Referred to as adjustable spanners, adjustable wrenches and shifters, these tools differ from ordinary spanners and wrenches by nature of the 'jaws' being able to adjust to fit an individual nut, bolt or other fitting. The mechanism for adjusting the jaws varies between designs and nature of the job they are intended for.
Though there are several claimed inventors, the earliest recorded adjustable spanner is attributed to English engineer, Richard Clyburn, in 1842*
Click on any of the images below to see the larger image and accompanying details:
Adjustable Wrenches
This 16" Connolly shifter is the only complete one found. They seem to be very uncommon. Any info contact the Curator. (Image J Hawking)
http://webwerks.com.au/htpaa/images/wrenches/adjustable-wrenches/connolly-shifter.jpg
cyclone-adjustable.jpg
http://webwerks.com.au/htpaa/images/wrenches/adjustable-wrenches/cyclone-adjustable.jpg
dowidat-shifter-thin.jpg
http://webwerks.com.au/htpaa/images/wrenches/adjustable-wrenches/dowidat-shifter-thin.jpg
fhp-shifter-web.jpg
http://webwerks.com.au/htpaa/images/wrenches/adjustable-wrenches/fhp-shifter-web.jpg
gecko1.jpg
http://webwerks.com.au/htpaa/images/wrenches/adjustable-wrenches/gecko1.jpg
ihc-ap331-lite.jpg
http://webwerks.com.au/htpaa/images/wrenches/adjustable-wrenches/ihc-ap331-lite.jpg
mckay-twistx2.jpg
http://webwerks.com.au/htpaa/images/wrenches/adjustable-wrenches/mckay-twistx2.jpg
sidchrome-shifter12.jpg
http://webwerks.com.au/htpaa/images/wrenches/adjustable-wrenches/sidchrome-shifter12.jpg
sunshine-d&d.jpg
http://webwerks.com.au/htpaa/images/wrenches/adjustable-wrenches/sunshine-d&d.jpg
zircalloy-4inch.jpg
http://webwerks.com.au/htpaa/images/wrenches/adjustable-wrenches/zircalloy-4inch.jpg
siddons-lock&tool.jpg
http://webwerks.com.au/htpaa/images/wrenches/adjustable-wrenches/siddons-lock&tool.jpg