Torque wrenches

Chris Pucci

Active member
I need a big bigger torque wrench -- something that goes upt o 300 lb-ft....

Anyone have any luck with a model that won't break the bank??

The local tool guy has a 3/4" drive one that would do but I only have two 3/4" drive sockets. And wouldn't an extension/adapter change the applied torque?
 
An extension added inline with the centerline of the socket tang does not change the torque reading/value. Any extension that runs out perpendicular to the centerline of the head does change the value so ya just do the calculation based on the "length" (center-to-center) of the extension.

I don't think ya can beat this one for price, especially for something with limited use:

- harbor freight tools - quality tools at the lowest prices

I've had several of those hf wrenches on torque wrench calibration/test stands when I had to buy one one while on the road for various projects in my former occupation. Our various ports-of-entry that did system installs had to verify all torque wrenches at the beginning of every work shift.

Those el cheepos were every bit as accurate as $350>$600 snap-on micrometer style wrenches. I had one tested at the metrology lab I used to have all my instruments certified each year for qs9000 compliance, while they won't issue certification on that cheep shit, the actual wrench tested perfectly!

You doin' helicopter rotors on the side now???

With the exception of the little sturdevant torque wrenches I use for tranny work, all my go-to units are harbor freight now. And I use the hell outta my hf 3/4" drive socket set!
 
- harbor freight tools - quality tools at the lowest prices

I've had several of those hf wrenches on torque wrench calibration/test stands when I had to buy one one while on the road for various projects in my former occupation. Our various ports-of-entry that did system installs had to verify all torque wrenches at the beginning of every work shift.
You doin' helicopter rotors on the side now???

With the exception of the little sturdevant torque wrenches I use for tranny work, all my go-to units are harbor freight now. And I use the hell outta my hf 3/4" drive socket set!

Good info - thanks.

No helicopters -- just axles. Pinions nuts need stupid torque specs that far exceed my 150# 1/2" setup...
 
Something that don't break the bank and is good for the occasional use would be a torque wrench extension.
http://www.motionpro.com/documents/pdf/08-0134.pdf
I made a 24" extension for my 150 lb. Wrench outta 1/2"x2" bar stock with a hole broached square for the drive and a piece of an extension welded to the other end for a socket. The upside is the wrench will be well within it's limits so the pull is very easy. The downside is the swing'in room is fairly wide so working under a rig can be difficult.
 
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