Torque Wrench

[fishndvm]

Hey Guys,<br /> I've decided to invest in a good torque wrench. I saw on a post here somewhere that for the most part, all we need for most applications in outboard repair is an inch pound wrench. I'd like some advice. Is that correct? How about ranges? Snap-on has 1/4 and 3/8 drives in 40-200 in. lbs and 200-1000 in. lbs. Higher torques are offered in 1/2 in. drives. How about Snap-on vs. other manufacturers...like Craftsman? Thanks a million.

 

[OBJ]

Re: Torque Wrench

I really have both at the shop. You would really never have a use for a 40 to 200lb wrench. Something in the 5 to 125ft lb is good....with a dial. Clickers are OK but are prone to getting outta' calibration. If you invest in an inch lb wrench, up to 100in lb is good....works for me.

 

[alcan]

Re: Torque Wrench

As OB states the dial type (torqe-o-meters)by Snap-on and others in the inch/LBS are great. They cost a bunch as well. This fact doesn,t bother me if it doesn't bother you. I have a full arsonal of torque weopons. I find the less expencive Craftsman inch/LBS 3/8 drive beam type most usefull for outboard work. I can read it easier. I do not feel that the click type wrenches for in/LBS outboard or soft metal work are good. Just my opinion. I do use a 1/2 drive FT/LBS clicker for tightening flywheel nuts.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Torque Wrench

I have an older Craftsman needle/pointer style wrench. It has had an easy life. If I remember correctly, it goes up to about 80 or 100 ft lbs and has a center pin "floating" handle grip.<br /><br />Wondering how accurate they are.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Torque Wrench

Mark42, A torque wrench also assures that all bolts of a given torque have the same tightness. It is less important that the bolts be exactly at specification. Also, there is quite a difference between the recommended torque of a bolt and its breaking torque. You simply need to assure the bolts are all the same tightness, and they are close to the recommended torque.

 

[dolluper]

Re: Torque Wrench

Click types will remain accurate for a very long time if you use them then unscrew them to nothing after you use them ,mine are still accurate after 30 years been tested, I've done thousands of motors [automotive] with them

 

[skyguy59]

Re: Torque Wrench

For what it's worth, as Director of Quality for an FAA Repair Station I oversee the calibration of our M&TE. We use an outside agency and calibration is traceable to NIST.Very seldom does a "Click" style torquewrench fail calibration. This usually only happens when they are dropped or otherwise abused. Storing them correctly is key. We have quite a few different brands between company owned and employee owned tools. I would have never believed it but cheapies from Harbor Freight pass calibration just as good as the high dollar Snap On wrenches. Go figure. Just remember the calibration means nothing if the torquewrench is not used correctly.<br /><br />Russ In Texas

 

[dolluper]

Re: Torque Wrench

The dial ones we owned in the shop usually craped out in a couple of years even taking care of them they are hard to read from some of the angles you have to be at and sure as I live the lens always get cracked ,the last of them I owned went into a garage sale 10 years ago glad to get rid of them ,so that's my rant on the subject ! where's that stupid fly gone

 

[BillP]

Re: Torque Wrench

I have a Kline 15-75 ft lb clicker, a 50-900 inch lb bar type and another bar type 40-140 ft lbs. The Kline was big bucks and the others cheap. Kline will calibrate for free if you send the wrench back. I've compared them with each other and all read the same. After 15-20 yrs of hobby use on auto, plane and boat motors they do most anything I've worked on. <br /><br />I would buy an inexpensive bar type before buying an inexpensive clicker. A pilot friend of mine rebuilt his exp plane engine with a new sears clicker. A few flight hours later he did a dead stick landing in the boonies with a rod through the block. After pulling the motor down he found all nuts/bolts loose and the wrench was way off. He put it back together with the Kline.