Torque wrench- beam vs. clicker

[hobie237]

Let's hear it!

[swivel]

I voted clicker, however, I do use a beam bar to make sure be sure my clicker is still calibrated once in a while.

[hobie237]

I'm in the same boat. I wouldn't use a clicker without checking it with a beam first, and I usually just go ahead and use the beam-style, as it cuts out the middleman. ;)

Then again, I don't use a torque wrench as often as I probably should. ;) I tend to read torque specs and translate them in my head to "a firm tug" or "only a light pull" rather than specific numbers.

[swivel]

Then again, I don't use a torque wrench as often as I probably should. ;) I tend to read torque specs and translate them in my head to "a firm tug" or "only a light pull" rather than specific numbers.

Lol, at least I'm not the only one. Engine work is the only place where I *really* do it by the book.

[pilot_ben]

I use a clicker, but one that's calibrated annually. The shop tools need to be calibrated once a year, so I borrow them any time I have something that needs a torque wrench. But that's not very often as I follow what seems to be the growing trend of, "light pull," "firm tug," or my favorite, "really REALLY tight." I also use the more general german torque of good-n-tight.

[hobie237]

One thing that constantly amazes me is the number of people who use a torque wrench all the time but never even check and see whether it's close to correct calibration- may as well just guess.

Another thing that's always frustrating is how much slower it is to work on other peoples' cars. When it's my car, I'll just go through lots of jobs without a second glance at a torque spec, but when I'm doing it for somebody else, it's gotta be right, and it takes seemingly eons longer as I look up the various torque specs. It's not ACTUALLY that much longer, but it sure feels like it.

[swingdancr]

Didn't see an option for: What's a torque wrench?

[hobie237]

Not knowing what one is, you'd likely use it to "exert a lot of torque" rather than "exert measured torque," in other words, use it as a breaker bar. Check that box. ;)