torquewrenchtorture

Lakeside, take a look at the digital torque wrench adapters many vendors are now selling. Extremely accurate, fairly cheap in price and can be used with any style handle. Here are a few choices:


 

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I found a Proto #6016-1 at a yard sale, $20. I sent it out for calibration and it checks with my Indestro beam-type that I bought at Tempo Auto Supply in 1966 for about $15.
 
lakeside said:
I Does it matter, for example, if the head nuts are torqued at 56 lb. ft. rather than 55 lb. ft.? Are there other applications on an A where this difference would seriously matter and it would be better to buy the Snap-on? Thank you.
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Ford did not use torque wrenches when they built the car. Mechanics over time developed a feel for the correct torque when assembling of repairing things. This, sadly, is getting lost as most do not use their hands as in the past.

The important thing is that they are all the same to prevent warping, as in the case of the head leaking.
 
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I think Bill Cheep's advice in reply No. 10 exemplifies profound vintage tool experience, wisdom, and conservative fiscal accountability.

On E-bay today there are several vintage used "U.S. Made" Craftsman torque wrenches with needles from about $8.00 to $20.00 ...... these are not foreign made from used, foreign donkey shoes, forged inside a blacksmith's tent pitched under a dried up palm tree.

Usually when a Craftsman torque wrench needle points to zero at rest, and the rod is not overstressed and bent, it is usually calibrated.

I took a chance and bought two (2) vintage used "U.S. Made" Craftsman 1/2" drives from different sellers year ago from different locations on E-bay.

Tested both on several different bolts turning each one clockwise and then
counter-clockwise, and got the exact same readings on both every time.

It is just a simple matter of steel rod deflection while reading a scale with a stationary pointed steel needle.

Anyway, in my opinion, two (2) rights don't make a wrong.

Hope this helps.
 
Mitch//pa said:
Buy the snap on for 339

I sent DAD my good one, maybe he'll post a pic of it
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I can't find/bring it up:confused: It's a SUNNEN, probably from the '60's & is VERY accurate! Mitch posted a pic, before/after he restored it, then was a GOOD SON, & sent it to me, along with SWEAT SHIRTS, "T" SHIRTS, SHOP KEY FOBS & JET-FUEL COFFEE:D:D:D:D:D:D
Dad Bill W.
 
Just in case someone has a vintage Craftsman torque wrench where the needle is off of zero, all one has to do is push it back left or right until it is centered on zero.

This very simple type of torque wrench is nothing more than a cantilevered rod which has a "fixed" cross-sectional area of steel, (measured in square inches); and where the steel material has been carefully manufactured with a "fixed" stress, measured in pound per square inch; and the length of the cantilevered rod is provided with a "fixed" length which measures steel rod deflection which is read in torque value in pound per square inch with a "fixed" pointed steel needle on a "fixed" incremental scale.

Ten thousand years from now if a Martians finds one of these simple tools here on Earth, in you Model a tool box, he/she can use it to accurately torque the bolts on his/her space craft to safely return to Mars in one piece.
 
I bought a $ 20. Harbor Freight 1/4 inch drive torque wrench to set the pinion bearing pre-load at 20 inch pounds. Checked the setting against a friends Snap On and the readings were exactly the same. Probably the only time I will ever use it. Snap On is extremely over priced and over rated. You are only paying for a "name".
 
FWIW:

Appears that buying a modern Foreign Made Torque Wrench that is a bit complicated is like obtaining a steady Girlfriend on a Foreign Country Dating Website ....... you will never know if she is Calibrated.
 
If you are not in the business, definitely don't waste your money on the SnapOn. I would first of all check craigslist. I bought a used one day Craftsman for $40 on CL. They are routinely for sale as used tools. Wayne
 
On Craigslist in the Chicago area there is at least 10 for sale on Craigslist , some are Snap-on Check your area you may find a good deal and remember those are asking prices and you can always make an offer. Wayne
 
I have a SO, two Craftsman, and a half dozen HF wrenches in 1/2, 3/8 & 1/4. The HF were bought with coupons for $9.99 each. I keep one in each of my vehicles to tighten lug nuts in case of a flat, I use a breaker bar or a Dewalt 18V impact to loosen the lug nuts. As to accuracy, the wrenches are tested against each other and are within 1-2%. I always return them to zero after use. Over the years they have put together many racing engines, I trust each and every one of them. I will say that SO makes a quality product, the only reason I bought it was when I was wrenching for customers, they might not have understood a $9.99 torque wrench being used on their 5-10K+ engine, even though it was just as accurate. Your mileage may vary....
 
Still using the old Indestro I bought from Ace Auto when I was 15. Im 70 now and trust it totally.
 
IF, your wrench is off by 1 or 2 Lbs, NO BIG DEAL! Torqueing is mainly for UNIFORMITY, especially in multiple bolt applications, such as cylinder heads. ALSO, depending on bolt/nut sizes, to make sure they are the proper tension & don't vibrate loose. Proper torqueing also helps NOT to become the SHOP IDIOT, by breaking bolts!
On some TV programs, it's COMMON to see them UNDER-TIGHTENING many fasteners, even in suspension applications. I'd be AFRAID to drive some of the cars they put together ! !
Bill Tight
 
Never used a torque wrench during my apprenticeship. Probably was one in the tool room but it took too long to walk there to sign it out when you were on piecework!

Finally bought a Sears beam style back in the 70's for working on the all aluminium motor in my Lotus. My son still has it, I borrow it when I need.
 
ian Simpson said:
Never used a torque wrench during my apprenticeship. Probably was one in the tool room but it took too long to walk there to sign it out when you were on piecework!

Finally bought a Sears beam style back in the 70's for working on the all aluminium motor in my Lotus. My son still has it, I borrow it when I need.
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I READ you, Brother,
We now have time to diddle on stuff FOREVER. BUT, when we had to do Piece Work or Flat-Rate, we worked our *** off, so Momma would be "HAPPY" on PAYDAY:D Fortunately, I was able to make enough for Pat to stay home for 22 years, raisin' KIDS.
Bill W.
 
Sturtevant Torque wrench built torque wrenchs in the town I live in for decades. They can be found on EBay quite reasonably and I have not owned a bad one yet. If you are going to set up a rear axle to recommendations by Mr. Elder you will want a beam style with a range that will give you a 0-50 inch pound range.
 
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