Triumphrat

suemchenry · 10-12-2005, 09:41 PM

I have a great site for doing conversions from nm to pound inches, but my question is, Can I just get a torque wrench from my local auto parts store for $20 that's in pound inches and do a mathematical conversion? Or is there more to it than that? This is just for minor stuff I might want to tackle at home. Anything more than that, I'll get a pro shop to deal with it.

[ This message was edited by: suemchenry on 2005-10-12 19:44 ]

bobshields55 · 10-12-2005, 11:16 PM

Hi Sue

You can certainly do the math and use the calculator for your torque value conversions. Nothing more to it, not complicated.

You get what you pay for, and I might recommend that you spend a bit more than $20 to a get a torque wrench that is going to be reliable. It would be nice if you knew someone that could periodically check/calibrate your torque wrench for you. I am lucky in that respect because we have a torque checking meter at work.

donco · 10-13-2005, 12:10 AM

Even the cheapie versions of current style chrome plated click-stop torque wrenches have n-m on one side of the scale settings and in-lb (or ft-lb) on the other side. To answer your question, torque is torque and the units convert directly from one system to the next so keep doing what you used to do to convert as required when you need to.

I agree with Bob's reply about getting a good quality one. I bought a cheapie from Harbor Freight & it's way off, it clicks off at least 5 to 10 ft-lbs higher than what it's set at and is a risk for breaking/stripping, or overtightening bolts, I should throw it away & get a good one. The lever type is a bit safer in that respect as long as they go back to zero without a torque applied. The click-stop ones make you go by faith unless you have a means to calibrate it.

jimmyj900 · 10-13-2005, 12:48 AM

The only inexpensive and reasonably accurate torque wrenches are the double-beam type, but they've become very hard to find.

The 'click' type torque wrenches need regular calibration to retain accuracy and unless you're willing to pay top dollar for a Snap-On or equivalent you'll be very lucky to find one that's inherently accurate.

Jim

suemchenry · 10-13-2005, 05:36 AM

Exactly the guidance I was looking for. Thanks!

Sue

10-13-2005, 04:39 PM

Regarding torque unit conversions - here's a link to a site with a download for "convert.exe" which, as an engineer, I find to be really useful for all sorts of imperial/metric conversions - not just torque!

www.joshmadison.com/software/convert/

And once you've downloaded it and stuck it on your desktop you don't need to be on line to use it...