Torque wrench vs torque screwdriver

[rhp]

For motorcycle and electronics applications ~ 5-50 inch-pounds, would you prefer a 1/4" drive torque wrench or a torque screwdriver?

 

[HandyManny]

Depends on what you are driving. only screws? or both screws along with nuts/bolts? The torque wrench will give you the flexibility to use various driver sockets, be it philips heads, torx heads, Robertson heads, Allen hex heads, or hexed nuts/bolts.

 

[rhp]

Thanks HandyManny: Primarily screws but nuts & bolts as well using bits.

 

[-B-]

50inlbs is a lot to do with a screw driver handle it would be easier with a T or flag styles to do. If you have a lot of deep reach applications and the long bits screwdriver style may be the way to go if not I would get a 1/4 drive ratchet.

I have one of these on the way to me from a fiend for evaluation http://cantitoeroad.com/catalog/pro...id=34&osCsid=84516ddbc273c9b2aec633746967b9ef

 

[rhp]

50inlbs is a lot to do with a screw driver handle it would be easier with a T or flag styles to do. If you have a lot of deep reach applications and the long bits screwdriver style may be the way to go if not I would get a 1/4 drive ratchet.

I have one of these on the way to me from a fiend for evaluation http://cantitoeroad.com/catalog/pro...id=34&osCsid=84516ddbc273c9b2aec633746967b9ef

Very nice, please post after evaluated.

 

[rhp]

50inlbs is a lot to do with a screw driver handle it would be easier with a T or flag styles to do. If you have a lot of deep reach applications and the long bits screwdriver style may be the way to go if not I would get a 1/4 drive ratchet.
osCsid=84516ddbc273c9b2aec633746967b9ef[/url]

Let's say mainly in the 20-30 in.lb. range with 8-40 in.lb. low-high max, to be used primarily on H-D motorcycle fasteners (Philips screws, hex bolts, Torx fasteners), EFI sensors &/or some electrical work (e.g. circuit boards). Would you still prefer a Torque Wrench over a Torque Screwdriver?

 

[-B-]

Let's say mainly in the 20-30 in.lb. range with 8-40 in.lb. low-high max, to be used primarily on H-D motorcycle fasteners (Philips screws, hex bolts, Torx fasteners), EFI sensors &/or some electrical work (e.g. circuit boards). Would you still prefer a Torque Wrench over a Torque Screwdriver?

IIRC the torx fasteners on a Harly are quite a bit larger than what I would be comfortable torquing with a screwdriver. I decent limited use torque wrench for the money may be the best economical choice. Torque screwdriver and T wrenches are quite expensive much more so then high quality industrial/ assembly line wrenches. ( I have done quite a bit of research on this)

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

I looked at the specs on a lawn mowers carb today (needed a bowl gasket). There is no way a screwdriver could get in there and install it on the motor. I would think the right angle could be strongly beneficial.

 

[rhp]

What do y'all know about the Torque Limiting Screwdrivers with the 1/4" head?: (more like a screwdriver shaped torque wrench)

 

[nate379]

Honestly there is little I actually use a torque wrench on other than intakes, exhaust manifolds, bearing caps, lug nuts, etc.

Sure there are specs for darn near everything, but I use the ol calibrated wrist or elbow for the non critical stuff.

 

[rhp]

Honestly there is little I actually use a torque wrench on other than intakes, exhaust manifolds, bearing caps, lug nuts, etc.

Sure there are specs for darn near everything, but I use the ol calibrated wrist or elbow for the non critical stuff.

I appreciate what you have written. Perhaps I am a bit compulsive about preventive motorcycle maintenance. Some of the low torque fasteners are critical on the Harley, especially the various EFI sensors.

 

[nate379]

Sure, but if you have been turning wrenches for a while you get a good feel on how tight something has to be.
I wasn't saying it's not right to use a torque wrench, but to me it's just wastes more time then it's worth.
But... if it makes sense to you, but all means... go ahead of course!


I DO use torque screwdrivers at work, but I work on multi-million dollar bomb and missle systems. If I didn't go by the book I could get in deep ****.

 

[FNFS2000]

L or T handle torque drivers. I love my little WERA torque driver.

 

[-B-]

What do y'all know about the Torque Limiting Screwdrivers with the 1/4" head?: (more like a screwdriver shaped torque wrench)

I have a few of them they are set to one specific torque, there are adjustable ones but they are very expensive and require a calibration unit.

 

[Vulturej]

I have a Mountz & Wiha torque adjustable screwdrivers, I prefer them on lower torque applications.

 

[FNFS2000]

Love these for many reasons, one is, any 1/4 drive bit locks in the end unlike the WIHA. Easy to adjust, feels great works great, looks awesome!

 

[EdoubleDeezy]

You could go with either a torque wrench or a torque screwdriver for 5-50 In Lb. I always prefer adjustable torque screwdrivers for those kinds of jobs. Check out http://www.flexibleassembly.com/Products/Torque-Screwdriver, they have a pretty large selection on Torque Screwdrivers and Torque Wrenches.