Torque Wrenches
About Torque Wrenches
Torque wrenches are an essential item to have, especially if you are somebody who works in automotive. However, they are also useful in a few other areas as well, like tightening bolts in motors and large machinery.
A regular wrench, also known as a breaker bar, is just a lever that helps you rotate things by attaching the object to its head. However, it cannot stop you from applying more torque than you should and damaging the thread. But in some cases, a damaged thread can be a safety hazard. This is why you need to use a torque wrench. The tool will either stop you from applying force or let out a clicking sound once it reaches a particular torque level. This article will give you an idea about the different types of them and how to pick the right type of wrench that is suitable for your purpose.
Different types of torque wrenches
Not all bolts require the same amount of torque. For example, the torque for the rug nuts of a large truck is two or three times more than that of a small car. Furthermore, the size of the bolts also varies. Another factor in which torque wrenches differ from each other is when it comes to ease of use. There are a lot of different types of these wrenches out there with varying levels of sophistication and user-friendliness. Here is a list of four of the most popular types of torque wrenches out there. Knowing about them will help you make the right choices when you are shopping.
Click type torque wrenches
Click type wrenches are the most popular type of wrenches out there. This is because it is simple, affordable, and is enough for most of the situations that you will run into. One factor to consider while shopping is how accurate the product is. In this case, accuracy means the ability of the wrench to deliver the torque according to specification. In fact, this torque is called a click-type torque because it produces a clearly audible click when it reaches the maximum torque level. However, these torques do not have the feature that prevents you from over-tightening a bolt.
Beam type torque wrenches
This type of torque wrenches come with a scale towards the side of the handle. The name comes from the fact that the handle of the wrench is, in fact, a long beam that connects to the head of the wrench. Because it is long, the handle flexes when you apply force. The amount of flex is also proportional to the amount of force that you apply to the handle. This flex translates to the reading on the scale on the wrench. Therefore, you can see how much torque you are getting from the wrench by watching the scale. Because beam type wrenches do not have complex joints, they tend to last much longer than a click-type wrench.
Split beam type wrenches
In fact, this is just another variation of beam type wrenches. However, it is a bit more advanced and also durable. The type of scale in this wrench is also different. Instead of a large analogue scale that sits on the handle, the torque scale on this type of wrench is a small, linear moving scale. Even though it is slightly less accurate than the standard beam-type wrench, this is enough for most cases. There are split beam type wrenches that allow you to set the desired torque value. When the torque level reaches that value, you will hear an audible click.
Digital type torque wrenches
If you are looking for the most accurate product, then here is the answer. These wrenches come pre-calibrated for different torque levels and use fewer complex mechanisms for torque measurement than a beam torque wrench. The notification system in a digital wrench is much more efficient than other types of wrenches. The vibration or a buzz from a digital wrench will not go unnoticed like a click from a split beam-type wrench. That being said, this is also one of the most expensive types of torque wrenches out there.
Tips on how to buy Torque Wrenches
Finding a good torque wrench can be harder than you might think. Because there are so many different types of wrenches, it is also easy to make mistakes. Also, using the wrong type of wrench can cause expensive damages in some cases. In order to be able to pick the right wrench out of hundreds of different models, you need to know what are the features that really matter in them. Here are a few tips that you can follow when you are shopping for torque wrenches.
- Choose the right type – Firstly, you should decide what type of torque wrench is that you want. Consider things like how often you would use them, what level of accuracy you need, and how much you are willing to pay. Even though a digital type wrench is more advanced and definitely superior to a click-type torque wrench, if you don’t use the wrench often, then the extra cost is not actually worth it.
- Size of the head – Squarehead ranges come in four different sizes. The smallest of them is the quarter-inch head. This size is suitable for working on small nuts and bolts. On the other hand, the ¾ inch head is what you need for large bolts that go on heavy machinery, engine mounts and large truck suspensions.
- Accuracy and calibration – An accuracy of plus or minus five per cent is considered good in the case of torque wrenches. One area where cheaper wrenches make a compromise is the accuracy. So, if you are buying the wrench for tasks that require accuracy, then it is important to get a wrench from a reputable brand.
- Material and durability – The material of the wrench play a huge part in durability. A wrench made from a strong metallic material naturally lasts longer than a cheaper wrench that uses plastic. Even though it is enticing to buy a hard-plastic wrench because of its lower cost, it won’t be suitable for tasks that require you to use a lot of force.
If you are a DIYer who likes to take up simple home improvement projects into your own hands, then you will need a few other tools as well apart from a torque wrench. These include things like screwdrivers, Torx keys, voltage testers, drills, and drill bits. But finding them is not hard anymore. You can find all kinds of tools easily using our shopping search engine . This will also let you compare the prices and features of different products and choose the best one among them. Finally do not forget to check out other amazing products from the DIY category.
Question & Answer
Can you use a torque wrench as a breaker bar?
The right way is to use a torque wrench to tighten a bolt and use a breaker bar to loosen it. But can you use a torque wrench to loosen a bolt if you know how much torque it requires to loosen it? Well, technically, you can. However, that doesn’t mean you should. A torque wrench is more complex and costlier than a breaker bar. The lifespan of a torque wrench is also shorter. So, if you are using torque wrenches unnecessarily for things that they are not designed to do, you are effectively reducing the lifespan of the wrench.
When to calibrate torque wrench?
Like any other type of tool, a torque wrench also loses its calibration over time. Also, the spring undergoes wear and tear and loses its strength with every use. Therefore, it is essential to calibrate a torque wrench at least once in a while. But how often should you do it? That depends on how often you use the wrench. According to most manufacturers, you should calibrate the wrench after every 5000 cycles or every twelve months. If you are a regular home user, then it is unlikely that you would use the wrench five thousand times a year. But if you are a mechanic, that usually means a span of five or six months.
What is an angular torque wrench?
An angular torque wrench simply uses one more variable than a regular wrench. In the case of a regular torque wrench, the only factor that it uses is the specific amount of torque that it is designed for or the torque that you dial in. But when it comes to an angular torque wrench, it also measures the degree of angle that the bolt turns as well. This just adds an extra layer of check to make sure that you don’t over tighten the bolt. This is especially important in the automotive industry where overtightening can damage the thread of the nuts and bolts.
If you are looking to buy torque wrenches online in the UAE, look no further as you are in the right place. There are more than 500 shops and brands offering them here on Shops.ae. Here, you will find popular brands like Dewalt, Norbar, Husky, Proto Tools, Makita, and Bosch.