Torque Wrench question
I have a 150 lb 1/2 inch drive torque wrench for big jobs (over 30 lbs). I use this for smaller jobs. It can be set for foot or inch pounds. Works well.
https://www.amazon.com/Neiko-20742A-...W5VQ346DB9PWS0
https://www.amazon.com/Neiko-20742A-...W5VQ346DB9PWS0
Last edited by FXDXTSport; Jan 6, 2017 at 11:46 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,174
Likes: 1,960
From: Great State of Canada
To what others have accurately stated I'd add, on smaller bolts / plugs in particular, if you don't have a "feel" for whats appropriate, test snap your "set to spec" torque wrench using a similar bolt/nut in a vice until you get the feel for when the wrench should click. Do this multiple times to exercise the wrench.
Unless you've paid the big bux for a high quality wrench and its within calibration, you don't want to ham fistedly just heave on it waiting for the click,,, even with the quality stuff use some "reason". Cheap or infrequently used wrenches have been known to jamb internally and the handles on these suckers tend to be awfully long. FWIW
Unless you've paid the big bux for a high quality wrench and its within calibration, you don't want to ham fistedly just heave on it waiting for the click,,, even with the quality stuff use some "reason". Cheap or infrequently used wrenches have been known to jamb internally and the handles on these suckers tend to be awfully long. FWIW
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 4
From: Annemasse (border of Geneva-Switzerland) facing Mt-Blanc.
I bought a "calibrated" digital torque meter for the rear wheel.
- It beeps as you reach a preset value but when you are in the action of tightening to a strict value you either wait for the sound or apply force and can miss the beep.
The safest tool IMO is the torsion bar that comes with a spring latch. I have the Facom that needs no lubricant and can sit for ages without need to calibrate. I store the digital meter without its battery in a dry place, just in case.
For tightening small screws into brake fluid reservoir, I'm a fan of the Xcelite 99-series "T" handle with the proper blade.
- It beeps as you reach a preset value but when you are in the action of tightening to a strict value you either wait for the sound or apply force and can miss the beep.
The safest tool IMO is the torsion bar that comes with a spring latch. I have the Facom that needs no lubricant and can sit for ages without need to calibrate. I store the digital meter without its battery in a dry place, just in case.
For tightening small screws into brake fluid reservoir, I'm a fan of the Xcelite 99-series "T" handle with the proper blade.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 345
From: Ohio
A torque wrench is usually calibrated by comparing it to a calibrated load cell or strain gauge. CDI makes a system ( http://www.flexibleassembly.com/Prod...FZy2wAodK7EJzQ )
that's widely used in the DoD. Note the thing costs almost $40,000 (used) on that website. Brand new, from the manufacturer and under warranty they cost over $80,000. Snap on, Stanley Proto and a couple of other companies make very similar systems.
In the air force a critical measure of calibration effectiveness was that the standard being used for comparison was at least 4 times more accurate than the device you were calibrating. Ten times more accurate was the goal. That CDI set up is advertised as +/- 0.25% but USAF engineers have determined that they are really closer to +/-0.75% when you add in all associated uncertainties. So the stand is good to calibrate 3% or 4% torque wrenches.
The only reason I type all this is to give you a glimpse of how much goes into a really high quality calibration of a torque wrench. Sure there are companies that will do it fairly cheaply but honestly, if it was costing me less than $400 per wrench per calibration I'd be wondering where the company doing the work is cutting corners.
Now, having said all that, the USAF invested all that because the torque wrenches are being used for flight safety, putting together bombs and missiles, and assembling explosive ejection seats. You could say that torquing your Harley's oil drain plug is a lot less critical than that.
I'd say that if you buy a good quality wrench, treat it well and use it smartly you probably don't need to get it calibrated very often (if at all).
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 4
From: Annemasse (border of Geneva-Switzerland) facing Mt-Blanc.
- wipe it clean and store in a dark and dry place to avoid sunlight and moisture damage.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,462
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From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
https://www1.snapon.com/display/231/...ueWrench08.pdf