If you’re looking to properly tighten bolts and screws on your car or motorcycle, you’ll need a torque wrench. This handy tool allows you to apply the correct amount of pressure so that your bolts and screws don’t become stripped or over-tightened.
In this blog post, experts will discuss how to use a torque wrench in inch-pounds. Stay safe and keep your car or motorcycle in good condition by using this information!
Table of Contents
An Inch Pound Torque Wrench: Definition
A torque wrench is a tool used to apply a precise amount of force to a fastener, such as a bolt or a nut.
Torque wrenches come in both imperial and metric units, with inch-pounds being the imperial unit of measure.
An inch-pound torque wrench is a toot that can help you loosen and tighten nuts, screws, or bolts on your machine using a specific torque.
It’s not just useful for mechanics; it’s also helpful for personal use, especially if you’re a DIY lover [1].
There are three main parts to every torque wrench: the handle, the head, and the scale.
The handle is what you grip while tightening or loosening the fastener. The head is where the actual torque is applied, and it can be either fixed or adjustable. The scale indicates how much force has been applied to the fastener and is typically measured in either inch-pounds or foot-pounds.
The handle of the torque wrench may have a dial, which will display how much force has been applied to the fastener, or it may simply have a pointer that points to different numbers on the scale.
The head can be adjusted by turning a knob located at the end of the handle and is used for changing between different units of measurement (such as from inches per pound to millimeters per Newton).
Benefits of Inch-Pound Torque Wrenches:
Easy to use
An inch-pound torque wrench is easy to use. You simply set the desired amount of force by turning a knob at the end of your handle and then apply it with no other instructions required.
Better for DIY lovers
Inch-pound torque wrenches are better for DIY lovers because they have fewer parts that could break or get lost, which means there’s less maintenance involved in keeping one working properly. They’re also much easier than their metric counterparts when trying to figure out how many Newton-meters equal an inch pounder!
Accurate measurement
One reason why people like using these instead of other types of tools such as hammers or impact drivers is that you can be sure that whatever nuts/screws/bolts you’re working on will be tightened or loosened to the correct level of force. This is because torque wrenches provide an accurate measurement, which prevents over-tightening or stripping bolts and screws.
Flexible handle
The handle on an inch-pound torque wrench is also very flexible, which gives you more control when applying pressure. This can be really helpful when working in tight spaces or trying to avoid damaging surrounding areas.
Efficient
Inch-pound torque wrenches are also more efficient than other types of tools because they use less energy and can get the job done faster.
Prevents damage to nuts/screws/bolts
Using an inch-pound torque wrench will help prevent damage to nuts, screws, or bolts by applying just enough force so that these items don’t become stripped or loose threads from over-tightening them. This means you won’t have any problems when trying to remove parts later on down the road either!
Types of Inch-Pound Torque Wrenches:
1) Digital/electronic type
The most expensive and precise instrument has a dial and click mechanism. The torque level may be checked via a digital LED display. This tool includes an alert system that sounds when the torque level has been attained.
2) A click-type wrench type
This is the most popular type of manual torque wrenches. The torque’s present value is achieved with a loud click.
3) Dial-type wrench
The value of the torque is shown on a dial with these wrenches. You must continue to twist the dial until you reach the specified amount.
4) A beam-type wrench
How Does It Work?
An inch-pound torque wrench is a wonderful tool for a few reasons. It allows you to apply force to tighten screws and bolts of a variety of applications and sizes. It aids in the tightening of bolts to the appropriate point. An inch-pound torque wrench is ideal for accuracy. This technique might be quite easy, depending on the type of wrench used.
You’ll find a knob or handle on the tool. This is what you use to set your desired amount of torque. There are many benefits in using an inch-pound torque wrench as opposed to other tools, such as hammers and impact drivers.
The Inches-to-Pounds Leverage System
The inch-pound leverage system is a method of measuring torque that uses two levers. The first lever provides an input force to turn the second lever; this output force can then be used in other applications such as driving screws into wood or turning nuts and bolts with ease [2].
This technique might seem like it would take too much effort, but when done correctly, you’ll find yourself using less energy than if you were trying to just tighten things by hand! This means more efficiency for those who don’t have time for manual labor all day long.
Converting Inch Pounds to Foot Pounds
The basic rule is that 12 inches equals one foot and the same quantity of feet equals one foot. If you have a screw with a torque of 30-foot pounds, for example, you must change it to inch-pounds by multiplying 12 by 30. To convert it back to foot-pounds, divide by 12.
Because of this, if you need to set your wrench to the 360 degrees marks, you simply identify the 350 torque amount on the twist and turn it till the indicator reaches 360 degrees with one hand on the pivot.
Stop spinning immediately after hearing this sound to avoid any potential over-tightening that might cause damage.
After you’ve verified that everything is in order, reset your torque wrench to its default position and keep it clean for future use [3].
How to Use and Set an Inch-Pound Torque Wrench?
A torque wrench is more precise than a standard type of twist since it offers greater precision. It enables you to measure the exact torque required for any machine or vehicle you’re working on. It has a lot of uses, particularly those that involve bolts, nuts, and screws. In a nutshell, this is the way to go if you want accurate outcomes. But how does it operate?
The technique is straightforward, depending on the type of wrench you are using. If you’re utilizing a click-type torque wrench, for example, you must have one hand on the pivot and firmly press down with the other on the handle.
Then begin to rotate in the opposing direction. When you hear a clicking sound from the equipment, stop turning immediately. This indicates that the torque has reached its limit. As a result, continuing may result in excessive fastener tightening.
Tips When Using Inch-Pound Torque Wrenches:
Always check the tool before you use it
It is required to make sure that the settings have not been changed. This can happen if the wrench is dropped or otherwise mishandled.
Keep your torque wrench clean at all times
When the instrument is dirty, you may have problems reading the dials or seeing what color LED lights are lit up. If you do use a click-type mechanism and hear clicks more frequently than normal, it could mean there’s dirt inside of them preventing them from working properly. This can cause over-tightening fasteners.
Use the inch-pound torque wrench only as intended
This means not using it to turn screws or bolts that are too big for the wrench. Doing so can damage the equipment.
Convert measurements as needed
When working with machinery or vehicles that require foot-pound torque, you’ll need to convert the measurement before use. There are conversion tables readily available online for this specific purpose.
If all of these instructions seem daunting, don’t worry! It will take some practice before becoming a pro at using an inch-pound torque wrench like a champ. But once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to apply just the right amount of pressure quickly and easily every time – without any guesswork involved.
Don’t apply too much force when tightening
Over-tightening is one of the most common mistakes made when using a torque wrench. If you’re unsure about how much force to use, start off by applying less than you think is necessary and then gradually increase the amount until it feels snug.
Store your wrench in a separate box or case
This will help to keep it from getting damaged and also make it easier to find when you need it.
Remember to calibrate the tool
Even though most torque wrenches have an automatic calibration function, you should still check it occasionally to make sure that everything is working properly. It is recommended to do so once per year or every six months if used daily. If there are any issues with calibration, contact customer support for assistance before continuing on your own – this can save time and money by avoiding costly repairs down the road!
Give it oil every so often
Torque wrenches need oiling just like other tools. It’s suggested that this be done once per month or as needed based on use to keep them working properly.
When not in use, store the tool at room temperature away from extreme heat sources such as direct sunlight or radiators because they can cause damage over time (this is especially true if left out all winter long) [4].
Are Your Inch Pound Torque Settings Hard to Read?
If the markings on your torque wrench are hard to read, you can purchase a Vernier caliper that will help make conversions easier. This handheld device has a graduated scale and measures in both metric and imperial units. It’s also helpful for taking precise measurements of objects.
Alternatively, there are torque wrenches that come with digital displays that make it easy to see what the settings are without having to do any calculations. These tend to be more expensive than traditional models, but they may be worth the investment if you frequently work with machinery or vehicles that require specific foot-pound measurements.
FAQ
1. Can you use an inch-pound torque wrench for foot-pounds?
No, you should only use an inch-pound torque wrench for measurements in inches and pounds. Converting to foot-pounds requires a different type of wrench.
2. How tight is 89 inch-pounds?
There’s no one definitive answer to this question. It will depend on the object being tightened and how much force is required. In general, 89 inch-pounds would be considered a light or moderate torque setting [5].
3. Is 400 pounds of torque good?
Again, there’s no one definitive answer to this question. It will depend on the object being tightened and how much force is required. 400 pounds of torque would be considered a high setting in most cases.
4. How do you measure inch-pounds without a torque wrench?
You can use a micrometer to measure inch-pounds. It’s best if you have one that measures in both metric and imperial units.
Alternatively, some people recommend using a wrench with a digital display so they always know what setting they’re at without having to do any calculations (this tends to be more expensive than traditional models) [6].
5. Is ft-lb the same as lb-ft?
No, ft-lb stands for foot pounds while lb-ft stands for pounds per foot. They are two different measurements [7].
Useful Video: How to Use A Torque Wrench (Foot Pound, Inch Pound, Digital Torque Wrench)
References:
- https://diytoolsnerd.com/how-to-use-an-inch-pound-torque-wrench
- https://blog.mountztorque.com/process-control/inch-pound-torque-wrenches-tighten-small-fasteners-and-produce-big-benefits
- https://www.gearhuts.com/how-to-set-torque-wrench-inch-pounds
- https://diytoolsnerd.com/how-to-use-an-inch-pound-torque-wrench
- http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthread.php?156649-80-inch-pounds
- https://www.vn750.com/threads/way-to-measure-in-lbs-without-tq-wrench.15716
- https://www.motorcycle.com/ask-mo-anything/is-it-lb-ft-or-ft-lbs.html