säätöavaimen

Säätöavain, also known as an adjustable wrench or monkey wrench, is a type of wrench with one fixed jaw and one adjustable jaw. The adjustable jaw can be moved closer to or further from the fixed jaw by turning a screw mechanism, typically a worm gear located between the jaws. This allows the wrench to fit a variety of nut and bolt head sizes.

The design of the säätöavain facilitates its use in situations where a specific size wrench is not available or when dealing with fasteners that may have slightly worn or non-standard dimensions. The jaws are usually parallel and designed to grip hexagonal or square heads. When in use, the adjustable jaw should be positioned as close as possible to the fastener head to minimize play and the risk of slippage, which can damage the fastener or cause injury.

Säätöavaimet are commonly found in toolkits for general household repairs, automotive maintenance, and plumbing. They are available in various sizes, from small models for delicate work to large, heavy-duty versions for industrial applications. While convenient, prolonged or high-torque use of a säätöavain can sometimes deform fastener heads due to the inherent play in the adjustable jaw mechanism, making it preferable to use a correctly sized fixed wrench when possible for optimal grip and force transfer.