The ten things you should know about your torque wrench - Blog

Torque wrenches are common place across a variety of industrial processes, commercial garages and even homes wherever there is a precision assembly process utilising threaded fasteners. Considering their widespread use however, there remains a number of things that people get wrong or simply don’t know.

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Here Philip Brodey at Norbar Torque Tools highlights the top ten things to consider:

• Storing your torque wrench

When a torque wrench is in regular use it does not need to be wound back. However, when storing a torque wrench for an extended period of time, users should always wind it down to the minimum scale setting and never to zero.

A fully loaded torque wrench, left in storage for a long period, can cause a set in the spring, causing it to weaken over time. On the other end of the scale, by completely off-loading the spring, other components within the wrench may move fractionally relative to each other. When you reapply spring compression the orientation of these components can change, therefore affecting accuracy. All in all, it is better to leave a bit of compression in the spring while in storage.

• For accurate results, one click is enough

Users often allow torque wrenches to click multiple times, without being aware of the additional torque being applied to the bolts. Operate your torque wrench in a smooth and steady manner and remember that one click is enough.

• Using your wrench on an anticlockwise thread

Many torque wrenches will only indicate in the clockwise direction. Therefore, it is necessary for users to always check the wrench’s specification before using it on an anti-clockwise thread to ensure the tool is suitable and, prevent a loss of torque control. Examples of left-hand threads include the left-hand wheel nuts of certain vehicles and the left pedal of bicycles.

• Converting between torque units

Converting torque units can be tricky but is a very precise process. To help users calculate units more easily, they can turn to Norbar’ s calculator app available on IOS and Android. Alternatively, the calculator is also available online at https://www.norbar.com/Home/Torque-Unit-Converter.

• Adjusting your torque wrench

Equipment manufacturers will always provide the required torque for any given piece of equipment and so when adjusting your torque wrench, it is important to ensure that these levels are met. Remember to always adjust the wrench up the scale to the required torque figure to ensure accurate setting.

• Using marked loading points for accurate results

Most torque wrenches are length dependent and feature a marked loading point on the handle but, many people don’t use it. For accurate results, most torque wrenches have to be operated with your hand centred over the marked load point. It is also essential that this load point is observed when it comes to calibrating the torque wrench.

• Using torque wrenches for undoing

So long as users operate with caution and do not exceed the maximum torque, most torque wrenches can be used for undoing. However, if the bolt will not free within the maximum torque of the wrench, another tool should be used instead. By exceeding the maximum torque limit during a bolt loosening you can affect the wrench accuracy, causing problems for future use. If in any doubt, use another tool for loosening bolts.

• Adding extensions to the torque wrench handle

Users should never put a pipe or any other kind of extension onto a torque wrench handle as doing so can seriously damage the tool and make it inaccurate, never mind the potential safety hazard.

• Locking it in

It can be all too easy to accidentally adjust the settings of a wrench during use so, if your torque wrench is fitted with an adjustment lock, you should always apply it before operating the wrench in order to avoid any unintended changes.

• Applying ‘crows foot’ type fittings to a torque wrench

‘Crows foot’ type fittings can be applied to a torque wrench square drive but they will alter the torque. It is therefore important that a suitable offset is applied to the set torque. For guidance with setting offsets, users can download Norbar’s Torque Extension App for IOS and Android.

Keeping this advice in mind will see users getting more from their tool, with the wrenches becoming more accurate and lasting longer. The tips are simple, but the implementation of these basic rules can often be forgotten and that’s when mistakes can happen.

We hope that users will see the benefit of this advice, take on board the comments and apply them, ensuring accurate results and the safety of applications.

When it comes to mechanics, industrial, and aerospace tools, such as wrenches, ratchets, sockets, and similar accessories, there is a broad spectrum of brands and products to choose from.

This post was originally published in June , and it seemed interesting to revisit it over 10 years later, in February . The post will remain as it was originally written, with new updates, comments, and responses where noted.

Casual – These tools are for the once-in-a-while DIYers, and include a lot of the inexpensive multi-functional and “innovative” seasonal tools that are typically given as gifts around Christmas time and Father’s Day.

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Entry-Level – There are many options available for DIYers that don’t quite know what they might need and who want the greatest bang for the buck. Entry-level tools aren’t particularly good for heavy use or demanding applications, but they’re usable and can get the job done.

Mid-Level – Better brands, such as Craftsman Professional (at least with their previous USA-made lines), are not quite at the same level as other industrial brands, but offer tools that are stronger or better featured than less expensive entry-level ones. These tools are appealing to DIYers and weekend warriors with higher budgets, and a lot of professional users earn their livings with some or many mid-level tools.

Professional and Industrial – When you need more features, better strength, top-quality, and greater breadth of size and style selection, consider a professional or industrial brand. This is the category that the rest of this discussion is mainly about.

Super-Premium – When you need absolute uncompromised quality, as well as at-your-door service, tool truck brands such as Snap-on are at the highest rung of the quality and price ladder.

USA-Made Professional & Industrial Tool Brands

We are asked this question a lot, and often see it on enthusiast forums in various forms:

Which is a good mid-level mechanics tool brand? I’m looking to buy USA-made tools and cannot afford Snap-on.

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The answer used to be that Craftsman Professional was the way to go, but in recent years they discontinued many if not all of their USA-made tools, replacing them with redesigns that are manufactured overseas. Craftsman Professional tools offered fantastic bang for the buck, and it was often believed that many Craftsman pro tools were relabeled Armstrong tools.

– Craftsman is now under new leadership, and their attempt to return to USA hand tool manufacturing failed.

There really aren’t any mid-level USA-manufacturing mechanics tool brands around to fill the holes left by the departed Craftsman Professional line, but there are some great reasonably-affordable professional and industrial brands to consider.

– this remains true. However, Tekton has launched some reasonably priced USA-made hand tools in recent years, and seems motivated to continue along that path.

Although I sometimes describe this category as simply being mechanics tools, the same tools are often used in aerospace and other industries. It’s a simplification to describe these tools as being mechanics tools, but one that usually works.

Why USA?

This is a question everyone must answer for themselves.

For me, USA-made typically means high quality tools, experienced engineering, and a history of excellence that instills a sense of trust and reliability. It typically also means easier warranty replacement or greater availability and quicker acquisition of new tools.

I should point out that, while I often prefer USA-made mechanics tools, quality and functionality are my top priorities. I recently purchased Wera tools that are made in the Czech Republic, and Facom tools that are made in Taiwan. The Wera and Facom tools are not quite challenged by any current USA-made offerings.

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Brands

All but one of these brands are part of other larger corporations (more info about large tool corporations).

Armstrong – Formerly part of the Apex Tool Group

Proto – Part of Stanley Black & Decker

SK Hand Tool – Formerly part of Ideal Industries – now part of Hangzhou GreatStar Industrial Co

Williams – Part of Snap-on Industrial Group

Wright – An independent manufacturer

– of these tool brands, 1 no longer exists and 1 shifted most production to China. To my knowledge, Proto, Williams, and Wright still produce wrenches, ratchets, and sockets – among other tools – in the USA, although not exclusively.

Armstrong

My experience with Armstrong is mostly limited to relabeled Craftsman Professional products, mainly wrenches, and a few Armstrong wrenches.

A contributor reviewed the Armstrong Maxx locking flex ratchet a while back, and really liked it.

Armstrong seems to be more aimed towards government, aerospace, and military users, but a lot of their tools are affordable and easy to find for mechanics and independent users. They’re solidly made and worth the investment.

– Apex Tool Group eliminated the Armstrong tool brand in , and funneled users towards Gearwrench and Crescent tool brands.

Proto

Proto has become one of my favorite industrial tool brands. Their new spline ratcheting wrenches are great, their Duratek screwdrivers are awesome, and their ratchets are both consistently good and affordable.

They also make great accessories as well, such as the locking extensions that we reviewed, and ratchet adapters for your breaker bar.

I like to think that, if there’s something you need, Proto makes it. Not all of their tools are made in the USA, but most are. And if there’s something that you need that they don’t offer, you could probably find it under one of their sister brands that are also under the Stanley Black & Decker umbrella.

Although not quite Proto, Facom – one of the brand’s sister companies – makes some really great angled socket wrenches that are compact yet highly versatile. They also have advantages when faced with nuts on longer fasteners or threaded rod.

– Proto remains a fairly reliable source for USA-made hand tools.

SK Hand Tool

Although I have very little experience with SK in the past, I have read numerous times that their quality has gone back up to former levels, following their bankruptcy and acquisition by Ideal Industries.

There are quite a few compelling innovative tool designs in SK’s lineup, and so it’s exciting to see that they’re back in action and looking to reclaim lost market share.

Our reviews of their bit driver sockets, thumbwheel ratchet, and a socket set left me reasonably impressed and with a taste for more.

– Ideal Industries sold SK Tools to Great Star. SK has faced backlash for shifting a majority of their production to China. It is no longer clear how many or which tools are still made in the USA.

The company has not fully updated their language or product images online. For example, their thumbwheel ratchet listing at Amazon is marked in images as being made in USA, but the description now says it’s made in China.

Williams

Williams offers tools that are made in the USA, and ones that are made overseas, but it’s easy to differentiate the separate lines by looking through their catalog. A quick but not sure way to know if a Williams tool is made in the USA is to look at the part number. If it starts with letters instead of being all numbers, there’s a good chance it’s a USA-made tool.

There is a lot of debate whether Williams tools are simply relabeled Snap-on tools without the premium prices attached to tool truck distribution structure, but insiders have pointed out a few subtle changes, such as the level of attention given to finishing tools prior to chrome plating.

I recently purchased a few Williams tools, and am pretty pleased with the quality thus far. Their SuperCombo wrenches that we briefly reviewed are popular tools for users first buying into the Williams brand, as are their fabulous hard-handled screwdrivers.

– Williams, along with Snap-on, their parent company, still produces hand tools in the USA. The notes about there being USA-made and imported hand tools, with clues given by the model number, seems to remain accurate.

Wright

My experience lies mainly in a small ratchet and 7pc set if WrightGrip wrenches that are beautifully finished with a satin polish.

Wright doesn’t produce anywhere near as many tools as the other brands, but there are a few gems in their offerings, such as their stellar wrenches.

– Wright remains a lesser-known USA hand tool manufacturer.

Which to Buy?

There’s no one best brand. All of these are brands of tools that I own, and all are brands that I would recommend. Which one might be for you depends on what you’re looking for and how much you’re willing to spend.

We have some test samples coming in, and also a large number of purchases inbound. In other words, we have plenty of reviews planned for the next few months to help you see the best of what each brand offers, and to help you determine which – if any – might be nice additions to your toolbox.

It wouldn’t be unwise to stick with just one brand, but personally I like to built my toolbox with a motley of brands that includes – but is not limited to – the 5 mentioned here.

Which mid-to-high level USA brands would you recommend for tools such as ratchets, sockets, wrenches, and other such tools?

– There are fewer USA-made options than 10+ years ago. Your best bets, besides looking towards Snap-on and other tool truck brands, are Proto, Williams, and Wright. There are other brands for USA-made tools other than wrenches, ratchets, and sockets, but fewer options when it comes to these types of core tools.

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