W. Carter Marcy
Aluminum
- Joined
- Dec 15, 2002
- Location
- Troy, NY, USA
A customer of mine has asked me to make what could best be described as a crows foot wrench with an extension between the square drive and the wrench opening. In other words, it looks like a standard combination wrench, but instead of the box end it has a square hole for a torque wrench to fit into. The customers intent is to use the torque wrench to regulate the amount of torque at the business end of the extension wrench. I believe that the intent is not to make a torque multiplier, but rather to adjust a nut that is only accessible in this way.
For the purpose of discussion let’s say this wrench is 24 inches from center of wrench opening to center of square drive. It will be used with the torque wrench in line with the axis of the extension wrench. The requirement is to apply 1600 ft/lbs of torque to the nut.
My questions are whether or not this is as simple as increasing the length of a lever, or is it more complicated? Does the fact that the torque wrench measures torque, not lbs force on the end of the handle make a difference. Does the type of torque wrench used matter (beam with pointer vs. micrometer style)? What torque value would need to be applied with the torque wrench to achieve the 1600 ft/lbs at the nut, using the extension?
My interest in the theory behind all of this purely academic. I will happily make what the customer has asked for, regardless of whether or not his theory is sound or not, as I was not asked to offer my opinion on the matter. I am interested to hear what other folks think.
For the purpose of discussion let’s say this wrench is 24 inches from center of wrench opening to center of square drive. It will be used with the torque wrench in line with the axis of the extension wrench. The requirement is to apply 1600 ft/lbs of torque to the nut.
My questions are whether or not this is as simple as increasing the length of a lever, or is it more complicated? Does the fact that the torque wrench measures torque, not lbs force on the end of the handle make a difference. Does the type of torque wrench used matter (beam with pointer vs. micrometer style)? What torque value would need to be applied with the torque wrench to achieve the 1600 ft/lbs at the nut, using the extension?
My interest in the theory behind all of this purely academic. I will happily make what the customer has asked for, regardless of whether or not his theory is sound or not, as I was not asked to offer my opinion on the matter. I am interested to hear what other folks think.