Open End Wrenches

Open End Wrenches and Spanners

An open end wrench (also called an open end spanner) has U-shaped jaws that engage two flats of a hex fastener, allowing the wrench to slide on and off without lifting over the fastener head. That makes them the right tool for fasteners with restricted access, fittings on hydraulic and pneumatic lines, and any situation where a ring spanner or socket can't be lifted on. AIMS Industrial stocks open end wrenches and double-ended sets in metric and imperial sizes from the brands trade workers actually use.

The styles in our range

• Double open end spanners — different size at each end, the everyday workshop choice
• Combination wrenches — open end on one end, ring on the other, in matching sizes
• Open end wrench sets — matched sets covering the common metric or imperial range
• Long-pattern open end — extended handle for higher torque and harder access
• Stubby (short) open end — for tight clearance work where standard length won't fit
• Angled-head open end — 15° or 30° offset head for clearance over adjacent obstacles

Where open end earns its place

• Hydraulic and pneumatic fittings — JIC, ORFS, NPT, and BSP fittings where the line itself prevents lifting a ring spanner over
• Fuel and brake line connections — flare fittings on automotive and industrial work
• Compression fittings — plumbing and gas line connections
• General workshop work — wherever a fastener is in a position that ring or socket can't reach

Open end versus ring versus combination

Open end is fastest on and off but transmits less torque safely than ring spanners (the open jaw geometry means more grip pressure is needed, and the wrench is more likely to round a fastener under high load). For breaking a tight fastener, use the ring or socket end of a combination wrench; for the runout once it's loose, switch to open end for speed.

Brands stocked at AIMS

Bahco is the trade workhorse — solid quality at a sensible price, the brand most Australian tradies eventually settle on. Stahlwille and Wiha cover the precision and premium end where European-spec or particularly high-quality work is the priority. All three brands are chosen because the jaw tolerances stay tight after years of use, the chrome finish holds up, and the steel doesn't crack under load.

Sets versus singles

A 12- to 14-piece metric or imperial set typically covers the daily-used range (8mm-22mm metric is the everyday workshop range). Singles let you replace the size that's seen the most use, or top up a set with non-standard sizes. Most workshops end up with one base set plus singles for specific jobs.

Need help speccing wrenches for a trade or workshop? contact our team — we'll match brand, size range, and pattern.