Torque Wrenches

A torque wrench is a tool designed to apply a specific amount of torque to a fastener, such as a nut or bolt. It ensures that components are tightened to the manufacturer's specifications, preventing over-tightening or under-tightening, which can lead to equipment failure or safety hazards.

Consider the torque range required for your task, the drive size compatible with your sockets, and the type of torque wrench—such as click, beam, dial or digital—based on precision needs and user preference.

Click torque wrenches emit a 'click' sound when the set torque is reached, dial wrenches have a scale and pointer to indicate torque and digital wrenches provide electronic readings, often with additional features like data storage.

While a torque wrench can physically loosen bolts, it's not advisable as it may affect the tool's calibration and accuracy. It's best to use standard wrenches or ratchets for loosening fasteners.

It's recommended to calibrate your torque wrench annually or every 5,000 cycles (this number does differ between manufacturers), whichever comes first, to maintain accuracy. Frequent calibration is crucial in professional settings where precision is essential.

After use, set the torque wrench to its lowest setting (but not zero) to relieve tension on the spring. Store it in a protective case in a dry environment to prevent damage and maintain accuracy.

The most likely cause is mishandling the tool, either holding it and applying pressure in the wrong position, going too fast during the tightening process or even giving it more than one click on a clicker wrench.

The most accurate way to measure the torque on a fastening would be to mark the bolt and the plate with a straight line when the bolt is tight, then back the bolt off and use a dial wrench to re-tighten the bolt to the point where the lines match up. The indicator on the dial wrench will show how much torque is being applied to the fastener.

Clicking torque wrenches click when the preset torque value is reached. The operator will hear a click sound but once this happens, there is a very small reaction window of around 4 degrees movement to remove pressure from the wrench before overtightening occurs.

Breaking torque wrenches reduce the likelihood of over tightening because when the preset torque value is reached, they 'break' at a specific point along their shaft. This breaking movement is around 20 degrees, which provides the operator with a large window to remove pressure.

Slipping torque wrenches remove the risk of overtightening bolts, making overtightening nearly impossible. This is because when the preset torque value is reached, a mechanism in the torque wrench causes the application of torque to cease and the tool 'slips' free.