A Complete Guide for Choosing and Using a Torque Wrench

A dynamometric wrench refers to a vital tool that enables you to perform controlled bolting on bolts, pins, nuts, and screws at the right torque value. That means it can put bolts in traction with a force that stays under a very specific threshold to hold two different parts together without damaging threaded parts of bolts.

It is also a helpful tool that you need to do a safe and correct controlled bolting to guarantee impeccable operations of every system you work on. That is why mechanical workshops use them to work on motorcycle tires and cars and to enable vehicles to travel safely.

How a Torque Wrench Works

When you turn a torque wrench’s handle, the overall length of the tool increases because of a pneumatic air pressure meter or spring inside it.

Wondering how to use a torque wrench and how it works? When using it, your hands will be connected to the internal mechanism, which translates the energy into power.

The tool’s main benefit is its ability to give an accurate measurement without having other tools on hand. With one tool, anyone with limited skills and knowledge about engineering principles and mechanics may accurately and confidently work when tightening screws or bolts down onto surfaces like wood blocks or metal plates.

Types

There are different types of torque wrenches you will find in the market. Some of these common types of torque wrench include the following:

• Beam Torque Wrench

This is one of the most basic tools. The lever arm separates the wrench’s handle and head and flexes against a scale (visual indicator) gauge to show the torque weight amount being applied. The tool is also heavy in weight; since it is manual, it is the most cumbersome of all wrenches.

• Digital Torque Wrench

An electronic or digital wrench works from electric sensors; thus, it doesn’t feature moving parts. It senses how much calibrating force is applied and can tell that information through a digital display. Just simply dial the torque setting, and the light will flash or beep when you reach the right torque value.

Choosing and Using the Right Torque Wrench

With increased focus on safety and developments in wrench designs, choosing the right tool for applications can be overwhelming. This is why it is important to evaluate the application of the tool first before you make any decision. Some of the common applications of torque wrench includes the following:

• Tool maintenance – As one of the most precision tools, a torque wrench should be re-calibrated regularly. Experts recommend re-calibrating the tool every year or after every 5000 cycles.
• Tightening – A wrench torque is a precise and sensitive tool and shouldn’t be used to loosen screws or bolts.

The Bottom Line

In general, you want to work with an accurate torque wrench. A digital torque wrench is precise but expensive. Others, like beam torque wrenches, are more affordable and just as precise as digital wrenches, even though they are difficult to determine accurate measurements in just less than 1.0 lb-ft increments.