Torque Wrench

What is it?

A torque wrench is used to accurately apply a specific amount of torque to a nut, bolt or other type of fastener. It is usually a socket wrench with special internal mechanisms to accurately measure the amount of torque used. Conrad Bahr invented the torque wrench in 1918.

Torque is the measurement of amount of force used on an instrument or item. Torque is often used to measure the force used to move, turn, or pivot the item. This is measured in units of in/oz, in lbs., ft/lbs., as well as metric units.

How do they work?

There are different types such as click, beam & dial. The click type is the most precise and uses a ball & spring mechanism. The spring is pre-loaded by an adjustable screw thread and the force is then applied to the ball. When the force applied by the spring is surpassed the ball clicks out of its socket. The beam type has an arm that indicates the amount of force being applied which can be read by looking at the pointer and the indication it shows on the scale. The dial type is as the name suggests where a dial indicator registers the amount of torque applied.

How are they used?

Torque wrenches are used to accurately apply & measure the amount of torque on nuts, bolts and other fasteners used in different industries such as construction, automotive and in manufacturing of thousands of different types of machines and devices as well as in the home. Engineers in these different disciplines have torque values assigned during the design phase to insure the various bolts, nuts, and other fasteners are tightened appropriately in order to maintain safety and reliability and to reach performance parameters. Without the use of torque wrenches many of the common products and devices we rely on everyday would not be dependable which would greatly complicate our lives.

How to maintain?

To keep a torque wrench maintained you should keep the wrench clean, well lubricated, and away from moisture. This way the wrench will not be subject to rust, corrosion, or damage. Make sure the click type does not have more than 20% of the range preloaded when the wrench is not in use as the spring can be permanently compressed (take a set) which makes the wrench inaccurate and unsuitable to use. You should also have your wrench calibrated on a regular basis to keep your measurements reliable and precise.

You can rely on Garber Metrology’s 40 years of experience to provide you with the accuracy and cost effective calibration of your torque wrenches for all of your projects.