Torque wrench

[GTRS Fiero]

I picked up a loaner torque wrench.  The wrench has a handle, and 3 separate rotating pieces.  There are numbers marked, but no units.  One of the numbers goes from 100 to 600.  The next one goes from 50-80.  The final one is from 10 to 50.  This makes no sense to me.  It seems that the lowest value is 160 something.  Surely no one torques anything to 600 lb/ft with a half-inch shaft.  I'm trying to find 22 lb/ft.

Where are the wrenches that had a bar and a needle?

[scottb]

22 ftlbs? Why do you need to measure that? Thats a bit over snug with a quarter drive

[GTRS Fiero]

You bring up an interesting point.  What is the difference between, say, 22lb/ft with a 1/4" drive, compared to the same torque with a 3/8" or 1/2" drive?

[TopNotch]

Some torque wrenches are graduated in inch-pounds (I have one). And some are metric.

[GTRS Fiero]

Hmmm.  No interest in converting.

The one I want is apparently called a needle torque wrench.

[Fierofool]

A needle torque wrench?  Never heard it called that, but it could be described that way because the indicator looks like a long needle.  It's generally called a Beam Torque Wrench. 

[scottb]

There is no difference in the measurement with different drive sizes....... What weighs more a ton of bricks or a ton of feathers?

[GTRS Fiero]

22 ftlbs? Why do you need to measure that? Thats a bit over snug with a quarter drive

The reference for a torque value is often expressed as here, "with a quarter drive".  I don't understand why the drive size is mentioned, if it doesn't matter.

[scottb]

it takes less effort to exert the same torque as you go up in drive sizes, each size up has bigger tools..... I mentioned quarter drive because it is the smallest...... it really doesnt take much effort to exert 22 ft-lbs of torque

[PK]

Intriguing.  Did you take a picture of said item(s)?

You need a decent quality torque wrench for 22lbft. And normally best to have the value in the middle of the torque wrenches capabilities......so 10-50lbft wrench would be a good choice.

What did you torque?  What you call needle is probably what I would call beam torque wrench.  Most useful for tightening bearings etc.  Other applications you would probably be better off with standard click and cam and especially with low torques, always pull a few times away from intended target first to exercise it..else your required 22lbft will likely be out.







 

[Fierofool]

I believe I saw Scott with a torque wrench that had a dial gauge on it.  That might be what he's calling a needle gauge.  I'm familiar with the beam type torque wrench.  I built lots of VW engines using one. 

I currently have two 'clicker' torque wrenches.  A 3/8 drive with a range of 5-80 ft lb and a 1/2 inch drive with a range up to 250 ft lb.  For anyone replacing a water pump on a Fiero, an inch pound torque wrench is also needed as 3 of the lower small bolts torque at 12 inch lb.