Torque wrench

[84gmcjimmy]

My dad has a torque wrench...I need it to tighten some things on the Q-jet this weekend...How do I know if it is working right? It's a few years old and sits with a bunch of sockets (thats why I am asking if it would still work) Any way I can check?

Thanks.

Also, I want to buy another torque wrench in the future, what size and brand is great?

 

[tRustyK5]

Torque wrenches can be checked. Beam type torque wrenches are pretty much idiot proof, but usually are only good for the higher torque values. The click type are more accurate but should be regularly calibrated.

What style of torque wrench is it?

Rene

 

[Jagged]

different torque wrenches are made for different uses... basically you have your in-lb and your ft-lb torque wrenches, and the two metering types mentioned above. I prefer the 'click' type... a bit more tactile sense of torquing something properly.

I have some stud bolts with a 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" socket welded to it and put through a metal frame in the shop... before using a torque wrench, it's a good idea to set it for one of the higher settings and 'click' it through a few times... this ensures the action works and remains lubricated. (I picked that habit up from using torque wrenches in the air force).

 

[79Stomper]

Another good question to ask is it an in/lbs or ft/lbs. If I can recall from my last carb rebuild, which was many many moons ago, most was in in/lbs. Using a ft/lbs will easily snap bolts and break aluminum.

 

[sweetk30]

also always put the dial back to zero not to be left on setting.

 

[Jagged]

also always put the dial back to zero not to be left on setting.

Or lowest setting

 

[4X4HIGH]

There are 3 different types of torque wrenches that i'm aware of, click type, dial type, and beam type. They come in inch lbs. and foot lbs. and also come in 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 3/4", 1", 1.5", and i believe 1.75" drive versions.

The most accurate for torquing small amounts would be the dial type in whichever you need, inch or foot lbs.

 

[4X4HIGH]

I like Snap-on brand for torque wrenches and they can be had VERY cheaply on E-bay, but if you do buy one on E-bay make sure you have it calibrated once you get it. Calibration cost depends on what type you buy and the size of the torque wrench but usually somewhere between $50.00-$75.00. I have bought 5 Snap-on torque wrenches off E-bay and saved over $800.00 doing so eevn after having them calibrated.

 

[spearchucker]

You can have someone calibrate it if you want, or you can do it the cheap way. Set the wrench to 100 ft/lbs and tie a 100 lb weight a foot from the center of the socket and see if it clicks. Turn the value up a few ft/lbs and it shouldn't click. Or you could stand on a scale and tighten a nut in the same way. The value on the scale should change by 100 lbs.

 

[surpip]

Thats not really calabrating it, thats more like checking to see if it is accurate.

 

[pvfjr]

Or lowest setting

Sounds like another Air Force term...

 

[84gmcjimmy]

I'm not sure what kind it is. I will pull it out tomorrow and snap some pics for you guys to help me out
Thanks!

 

[84gmcjimmy]

It's a bigger piece of junk than I remember... will it work for a couple times?

pictures:

 

[4X4HIGH]

Nope, too big for anything on a carb. Also that type is a worthless piece of junk IMHO.

 

[Boondocks]

If your serious about knowing the accuracy you could invest in one of these:
http://www.norbar.com/products_range.php&category_multid=3&range_multid=27

No idea what it costs or who sells them.

Since it will most like not be used often, maybe you could spread the cost between some of your local wrench bender friends.

 

[84gmcjimmy]

Nope, too big for anything on a carb. Also that type is a worthless piece of junk IMHO.

Yeah I figured it wasn't worth much... my dad never used a torque wrench...so maybe he never used it. It's made in taiwan...
I'll get a new one...one day...