stupid question, sorry

[blue dog]

When using a torque wrench say on a truck wheel, if it is necessary to add a extension between the torque wrench and socket due to the depth, is the torque setting altered in any way from the foot lb setting on the torque wrench to what is actually being applied. As opposed to not having the extension.
Hope this makes sense. Thank you in advance for answers garagejournal tool professionals.

 

[reptilezs]

an extension makes no difference in torque output.

 

[bradleykd]

since that one was quick, here's another to do with torque wrenches

Is it necessary to keep your torque wrench in its blow molded plastic case? I have a nice snap-on 1/2" torque wrench, but it takes up a huge amount of space in my box because of it's case. I've always left it in there because i wasnt sure...

 

[rasit]

While using a socket extension does not make a difference in torque output (as long as it remains 90* to the handle), if you need to extend the length of the wrench with a torque adapter, adjustments need to be made. Here's a link to an adjustment calculator.

http://norbar.com/calculators/torque-wrench-extension-calculator.aspx

 

[Hiball]

since that one was quick, here's another to do with torque wrenches

Is it necessary to keep your torque wrench in its blow molded plastic case? I have a nice snap-on 1/2" torque wrench, but it takes up a huge amount of space in my box because of it's case. I've always left it in there because i wasnt sure...

I would think the only downside to leaving it out of the box would be the possibility of contaminents entering the mechanisms etc... Again im just speculating.

 

[blue dog]

Thank you for the reply and i feel a little odd even asking. But remember, there are no stupid questions.
Bralykd, You are correct, it does take up a bit of space but i do keep mine in the blow moulded case and stick it in the top of my top chest flip up lid.

 

[blue dog]

While using a socket extension does not make a difference in torque output (as long as it remains 90* to the handle), if you need to extend the length of the wrench with a torque adapter, adjustments need to be made. Here's a link to an adjustment calculator.

http://norbar.com/calculators/torque-wrench-extension-calculator.aspx

Very good resource, thanks for the info RASIT.

 

[Johnny chaos]

Another thing to consider is that the wrench should be adjusted back to zero when your done using it. Otherwise it will damage/Fatigue the internals and create false readings

 

[Wakefield]

Not 0 but the lowest capacity that the wrench will adjust to. If a 15 to 75 ft.lb. wrench put it at 15.
I think SK made my Craftsman torque wrench? It is at least 20 years old.
I think torque wrenches are delicate.

 

[bestatv]

why wouldn't the addition of an extension throw off the amount of torque? Maybe not so much with a 3" extension,but it would surely be inaccurate with a 14" extension,for example.Just my humble opinion,but hey,what the hell do I know.

 

[oldwino]

why wouldn't the addition of an extension throw off the amount of torque? Maybe not so much with a 3" extension,but it would surely be inaccurate with a 14" extension,for example.Just my humble opinion,but hey,what the hell do I know.

Technically you could be off a bit with a longer extension IF you failed to keep the head of the torque wrench at a 90 with the fastener. The longer the extension the more room the handle of the torque wrench could "grow" or shrink, depending on how square you keep everything. several short extensions in combination could have a larger error as there is flex at each connection point. Unless you get really carried away the margin of error is small

 

[Wakefield]

The extension to not affect the torque must be in a straight line from the drive head of the wrench to the socket.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

I've always kept all torque wrenches in thier cases.
I was taught to set back to the lowest reading on the scale IE: a wrench with a range of 30-250 gets set to 30 for storage - don't turn the dial back beyond the low end of the useable range.
I also send them out to be recalibrated every so often (SO guy takes care of it).

And I've always been under the impression (I could be wrong) that high torque values can be thrown off if you where to use 1/2" drive extension up in the 200 pound range or more - you should go to larger drive tools. But at the same time, most things with higher torque also have a wider setting range, so it probably doesn't matter much.

 

[Cummins_Powered]

Its about lever arm distance (length of the wrench) rather than the distance the extension creates from the bolt to the wrench head.

Now if you were using a huge 3/8 extension the only way it could be a problem was if it is not at 90* as mentioned OR if somehow the extension was flexing(rotationally) due to the torque.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

This question has cause some rather ugly name calling arguments in the past. Part of it stems from the fact that some people don't understand what an extension is, vs an offset adapter. Resulted in some real arguments in the past. Many people didn't seem to understand that if you input torque to a shaft, the shaft will output that same torque, no matter how much it twists in the process.

Charles

 

[jhelrey]

Use an extension, won't hurt it....

As for setting the torque wrench back to zero... Impossible for me since all of mine are digital.

 

[00S4Boy]

This question has cause some rather ugly name calling arguments in the past. Part of it stems from the fact that some people don't understand what an extension is, vs an offset adapter. Resulted in some real arguments in the past. Many people didn't seem to understand that if you input torque to a shaft, the shaft will output that same torque, no matter how much it twists in the process.

Charles

Well then answer me this in tire shops it is common practice to use a torque stick aka nut runners to tighten lugs with your impact due to their torque limiting properties, then giving them a final torque with a torque wrench. If it isn't twist in the shaft of the torque stick what gives them their torque limiting ability?

 

[Hiball]

Well then answer me this in tire shops it is common practice to use a torque stick aka nut runners to tighten lugs with your impact due to their torque limiting properties, then giving them a final torque with a torque wrench. If it isn't twist in the shaft of the torque stick what gives them their torque limiting ability?

Easy... Torque sticks are designed to twist, to different Torque specs i believe. I dont know too many Solid extensions that you can twist and not end up with Multiple pieces.

 

[DavidB]

A torque stick on an impact is an entirely different issue than an extension on a torque wrench. A torque stick is designed for use on an impact to twist at a given torque and absorb the blows of the impact instead of transmitting it to the lug nut.

An extension or series of extensions on a torque wrench will not affect the wrench because the torque on the wrench and fastener must be equal. If not, one of them would be turning. It's the same principle involved in holding up a weight. If you're holding up a 50 lb bag of sand and it's not moving then you're lifting with 50 lbs. Lift with 40 lbs and it'll go down. Lift with 60 lbs and it'll go up. You have to lift with 50 pounds to cancel out the weight of the bag and hold it steady. If you're holding the bag of sand still above your head or at your waist you still have to lift with 50 lbs.

Same thing with a torque wrench but instead of height of the bag you have amount of rotation. Say you have no extension and it rotates 10 degrees before clicking. Then on another fastener (but with the same torque setting) you have multiple extensions and it rotates 45 degrees before clicking. Both of them have the same torque applied to the fastener because the torque at the wrench and the fastener are balanced regardless of the angle of the wrench.

The key concept, as Charles mentioned, is that the torques have to balance or something will be moving.

 

[e-tek]

This question has cause some rather ugly name calling arguments in the past. Part of it stems from the fact that some people don't understand what an extension is, vs an offset adapter. Resulted in some real arguments in the past. Many people didn't seem to understand that if you input torque to a shaft, the shaft will output that same torque, no matter how much it twists in the process.

Charles

I remember that one Charles - it was moslty due to those few that used to enjoy starting arguments - to the detriment of anyone else. Nice to see some civility returned!

 

[MattT]

Easy... Torque sticks are designed to twist, to different Torque specs i believe. I dont know too many Solid extensions that you can twist and not end up with Multiple pieces.

Regular extensions will have some elastic twist before they fail. And since applying torque is a dynamic process extensions probably reduce the torque applied to the fastener slightly especially toward the upper limit of any given drive size.

 

[Hiball]

Regular extensions will have some elastic twist before they fail. And since applying torque is a dynamic process extensions probably reduce the torque applied to the fastener slightly especially toward the upper limit of any given drive size.

Yes... but nothing compared to a "Torque Stick" which is designed to twist to indicate the proper torque as been reached. I thought that was what we was talking about, There is no comparison between the 2. If your getting that much flex on a Chrome Extension, its days are numbered.

 

[blue dog]

I got the answer i was looking for. And i was referring to a standard old extension, not a torque stick.
Thanxs guys

 

[e-tek]

I got the answer i was looking for. And i was referring to a standard old extension, not a torque stick.
Thanxs guys

And you got it without any hissy fits!

 

[blue dog]

And you got it without any hissy fits!

I have kept my hissy fits in check ever since i continued taking my meds!