrench should also be noted. Inexpensive and flimsy ones may bend as you use them.
In particular, since nuts are often adhered to, a sturdy one that does not bend even when large torque is applied is better. Durable ones will be more expensive, but they are more economical in the long run because they are less likely to bend and have to be repurchased.
Also, the thicker the wrench, the easier it is to grip and apply force.
Some hook wrenches have a square hole for a torque wrench. If you need to control torque, a hook wrench with an angle is the best choice.
The hook wrench can be equipped with a spinner handle (long handle) as well as a torque wrench, which is useful for loosening nuts that are sticking.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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I.M.S., founded in 1969, and headquartered in Piemonte, Italy, is a manufacturer of tool holders for CNC machines. Its production is mainly specialized on tool holders for milling and integrated with a wide range of accessories and components. It includes tool holders catering to various materials like marble, stone, and wood. With a repertoire of over 4,000 standard codes, the company offers an extensive range alongside customizable options. The company maintains ISO 9001:2015 certification for its quality management system.
MAXCLAW TOOLS CO., LTD. founded in Taiwan, in 1985 is a manufacturer of tube cutting and bending tools. The company's product portfolio includes Tube cutting accessories such as replacement blades, guides, clamps, and cutting lubricants, deburring tools wrenching and crimping tools. The company serves markets including Medical and Healthcare, Aerospace and Defense, Consumer Goods, Industrial Manufacturing and Construction and Building. They also offer custom packaging, warehousing, customer support and distribution services.
BETA UTENSILI S.P.A., established in 1932, is an Italian manufacturer and supplier of workshop tools and industrial equipment, headquartered in Sovico, Monza Brianza. The company's product range includes over 16,000 tools for professional mechanics, catering to car repairs, industrial maintenance, and more. Among their offerings are the modular workshop equipment lines of Racing System (RS) C55 and Beta C45PRO, which include workbenches, modules, and more. They also provide various tools such as measuring and marking tools, cutting and general maintenance tools, plumbing tools, and power tools. These tools and equipment find applications in diverse industries, including automotive, aerospace, and mechanical engineering.
Chin Hsing Precision Industry Co., Ltd, established in 1990 and located in Minxiong, Taiwan, is a manufacturer of bearing adapter sleeves, hydraulic adapter sleeves, and the like. The company crafts adapter sleeves and hydraulic adapter sleeves, withdrawal and hydraulic withdrawal sleeves, and lock nuts and prevailing torque bearing nuts with metal inserts. It also produces lock washers, brass self-lubricating bushings and ceramic ball bearings, and linear guides and ball screws. Its adapter sleeves have good self-locking properties and are also used in heavy-duty transmission or shock vibration applications.
Suzhou Senbo Machinery Co., Ltd., a company founded in 2003 and based in Yangtze River Delta, is a manufacturer and supplier to metal pipe process machinery. Its products include piercing mill, hot rolling mill, cold rolling mill, seamless pipe production line, and straightening machine. These products are non-standard, customized equipment, designed according to domestic and global customer needs. The company also offers installation and debugging facilities. Its products come with a 12-month warranty after shipping date.
Unior d.d. (UDD) is a Slovenian manufacturer of forged, heat-treated and machined steel products that was established in Zreče, Savinja in 1919. The company produces various steel parts and products, including transmissions, connecting rods, crankshafts, and valves. It also offers special machines such as CNC machines, automation systems, and testing equipment. UDD is the parent company of the Unior Group, which comprises 18 companies operating in 13 countries. The company primarily serves the construction, automotive, aerospace, and energy industries.
SUPER TOOL Co., Ltd., established in 1918 in Japan, is a manufacturer of general and specialized tools for building and bridge construction, civil engineering, shipbuilding, and similar industries. The company offers an extensive line of specialty tools used by tradespeople and skilled workers that includes ratchet wrenches, clamps, portable cranes, jig clamping tools, piping tools, and more. SUPER TOOL Co., Ltd. also offers custom tool design and production as well as custom machinery production for commercial clients.
TOPTUL is part of ROTAR Group, founded in 1981 and operating in Taichung, Taiwan. TOPTUL is a manufacturer and distributor of tools and hardware equipment around the world. TOPTUL is ISO 9001:2008 certified. TOPTUL products include master tool sets, wrenches, torque wrenches, hand sockets, bit sockets, socket accessories, impact sockets, pneumatic tools, power tools, hexagon, star key tools, screwdrivers, bits, power bits, pliers, hammers & striking tools series, tool storage, tool display, auto tools, VDE insulated & general electrician’s tools, TOPTUL accessories, and other tools.
PROTO Industrial Tools, originally founded as PLOMB Tools in 1907 and currently a subsidiary of Stanley Black & Decker, is an American manufacturer and distributor headquartered in Jackson, Tennessee, specializing in industrial tools. Under the PROTO brand, the company offers industrial tools, including master sets, tethered tools, drive tools, and related accessories. The company also operates under the STANLEY TOOLS brand, offering tool storage solutions, hand and impact sockets, screwdrivers and hex keys, and cutting tools. These tools are heat-forged and nickel-plated to withstand harsh work environments in various industries, including automotive and aerospace, oil, gas, and petrochemical, and power generation.
JINING QINFENG MACHINERY HARDWARE CO., LTD, established in 2003, based in Jining, Shandong, China, is a new high-tech private enterprise, specialized in producing high precision cnc machine tools and machine tool accessories. The company has developed and produced collet chucks, cnc tools and other accessories with high accuracy and high speed. Their products have been dealt with sub-zero treatment and thermal aging treatment, guaranteeing long-term stability accuracy and neat shape of the product. The company’s main product services includes machine tool accessories, milling collet chuck series, live center series, spring collet series, and tapping collet chuck series, among others.
Bombay Tools Centre Pvt Ltd, established in 1976, is a supplier of industrial tools and measuring equipment located in Byculla E, Mumbai. The product categories include coating inspection & paint testing equipment, digital/dial torque wrenches, non-sparking safety tools, precision crimping tools, and VDE-insulated tools. Some general measurement tools include micrometers, vernier depth gauges, dial spas meters, vernier calipers, and dial gauge plungers. The tools are applied in oil &gas, automotive manufacturing, breweries & distilleries, power generation, and medical markets.
Williams was founded in 1882, is a supplier of tools and equipment for industrial professionals based in the United States. The company has been serving many industries since its inception. Their product range includes wrenches, sockets, and torque tools, among others, catering to professionals in automotive, aerospace, and industrial sectors. Their industrial tools are designed by knowledgeable professionals with years of industry experience. With a strong emphasis on precision and craftsmanship, their products continues to be the preferred choice for professionals seeking efficient solutions.
Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
Taiwan | 3 | 30.0% |
Italy | 2 | 20.0% |
Chile | 1 | 10.0% |
Japan | 1 | 10.0% |
Poland | 1 | 10.0% |
China | 1 | 10.0% |
India | 1 | 10.0% |