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.