So did you use omniscience to know exactly how to use a torque wrench when you first got one at 18 off the internet which lacked instructions? Or did you go around the house experimenting with it on various items which have hex bolts? I lack the luxury of the first and I don't want the family backlash of undoing bolts from their property without having the manufacturer's torque specs for re-tightening them.

To the people who responded, thanks. I had a feeling it was that...something to do with the occasional hex heads which have a reverse direction to the usual clockwise=tighten and anti-clockwise=loosen. Although there wasn't much info online (aside from text with no useful images) like when I built a notebook and a few pcs and my Haynes Bike Book assumed a working knowledge of the wrench, I found videos on youtube so I'll give those a try since I learn practical things better from seeing others doing it.

This stuff is relatively simple compared to getting a degree in Maths and Economics or Medicine/Biochemistry, I think I can handle using a wrench without a bike shop...I just wanted some instructions, like when I use a 1000 page text book (i.e. comprehensive info) in university or a lecturer shows us how to proceed with a chemistry practical at the front of the lab before we do it...plus we have the text books for reference.

Cheers

Edit: Just re-read the thread:
I appreciate what people are saying/implying about safety, hence my concerns in the first post and asking a question online, even though I knew it would result in at least one person implying I don't have the aptitude to learn how to use a torque wrench. I've managed to install the stem, handlebars, brake levers, gear shifters, ahead compression bolt, light brackets, bell etc back on and removed the grips from the old bars (this WAS a hassle!) and put it onto the new bars. All I need to do is now tighten the stem bolts to 5.5nm with a torque wrench I just spent £50 on. I don't think I need to pay the LBS £10 just to spend 2mins tightening 6 bolts on the stem up just because I can't pull in depth knowledge of using one (Undefined on the generic instructions shimano provided) switch on a torque wrench out of the thin air.

Update:
Just saw the youtube video. My wrench made exactly the same (single loud) click sound as the person in the video for when something is tightened to the specified torque (as opposed to flipping the switch the other way where it sounds like coasting on a bike). So looks like I had installed it correctly. Lucky I didn't go and pay my LBS £10 for nothing as per advice by Bob.

I think the confusion arose for me since even when I'd switched the directional switch it was turning the hex bolt (clockwise) although it was still clicking (coasting) occasionally. I put this down to pushing slightly INTO the bolt with the wrench.