Torque Adapter Options

[BarrelRoll]

I'm starting to look for a set of torque adapters. I do a lot of pump and motor alignments at work and have started torqueing my motor foot bolts for more consistent results each move. Depending on the motor it can be hard to get a socket or crows foot in. A lot of the motors use 9/16" or larger bolts torqued to over 100 ft. lbs. so I really need some 1/2" drive torque adapters along with a set of 3/8" SAE adapters for smaller motors, I don't NEED a set of metric though might grab a set.

So far I've found

Proto 3/8" drive 3/8-7/8" $161.95
Sunex 3/8" drive 1/4"-3/4" $109.95 and 10-19mm $109.95
ARES (amazon) 3/8" drive 5/16"-3/4" $94.99 10-19mm
Disen (amazon) 3/8" drive 3/8"-7/8"
Firstinfo (amazon) 3/8" drive 10-19mm $109.99
Mac 3/8" drive 10mm-19mm $239.99 3/8"-7/8" $214.99
Matco 3/8" drive 1/4"-3/4" $204.95 10-19mm $221.95
Snapon 3/8" drive 12 point 5/16"-3/4" $260 (they also offer a 7/8" not in the kit) 10-16 18-19mm $260 (they offer up to 22mm) 3/8" spline drive 1/4"-3/4" not in a ket, 1/2" drive spline set 9/16-7/8" $429 (15/16" spline avilable) 1/2" drive 12 point individuals 1-1 3/8"

Any opinions on a 3/8" set? Any other options out there for 1/2" drive stuff besides snapon? Also any thoughts on spline drive vs. 12 point?

 

[RedneckWelder]

For your use you'll probably want Snap On, especially for the larger stuff. We had a guy split a cheap torque adapter removing a pump from a skidsteer and hurt himself several months ago. The cheap ones are probably fine for automotive work but when it comes to heavy work…

I know the larger SO sizes in 1/2” drive are very beefy, and at the same time I think they may be one of the few makers for 1/2 drive as I only see cheaper ones in 3/8 drive.

 

[Zewnten]

I've borrowed a coworkers cornwell torque adapters, they were rebrands from taiwan, I'm sure the sunex set is fine. I ended up with a set of SO metrics and haven't broken either set. I'm sure the protos are good too. Other snap on the only other brand that makes 1/2 drive torque adapters is Granco but they're special order and I haven't found any pricing.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I've borrowed a coworkers cornwell torque adapters, they were rebrands from taiwan, I'm sure the sunex set is fine. I ended up with a set of SO metrics and haven't broken either set. I'm sure the protos are good too. Other snap on the only other brand that makes 1/2 drive torque adapters is Granco but they're special order and I haven't found any pricing.

Cornwell is the brand that split on our guy.

 

[Zewnten]

Cornwell is the brand that split on our guy.

Well that *****. Didn't use them much but now I won't recommend them any more, thanks for the heads up.

 

[afazz]

Spline torque adapters are designed for spline head bolts, typically used in aircraft engines and structures. They would probably work on regular hex fasteners, and are probably similar in shape to the fits-everything-spline wrenches marketed toward hobbyists and auto techs, but they are not the right tool for the job.

I would assume some people in your situation, where torque is critical, are using interchangeable head torque wrenches with open-end heads. Not exactly a budget-minded option, but an option nonetheless.

I have Snap-on and they’re great, but I haven’t tried the other brands and haven’t pushed mine too hard.

 

[KnurledNut]

Spline torque adapters are designed for spline head bolts, typically used in aircraft engines and structures. They would probably work on regular hex fasteners, and are probably similar in shape to the fits-everything-spline wrenches marketed toward hobbyists and auto techs, but they are not the right tool for the job.

I would assume some people in your situation, where torque is critical, are using interchangeable head torque wrenches with open-end heads. Not exactly a budget-minded option, but an option nonetheless.

I have Snap-on and they’re great, but I haven’t tried the other brands and haven’t pushed mine too hard.

Snap-on's spline profile is designed for standard 6 and 12 point fasteners.
They even list both the spline number and the inch measurement for each tool.

From their website:
"The unique spline wrenching configuration can also be used on ordinary six and 12-point fasteners with an advantage similar to the Snap-on® Flank Drive® wrenching system."

Regardless, they offer a standard 12-point in several sizes.


I do agree that an interchangeable head torque wrench is a good option here, but would add considerable cost, and would mean another tool in the bag to haul around and protect.

 

[BarrelRoll]

Spline torque adapters are designed for spline head bolts, typically used in aircraft engines and structures. They would probably work on regular hex fasteners, and are probably similar in shape to the fits-everything-spline wrenches marketed toward hobbyists and auto techs, but they are not the right tool for the job.

I would assume some people in your situation, where torque is critical, are using interchangeable head torque wrenches with open-end heads. Not exactly a budget-minded option, but an option nonetheless.

I have Snap-on and they’re great, but I haven’t tried the other brands and haven’t pushed mine too hard.

As far as I can tell no one offers a 15/16" 6 or 12 point, that's our most common sized bolt on the property.


An interchangeable head torque wrench would be nice though isn't in the cards. I'd guess we have 50+ motors that could need alignment on property. Plenty in screwed up spots that there isn't clearance for a straight open end crows foot on a fixed head. If it was 1 or 2 sizes and angles I'd think about the fixed head. I'm guessing I'd be at $2-3k just in heads if not more to go from 9/16"-1 1/8" in several different styles.

I've been using crows feet currently though feel the torque adapters are a better option for some spots. 200+ foot pounds on a crows foot at a screwed up angle laying on top of a motor in the belly of a long hole drill gets a little sketchy.

Most of the people I've seen do alignments use a combination wrench and call it good. It just leads to inconsistency and if 2 people are working on the job both are going to tighten to a different feel. Getting a 2,000lb motor aligned to a pump within .001-.002" can be a challenge with screwed up pump bases in a mountain that's constantly moving. I'm learning as many tricks as I can to do better, faster alignments. The other night I spent more time cleaning a base covered in 10 years gold concentrate and mine goo than I did actually aligning the pump and motor.

 

[KnurledNut]

@BarrelRoll
Could always make your own.
Here’s one of mine:

 

[BarrelRoll]

@BarrelRoll
Could always make your own.
Here’s one of mine:
View attachment 1857600

Hmmm, that's a good idea in a pinch. An MSHA inspector would have a field day with that, we aren't supposed to have home made tools.

 

[afazz]

Snap-on also makes torque adapters that can use a socket:

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

 

[Zewnten]

Hmmm, that's a good idea in a pinch. An MSHA inspector would have a field day with that, we aren't supposed to have home made tools.

Put your own tool number on it? Kidding I've used the offset ones pretty successfully but still deeper than a torque adapter.

 

[RedneckWelder]

Hmmm, that's a good idea in a pinch. An MSHA inspector would have a field day with that, we aren't supposed to have home made tools.

I’m 99% certain that Cat makes a similar tool, fabricated much like that, its deep in the dealer tool catalog. You could either buy it or make it, stamp the part number on it and say “look, it’s from here!”

While we aren’t under MSHA our safety department also whines about “home made tools”

 

[KnurledNut]

Hmmm, that's a good idea in a pinch. An MSHA inspector would have a field day with that, we aren't supposed to have home made tools.

Things may be different in Alaska, but I've never heard of a MSHA inspector, state or fed, write up a citation over hand tools. Almost every miner had a modified tool at reach and the shops had them too. These locations were hit with other citations, sometimes heavy, almost every visit. They had bigger fish to fry.

 

[65k10]

I’m 99% certain that Cat makes a similar tool, fabricated much like that, its deep in the dealer tool catalog. You could either buy it or make it, stamp the part number on it and say “look, it’s from here!”

While we aren’t under MSHA our safety department also whines about “home made tools”

Checked my copy of the Cat tool catalog and they do list some sort of torque adapter fitting that description under the Adapters and Extensions for Torque Wrenches section.

"9U-6282 Crankshaft Main Bearing on 3054 and 3056 Engines.
1/2 inch Sq. Drive, 15/16 inch Hex, 12 pt"

 

[Coloshaver]

This is interesting. I've been around tools for several decades and I had to look up Torque Adapters. Are these used when you can't fit a socket/conventional torque wrench over a fastener? Or . . ?

Inquiring minds.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

This is interesting. I've been around tools for several decades and I had to look up Torque Adapters. Are these used when you can't fit a socket/conventional torque wrench over a fastener? Or . . ?

Inquiring minds.

Height concerns, set at 90 degrees to clear obstructions, basically a wrench you can put an extension on.

 

[BarrelRoll]

This is interesting. I've been around tools for several decades and I had to look up Torque Adapters. Are these used when you can't fit a socket/conventional torque wrench over a fastener? Or . . ?

Inquiring minds.

Yeah. I do a lot of alignments of 10-250hp motors to pumps and gear boxes. You can't usually get a normal socket and ratchet/ torque wrench in on the motor foot bolts. We used to use a combo wrench and "feel" which gives very inconstant results/ is nowhere near tight enough. The torque adapter gets in there and gives you room to actually torque it/ break it free when it's covered in 5 years of mine goo.

 

[Coloshaver]

Height concerns, set at 90 degrees to clear obstructions, basically a wrench you can put an extension on.

Yeah. I do a lot of alignments of 10-250hp motors to pumps and gear boxes. You can't usually get a normal socket and ratchet/ torque wrench in on the motor foot bolts. We used to use a combo wrench and "feel" which gives very inconstant results/ is nowhere near tight enough. The torque adapter gets in there and gives you room to actually torque it/ break it free when it's covered in 5 years of mine goo.

Thanks for the explanation.

 

[BarrelRoll]

I ended up picking up a snapon 1/2" drive spline drive set from 9/16-7/8" for $112 off e-bay. My coworker bought the 15/16" and 1 1/8" from the snappy man. I'll report back once I get to use them. It seems like snapon has the bigger size market locked up.

 

[dnschmidt]

As a person that sells torque wrenches one thing I can tell you is that most people have got it completely wrong. They believe you use a torque wrench to keep from overtightening something. It's exactly the opposite. Most of the time people UNDERTORQUE fasteners and the bigger the bolt the more undertorqued it is.

 

[msharley]

 

[BarrelRoll]

As a person that sells torque wrenches one thing I can tell you is that most people have got it completely wrong. They believe you use a torque wrench to keep from overtightening something. It's exactly the opposite. Most of the time people UNDERTORQUE fasteners and the bigger the bolt the more undertorqued it is.

I learned this one working on desert/ ultra 4 race cars. We used to nut and bolt the car with a combo wrench. There was no way we were really checking 5/8"+ bolts. Once everything was torqued to spec we stopped having issues with loose bolts.

 

[AJHD]

Things may be different in Alaska, but I've never heard of a MSHA inspector, state or fed, write up a citation over hand tools. Almost every miner had a modified tool at reach and the shops had them too. These locations were hit with other citations, sometimes heavy, almost every visit. They had bigger fish to fry.

I can't speak for MSHA as I don't work at a mining location, but these days I'd be careful with home made or modified tools. My company doesn't allow them and from what I hear anything related to CAT is going or has already gone that route as well.

Then again my company is overly concerned with safety. Then again, despite all of their safety policies, **** still happens quite frequently.

Speaking of which, a tech at one of the mining locations crushed his hand a few days ago. Nasty stuff. I don't know all the details but what I'm guessing was a bottle jack, lost pressure for some reason and dropped whatever it was holding up onto his hand and pinned him in place.

Back on topic, I have a few metric Snap On torque adapters. I can't speak to other brands, but the Snap On are well made which is to be expected. Thankfully not a common used tool, though I would like to buy more.

 

[Eli D]

I bought the cornwell set on sale. Haven’t had any problems but I only use them on helicopters nothing heavy duty

 

[Odd-job]

Just a heads up the Sunex made in Taiwan adapters have finally fallen back to Earth in terms of price $75, vs $120 before. I finally pulled the trigger. Planning to use these on some hard to reach engine mount bolts.

Sunex Tools SUU910MTAS 3/8? Drive 10-Piece Metric Torque Adapter Set

Great price on Sunex Tools SUU910MTAS 3/8? Drive 10-Piece Metric Torque Adapter Set at National Tool Warehouse

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