Torque Wrench

[PRyker]

I have never used a torque wrench before. Not that I have said that...



I want to purchase a good torque wrench to make sure I do not damage things like oil drain pan bolt, check tightness of cab bolts, lug nuts and other general things like the tightness of my blades on my ZTR lawnmower.



Looking for something that reads in the 15- 250 lb range. The smaller the better so it will fit in more places. Would also be great if it could be used in conjunction with my impact wrench and air ratchet tools.



Thanks



Phil

 

[klenger]

Read page 2 of this document from the Snap-On website about torque wrencehs.



http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/OBJECTS/29000/28910.PDF



Basically, what the article is saying is that even for a torque wrench that meets the ANSI standards, calibration below 20% of max reading can have very large errors. To accurately cover 15 - 250 ft-lbs, you will need to have a 3/8" wrench for the lower numbers and a 1/2" for the higher ones.



When I was looking for a 1/2" torque wrench for lug nuts, etc. , I was able to buy a new Snap-On at less than 1/2 price through a TDR member who bought at his school's book store at a student discount. Now I wish I'd had him get the 3/8" wrench at the same time.



Here is a link to the discussion on the TDR that I started back in Feb.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=92766&highlight=torque+wrench

 

[PRyker]

klenger,



That is great info!! thanks. Looks like I need a 1/2" and 3/8" wrench. OK! I appreciate the help. OH, any ideas about my air tools? Are they seperate tools altogether?



Thanks



Phil

 

[nickleinonen]

Originally posted by PRyker

klenger,



That is great info!! thanks. Looks like I need a 1/2" and 3/8" wrench. OK! I appreciate the help. OH, any ideas about my air tools? Are they seperate tools altogether?



Thanks



Phil

for the air stuff, they are different. a torque wrench is just a ratchet. if you want something for an impact gun, you can get torque bars [color coded impact extensions] that you can use for torquing wheel nuts and other things. you can get them in 2 types... the ones that are just like an extension, or ones that have the socket built into them. the extension types are like $25 each... if you are a tire jockey, then they are worth having, but for home use, not too much use i think.