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Torque Wrench

Discussion in 'The Tool Shed' started by termin8ed, Aug 27, 2016.

  1. Aug 30, 2016
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    I think one of the biggest problems with click type torque wrenches . is most people that use them don't back off setting before placing them back in tool box
     
    montanacj likes this.
  2. Aug 30, 2016
    montanacj

    montanacj Member

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    The angle feature of that snap on would come in handy when doing subaru head gaskets and crank shaft bolts
     
  3. Aug 30, 2016
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    VW stuff too and probably everything modern.
     
  4. Aug 30, 2016
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    York, PA
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    I've read this. I turn back to 0, or less, overtime I put it away and, actually before changing torque value when I'm working up to the spec incrementally. I give it a very light tap with my hand each time as well. Not sure why I do this but, I do.

    Here are my torque wrenches: The new one, Precision Instruments, is a flex head.




     
  5. Aug 31, 2016
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
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    The other issue with click type torque wrenches is after setting torque you are supposed to exercise the torque wrench several times before torquing the fasteners to "settle" the torque wrench. How many people do you think do this, or even know about it? ;)
     
  6. Aug 31, 2016
    termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    Mason, MI
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    I have never heard of this.

    Put it on the treadmill?

    ;)
     
  7. Aug 31, 2016
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

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    Never heard of that either. Thanks for the info.
     
  8. Sep 1, 2016
    mortten

    mortten I can’t put my finger on it 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Peninsula, Ohio
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  9. Sep 1, 2016
    jasonjp62

    jasonjp62 Member

    Pennsboro WV.
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    I have a CDI in my company truck. We use them allot but I'm not that impressed with them. Would much rather have a Williams or snap on
     
  10. Sep 1, 2016
    Oldriginal86

    Oldriginal86 Member

    Pasadena, Md.
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    Torque wrench usage

    Been turning wrenches and torquing things professionally for almost 40 years and never heard of exercising my torque wrench before using. Not disputing what the article said but it sounds like it was written by someone with a lot of time to overthink a simple operation. We had over 100 techs on three shifts, each with a minimum of 2 torque wrenches. There would be hours of exercise time wasted at the customers expense.
     
  11. Sep 1, 2016
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
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    It only needs performed the first use of the day. Not each and every use. Takes about 10-15 seconds to perform. A bench vice works just fine for this. How is 10-15, or even 30 seconds a day a waste of customers time to make sure things are assembled correctly?
     
  12. Sep 4, 2016
    teletech

    teletech Member

    Santa Cruz, CA
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    I think the biggest issue I've seen with torque wrenches is people don't realize how far off they tend to be at the ends of their range.
    Using most wrenches under about 20% or over 80% is where you see the worst errors.

    Why pay for calibration when you can do your own for $0 though. Makes those vintage Snap-on wrenches on ePay attractive.
    With an accurate weight and a ruler you can get as accurate as and fancy shop.
    How to perform your own torque wrench calibration testing - GL1800Riders
    How to Calibrate a Torque Wrench

    That said, you won't find me a HF buying anything that isn't expected to be disposable after 1-2 uses.
    Just snapped a friend's 10" adjustable wrench yesterday, not even using a cheater.
     
  13. Sep 4, 2016
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    Thanks for the article... I'll check it out.
     
  14. Sep 4, 2016
    BobH

    BobH Member

    Oviedo, Fl
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    Just snapped a friend's 10" adjustable wrench yesterday, not even using a cheater.

    That's why I don't buy anything more complicated than a hammer or screw driver at HF.

    BTW, Teletech, excellent post about calibrating a torque wrench. When I buy one, that's the first thing I will do with it, just to see where I stand.
     
  15. Sep 4, 2016
    3b a runnin

    3b a runnin Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    that stinks!! My experience has been just the opposite here locally. replaced everything I carried through the door, FREE
     
  16. Sep 4, 2016
    termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    Mason, MI
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    X2, but its been awhile since ive taken anything back
     
  17. Sep 4, 2016
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
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    Heck we have Harbor Freight adjustable's at work that are 6 years old and have had 6' cheaters used on them with no breakage. I have a set of 3/8" drive allen drives that have outlasted Proto, Williams, Gearwrench, Snap on and countless others. Basically they have been indestructible with extreme use for more than 12 years.
    Now I will admit they make good tools and **** tools but you have to examine what you buy no matter who makes it.
    I have never had a problem with tool swaps at Sears, thats simply a matter of the Sears outlet or store.
     
  18. Sep 4, 2016
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    these links are great!
     
  19. Sep 5, 2016
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
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    Cracks me up when someone says "we have one from such and such that is 10 years old and works fine" or "have one from a year ago and works fine but the older stuff is junk"
    You folks do realize the quality changes on these products so what was fine 3 years ago may be junk now or vice verse? Mtgs only thing that counts is what was purchased in the last 6 months or less to really be pertinent with any discount tool supplier. This can apply to "more expensive suppliers" as well but that's where Good relationship with your supplier is important. I'll give a HF example. I have two still working 4 1/2" electric hand grinders from there purchased 10 plus years ago. They are getting a Little weaker but have been through hell and back. A year ago I purchased 2 more and used them nowhere near as hard and they were burned up within a month. I'm still using the 10 year old ones.
     
  20. Sep 5, 2016
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
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    So true, I remember as a kid Black & Decker made good quality tools, not so much anymore most of it is junk but from what I've seen there better than say 5-6 years back.
    My old Homelite weedeater from the late 80's, American made would hold its own against just about anything made today. I finally sold it last summer but it still started and ran good, just low on power after 28 years of use. I used it every 2 weeks for 11 years around 14 acres of farm fence plus my house and my parents yard.
    I have a jig saw from the mid 60's still running strong after all these years, Craftsman, all aluminum. Now most of there power tools are junk. Dewalt has been up and down for me for 20 years, I've had really good and really bad from them.
     
    Last edited: Sep 5, 2016
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