Talk:Monkey wrench/Archive 1

This is an archive of past discussions about Monkey wrench. Do not edit the contents of this page. If you wish to start a new discussion or revive an old one, please do so on the current talk page.

Archive 1

Miscellaneous stuff

Monkey Wrench is also the name of a song composed by the Foo Fighters on their album The Colour and The Shape

That's covered by the disambiguation page. 64.244.102.2 (talk) 23:29, 28 February 2011 (UTC)

Sabotage

Would it be appropriate for this page to mention the common turn of phrase "to throw a monkey wrench in the works", meaning to sabotage or disrupt the smooth operation of some process? It seems to me that with the wrench itself being more or less obsolete, this saying is the primary reason that "monkey wrench" is in anyone's vocabulary at all. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 169.229.122.29 (talk) 19:09, 9 February 2014 (UTC)

Etymology

I did once (maybe 50 years ago) have in my possession an old wrench, dating likely from before 1900, with a brand name of "Moncky" or "Monkee" or some such impressed into it. My vague recollection is that it was less primitive than the "Ford wrench" that was also in the toolkit, though, so it may just have been a manufacturer playing on the name. drh (talk) 12:30, 8 May 2016 (UTC)

When is a spanner a wrench?

It's not true to say that in British (or more acurately non-US) English a wrench is called a spanner. However it is true to say that both a spanner and a wrench are referred to as a wrench in US English. In the case of this article which discusses only a type of wrench it's a complete red-herring to discuss the linguistic difference as it doesn't affect the contents. A wrench, be it of the monkey, pipe or Stilson variety is always a wrench and never a spanner.193.173.249.1 (talk) 13:56, 11 November 2009 (UTC)

So tell us what a spanner is. Dicklyon (talk) 16:22, 11 November 2009 (UTC)

In the US a "spanner" is a special wrench which typically is Y-shaped or question-mark-shaped and has pins which engage holes or slots in the part to be turned. It is not designed to fit standard bolts or pipes or whatever, but only parts with the holes or slots. drh (talk) 12:36, 8 May 2016 (UTC)

++++++}}} From PLUMBER.....why is a monkey wrench not as common anymore, simple reason,, the creasent wrench is all that the monkey wrench is intended for. Applying smoothe jaw pressure against smoothe sided hex nuts or such, anything similar,,without needing hand squeezing strength. Early monkey wrench can be compared to modern day channel locks, however anyone who has experience in the feild would choose cressent over channels anyday because of the elimination of necessary squeezing strength in order to apply the necassary turning torque. In short, a much stonger arm/ hand is needed with channels that a solid wrench. Pipe wrenches work on different principles such as grip into the pipe itself, and torque is applied to the handle excusivly whereas channel locks require pressure in squeezing the handles in addition to the motion and enrgy needed to turn the nut or pipe. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.3.62.74 (talk) 22:49, 13 March 2010 (UTC)

Etymology

I heard a story, maybe folklore, that the Monkey Wrench was so called because it was favored by "grease monkeys" who were boys in early industrial England tasked with lubricating line shafts. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 208.59.128.48 (talk) 12:33, 31 August 2016 (UTC)

Why not used any more?

I don't know shit about monkey wrenches, or wrenches in particular, but I'm sure there are at least some nerds around who will be able to answer the following question: Why is "monkey wrench" not commonly used any more and when did is stop? I've seen the term used in this article and pipe wrench, and now I'm kind of confused. Both articles claim that "monkey wrench" is not commonly used any more (though it seems to be) but neither explain how or why the term fell out of use (as in, they don't cite anything to back up those claims).

I don't see any claim in this article about the term, but the tool itself is not so common since the adjustable spanner works so much better. Dicklyon (talk) 06:43, 11 January 2009 (UTC)

Also, I'm not sure about the intro The monkey wrench or in the UK "Adjustable Spanner". They're not synonymous: a monkey wrench has a lengthwise screw thread to adjust the jaws as in File:Monkey and Stillson wrenches.png, but an adjustable spanner has a crosswise thread as in File:Adjustable wrench.svg. 86.140.105.150 (talk) 16:36, 22 March 2009 (UTC)

Fixed. Or feel free to fix better. Dicklyon (talk) 19:24, 22 March 2009 (UTC)

Maybe the author doesnt use a monkey wrench any more but I have been using mine frequently for more than 50 years and would like to buy another. It *can* be used on nuts and bolts but is superb for bending metal. Because the jaws are at 90 degrees to the handle, it works very well for bending metal while a crescent wrench would be worthless for this purpose75.65.249.153 (talk) 15:13, 22 December 2010 (UTC)

The monkey wrench has been replaced by the Crescent wrench (adjustable spanner), which is more ergonomic. I have a newer monkey wrench than the one in the picture, and when I have time I'll post a picture of it. The monkey wrench can be opened wider than a Crescent wrench, but when opened to it's widest setting, the jaws are much farther apart than they are long, and it becomes impractical to use.

Even though the monkey wrench more resembles a pipe wrench than a Crescent wrench, functionally it is more similar to the Crescent wrench, which now fills the same niche that the monkey wrench once did.

I don't know what an "adjustable end wrench" is but is sounds like a pipe wrench, in which case the opening statement is false DrHenley (talk) 03:56, 28 September 2010 (UTC)

Miscellaneous stuff

Monkey Wrench is also the name of a song composed by the Foo Fighters on their album The Colour and The Shape

That's covered by the disambiguation page. 64.244.102.2 (talk) 23:29, 28 February 2011 (UTC)

Sabotage

Would it be appropriate for this page to mention the common turn of phrase "to throw a monkey wrench in the works", meaning to sabotage or disrupt the smooth operation of some process? It seems to me that with the wrench itself being more or less obsolete, this saying is the primary reason that "monkey wrench" is in anyone's vocabulary at all. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 169.229.122.29 (talk) 19:09, 9 February 2014 (UTC)

Etymology

I did once (maybe 50 years ago) have in my possession an old wrench, dating likely from before 1900, with a brand name of "Moncky" or "Monkee" or some such impressed into it. My vague recollection is that it was less primitive than the "Ford wrench" that was also in the toolkit, though, so it may just have been a manufacturer playing on the name. drh (talk) 12:30, 8 May 2016 (UTC)

When is a spanner a wrench?

It's not true to say that in British (or more acurately non-US) English a wrench is called a spanner. However it is true to say that both a spanner and a wrench are referred to as a wrench in US English. In the case of this article which discusses only a type of wrench it's a complete red-herring to discuss the linguistic difference as it doesn't affect the contents. A wrench, be it of the monkey, pipe or Stilson variety is always a wrench and never a spanner.193.173.249.1 (talk) 13:56, 11 November 2009 (UTC)

So tell us what a spanner is. Dicklyon (talk) 16:22, 11 November 2009 (UTC)

In the US a "spanner" is a special wrench which typically is Y-shaped or question-mark-shaped and has pins which engage holes or slots in the part to be turned. It is not designed to fit standard bolts or pipes or whatever, but only parts with the holes or slots. drh (talk) 12:36, 8 May 2016 (UTC)

++++++}}} From PLUMBER.....why is a monkey wrench not as common anymore, simple reason,, the creasent wrench is all that the monkey wrench is intended for. Applying smoothe jaw pressure against smoothe sided hex nuts or such, anything similar,,without needing hand squeezing strength. Early monkey wrench can be compared to modern day channel locks, however anyone who has experience in the feild would choose cressent over channels anyday because of the elimination of necessary squeezing strength in order to apply the necassary turning torque. In short, a much stonger arm/ hand is needed with channels that a solid wrench. Pipe wrenches work on different principles such as grip into the pipe itself, and torque is applied to the handle excusivly whereas channel locks require pressure in squeezing the handles in addition to the motion and enrgy needed to turn the nut or pipe. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.3.62.74 (talk) 22:49, 13 March 2010 (UTC)

Etymology

I heard a story, maybe folklore, that the Monkey Wrench was so called because it was favored by "grease monkeys" who were boys in early industrial England tasked with lubricating line shafts. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 208.59.128.48 (talk) 12:33, 31 August 2016 (UTC)

It is Not Helpful that the Jack Johnson Page Cites Charles Moncky

This Monkey Wrench page says that the claims that "Charles Moncky" invention of this wrench is a hoax, but the Jack Johnson page is citing the Charles Moncky Hoax to REFUTE the Jack Johnson Monkey Wrench hoax. I have complained there, but I need to make sure that both pages are consistent (which they are not).

One Thousand Secrets of Wise and Rich Men Revealed, states on page 127:

A "monkey wrench" is not so named because it is a handy thing to monkey with, or for any kindred reason. "Monkey" is not its name at all, but "Moncky." Charles Moncky, the inventor of it, sold his patent for '$2,000', and invested the money in a house in Williamsburg, King's County, N. Y., where he now lives.

(Highlighting the amount his patent was sold for.)

This Book is Dated 1907 Author: C.A. BOGARDU5 — Preceding unsigned comment added by 40.130.124.66 (talk) 02:07, 23 July 2017 (UTC)

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