Inch pounds vs foot pounds question

[bretto]

With a torque wrench that is measured in foot lbs, that means how many lbs that are on the end of 12" right? (one pound hung on the end of a 12" bar would 1' lb at the opposite end). Is that the same for inch pounds but only the weight would only be 1" out? Or am I way off? Dumb question right? Oh and where can one find a inch pound torque wrench?

Brett

 

[5-90]

Inch-pound wrenches are typically used for fasteners that don't need a lot of retention force (like valve cover gaskets, where you can crush the gasket out of the join.)

For larger values, you can use a foot-pound torque wrench - 1 foot-pound = 12 inch-pounds, as you probably already figured.

Finding a torque wrench (usually more of a screwdriver or spinner handle) calibrated in inch-pounds take a little work, but I'd look into MSC Direct, Small Parts, Inc., or a similar outfit for that. If you aren't having any luck, look for a foot-pound torque wrench marked with small values and use that. I've got a small 3/8" drive torque wrench that goes down to about 5 foot-pounds that works for nearly everything small that I work with. If I'm really worried, I've got a couple "palm" ratches that are about 2" across that prevent overtorquing.

5-90

 

[old_man]

Your statement on the weight/distance is correct.

 

[bretto]

Thanks.....I am looking for one to set up my pinion preload. I dont feel to much like spending a ton of cash just to use it once. Only places I am seeing them for sell they are asking $100+ OUCH! To bad they don't sell stuff like this at wally world cuz I'd just take it back. Does autozone rent them perhaps? Maybe I'll just hang 15lbs on the end of a 1" hanger or 1" out on my ratchet handle with it turning the pinion. Should work...kinda hokey put it could work. What would 15"lbs equal to in foot pounds? I know that it isn't 15lbs/12" because torque is greater the further you go out. So is there a fomula to convert?

Brett

 

[Beezil]

Its not gonna work the way you want it to.

a click-type torque wrench cannot be used since you are trying to gauge rotational resistence. You are NOT torquing down a fastener.

if you do not want to buy the proper inch-pounds torque wrench, borrow or rent one.

you are setting up an R&P.

you cannot afford to be cheap.

 

[bretto]

Im not talking about putting weight on the a clicker type wrench, just a plain old ratchet. Where does one rent a inch lb torque wrench?

 

[old_man]

The old timers use "feel" to set the preload, but just to be on the safe side I bought a "beam" type torque wrench at my local fastener supply place. It is .125" drive. I ended up paying $26 for it. It just looks like a miniature of the old "pre clicker" era torque wrench.

 

[bretto]

The old timers use "feel" to set the preload, but just to be on the safe side I bought a "beam" type torque wrench at my local fastener supply place. It is .125" drive. I ended up paying $26 for it. It just looks like a miniature of the old "pre clicker" era torque wrench.

Yea that would work....I'll look around

 

[ladywolf]

Inch-pound wrenches are typically used for fasteners that don't need a lot of retention force (like valve cover gaskets, where you can crush the gasket out of the join.)

For larger values, you can use a foot-pound torque wrench - 1 foot-pound = 12 inch-pounds, as you probably already figured.

Finding a torque wrench (usually more of a screwdriver or spinner handle) calibrated in inch-pounds take a little work, but I'd look into MSC Direct, Small Parts, Inc., or a similar outfit for that. If you aren't having any luck, look for a foot-pound torque wrench marked with small values and use that. I've got a small 3/8" drive torque wrench that goes down to about 5 foot-pounds that works for nearly everything small that I work with. If I'm really worried, I've got a couple "palm" ratches that are about 2" across that prevent overtorquing.

5-90

snap on makes torque wrenches, as do most other large companies....only problem is keeping them calibrated....i.e. the snap on truck

 

[old_man]

We call the SnapOn and Mac guys dealers around here. They get you hooked and are always around on payday. If you ever want to know the pay schedules for every dealership and shop in your area, just ask them.

 

[bretto]

The old timers use "feel" to set the preload, but just to be on the safe side I bought a "beam" type torque wrench at my local fastener supply place. It is .125" drive. I ended up paying $26 for it. It just looks like a miniature of the old "pre clicker" era torque wrench.

Wanna sell me yours if I can't find one?

 

[Tom R.]

Using a smaller value ft-lb torque wrench for in-lb needs won't work if accuracy means anything to the task at hand. Generally you never want to use the first 20% of the torque wrench range.

I worked the contract to replace most of our tools with Snap-on at the shop I used to work. Snap-on had some of the best ± deviations for the lesser expensive torque wrenches on the market, something we needed when working on F-16 avionics equipment due to the tight tolerances. I remember one of the worst was the brand Proto.

Regarding torque wrenches in general.....I think many would be surprised at how out of cal most are, even when new. But then, who the hell cals their wrenches? :laugh3:

 

[Beezil]

You guys are missing it.

We are talking about pinion bearing preload. we're not talking about tightening a fastener.

bretto, I hear what you are saying...its just not going to be accurate.

in order to get your preload reading, you will need to rotate the pinion with the wrench to get a peak reading.

Old Man is right, folks who have done many set-ups go by feel. i don't use the inch pounds t-wrench for set-ups anymore, its taken me about a dozen set-up to understand what 15-30 inchpounds feels like.

if this is your first time out, GET THE CORRECT TOOL.

 

[RichP]

I agree, get the correct tool, get the one with a dial indicator on it, I've tried acouple with the sears micro torque inch/lbs wrench I have [given as a gift by accident, did not notice the inchlbs for about two months] and it is not the same as the dial indicator type. You really need to see it when setting it up. I compared the two when doing a 9's third member, no worky....

 

[Eagle]

Thanks.....I am looking for one to set up my pinion preload. I dont feel to much like spending a ton of cash just to use it once. Only places I am seeing them for sell they are asking $100+ OUCH! To bad they don't sell stuff like this at wally world cuz I'd just take it back. Does autozone rent them perhaps? Maybe I'll just hang 15lbs on the end of a 1" hanger or 1" out on my ratchet handle with it turning the pinion. Should work...kinda hokey put it could work. What would 15"lbs equal to in foot pounds? I know that it isn't 15lbs/12" because torque is greater the further you go out. So is there a fomula to convert?

Brett

Actually, it IS 15/12. One foot-pound equals 12 inch-pounds. A conventional foot-pound torque wrench just isn't going to be accurate enough to give you a good reading at 1.25 foot-pounds. A dial-indicator inch-pound wrench is the best way to go, but you can buy old-fashioned beam type torque wrenches calibrated in inch pounds pretty inexpensively.

 

[old_man]

http://www.handsontools.com/store-products-Best-Sellers-KDT2955-%3Cfont-color=red%3E%3Cb%3EKD-Tools-Beam-Type-Torque-Wrench,-1-4-Drive-Fixed,-0-to-60-In-Lb%3C-b%3E%3C-font%3E_6915921.html

This is the same torque wrench I bought just from a different place. A 10 second search on Google using "in/lb" wrench found it. I'm sure you can find a cheaper one.