Torque Wrench Adapters? (reduction)

[tamaraw]

Scenario:
I would like to accurately torque a low value fastener (spark plug) without having to carry around a second lower range torque wrench in my mobile kit just for that one application.

I took a look at the math and realized that I could use an adapter to effectively reduce the indicated torque on my current wrench:

Torque Wrench Adapter for Reduced Arm Equation and Calculation

I'm basically looking for a tool like this in 3/8" drive, albeit longer and hopefully less expensive:
Snap-On FTA35


Do other companies make longer models? I'm not seeing much but maybe I'm using the wrong search terms. I need a minimum length of 5"/130mm but around 8"/200mm or even a little longer could certainly work too.

I can fabricate something myself if necessary but an off-the-shelf option would certainly be convenient. Any suggestions welcome, thank you!

 

[signcrafter]

I guess I would rather carry a 1/4" torque wrench made for low torque values and easier to use then buy an adapter like that. Either way you are carrying a tool so not really saving any space.

 

[tamaraw]

I guess I would rather carry a 1/4" torque wrench made for low torque values and easier to use then buy an adapter like that.

Hey man, you do you, nobody is forcing your hand.

Either way you are carrying a tool so not really saving any space.

One is a simple piece of steel that can be thrown in the bottom of any container without worry and has multiple other uses as a short breaker bar, angled extension on a ratchet, even a slugging wrench.

The other is a larger precision instrument that requires special care and storage, has just one infrequent use for me, and can cost several hundred.

Hence why I asked if anybody had a lead on the bit I described as it would be more useful for my application.

 

[cvairwerks]

For 5" extension, you are going to have to roll your own. We've got some 2", 5" and 6" ones at work, but they were produced specifically for us, and not available on the open market.

 

[Wrench97]

They increase torque value(longer lever principle) and have to be used straight inline with the handle of the torque wrench so can get very awkward to use.

 

[tamaraw]

For 5" extension, you are going to have to roll your own. We've got some 2", 5" and 6" ones at work, but they were produced specifically for us, and not available on the open market.

Good to know, thank you!

I was considering having one done on a waterjet or plasma cutter but if that turns out to be too expensive, I could always weld two quick spinners to a bar. I'll post some pictures eventually.

 

[tamaraw]

They increase torque value(longer lever principle) and have to be used straight inline with the handle of the torque wrench so can get very awkward to use.

They can be used at any other angle as well.

Like you said, it will yield a greater torque value than indicated when used as a wrench extension parallel to the beam. But used perpendicular to the beam, the indicated torque value will remain the same. Or in my case, when used parallel to the beam facing back towards the handle, it will yield a lower torque value than indicated.

 

[Odd-job]

Dang Snap On seems like the only game in town. Things like the FZ1 as well. Are GJ members getting these adapters/offset extensions custom made?

This is the only thing I could find remotely close.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MQYL3N0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[dnschmidt]

I wonder why when you have over 20 torque wrenches of all sizes that it never occurs to you to do this?

 

[tamaraw]

I have been meaning to try one of these eventually anyway:

And I do have some fairly long flat double box wrenches in my kit, so I might just also grab a hex/square adapter as well and see if that works out alright.

 

[f121]

I’m curious about your use case that requires exact torquing for spark plugs, but doesn’t allow for a second torque wrench? Motorcycle endurance racing? Rallying? Drag racing in a vehicle you drive to the track?

Have you considered something like a 3/8 tech angle with a range from 5-125ftlb, which should cover everything from spark plugs to lug nuts (although it’s accuracy at the extremes should be verified)?

 

[seber]

They can be used at any other angle as well.

Like you said, it will yield a greater torque value than indicated when used as a wrench extension parallel to the beam. But used perpendicular to the beam, the indicated torque value will remain the same. Or in my case, when used parallel to the beam facing back towards the handle, it will yield a lower torque value than indicated.

No, it will not remain the same. Do a vector diagram and you will see that the effective distance from the applied force at the handle to the fastener has increased to the hypotenuse of the two arms forming a triangle.

 

[Walkers]

With spark plugs that last generally 100,000 miles, how often do you really need a mobile tool to torque them? If you have to have it out on the go, just snug it and torque it when you are back home.

 

[Odd-job]

Don't want to speak for the OP. Am guessing track day applications? or GJ OCD which is perfectly legitimate

Personally I am not so much interested in using them on my torque wrenches as these type of offset extensions opening up different ways to get fasteners that were intentionally designed to be tough to access.

 

[tamaraw]

I’m curious about your use case that requires exact torquing for spark plugs, but doesn’t allow for a second torque wrench? Motorcycle endurance racing? Rallying? Drag racing in a vehicle you drive to the track?

Absolutely nothing that special, lol. I live in small studio apartment (~250ft^2 / 23 m^2) and keep 90% of my common automotive tools in a Hazet mini-assistent.

That way it is one trip down to the garage instead of constantly running back upstairs to grab more stuff I forgot or carrying armloads of separate things. I also keep it light enough that I can lift it into my trunk solo, so it's useful as a go box for helping friends work on their stuff or taking along to shows in case someone has trouble.

If I had a full workshop space, then yeah, I would have multiple torque wrenches around and probably duplicates of a bunch of other stuff too. But for now, I try to be as efficient as I can with space and weight.

Have you considered something like a 3/8 tech angle with a range from 5-125ftlb, which should cover everything from spark plugs to lug nuts (although it’s accuracy at the extremes should be verified)?

That would be nice if accurate, but damn, it's 700usd.

I currently have a Precision Instruments C2FR100F (split beam 20-100 lb-ft, 3/8"). It has unlabeled lines down to 16 lb-ft but it's not rated for accuracy that low.

The plug spec is 18N.m / 13 lb-ft which I normally I do by hand but I'm just a little sketched out after struggling with some stuck plugs on a head I'm rebuilding.

 

[tamaraw]

No, it will not remain the same. Do a vector diagram and you will see that the effective distance from the applied force at the handle to the fastener has increased to the hypotenuse of the two arms forming a triangle.

I'll have to look into that more. It was my understanding that it is so close as to be not meaningful on applications where the tool is just slightly offset.

 

[tamaraw]

With spark plugs that last generally 100,000 miles, how often do you really need a mobile tool to torque them? If you have to have it out on the go, just snug it and torque it when you are back home.

The platinum and iridium plugs used on new cars to get those looong service intervals don't conduct as well as shorter lived copper plugs. I use the factory specced copper plugs on my older vehicles.

It doesn't happen that commonly but they also do get removed for inspection or as part of diagnostic work more often than just the required replacement intervals.

And to clarify, this isn't something I keep in the car all the time as a roadside thing. It's just nicer to have everything fit into a small/light rolling cart I can grab rather than having to carry armloads of separate tools downstairs/outside.

 

[tamaraw]

Don't want to speak for the OP. Am guessing track day applications? or GJ OCD which is perfectly legitimate

GJ OCD

 

[cvairwerks]

Personally I am not so much interested in using them on my torque wrenches as these type of offset extensions opening up different ways to get fasteners that were intentionally designed to be tough to access.

Got to use them sometimes to keep costs down. Where they come into play for us, is not having to remove a bunch of hydraulic piping to gain access to a fitting. Pull the piping and it's 4 guys for about 6 hours doing all the follow on maintenance required for opening the hydraulic system up after it's all back together.

 

[RedneckWelder]

They can be used at any other angle as well.

Like you said, it will yield a greater torque value than indicated when used as a wrench extension parallel to the beam. But used perpendicular to the beam, the indicated torque value will remain the same. Or in my case, when used parallel to the beam facing back towards the handle, it will yield a lower torque value than indicated.

You will find that it will be a complete cluster **** trying to use it that way.

I made a torque adapter out of a cheap open end wrench to torque some fuel line nuts. It gets the job done accesswise BUT is a complete pain in the *** to use in conjunction with a torque wrench. Do yourself a huge favor and drop this idea that sounds good on paper.

 

[nicks78camaro]

Not helpful to your original question, but Tekton has a 1/4" torque wrench that would work for that torque value.

1/4 Inch Drive Micrometer Torque Wrench (20-200 in.-lb.)​

For $44 and free shipping

It's 10.9" long and weighs 1.3lb

 

[jeffberk]

Tamaraw,
How would you create an extension using a waterjet? Would it be a bar with a 1/2 x 1/2 hole for a torque wrench and a 3/8 x 3/8 hole with a piece of 3/8 square bar stock to attach a socket? I ask because I made some of these but in 1/4 x 1/4-inch about 6-inches long to access some impossible to reach bolts. The cut time was under 2 minutes on the waterjet. What is the going rate now for waterjet use?
Jeff

 

[tamaraw]

Tamaraw,
How would you create an extension using a waterjet? Would it be a bar with a 1/2 x 1/2 hole for a torque wrench and a 3/8 x 3/8 hole with a piece of 3/8 square bar stock to attach a socket? I ask because I made one of these but in 1/4 x 1/4-inch about 6-inches long to access some impossible to reach bolts. The cut time was under 2 minutes on the waterjet. What is the going rate now for waterjet use?
Jeff

That is spot-on exactly what I was thinking of! I have no idea what it would cost, I'll probably call a place after the weekend to find out.

Got the idea from this OEM Honda tool I have (for steering rack adjustment).

 

[BlackHorseSaga]

The other is a larger precision instrument that requires special care and storage, has just one infrequent use for me, and can cost several hundred.

You can buy a used Snap-on 1/4" or 3/8" click type torque wrench for $40 on Marketplace, offerup, etc. Just look around. Better than what you're planning. @signcrafter is right.

 

[Odd-job]

+1 for lower torque applications and the price of the FTA35 I'd rather get a Tonichi beam style torque wrench off of Amazon JP plus no math or 90 degree wizardry. Really think these extensions are more for clearing obstructions.

 

[david3921]

Wouldn't a digital torque adapter fulfill your needs? Or rather two them? Most 3/8" adaptors go down to 5 ft-lbs, while a 1/2" one would cover you up to 250 ft-lbs. By using these two you wouldn't need to bring a torque wrench at all.

 

[f121]

Absolutely nothing that special, lol. I live in small studio apartment (~250ft^2 / 23 m^2) and keep 90% of my common automotive tools in a Hazet mini-assistent.

That way it is one trip down to the garage instead of constantly running back upstairs to grab more stuff I forgot or carrying armloads of separate things. I also keep it light enough that I can lift it into my trunk solo, so it's useful as a go box for helping friends work on their stuff or taking along to shows in case someone has trouble.

Ahh I can relate, I worked out of my roadbox and a blow moulded socket set for about 15 years, and still do quite frequently.

While looking for something else, I might have found the solution to your spark plug torquing need, a torque limiter:


This is in the KS Tools catalog, a German importer of Asian tools, I imagine you can find an importer of something similar into the USA.

 

[tamaraw]

Wouldn't a digital torque adapter fulfill your needs? Or rather two them? Most 3/8" adaptors go down to 5 ft-lbs, while a 1/2" one would cover you up to 250 ft-lbs. By using these two you wouldn't need to bring a torque wrench at all.

I did see those but couldn't really find anything higher end than the parts store ones (except the KTC Torqule) which made me doubt their general accuracy/reliability.

I also prefer mechanical options when possible. Might try one at some point though, I appreciate the suggestion.

 

[tamaraw]

Ahh I can relate, I worked out of my roadbox and a blow moulded socket set for about 15 years, and still do quite frequently.

While looking for something else, I might have found the solution to your spark plug torquing need, a torque limiter:


This is in the KS Tools catalog, a German importer of Asian tools, I imagine you can find an importer of something similar into the USA.

I happened across that KS tools one on Amazon.co.jp and it looks perfect but unfortunately it was out of stock and I didn't have much luck finding another importer to the US.

The equivalent Seekonk IT-3 available from a US vendor looks a bit larger and is more expensive (250+ usd).

 

[f121]

Try Amazon.de or .Co.uk? It’s showing as available in the UK, although by 6th December

https://www.amazon.de/dp/B001NYXTTG/

 

[tamaraw]

Try Amazon.de or .Co.uk? It’s showing as available in the UK, although by 6th December

https://www.amazon.de/dp/B001NYXTTG/

It's listed as unavailable for me on the UK site but I do see it on the German one. Thought that I had checked both before but it has been a while. Thanks!

Now I just have to add more stuff to make a proper order, lol

 

[tamaraw]

My amazon JP order arrived at work earlier so I got to build this Rube Goldberg contraption when I got home. It works! lol



With the clamp as close to the end of the wrench as possible (easy to do consistently), it is a reduction of 6.5". So if I want 18nm or 13.27 ft-bs, I set the wrench to exactly 24 ft-lb.

While I don't have anything to verify the spec, I can tell it's definitely less than ~16 ft-lbs, so it has to be fairly accurate. I'll probably compare to some other tools. Fun little experiment!

 

[Belanice]

Just buy a digital torque adapter for torque testing.

 

[tamaraw]

The KS Tools torque limiter showed up the other day and I got to try it out. Once you reach the torque limit, it slips about 30 degrees or so with a loud pop/clang. Bit a surprise if you are used to the much subtler "bump-bump" of a split beam or other torque wrench. Have yet to compare accuracy or consistency but it "feels" about right.

Some pictures over here: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/show-your-new-tool-arrivals.103272/post-9881024

 

[rust in the eye]

My amazon JP order arrived at work earlier so I got to build this Rube Goldberg contraption when I got home. It works! lol



With the clamp as close to the end of the wrench as possible (easy to do consistently), it is a reduction of 6.5". So if I want 18nm or 13.27 ft-bs, I set the wrench to exactly 24 ft-lb.

While I don't have anything to verify the spec, I can tell it's definitely less than ~16 ft-lbs, so it has to be fairly accurate. I'll probably compare to some other tools. Fun little experiment!

Goldberg would be proud.
Having said that I'm a bit, well quite, amazed that all this hoo-ha and precision is for a spark plug.
I've been servicing cars and engines for long time, including some exotic stuff. Spark plugs get "snug" in my shop. Never had an issue.
I will add that with the long service interval on modern engines removal is sometimes a big chore. This isn't a function of incorrect tightening, it is carbon and corrosion. More frequent inspections or anti -seize paste(the use of which is a bit controversial) can diminish the effort required to get them out. I'll not discuss access.
I applaud your efforts.