Dial type Torque wrenches - ahhh love em. - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts "Serious Explorations"®

**Glacier991** · 03-26-2006, 10:22 PM

I was putting in a valve body into an A4LD today, and using thedial type torque wrench, intead of the usual clicker style. It was an eye opener in comparison.

The clicker works well, but you are blind. You torque to the click. You can set multiple levels to stage up to a final torque certainly.... but the dial type...well your eyes are open, you can watch it happen.

I torqued the VB in 4 steps.. to a max of 90 inch lbs (yes INCH lbs). I started at 30, went to 50, then 75 then 90. (I left the edges at 80 but that was something this kind of torque wrench allowed me to do selectively as I watched the torque.)

It was interesting.... Once I had torqued to a certain level and advanced I could see the torque build to the previous level I had reached ....on the gauge and then as it hit that level the bolt would start to turn until I reached my next set level. Clean turns were evident as were dirty threads (jerky). All in all it was a nice experience into the whys of advanced tool design.

I have a couple of pics.... in the first... I had previously torqued to 30 inch lbs... and was applying pressure.... I took a pic where the bolt again started turning....

I continued to gently add pressure until the torque reached the set limit... the indicator is hidden under the set pointer in this picture. In my setting I could watch the torque setting gently increase up to the next level.

Where the issues are precision and you want see what you are applying....these torque wrenches cannot be beat.

A special thanks to my special benefactor to my 2nd and favorite - dial type torque wrench.

ExplorerDMB · 03-27-2006, 12:29 AM

Chris, you just recommend these on just small torque settings and vitals (like Valve Bodies) correct? Cause I know I'll be damned if I have to use one of those on a wheel to 100 FT pounds (not inch pounds).

For other readers: please read this thread about wheel torquing: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=155092

There are a few things you can get away with that don't need to be torque, but things like wheels, and chris' valve bodies - are the type of thingsyou should ALWAYS torque. Don't cut yourself short. A lot of things can mess up when your off on the torque (and no, tighter is not always better)!!!

-Drew

EDIT: MAC tools

lol just kidding (sorta)

**Glacier991** · 03-27-2006, 12:57 AM

Drew... if I am sweating as I manage to pull the required torque... this kind ain't IT for me. So yeah I'd say this is for lower torque values. And I admit once you get used to torquing to a value (like I do everything when I build a transmission), more and more you will use a torque wrench for other things if you have one available.... in fact, I even torque pan bolts. Hell if the wrench is handy I torque everything. Most of the time I think to myself as I am using a torque wrench and "feeling the proper torque".. eh... I'd have done THAT by hand and been REAL close... but now and then I think... geeze... I'd have missed THAT one.

Torque wrenches. I love em. I own about 8. ALL kinds....except digital strain gauge (drool).

ps. I have another dial type torque wrench but this MAC is my favorite.... in this range anyway...(so send me the preferred one and I will do a blind test)

**BrooklynBay** · 03-29-2006, 12:24 AM

After reading this thread, I stopped by my local automotive tool warehouse to see if he had any in stock. I wanted to see one first hand. He said that stuff like this has to be ordered, and is very expensive (starting around $200). He said that in North America, there is only one manufacturer that makes torque wrenches for a lot of campanies so they could put their wrench, and logo on it. He showed me a picture in an S-K, and OTC catalog of a few models with the dial. Harbor Freight didn't list any cheap ones on their website. The ones in those catalogs were either 3/8", or 1/2" with 0-150 IN LBS, and 0-250LBS for the 3/8" models. Does anybody make a 1/4" version?

*Rhett* · 03-29-2006, 01:53 PM

$200...I can see that. I have a decent clicker torque wrench and it was $80.
I also keep a cheap one for lugs...

I need a dial-type (!)

spindlecone · 03-29-2006, 01:58 PM

200 bux? I was raped J/K

**BrooklynBay** · 03-29-2006, 08:01 PM

How much is the Mac one in the picture?

spindlecone · 03-29-2006, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrooklynBay

How much is the Mac one in the picture?

$7000.00

**BrooklynBay** · 03-29-2006, 08:16 PM

Seriously, how much could one of these really cost? I know that some people here get discounts from Mac, and Snap On (if they make one of these too). Harbor Freight sells electronic models for under $300. I don't know how strong the electronic ones are.

*trucku* · 03-29-2006, 08:28 PM

I got a clicker form RS Struass Auto for 60 bucks some years ago. Now their selling them for 30bucks..It torques past 120 ftlbs. And to keep it in spec you have to zero your setting so not tension is on wrench and it should last a very long time.

*glfredrick* · 03-29-2006, 08:51 PM

You might also want to check out Snap On's "Tech Wrench" an electronic torque wrench. It has the best of all worlds -- it has pre-set torques (with vibrate and beep to let you know you are there) and a digital read out of torque values as you turn the wrench. It also saves the high torque reading.

An added benefit with the Tech Wrench is that it instantly changes from inch-pounds to foot-pounds to newton-meters with a push of a button. It also has a "zero" setting for calibration (it is always in calibration, as it uses a digital strain gauge instead of moving parts, and zeros every time you turn it on). It is the most accurate and repeatable torque wrench in existence!

What's more, the cost is good for what you get -- around $300 for a super-accurate, repeatable, do-everything wrench.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog

EMG7895 · 03-29-2006, 08:54 PM

I have used those before, and they are very nice, just cant justify the price for occasional home use. My next $300 tool purchase will be a milwaukee right angle drill.

*trucku* · 03-29-2006, 08:56 PM

That's the wrench that dreams are made of...ME LIKES!

**BrooklynBay** · 03-29-2006, 08:57 PM

Which one, the hole hawg, or the regular right angle drill?

**BrooklynBay** · 03-29-2006, 09:01 PM

The only feature that digital wrench is missing is a talking feature that announces when it reaches its predetermined torque setting.

EMG7895 · 03-29-2006, 09:02 PM

Hole hawg

**BrooklynBay** · 03-29-2006, 09:04 PM

I have the Dewalt version of the hole hawg. It is very powerful, and has a 2 speed gear box.

**Glacier991** · 05-12-2006, 12:59 AM

Maybe I should name my benefactor..... Spindlecone! Thank you my friend.

nbimports · 01-19-2007, 11:35 PM

Hello,

I just bought a torque wrench Crafstman 44593 model 3/8 in drive 25-250 in.lbs.I have never used torque wrench before and i don't know how te set it.Values i have are in ft.lbs and this tool is showing in inch lbs.I need to set it 13 ft.lbs.I appreciate any help on how to use it.

Thank you all.

*95exploderboy* · 01-20-2007, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nbimports

Hello,

I just bought a torque wrench Crafstman 44593 model 3/8 in drive 25-250 in.lbs.I have never used torque wrench before and i don't know how te set it.Values i have are in ft.lbs and this tool is showing in inch lbs.I need to set it 13 ft.lbs.I appreciate any help on how to use it.

Thank you all.

If this page is correct, you might want to take that wrench back, or buy a foot pound wrench too.

This page says the highest foot pound measurement you can make is 21 foot pounds.

http://www.magtrol.com/support/torque_calc.htm

03-26-2006, 10:22 PM	#1
Glacier991 EF Tranny Guru Sacramento, CA 95827 1992 XLT Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 9,805 Vehicle Specs	Dial type Torque wrenches - ahhh love em. I was putting in a valve body into an A4LD today, and using thedial type torque wrench, intead of the usual clicker style. It was an eye opener in comparison. The clicker works well, but you are blind. You torque to the click. You can set multiple levels to stage up to a final torque certainly.... but the dial type...well your eyes are open, you can watch it happen. I torqued the VB in 4 steps.. to a max of 90 inch lbs (yes INCH lbs). I started at 30, went to 50, then 75 then 90. (I left the edges at 80 but that was something this kind of torque wrench allowed me to do selectively as I watched the torque.) It was interesting.... Once I had torqued to a certain level and advanced I could see the torque build to the previous level I had reached ....on the gauge and then as it hit that level the bolt would start to turn until I reached my next set level. Clean turns were evident as were dirty threads (jerky). All in all it was a nice experience into the whys of advanced tool design. I have a couple of pics.... in the first... I had previously torqued to 30 inch lbs... and was applying pressure.... I took a pic where the bolt again started turning.... I continued to gently add pressure until the torque reached the set limit... the indicator is hidden under the set pointer in this picture. In my setting I could watch the torque setting gently increase up to the next level. Where the issues are precision and you want see what you are applying....these torque wrenches cannot be beat. A special thanks to my special benefactor to my 2nd and favorite - dial type torque wrench.

03-27-2006, 12:29 AM	#2
ExplorerDMB Moderator/Technician Mechanicsville, Virginia 2004 Acura TL Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 6,267 Vehicle Specs	Chris, you just recommend these on just small torque settings and vitals (like Valve Bodies) correct? Cause I know I'll be damned if I have to use one of those on a wheel to 100 FT pounds (not inch pounds). For other readers: please read this thread about wheel torquing: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=155092 There are a few things you can get away with that don't need to be torque, but things like wheels, and chris' valve bodies - are the type of thingsyou should ALWAYS torque. Don't cut yourself short. A lot of things can mess up when your off on the torque (and no, tighter is not always better)!!! -Drew EDIT: MAC tools lol just kidding (sorta) __________________ My Useful Threads (38 Entries and Growing)

03-27-2006, 12:57 AM	#3
Glacier991 EF Tranny Guru Sacramento, CA 95827 1992 XLT Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 9,805 Vehicle Specs	Drew... if I am sweating as I manage to pull the required torque... this kind ain't IT for me. So yeah I'd say this is for lower torque values. And I admit once you get used to torquing to a value (like I do everything when I build a transmission), more and more you will use a torque wrench for other things if you have one available.... in fact, I even torque pan bolts. Hell if the wrench is handy I torque everything. Most of the time I think to myself as I am using a torque wrench and "feeling the proper torque".. eh... I'd have done THAT by hand and been REAL close... but now and then I think... geeze... I'd have missed THAT one. Torque wrenches. I love em. I own about 8. ALL kinds....except digital strain gauge (drool). ps. I have another dial type torque wrench but this MAC is my favorite.... in this range anyway...(so send me the preferred one and I will do a blind test) Last edited by Glacier991; 03-29-2006 at 03:12 PM.

03-29-2006, 01:53 PM	#5
Rhett Let Them Eat Cake Cape Girardeau, MO 94 Sport 4x4 Join Date: May 2000 Posts: 4,229 Vehicle Specs	$200...I can see that. I have a decent clicker torque wrench and it was $80. I also keep a cheap one for lugs... I need a dial-type (!) __________________ 94 Sport 4x4; EA cone filter; Granitelli MAF; BBK 66mm TB; Jacobs wires; Magnaflow w/2.5" pipe; Rancho RS9000; EE sways; Apten dual-program chip; Visteon Super-Cool radiator; BFG 30 x 9.50's; AMSOIL throughout; etc. etc.

03-29-2006, 08:28 PM	#10
trucku Elite Explorer Queens, New York 2002 Explorer XLS 4.0 4x4 Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,969 Vehicle Specs	I got a clicker form RS Struass Auto for 60 bucks some years ago. Now their selling them for 30bucks..It torques past 120 ftlbs. And to keep it in spec you have to zero your setting so not tension is on wrench and it should last a very long time. __________________ 2002 XLS 4.0 SOHC 4x4. Frantz Bypass filter, Mobil 1 5W30.Perma-cool dual remote (2 full flow PureOne PL30001). Perma-cool remote transmission filter (Pure One PL30001). Scanguage II, Sunpro Oil Pressure Guage Gen 4 mirrors "The More Complex The Mind, The Greater The Need For The Simplicity Of Play"

03-29-2006, 12:24 AM	#4
BrooklynBay Aerostar Forum Moderator Brooklyn, NY 88 89 93 95 96 Aerostars Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 31,020 Vehicle Specs	After reading this thread, I stopped by my local automotive tool warehouse to see if he had any in stock. I wanted to see one first hand. He said that stuff like this has to be ordered, and is very expensive (starting around $200). He said that in North America, there is only one manufacturer that makes torque wrenches for a lot of campanies so they could put their wrench, and logo on it. He showed me a picture in an S-K, and OTC catalog of a few models with the dial. Harbor Freight didn't list any cheap ones on their website. The ones in those catalogs were either 3/8", or 1/2" with 0-150 IN LBS, and 0-250LBS for the 3/8" models. Does anybody make a 1/4" version?

03-29-2006, 01:58 PM	#6
spindlecone B San Jose, Calif 2003 sport trac Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 4,923 Vehicle Specs	200 bux? I was raped J/K

03-29-2006, 08:01 PM	#7
BrooklynBay Aerostar Forum Moderator Brooklyn, NY 88 89 93 95 96 Aerostars Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 31,020 Vehicle Specs	How much is the Mac one in the picture?

03-29-2006, 08:16 PM	#9
BrooklynBay Aerostar Forum Moderator Brooklyn, NY 88 89 93 95 96 Aerostars Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 31,020 Vehicle Specs	Seriously, how much could one of these really cost? I know that some people here get discounts from Mac, and Snap On (if they make one of these too). Harbor Freight sells electronic models for under $300. I don't know how strong the electronic ones are.

03-29-2006, 08:51 PM	#11
glfredrick "The Pastornator" Louisville, Kentucky 1986 Ranger STX Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 3,339 Vehicle Specs	You might also want to check out Snap On's "Tech Wrench" an electronic torque wrench. It has the best of all worlds -- it has pre-set torques (with vibrate and beep to let you know you are there) and a digital read out of torque values as you turn the wrench. It also saves the high torque reading. An added benefit with the Tech Wrench is that it instantly changes from inch-pounds to foot-pounds to newton-meters with a push of a button. It also has a "zero" setting for calibration (it is always in calibration, as it uses a digital strain gauge instead of moving parts, and zeros every time you turn it on). It is the most accurate and repeatable torque wrench in existence! What's more, the cost is good for what you get -- around $300 for a super-accurate, repeatable, do-everything wrench. http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog __________________ Check out http://www.ucora.org

03-29-2006, 08:54 PM	#12
EMG7895 Wannabe Elite Explorer '91 xlt, 93 Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 1,590 Vehicle Specs	I have used those before, and they are very nice, just cant justify the price for occasional home use. My next $300 tool purchase will be a milwaukee right angle drill.

03-29-2006, 08:56 PM	#13
trucku Elite Explorer Queens, New York 2002 Explorer XLS 4.0 4x4 Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,969 Vehicle Specs	That's the wrench that dreams are made of...ME LIKES! __________________ 2002 XLS 4.0 SOHC 4x4. Frantz Bypass filter, Mobil 1 5W30.Perma-cool dual remote (2 full flow PureOne PL30001). Perma-cool remote transmission filter (Pure One PL30001). Scanguage II, Sunpro Oil Pressure Guage Gen 4 mirrors "The More Complex The Mind, The Greater The Need For The Simplicity Of Play"

03-29-2006, 08:57 PM	#14
BrooklynBay Aerostar Forum Moderator Brooklyn, NY 88 89 93 95 96 Aerostars Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 31,020 Vehicle Specs	Which one, the hole hawg, or the regular right angle drill?

03-29-2006, 09:01 PM	#15
BrooklynBay Aerostar Forum Moderator Brooklyn, NY 88 89 93 95 96 Aerostars Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 31,020 Vehicle Specs	The only feature that digital wrench is missing is a talking feature that announces when it reaches its predetermined torque setting.

03-29-2006, 09:02 PM	#16
EMG7895 Wannabe Elite Explorer '91 xlt, 93 Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 1,590 Vehicle Specs	Hole hawg

03-29-2006, 09:04 PM	#17
BrooklynBay Aerostar Forum Moderator Brooklyn, NY 88 89 93 95 96 Aerostars Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 31,020 Vehicle Specs	I have the Dewalt version of the hole hawg. It is very powerful, and has a 2 speed gear box.

05-12-2006, 12:59 AM	#18
Glacier991 EF Tranny Guru Sacramento, CA 95827 1992 XLT Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 9,805 Vehicle Specs	Maybe I should name my benefactor..... Spindlecone! Thank you my friend.

01-19-2007, 11:35 PM	#19
nbimports Wannabe Elite Explorer ny Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 5 Vehicle Specs	Help on how to set a torque wrench!!!!! Hello, I just bought a torque wrench Crafstman 44593 model 3/8 in drive 25-250 in.lbs.I have never used torque wrench before and i don't know how te set it.Values i have are in ft.lbs and this tool is showing in inch lbs.I need to set it 13 ft.lbs.I appreciate any help on how to use it. Thank you all. Attached Images