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Spanner Tools for Shafts

A spanner isn't the latest mechanical gadget; it's just another name for a wrench. Wrenches are often referred to as spanners by the British. Shafts of all sorts require spanners for assembly and adjustment. Off the shelf spanners may do the job just fine. Though some shafts are designed to work with specially matched spanners.

Types of Shafts
- There are many types of shafts, from a crankshaft on a car; splined shaft on a common three-phase motor; collet on a plunge router, or the axle on a table saw. Some shafts may have two opposing flat spots, machined, cast or forged into the the shaft. Some are threaded and have a single nut, perhaps with a locking washer. Others have double locking nuts, and some shafts may have specialty hardware.
Standard and Adjustable Spanners
- Many shafts don't require specialized tools; a typical spanner will do. Simply determine whether the size calls for a metric or standard spanner. Never use a metric spanner on a standard fastener or the other way around, as they won't fit securely. This may round over the edge of nuts, or worse, round over the edge of the flat panes machined into the shaft, which aren't as easy to fix as simply replacing a stripped nut. You can use an adjustable spanner, such as a crescent wrench, but make sure it's snug. If it feels like you might round the surface over, get a snug-fitting spanner instead.
Ratcheting Spanners
- There are so many applications of shafts, there's no one type of spanner which will work for all of them. However, if you have the option of using a ratcheting loop spanner, it's a very convenient tool. Typical spanners have one open or C-shaped end, and one enclosed circular end. Ratcheting spanners have an enclosed loop that grips the surface of the nut or shaft, then rotates within an outer circle-frame, ratcheting just like a ratcheting socket drive. They're ideal in tight quarters because you don't have to remove the spanner and place it again to turn the nut or shaft; you can ratchet it in small, easy increments.
Purpose-specific Flat Spanners and Dual Spanners
- Many shafts, especially collet shafts which accept drill bits, cutting wheels, or other machine bits, come with one or more flat spanner, specifically matched with that tool. For example, a table saw may have a place on the table saw to mount the small spanner used to tighten and loosen the shaft-nut. Many such collects have two locking nuts, so two spanners are provided, or one spanner keeps the shaft from spinning, while the other loosens or tightens the collet.

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