Torque Wrench Question
 

I bought the Park TW-1 and TW-2 torque wrenches recently. The TW-2 torque wrench, which has a 0-600 in/lbs range, has a 3/8 drive. My bit set fits 1/4 drives. My question is, does putting an 3/8" to 1/4" adapter on the TW-2 distort the torque values by any significant amount? Thanks in advance.

If you hold the wrench properly, it shouldn't change it by ANY amount.

+1. Hold it the same way and you will get the same results.

But if you use a crowfoot wrench, it will make a difference. Mine show the multiplication factor right on each wrench.

Where did you get those and are they still available?

You'll find them almost anywhere they have a decent selection of mechanic's tools.

With the right wrench you can use one of these and no multplication factor is needed.
http://www.stahlwille-online.de/pict...10_fot_012.jpg
But don't use a universal joint when using a torque wrench because applied torque may be more or less than indicated torque.

Where is the socket on that wrench? If it is in the "tail", it increases the lever arm, and therefore will require a computation.

special
 

special torque wrench required.

http://www.stahlwille-online.de/inde...=4893&cid=5022

I assume that you mean one of the 712R or 713R wrenches. The lever arm does change, but the wrench electronically senses which tool is attached, and computes the change internally. Correct?

I imagined that these would be very expensive, so I looked up a source for them. And I was right! For over $1500 (up to about $2500) a pop, they should do the computation for you. :rolleyes:

Just what every bike mechanic needs; a proprietary tool system!

For some reason Sears strikes me as the better choice.

Thread killer my @$$.

These torque wrenches are designed for inserts and do not require any multiplication of the reading for almosty all of the inserts, as the length of the fastner centre to wrench attachment is the same for most of them. I have a couple of the 730 series (mechanical) and they are some of the best about.Don't know if they are proprietary system as other manufacturers -- snap-on, hazet, also produce them. Also once you have the ratchet, square drive, or bit driver attachment then you can use standard socets. These can be got off ebay for quite reasonble prices. I got mine (unused) from some pommie guy who was selling a liquidation quantity cost me around USD 130

You can use a crow's foot with a torque wrence without using conversion tables (geometry permitting).
Put the jaws of the crow's foot at 90 degrees to the shaft (the handle) of the torque wrench, then there will be no additional moment arm.

Where would you need one of these in conjunction with a torque wrench on a bike?

You know, after all this, I don't remember. :( Possibly on the brake caliper attachment nuts. Or it may have been on my city bikes. In any case, it applies as well to other things besides bikes.

The only thing I can think of would be pedals, but who torques these anyway?

Axle lock nuts

You use a torque wrench to adjust hubs? That's dedication!

Didn't say I use it for that, but that is one use. Another is threaded headset lock nuts.

I think "unnecessary" is the word you really wanted there...

Fair enough there are places on a bike where you need to use an open ended wrench rather than a socket, but I don't think there are any that require a torque specific enough that it would require a wrench.

On my new Worksman bike, it gives recommended torque settings for the pedals, for the handlebar clamp bolt, for the handlebar stem bolt and for the seat adjustment bolt. Not that I used one. The pedals are the only ones that a socket won't go on. I used the "tighten 'er down good and if it moves, tighten it some more" method.

If you can estimate force, you can estimate torque- 25 lbs x 10" wrench = 250 in-lbs.

Actually, that's not proprietary. Facom (the "SnapOn" tools of France - expensive and very high quality) makes a torque wrench that uses that same form/fit. BTW, if you ever get to France, Facom cone wrenches are really beautiful tools. Much better than anything you can get in the U.S.

Facom is available in the U.S. I have several sets of their wrenches and other misc. tools to work on my cars, they look nice, but quality and functionality-wise not any different or better then Snap-on or Matco. Sears quality has declined over the last 4-5 years unfortunately, but so work OK. Not sure I trust their torque wrenches (Asian made).