Guide to Torque Wrenches

 

In the market today, we can find two basic types of torch wrenches, the beam wrenches and the micrometer wrenches. The built in flexibility of any material is what a beam wrench depend on. When torque is applied, the wrench flexes while there is another rod with a pointer at the end which indicates torque being applied on a scale. The micrometer wrenches are pre-set to the required torque on a vernier scale. The torque is measured by an internal spring loaded mechanism. The bolt clicks when it is tightened to the desired torque.

 

The micrometer wrench is the more accurate between the two types of torque wrenches. The typical accuracy rating is up to four percent of torque set. But, this accuracy can easily be lost if the wrench is not reset to zero before storage. The possibility of losing accuracy is not possible with beam wrenches but they are less accurate right out of the box. These beam wrenches have twelve percent accuracy but this can be less if the torque setting is higher. This is especially true if the operator's hand is shaking from the pressure they are applying.

 

The ideal about torque wrench for your car is a  1/2  inch square drive tool. The 3/8 inch square in drive tools only work on lower torque settings typically below manufacturers' specifications. If you want to reduce the  1/2  inch square drive to 3/8 inch square, you can buy adapters so that they can fir the more common socket size that most people have.

 

You hand, which is pulling the torque wrench, should be centered on the handle of the wrench if you are tightening a bolt to the proper torque. The ultimate torque value you are tightening to is greatly affected if your hand is too close or too far from the socket. If you move your hand closer to the socket the total foot-pounds of torque you are apply is reduced, while moving it away increases the foot pounds of torque you are applying.

 

A plastic storage box for protection comes with torque wrenches supplied by most manufacturers. They often come with  1/2  inch to 3/8 inch square drive adapter. There are some manufacturers that also include drive extensions.

 

Torque wrenches should be treated as precise tools because they actually are. Most micrometer wrenches have a reversible ratchet heat, but they should not be used as a ratchet, and especially not as a breaker bar. If you try to loosen an overly tight bolt with your torque wrench, it is possible to break it. This overly stresses the mechanism, causing it to break, especially if the micrometer isn't set to a higher torque value than the pressure being applied to it. For more facts about wrench, visit this website at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/small-business-tools/.

 

You can have years of practical, quality use of your torque wrench if you properly care for it.