Torque sticks

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Does anybody know who makes a complete set of torque sticks I can put my own sockets on, for a minimal amount of money? I've seen the harbor freight ones be off by 10 ftlbs or is get those. They won't be used too much, but something that would make life easy. Any shop I've worked in has had them. Thanks

 

[WhiffySpark]

My blue point set was like $120. How much is not a lot of money?

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

The hf ones are 48 shipped, somewhere under 80.

 

[nevertoomanytools]

Correct me if I am wrong but I thought torque sticks are just meant to keep you from overtorquing. I'd just get the HF set and go over them by hand.

 

[soj]

I can't recommend a set, but I can recommend against the HF set. I have one, and after checking behind them with a torque wrench, I don't trust them. So I use the next one down to prevent over tightening, then use the torque wrench. Kinda defeats the purpose, but this is only for home use, so I am not in a hurry.

I think if you want accuracy, you are gonna have to pay for it.
jp

 

[Fedwrench]

Torque sticks have been covered here many times. Usually people either love them or hate them. There doesn't seem to be any middle ground. Their accuracy depends on many variables such as the impact wrench and its power level setting being used, air supply PSI & CFM, Age and condition of the torque stick itself, etc. They are never as accurate as a Torque wrench and their accuracy can be measured as being in the ball park. To me unless you're a flat rate tech trying to beat the clock, there's no reason to use them but, that's just me.

Here are a few Torque Extension options:

http://www.tooltopia.com/atd-tools-4375.aspx

http://www.tooltopia.com/sunex-tools-2450.aspx

http://www.tooltopia.com/lock-technology-1470.aspx

http://www.tooltopia.com/grey-pneumatic-2805tk.aspx

 

[phil2846]

Is this what you're looking for?

http://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/wmr-w32903/overview/

Can't beat that price.

 

[dnschmidt]

I have found the Accutorq torque sticks to be quite accurate and I'm pretty sure I know the reason why. They incorporate the socket into the torque stick so there is no joint between the stick and the socket attached to it. If you want a stick to fit a 19mm nut at 100 ft-lb you buy that stick and it's one solid unit. I've checked them with Eclatorq's best digital torque wrenches and the Accutorq's are very close to what they say they are. I think a lot of slop is introduced into the equation when they are simply extensions upon which you mount a socket.

Theoretically torque sticks should be extremely accurate since they are based on a fundamental physical phenomena of internal adsorption. If the spring (torque stick) is machined accurately (very easy to do with modern CNC equipment) it should work great as there is nothing to screw up (like the electronics in modern torque wrenches).

Interestingly, you want to use a torque stick with a medium powered impact wrench. Say something in the order of 300-400 foot-pounds. In my case an I-R 231 works great. If you use them with extremely high powered impacts (Nitrocat 1250K for example) they go into a weird vibration mode (you can tell when this happens immediately) that I think makes them invalid.

 

[WhiffySpark]

You need a twin hammer impact. Some of those nitro cats are a different design

I found the biggest variable if when you run them down and hammer on them without stopping. I snug them all up and then hammer on them for a second or two

 

[countryroad82]

I've got a set of either ATD or Astro branded ones that I use at work. It's the truth of either people love them or hate them. I don't necessary love them now do I hate them, they do the job within reason for me so I use them. Every now and again I check with a torque wrench to see if they're still relatively accurate and they seem to stay within reason for me. It's +- 10 ft pounds which I feel is good enough if one of my guys has to change a tire on the side of the road they can actually break the bolts loose. Been using them for about 6-7 years with no issues so I must be doing something right.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I've used the ones that are all one piece and prefer them, but if I need a 21mm in 100 ft lb and is not in the pack, that *****. I'll be using my IR W7150 since I basically ditched air tools at home.