Question about torque wrenches

[rhp]

Howdy:
1) What is the difference between a Fixed Adj. Click Type Torque Wrench and a Fixed-Ratchet Adj. Click Type Torque Wrench?, and
2) Does anyone manufacture a 1/4" Adj. Click Type Torque Wrench (in-lb) with a flex head?
Thanks, RHP

[Charles (in GA)]

A fixed head square drive is just that, a rigid square drive on the end of the tool, no ratchet. These are largely used for production use. Make sure you are looking at a micrometer adjustable type clicker. There are clickers for which you cannot make adjustment. They can be adjusted, but it must be done on calibration equipment, and they are not meant to be changed easily, again for production use. MANY of the torque wrenches you see on Ebay are the non-adjustable production type clickers.

I am not aware of a flex head 1/4 drive torque wrench.

Charles

[rhp]

Thank you, Charles

[Charles (in GA)]

Precision Instruments makes their split beam torque wrenches (a type of clicker) in 3/8 (120 to 600 lb/in and 20 to 100 lb/ft) and 1/2 drive (40to 250 lb/ft), both with flex head.. They also make a 3/8 drive micrometer (20 to 100 lb/ft) in flex head. No 1/4 drive of any type in flex head.

CDI Torque Products (a Snap-On company) makes on lone 3/8 drive in 10 to 80 lb/ft in flex head.

Sturtevant-Richmont only has fixed ratchet head, no flex at all.

Looked at a couple of others, no flex heads. Its a rather unique market. Very useful, but not real common.

Charles

[bondman35a]

Howdy:

2) Does anyone manufacture a 1/4" Adj. Click Type Torque Wrench (in-lb) with a flex head?
Thanks, RHP

I have one made by SK, it is 40-200 in-lbs.

[rhp]

Thanks Bondman.
I looked at the S-K site, I have and like SK tools. The 40-200 in-lb is equal to 3.3-16.7 ft-lb.
But I already have a Snapon 3/8", flex head, 5-75 ft-lb (= 60-900 in-lb) so there would be a lot of overlap with the S-K TW.
That's why I'm leaning towards the SO 1/4" Adj. Click Type, Fixed-Ratchet, 10-50 in-lb. (0.08-4.2 ft-lb) for the motorcycle Torx & Hex fasteners and delicate electrical-type stuff. Too bad they don't make a flex head but I guess a universal socket adapter is a plausible work-around.
Opinions and advice would be welcome prior to eventual purchase.

[Treeman]

rhp'

When determining useful torque wrench ranges, overlap, etc., always remember that these wrenches are only calibrated to be accurate down to 20% of their full scale.

That 5 to 75 lb. ft. wrench is only useful between 15 to 75 lb. ft.. So, the SK at 3.3 to 16.7 lb. ft. would make a good wrench just below the 15 to 75 wrench.

[rhp]

Good point Treeman,
Your post caused me to look at the SO calibration certificate which states the range is 15-75 ft-lbs. Now you've got me strongly leaning to the S-K.
Just more question to help my decision, please: How much of a general need is out-there for torquing small fasteners below 40 in-lb (= 3.3 ft/lb)?
Thanks, RHP

[Treeman]

Below 40 in. lb.? Bicycles?, Motorcycles?, lab equipment?, aircraft?.....I don't know. That is very low.

The lowest torque on cars that I can think of would be brake bleeders at 8 - 12 ft. lbs. +/-, Tranny pan at 9 to 14 ft. lb. +/-, and spark plugs at 12 to 15 ft. lbs. +/- (all general ranges).

Maybe someone that uses low end torque wrenches will chime in with an answer.

Here's some bicycle values, but I can't imagine anyone uses a torque wrench for most of these applications:

http://stason.org/TULARC/sports/bicycles/8a-7-Common-Torque-Values.html

For Auto/light truck, I like the ranges of 50 -250 in. lb. (4 - 20 ft.lb.), 20 - 100 ft. lb., and 50 - 250 ft. lb. to cover most fasteners.

[Skyline]

Below 40 in. lb.? Bicycles?, Motorcycles?, lab equipment?, aircraft?.....I don't know. That is very low.

The lowest torque on cars that I can think of would be brake bleeders at 8 - 12 ft. lbs. +/-, Tranny pan at 9 to 14 ft. lb. +/-, and spark plugs at 12 to 15 ft. lbs. +/- (all general ranges).

Maybe someone that uses low end torque wrenches will chime in with an answer.

Here's some bicycle values, but I can't imagine anyone uses a torque wrench for most of these applications:

http://stason.org/TULARC/sports/bicycles/8a-7-Common-Torque-Values.html

For Auto/light truck, I like the ranges of 50 -250 in. lb. (4 - 20 ft.lb.), 20 - 100 ft. lb., and 50 - 250 ft. lb. to cover most fasteners.

Well one thing you need REALLY low torque setting for on an auto are pinion bearing pre-loads (15-20 in-lbs.) for setting up a differential. A click stop type wrench would be pretty useless though. Generally a dial type torque wrench with a follow-up needle is ideal for this, but a bar type (with the long needle) is also usable, or Tech Wrench is also usable. I just wish someone made a 0-40in lb., Follow Up, dial type torque wrench that was 1/2" drive....pinion nuts are pretty large.

Oh, and one more thing. It's not a click stop (more of a vibrating buzz), but the Snap-on Digital Tech Wrench IS available in 1/4" drive WITH a flex head.

[U5512]

Below 40 in. lb.? Bicycles?, Motorcycles?, lab equipment?, aircraft?.....I don't know. That is very low.

40 in. lb or less are widely used in Japanese cars (valve / cam covers, timing belt covers) and if not torque correctly (or not using the right torque wrench) you will snap the bolts and or strip the threads since most heads are made out of aluminum.

[-B-]

Below 40 in. lb.? Bicycles?, Motorcycles?, lab equipment?, aircraft?.....I don't know. That is very low.

The lowest torque on cars that I can think of would be brake bleeders at 8 - 12 ft. lbs. +/-, Tranny pan at 9 to 14 ft. lb. +/-, and spark plugs at 12 to 15 ft. lbs. +/- (all general ranges).

Maybe someone that uses low end torque wrenches will chime in with an answer.

Here's some bicycle values, but I can't imagine anyone uses a torque wrench for most of these applications:

http://stason.org/TULARC/sports/bicycles/8a-7-Common-Torque-Values.html

For Auto/light truck, I like the ranges of 50 -250 in. lb. (4 - 20 ft.lb.), 20 - 100 ft. lb., and 50 - 250 ft. lb. to cover most fasteners.


Too bad that chart is way wrong TQ specs are in Nm for bicycles, one is goes along with the metric fasteners and two it is more finite. 4 Nm is the lowest and 75Nm is the highest I have seen printed.

[Autoguy]

40 in. lb or less are widely used in Japanese cars (valve / cam covers, timing belt covers) and if not torque correctly (or not using the right torque wrench) you will snap the bolts and or strip the threads since most heads are made out of aluminum.

US cars use high tensile bolts and can take high torque rating. Japanese cars uses lower grade bolts, I once stripped the bolts that holds the front hubs to the axel of my FJ40 TLC jeep.

[rhp]

RE: How much of a general need is out-there for torquing small fasteners below 40 in-lb (= 3.3 ft/lb)?

I also looked my manuals and there is a need for very low torque on Harley EFI sensors.

My next question, please: At that very low setting, (<40 in-lb = 3.3 ft/lb) could a torque screwdriver be a suitable replacement for a torque wrench?
If so, intentions are:
Snapon 3/8", flex head, 15-75 ft-lb (= 180-900 in-lb) -have it & luv it!
S-K, 1/4", flex head 40-200 in-lb (= 3.3-16.7 ft-lb) - for father's day
Torquing screwdriver (e.g. SO), Adjustable, 5-40 in. lb. - for X-Mas

Should cover the bases. Opinions and advice welcome. Thanks, RHP

[Art From De Leon]

I used my MAC dial type torque wrench when rebuilding JD PermaClutches. IIRC, the torque spec was also in inch pounds for the fingers on some JD dry type clutches also.

[rhp]

Well one thing you need REALLY low torque setting for on an auto are pinion bearing pre-loads (15-20 in-lbs.) for setting up a differential. A click stop type wrench would be pretty useless though. Generally a dial type torque wrench with a follow-up needle is ideal for this, but a bar type (with the long needle) is also usable, or Tech Wrench is also usable. I just wish someone made a 0-40in lb., Follow Up, dial type torque wrench that was 1/2" drive....pinion nuts are pretty large.

Oh, and one more thing. It's not a click stop (more of a vibrating buzz), but the Snap-on Digital Tech Wrench IS available in 1/4" drive WITH a flex head.

Regarding the statement: "A click stop type wrench would be pretty useless though." - Why would a click-type torque wrench be pretty useless at low torque settings?
Thanks, RHP

[jerryW]

On an application such as a pinionpreset you need to sse the actual torque that it takes to turn the gear. A clicker only hits one value, not a continuous reading like beam or dial style would show.


jerry