Why don't higher torque (100lbf+) 3/8" torque wrenches exist?

[Hannahranga]

Happy to be proven wrong (preferable digital or click style) but given how good 3/8 stuff is getting why do 3/8 torque wrenches seem to stop at 100lbf?

 

[tamaraw]

Because you wouldn't use 3/8" drive tools much above that.

 

[oldschoolcraft]

Time to move up to 1/2-drive, my friend!

 

[dchawk81]

Happy to be proven wrong (preferable digital or click style) but given how good 3/8 stuff is getting why do 3/8 torque wrenches seem to stop at 100lbf?

Do you have a specific use case where a 3/8 is preferable?

 

[Firebrick43]

Because sockets are going to start breaking

 

[Hannahranga]

Mostly just trying to keep as much of my stuff 3/8 as I can, understand at some point moving to 1/2 or 3/4 is necessary. But thought 3/8 square drives were rated for 150Ftlbs atleast, tho abusing 3/8 stuff you can definitely do more atleast once.

 

[dchawk81]

Mostly just trying to keep as much of my stuff 3/8 as I can, understand at some point moving to 1/2 or 3/4 is necessary. But thought 3/8 square drives were rated for 150Ftlbs atleast, tho abusing 3/8 stuff you can definitely do more atleast once.

Makes sense. I don't have an answer to your original question, I was just wondering.

You can use an anvil reducer to get down to 3/8 and it won't affect anything, especially if it's one of those troyka nesting doll types.

 

[dchawk81]

TGR 3PC. Low Profile Impact Socket Adapter Set - Drive Reducing https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B5YJ1NB4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Edit: oops those kind go up not down. Duh.

You can still use regular ones and it won't affect your torque input. Same goes for extensions.

 

[cvairwerks]

Mostly just trying to keep as much of my stuff 3/8 as I can, understand at some point moving to 1/2 or 3/4 is necessary. But thought 3/8 square drives were rated for 150Ftlbs atleast, tho abusing 3/8 stuff you can definitely do more atleast once.

You ever try doing over 100 lb/ft on a 12" long wrench? I see guys struggle doing 165 lb/ft with a 24" one, and they are standing up and pushing down to get that torque.

 

[Firebrick43]

Mostly just trying to keep as much of my stuff 3/8 as I can, understand at some point moving to 1/2 or 3/4 is necessary. But thought 3/8 square drives were rated for 150Ftlbs atleast, tho abusing 3/8 stuff you can definitely do more atleast once.

It depends on the sockets. Some will, some thin walls will break. When you dealing with torque devices they tend to be very conservative because its not a precision tool.

Also your still going to need another torque wrench no matter what. A torque wrench that goes to 150 ftlbs has a minimum of 30 ftlbs.

That is to high for a lot of engine torques. Most 3/8 torque wrenches are 15ftlbs to 75ftlbs and 20ftlbs to 100ftlbs. You shouldn't operate mechanical torque wrenches at the end of their ranges.

Some electronic torque wrenches such as snap on are 5-125ftlbs but they are 700 dollars. Electronic ones have been pretty flakey long term from what I have witnessed. I would never buy one for personal use.

 

[mike93lx]

Go 1/2" and use an adapter

 

[WillRead]

Snap on techangle goes to 125

 

[KnurledNut]

You ever try doing over 100 lb/ft on a 12" long wrench? I see guys struggle doing 165 lb/ft with a 24" one, and they are standing up and pushing down to get that torque.

I’ve found its less strain on the body to pull instead of push, where possible.

 

[cvairwerks]

I’ve found its less strain on the body to pull instead of push, where possible.

In this case, it would require you to sit on the ground and have a large tire turning about a inch from the family tools....plus trying to wrap your leg around the jack. Wheel nut is about 24" off the ground when we change tires, and you are trying to keep a 4 1/2" socket on that nut at the same time.

 

[AEAdam]

Unlike some submarine makers, good engineers try to work to reasonable safety margins. same reason sockets over 19mm aren’t usually included in 3/8” drive sets. The margin of safety is usually at least 2X. So if a bolt with a given head size needs a torque of X, good manufacturers want the drive to be good for double that.

3/8” drive is good to about 200-250ftlbs.

Reason 2 is, by adding capability at the top end of the torque wrench, you would lose accuracy at the bottom end. Most 3/8” clickers are 5-100. 1/2” are 25–250. And typically the lower 10-25% of the range can be inaccurate.

 

[M635_Guy]

Mostly just trying to keep as much of my stuff 3/8 as I can, understand at some point moving to 1/2 or 3/4 is necessary. But thought 3/8 square drives were rated for 150Ftlbs atleast, tho abusing 3/8 stuff you can definitely do more atleast once.

The point isn't the level of cranking a torque wrench can achieve, it's arriving reliably at the torque required. The longer the handle, the less chance you have at arriving correctly at the lower end of the torque range (too much work being done with a small movement at the handle). The shorter the handle, the lower the top-end of torque can be gracefully/reliably achieved.

 

[dchawk81]

The point isn't the level of cranking a torque wrench can achieve, it's arriving reliably at the torque required. The longer the handle, the less chance you have at arriving correctly at the lower end of the torque range (too much work being done with a small movement at the handle). The shorter the handle, the lower the top-end of torque can be gracefully/reliably achieved.

I'd get a 1/4" drive for that tiny numbers stuff.

Which reminds me, I need to get one. Ever since I lost faith in my HF 1/2 I pretty much effectively have no 1/4 anymore.

 

[BreeStephany]

Snap on techangle goes to 125

Love my 3/8" Tech Angle! I use it primarily for torquing electrical lugs and bussing, which it is very nice for with the recording feature and the ability to easily and quickly change units of measurement.