8 Factors to Consider Before Buying a Torque Wrench

Purchasing a torque wrench may seem simple but it can get overwhelming if you don&#;t know what features to look for. Since it's a precision tool, you need to focus on key factors that will determine its durability and functional accuracy.

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Regardless of your choice, remember that calibrating a torque wrench is essential for accuracy.

8 Important Factors to Consider

1. Brand 

A good brand will be durable and offer accurate results, while a mediocre brand might break down or get damaged easily. Regular calibration of a torque wrench is necessary even for the best brands. 

2. Types

There are at least 3 types of torque wrenches you can choose from based on the features they offer:

• Beam type: This is the oldest type

• Digital wrench: It has a loud notification when the correct torque is applied and has a great memory. Preferred for general automotive work

• Interchangeable head torque wrench

3. Price

Torque wrenches are available at different prices. Some offer more features at a high price, others may not cost much due to fewer features. Don&#;t compromise features for the price. Investing in a high-quality and feature-loaded wrench will be worth it.

4. Quality

Using a high-quality torque wrench will avoid inefficiencies and save money as it won&#;t get damaged easily. 

If you use a torque wrench of substandard quality, it will affect the quality of the project too. The wrench will get damaged easily and cost more in the long run.

5. Size

There are four different sizes of square head range, all of which correspond to different torque ranges and functions.

• The 1/4 in. drive: Suitable for small nuts and bolts like on garden equipment, bicycles, and motorcycles. They produce between 4 to 21 ft-lb (5 to 28 Nm) of torque.

• The 3/8 in. drive: Suitable for a majority of automobiles such as passenger vehicles, light trucks, and cars. They produce 15 to 75 ft-lb (20 to 102 Nm) of torque. It's the most versatile size and covers a wide range of functions. 

• 1/2 in. drive: Covers larger nuts and bolts like in engine mounts and suspensions.

• 3/4 in. drive: Essential for special applications like large cargo aircraft and tractor-trailers.

6. Accuracy and Calibration

Torque wrenches have different accuracies. Choose a wrench with an accuracy of plus or minus 5%. Check the torque wrench calibration for the date and accuracy per the manufacturer&#;s settings.  When a torque wrench is well-calibrated, it will have clear scale visibility.

7. Storage

The longevity and accuracy of the torque wrench depend on how well it's stored. Most torque wrenches come with storage cases but if it doesn&#;t come with one, buy a case immediately. This will help in protecting calibrators.

8. Materials

The materials of wrenches determine their durability. Buy wrenches that are made of strong metallic materials as they last longer. Avoid plastic ones since they break easily.

Once you determine what function you need the wrench to perform, you can make an informed choice.

Keep these factors in mind and purchase the torque wrench that's best suited for your needs.

How do you find wrenches that meet your requirements? How do you know that the tool will deliver what the advertising promises? Which quality features should you look for? Here we answer the most important questions about buying a spanner!

Anyone looking to buy a new wrench, or even a set of wrenches, is quickly faced with an overwhelming selection of branded and unbranded products. The good news is: It's not that hard to separate the wheat from the chaff and find tools that you'll be able to use for a years to come.

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01.

Low fatigue, safe work

Be sure to check to the ergonomics of the wrench. It should fit well in your hand and the finish should give you a good grip. This is the only way to ensure that you can work safely when a bit more force is needed. In addition, comfortable handling and a natural gripping position will protect your joints and allow you to work with less fatigue.

02.

Travelling light

The weight of the wrench also plays a part in the ergonomics issue. Of course, forged tools do add quite a bit of weight to the scales. This may not be noticeable with a single wrench But when it comes to carrying a whole set, you'll be grateful for every gram saved. For this reason, we recommend wrenches with a concave shaft which have a reduced weight. Similar to an I-beam, this design provides maximum bending strength and load-bearing capacity with minimal weight.

03.

Consider tight installation spaces

If you frequently work in tight spaces, you should always use thin-walled wrenches. They help you get to hard-to-reach places.

04.

Check manufacturing tolerances

The more precisely a wrench is made, the tighter it fits around the bolt head. The result is a perfect frictional connection. That is to say: The applied force is optimally transferred to the bolt. What's more: The less play there is between the jaws or ring flanks of the wrench and the bolt, the safer and more precisely you can work with it without damaging the bolt head.

05.

Identify critical stress zones

When choosing your combination wrench, also pay attention to the transition between the shaft and the jaw or ring. This is where the greatest forces are applied when tightening. This critical stress zone should therefore be slightly more stable, i.e. wider, in order to minimize the risk of breakage and injury.

Last, but not least: Choose a brand name manufacturer from which you can re-order easily and which offers you a wide range of wrenches. This way you can add other drives as needed to your tool, such as TORX or Spline-Drive!

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