torque wrench extender questions
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,570
Likes: 7,942
From: Long Island, New York
Moment (torque) = Force X Distance
175ft/lbs = 175# X 1 ft
If we assume your torque wrench is 18" (1.5') long with a working maximum capacity of 150ft/lbs:
150 ft/lbs = 100# X 1.5 ft
The mechanism in the wrench is calibrated for this math. If you extend the handle (slide a 3 foot long pipe over it) the mechanism has no way of acknowledging the increase in Distance. It will be easier for you to turn the wrench, but the wrench will register or click at 150 ft/lbs. Yes you could keep turning the wrench after the click to get a higher Torque value, but how would you know what is accurate? You would have the Distance and you know the Torque you are trying to achieve but now you can NOT quantify the Force you are exerting with your arm. You could work it out mathematically, but how do you calibrate your ARM?
Of course I could be 100% wrong, been a long time since I did these kinds of calculations, but I would like to think I remember this right. A loaner that goes up to 175 ft/lbs is the way to go.
175ft/lbs = 175# X 1 ft
If we assume your torque wrench is 18" (1.5') long with a working maximum capacity of 150ft/lbs:
150 ft/lbs = 100# X 1.5 ft
The mechanism in the wrench is calibrated for this math. If you extend the handle (slide a 3 foot long pipe over it) the mechanism has no way of acknowledging the increase in Distance. It will be easier for you to turn the wrench, but the wrench will register or click at 150 ft/lbs. Yes you could keep turning the wrench after the click to get a higher Torque value, but how would you know what is accurate? You would have the Distance and you know the Torque you are trying to achieve but now you can NOT quantify the Force you are exerting with your arm. You could work it out mathematically, but how do you calibrate your ARM?
Of course I could be 100% wrong, been a long time since I did these kinds of calculations, but I would like to think I remember this right. A loaner that goes up to 175 ft/lbs is the way to go.
Thread Starter
|
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 1,320
From: Good roads, cold beer
yea, looking into that for sure. Just not something I use everyday so don't wanna have to buy one. Thanks.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Very wise. Read my last post again, regarding the mechanism inside a typical torque wrench. I have been through all this myself in the past - and now have two torque wrenches!
Last edited by grbrown; May 6, 2016 at 01:58 PM.
Thread Starter
|
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 1,320
From: Good roads, cold beer
Moment (torque) = Force X Distance
175ft/lbs = 175# X 1 ft
If we assume your torque wrench is 18" (1.5') long with a working maximum capacity of 150ft/lbs:
150 ft/lbs = 100# X 1.5 ft
The mechanism in the wrench is calibrated for this math. If you extend the handle (slide a 3 foot long pipe over it) the mechanism has no way of acknowledging the increase in Distance. It will be easier for you to turn the wrench, but the wrench will register or click at 150 ft/lbs. Yes you could keep turning the wrench after the click to get a higher Torque value, but how would you know what is accurate? You would have the Distance and you know the Torque you are trying to achieve but now you can NOT quantify the Force you are exerting with your arm. You could work it out mathematically, but how do you calibrate your ARM?
Of course I could be 100% wrong, been a long time since I did these kinds of calculations, but I would like to think I remember this right. A loaner that goes up to 175 ft/lbs is the way to go.
175ft/lbs = 175# X 1 ft
If we assume your torque wrench is 18" (1.5') long with a working maximum capacity of 150ft/lbs:
150 ft/lbs = 100# X 1.5 ft
The mechanism in the wrench is calibrated for this math. If you extend the handle (slide a 3 foot long pipe over it) the mechanism has no way of acknowledging the increase in Distance. It will be easier for you to turn the wrench, but the wrench will register or click at 150 ft/lbs. Yes you could keep turning the wrench after the click to get a higher Torque value, but how would you know what is accurate? You would have the Distance and you know the Torque you are trying to achieve but now you can NOT quantify the Force you are exerting with your arm. You could work it out mathematically, but how do you calibrate your ARM?
Of course I could be 100% wrong, been a long time since I did these kinds of calculations, but I would like to think I remember this right. A loaner that goes up to 175 ft/lbs is the way to go.
Thread Starter
|
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 1,320
From: Good roads, cold beer
Thanks.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 143
Likes: 36
From: Florida
I calibrate scales and torque wrenches for a living.
Changing the handle size does not change the capacity of the tool, like others have mentioned. The longer handle just makes it easier to pull at the higher capacities of the tool. I get wrenches in the shop that are nearly 6' long and try to pull 600ft lbs is a bear to do when checking the calibration.
If you added a torque multiplier that would help your situation, but those are usually for much bigger tools.
Like it has been said go and rent one of buy another tool, is your best bet.
Changing the handle size does not change the capacity of the tool, like others have mentioned. The longer handle just makes it easier to pull at the higher capacities of the tool. I get wrenches in the shop that are nearly 6' long and try to pull 600ft lbs is a bear to do when checking the calibration.
If you added a torque multiplier that would help your situation, but those are usually for much bigger tools.
Like it has been said go and rent one of buy another tool, is your best bet.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
