Controlled torque in industrial applications is very important. In the industrial setting, we do not use the small tools such as click torque wrenches, since their maximum torque is too limited.

The two main tools used in heavy torque applications are the hydraulic and pneumatic torque wrenches.

In heavy construction, motor vehicle assembly, metalwork, oil rigs and large ships, there are heavy-duty fasteners. To tighten such nuts and bolts, you need to torque them to the recommended pressure/force.

This is where the hydraulic, pneumatic and electric torque wrenches come in.

These tools may be intended for the same purpose, which is the application of precise force on fasteners. However, they still have some differences.

By design, the pneumatic one uses air for power while the other one uses hydraulics (fluid). Physically, the two power tools look very different.

What is a hydraulic torque wrench?

These are two different tools; otherwise, they would have the same name. The hydraulic torque wrench comes in two types. There is the low profile one and then there is the one that comes with a square drive.

If a tool uses hydraulics for power, it means it is using pressurized fluid. A small amount of fluid can be subjected to a lot of pressure to produce a lot of force.

In this case, hydraulic powered torque wrenches can be used to apply torque levels of more than 20,000 ft-lb. A typical torque range for hydraulic-type torque wrenches is 150 to 29,000 ft-lb.

Compared to a digital torque wrench that has a torque range of 5 to 200 ft-lb, you can see just how powerful a hydraulic powered torque wrench is.

Water-soluble oil is the main fluid used in hydraulic systems. It is pressurized and circulated under controlled conditions to the motor, where it is then converted to mechanical energy.

Low profile hydraulic torque wrench

What is low profile torque wrench? As the name suggests, this is a small hydraulic-powered tool that fits over bolts in tight spaces.

The main parts of the low profile hydraulic-powered wrench are the cassette that can fit a given fastener size.

The cassette is not a permanent feature because you can change the cassettes depending on the fasteners that you want to tighten.

Another part of the torque wrench is the drive, which connects to the hydraulic pump. This is the power source that powers this tool.

Low-profile hydraulic torque wrenches slip over a bolt in tight or recessed spaces. This torque wrench consists of a cassette that fits a specific bolt size and a drive that connects to a hydraulic pump to provide power. Cassettes can be changed to match the bolt shape and diameter.

Square drive hydraulic torque wrench

From the name, perhaps you can already tell that this torque wrench comes with a fixed square head, just like a manual torque wrench.

To use this type of torque wrench, you will need a square or hexagonal adapter. Adapter just means socket, the same way you would need one with a click or manual torque wrench.

The square drive is fixed and it is on one side. It increases the bulkiness of the wrench, which makes it harder to reach fasteners in squeezed spaces.

Please note that the main difference between the square drive hydraulic type torque wrench and the low profile one is that the latter slips onto the bolt that it is tightening or loosening.

How a hydraulic torque wrench works

Knowing the best hydraulic torque wrench to buy is not enough. You must also know how it works so that you can get the full value of your money out of it.

There is a learning curve, so you need to read the user manual keenly. Some companies will even take you for training to know how to use these tools.

You should not take the information here as your main guide because every tool is different. What we will bring you here are just guidelines for how a hydraulic tool works.

To get the full effectiveness of this tool, first, there are a few things to take care of. You must know the recommended torque of the fasteners that you are tightening.

You can ask your company engineers or you can read the service manual (if you are working on a truck or bus).

Read the user manual to know how to connect the tool to the hydraulic pump, and how to set the torque on the torque wrench. The torque that you set must match that of the fastener.

Wear the appropriate protective gear when working with this tool. It is heavy and it uses a source of power. These are high-pressure tools since they use hydraulic fluid under high pressure of up to 10,000PSI. Equally, they have a high torque output of up to 50,000 ft-lb.

Remember also that the hydraulic pump is not the main source of power. Electricity or an air compressor power the hydraulic pump and in return, it powers the torque wrench.

Follow the guidelines; give the machinery a visual check to ensure that everything is in good order.

What is a pneumatic torque wrench?

This is one of the most advanced torque wrenches in the market. Like the hydraulic type, it comes with a motor, which provides the power to tighten fasteners. However, in the pneumatic style torque wrench, the motor is powered by air pressure from a compressor.

This tool can perform high-speed rotations and tighten high-torque fasteners faster. This is why this type of torque wrench is used in automotive garages, factories, aircraft hangars and other industrial settings.

This kind of high power torque wrench also comes with a planetary gearbox. This kind of gear is used in systems that are restricted to small sizes but have to have a high torque output.

On the same note, this type of gearing is also safer for the tool, the user and the equipment they are working on.

Types of pneumatic torque wrenches

Pneumatic torque wrenches come in two main types. These are stall torque nutrunners and shut-off nutrunners.

Shut-off nutrunner

This kind of torque wrench runs continuously until you achieve the torque that you had set and then it stops tightening.

This is the safest type of a pneumatic-style wrench to use because it leaves no room for error. Once it tightens the nuts to completion, it just stops completely.

If you do not have experience using this kind of a power tool, this one will be easy to use. It is especially good for uniform tightening jobs and it can help you work speedily.

Stall torque nutrunners

To use this kind of pneumatic torque wrench, you should set the air pressure because of the torque. If you set a high air pressure, the wrench will tighten harder and longer.

These tools give continuous rotation but the torque applied on the fastener will depend on the air pressure that you have set.

To set the torque that you want to tighten your fastener to, you ought to know the correct air pressure level to reach that torque.

You should also be careful because varying the air pressure will definitely change the torque applied on a fastener.

As you can see, the stall torque nutrunners have a learning curve, so they may not be too good for beginners.

How does pneumatic torque wrench work

Using a pneumatic torque wrench requires some learning. There is some setting up to do to connect the air hoses and all.

To know how this torque wrench works, you need to know how it is built. Inside, a turbine-rotor turns a shaft inside the gearbox.

On the end of the shaft, there is an adjustable clutch that will fall when it reaches a given tension (the preset torque level).

On the other end of the shaft, you can attach the socket that you are using to tighten your fasteners. What happens here is that when you tighten the nut, the clutch holds until you reach the final torque. When that happens, the clutch is released and the wrench stops tightening.

Air-powered torque wrenches are light in weight. Therefore, they are used in automotive garages. They can also be used on the delicate car parts in the engine bay. If it can fit in the space, use it because it is very accurate.

Even for heavy-duty nuts and bolts that require a large amount of torque, you can use the pneumatic wrench because it absorbs all of the vibration so your arms will not feel a thing.

Hydraulic vs Pneumatic Torque Wrench: How They Compare

If you are wondering what to get between the pneumatic and hydraulic torque wrench, well, it is best to compare the two side-by-side, so that you can take the one with the most features.

Here, we are going to look at the performance of the two tools, at different factors such as speed, accuracy, usability, price and size/weight.

Accuracy: Hydraulic wins

The accuracy of a precision tool is very vital. That is the entire point behind buying a torque wrench rather than using a regular spanner for the job.

The complex working mechanism of the hydraulic torque wrenches makes them more accurate, with an accuracy rating of +/-3%.

Pneumatic torque wrenches on the other hand have a lower accuracy rating of +/-5%. While this is not too bad, if you want the torque to be as close to 100% of the set value as possible, you had better use a hydraulic powered torque wrench.

You will also find that repeatable torque accuracy differs between the two tools. The accuracy of the repeatable torque of the hydraulic torque wrench is +1% while that of the pneumatic one is 2%.

Usability: Pneumatic wins

If you are a beginner and the only choice you have is between these two types of torque wrenches, go with the pneumatic one.

It has a shorter learning curve. It is light in weight and even connecting it to the air compressor and tweaking the regulator and the gauges is simple enough.

The hydraulic torque wrench is a bit complicated to use. Even the setup is a bit complicated, so you will have to refer to the manual at every step.

You can get a pneumatic torque wrench with a digital display so that you can set the torque easily, and so you can watch the pressure and everything.

You can also get a hydraulic type wrench that has a display so you can see the pressure of the hydraulic fluid and your real-time torque.

You can use both tools to tighten and loosen fasteners.

Size and weight: Hydraulic wins

Pneumatic adjustable torque wrench looks bulbous and big. It is bulky and heavy, sometimes weighing even up to 25 pounds. However, if you are strong, you can still use it for long hours without feeling too cramped at the wrists.

Hydraulic adjustable torque wrench is smaller, lighter and the low profile one can be used to tighten industrial fasteners in squeezed spaces. Most of the hydraulic type wrenches weigh less than 10 pounds.

Don’t also forget that both tools use pumps, one for air and the other for hydraulic fluid, as their power source. If you are thinking about weight and portability, it can be a headache to travel with the different components.

Working speed: Pneumatic wins

The pneumatic wrench works fast because it can run at 10 or higher RPM (for the very advanced ones).

The hydraulic torque wrench can barely get up to 3 RPM. If you are doing a lot of repetitive work at the garage, you might want to choose the pneumatic over the hydraulic torque wrench.

 Cost: Pneumatic is cheap

Cost is one of the determining factors for what to get between pneumatic torque wrench vs hydraulic wrench. And the pneumatic one can be as cheap as 50% compared to the cost of the hydraulic wrench.

The hydraulic wrench must come with a hydraulic pump so that it can work. The pneumatic one requires no such thing.

Even buying the electric hydraulic pump itself is more expensive than an electric air compressor for working with your air-powered torque wrench.

Wrapping Up

Your choice of a heavy-duty torque applicator is not limited to the hydraulic vs pneumatic torque wrench.

There is also the electric torque wrench. However, eventually, for industrial torque applications, the choice comes down to pneumatic or hydraulic torque wrench.

Both will give you good value for money. However, they require keener maintenance, storage and usage than the smaller torque wrenches.

Using pneumatic and hydraulic torque wrenches follows just about the same process. It goes as follows:

• Assembling the components (mostly for the hydraulic one since it comes dismantled)
• Setting the torque value that you require
• Use the right socket for the fastener you are tightening. For the hydraulic one, you will use a cassette matching the fastener you want to tighten.

Hydraulics work very differently from pneumatic systems, so the process will never be exactly the same. Learn how each tool works carefully before you use it.

These two tools do the same job – they tighten fasteners and they measure the torque applied. Still, even from their design alone, they are completely different.

Don’t let the terms digital and manual confuse you. These just mean the way that the tools measure torque.

When the digital, also called the electronic torque wrench reaches the set torque, it gives a buzz, vibration or flashes a light.

When the manual, also called click torque wrench attains the desired torque level, it gives an audible click so you can stop tightening your fasteners.

In some aspects, these tools work in the same way because your body weight is the source of power when you are tightening lug nuts or other fasteners.

Main differences between Digital vs Manual Torque wrench

If you are in a hurry, here is a table giving a sneak peek of their outstanding differences:

How does a manual torque wrench work?

If you have been using a manual type torque wrench for your bicycle repairs, you may have wondered how it actually works.

It is really simple.

The main parts of a manual torque wrench

First, there is the handle where you apply force (from your body weight using your hands) to tighten fasteners.

Secondly, there is the head, which can be round, square or teardrop/pear in shape. The head also has something that we call the drive, which is a square head or knob.

Some manual wrenches come with a hex-style drive, so do not be alarmed. The drive is the connector between the wrench and the socket.

The socket (which may or may not be supplied with the torque wrench) goes on the fastener. On the drive, we may have a safety mechanism referred to as the spring-loaded ball detent system.

It holds the socket and it will not release it until you press a button, designed for that.

Mechanical clutch

The head of the wrench (socket and all) is attached to a long beam (which also has a small mechanical clutch), which is contained in the outer handle.

The outer handle is also attached to the head of the wrench at a given pivot point. It is cylindrical in shape and so the beam attaching to the head is contained in this handle.

Compression spring

This beam is farther connected to a spring. The work of the spring is to apply compression to the clutch. At the end of the wrench handle, there is a dial, whose work is to adjust the compression of the spring.

The more compression you create in the spring to set the torque (the recommended fastener tightening force), the more force it will take to disengage the mechanical clutch from the inner beam.

When you set the torque, you have to twist the handle. The handle then applies a calibrated amount of tension to the spring, equal to the torque (force) you have set.

As you continue tightening your fastener, the clutch prevents the inner beam from slipping off the pivot point (where the outer handle cylinder is attached to the inner beam, it is a pivot, so it can move/swing). It will hold but as the force builds up (as you continue tightening), it cannot hold anymore.

So, it slips, and swings/rotates at the pivot point.

When this happens, the inner beam hits the cylindrical handle, so you hear the click, which alerts you that you have attained the set torque and you can stop tightening the fastener.

What is a digital torque wrench and how does it work?

Many people ask, are digital torque wrenches worth it? They are, 100 percent, to people who want to have it easy.

Usually, if you already have a manual torque wrench, you need not get an electronic one. Despite the different mechanisms, the result is the same.

This torque wrench looks like a manual wrench. However, along the shaft, there is a small LCD or LED display with buttons on the side for entering your torque settings. This type of wrench uses batteries, which can run low and need replacement.

Because of the ease of use, all that you need to do is to find out the specified torque for the fastener that you want to tighten.

You should then set the torque value of the fastener on the display screen. After that, attach the socket and commence tightening the fastener.

Stop tightening as soon as you hear a buzz, feel a vibration or see a flash of light.

Do digital torque wrenches need to be calibrated?

All types of torque wrenches, including electric types, need to be calibrated so that they can apply precise force on nuts and bolts. Even an electronic torque wrench requires to be calibrated.

Because of the sophisticated design of the electronic torque wrenches, most people think that these tools do not lose their calibration.

Others think that the tool self-calibrates after every use. However, this is not true at all.

If you drop this torque wrench on the floor, it will lose calibration. The same can also happen when you hit it against, or with something.

Even if all these do not happen to the digital-type torque wrench, the general recommendation is to calibrate a torque wrench once every 1000 to 5000 cycles, or once in 12 months.

Torque-sensitive fasteners in the engine bay, spark plugs and other parts require to be torqued to the recommended torque.

However, if you are using an electronic torque wrench that has lost its calibration, you can get false torque readings. Imagine the wrench showing that the fastener is torqued to 150 ft-lb, when in reality it is only torqued to 130 ft-lb.

When the torque wrench has not lost its calibration, it will self-calibrate when you switch it on, so that you can use it.

Sometimes, you might switch on your torque wrench and it will display an error reading. If this happens, most of the electronic torque wrenches just require you to place them on a flat surface for a few seconds and they right themselves.

Please note that this form of self-calibration does not mean you should not take it for laboratory or expert calibration in the due time.

Digital vs Manual Torque Wrench: Main Differences

If you looked at the table that we used in the second section of this post, you know there are some outstanding differences between manual vs digital torque wrenches.

The way they work

The manual or click torque wrench works in a very mechanical way. When you twist the handle to set the torque value, there is compression inside the handle.

As you tighten the fastener, the spring compression increases. When you reach the set torque/force, it clicks. (please check the third section of this post).

The electronic torque wrench on the other hand is simpler to use. It uses batteries and once you switch it on, it self-calibrates in 2 seconds.

You can then enter your torque value using the buttons provided for that. You can then commence tightening the fastener and when you reach the final torque, you will hear a buzzer, feel vibration or see a flash.

Ease of use

Here, the electronic torque wrench takes the award. They do not come any more plug n play than this one.

Everything about it is so simple, including setting the torque. The torque readout is also hard to miss even when you are using the wrench in a noisy place. If you do not get the buzzer, you cannot miss the flash of light or the vibration alert.

On the other hand, the manual style torque wrench has a longer learning curve. You must first learn how to set the torque before you can use it. This requires twisting the handle to match the torque value you want.

Durability

Generally, a click torque wrench will not last as long as a digital one. If you take good care of it, it can last through many frequent uses.

The manual wrench is more vulnerable because of the delicate spring mechanism. However, it is cheaper so that compensates for the short durability.

Torque accuracy

The accuracy rating of the different wrenches is more or less the same. However, because the electronic torque wrench is too sensitive, it is easier for it to lose its accuracy, faster than the click-type one.

If you drop it or hit it against something, the accuracy will be affected. If you use it repeatedly, its accuracy can suffer.

Please note that even the manual torque wrench also requires careful handling. Mishandling it can make it lose its calibration.

Torque readout

The two types of torque wrenches are different in the way they give their torque readout. The electronic one is better because it displays real-time torque on the display, in large numbers so you can read easily.

It also gives other alerts such as a buzzer, a flash of light or vibration. Besides, it will hold torque for 15 seconds so there is no risk of under-tightening your fasteners.

Which is better between manual vs digital torque wrench?

If you are a professional mechanic, you will need many types of tools, including varied torque wrenches.

For trucks and big machinery, a pneumatic torque wrench is appropriate. For cars and smaller trucks, get a manual or electronic torque wrench, or both!

The click type torque wrench is more affordable, with some of the very best brands costing about $40. Digital ones are costlier, but they give great value for money because of ease of use, durability and quality of work.

If you are asked to choose between these two tools, choose the electronic one. It is more stylish and it measures torque in as many as five different units while the manual one mostly does three units.

Wrapping Up

If you get the click torque wrench, you will get a good deal. A digital torque wrench will give you a better deal though.

What you get between the two generally boils down to your budget and preference. Some people just prefer digital tools because of their ease of use. Others feel more in control when they use a manual tool.

Remember, you still have to get the sockets that you will use with the two tools. Therefore, between digital vs manual torque wrench, get the one that suits your budget in the best way possible.

For faster work, get the digital one. If you are new to tools and you would like to remove the guesswork out of the picture, get the digital one.

Whether you are a professional mechanic or a handy do-it-yourself person who loves to do their own car or motorcycle maintenance, it is possible you have these two tools in your collection.

However, if this is the first time you are setting out to build your tool kit, you might find it confusing to tell the difference between a torque wrench and a ratchet.

After all, both tools can be used to tighten fasteners. It is easy to mistake one tool for the other.

However, not anymore because here, we are all about tools. For instance, in another article, we compared a torque wrench vs impact wrench.

In this post, we’ll show you the outstanding differences, and similarities (if any) of these two tools.

When do you need to use a torque wrench?

Usually, we would start by looking at what a torque wrench is. However, we will not because we have covered this tool extensively, with all its types in various blog posts.

So, on to when you might need to use a torque wrench, use it when you need precision and reliability.

These tools are used mostly when tightening fasteners on a motorcycle, car, RV, boat, bicycle and other things.

They come in different types, the small ones being the manual torque wrenches, also called click wrenches. They give a click to indicate when final torque is reached.

Most of the others such as beam torque wrenches and digital type torque wrenches fall in the same category of small wrenches.

The small torque-application wrenches are usually used for tightening needs not exceeding 300 ft-lb.

However, bigger ones such as the pneumatic torque wrench use air for power. You can use this one for heavy-duty torque applications requiring up to 35,000 ft-lb.

They find most of their use in automotive garages that handle trucks and buses, shipyards, petroleum rigs and in the construction industry.

Every fastener is torque-sensitive. Therefore, when you are tightening something in the engine bay, you should check the service manual of your car. Do the same when you are tightening lug nuts.

In industrial repairs, precision is very important. Therefore, you are required to use precision instruments and tools to attain the right force and pressure.

The torque wrench is the most basic of tools that every workshop, garage or handyman’s tool box should have.

Important: Torque wrenches are mainly designed to tighten but not loosen fasteners.

What is a ratchet?

A ratchet has its main distinctive part – the handle and the fixed square head (or hex head). You can use this handle with a fitting socket wrench, torque wrench and so on.

The hex or square drive is the connector between the ratchet and the socket. You apply force on the ratchet handle so that the socket (which might come with the ratchet or need to be bought separately) loosens or tightens the fastener.

The most outstanding feature about it is that you can change the position of the handle without removing it from the fastener.

Unlike a torque wrench that can only tighten fasteners, a ratchet or in full … ratchet wrench, can tighten as well as loosen nuts and bolts.

Before we go on, perhaps we should clarify that we also have a ratchet torque wrench. By design, such a torque wrench is different from the regular one. It will measure torque precisely and at the same time, it will give you the benefit of a ratchet head.

A ratchet wrench has a head that works in continuous rotary direction, so you do not have to keep removing and fixing it on the fastener when you are tightening nuts or bolts.

Remember, when using a wrench (spanner), or a regular torque wrench, you tighten the bolt, then remove it, reposition it again on the fastener and tighten again. You have to continue this way until you can tighten the fastener fully.

Because of this difference, when you are tightening fasteners of the same size using a torque wrench and a ratchet wrench, you will do a faster job with the ratchet.

Is a ratchet the same as a ratchet wrench?

Some sources say that a ratchet is different from a ratchet wrench. However, these terms are used interchangeably, so they could basically mean the same thing.

To reiterate what we have already mentioned in the past section, you can think of ratchet as ratchet wrench.

A ratchet is different from a ratchet wrench. The reason is that while the ratchet wrench can rotate in both directions, with the ratchet, you have to set the direction that you want it to go.

You can set it to stay fixed in one position and you can set the head to spin freely. That is what we mean by setting the direction.

There are so many benefits to having the head spin freely. First, you can work faster with it since you can turn the fastener

With a ratchet handle, you will face no resistance when turning the handle backwards to reposition it for tightening. It works the same way as the bicycle gears.

For tightening fasteners in tight spaces, the ratchet is more convenient. Whether you are tightening or loosening bolts and nuts, you will not need to remove the ratchet from the fastener. You will do a faster job with minimal effort.

The ratchet has a directional switch

This is another difference between the regular wrench and the ratchet. You can use the ratchet to tighten or loosen fasteners.

To do this, the ratchet handle comes with a directional switch. You can just flip the switch to change directions. Actually, you can do this without removing it from the fastener.

When you buy the ratchet, it will come in a set, well, most of the time. In the set, there are different socket sizes that you can use with the same ratchet handle. That way, you can tighten differently sized fasteners using the same handle.

You also need to know what size you need so that you can get the appropriate handle. Some handles are longer, others shorter.

By design, you can find ratchet wrenches that come in an open head style and they attach to a ratchet. Others come with the ratchet contained in the socket head.

Ratchet vs Torque Wrench: Main Differences

While you can use both tools for tightening and loosening (for the ratchet) fasteners, these are not the same. They are quite different.

From a distance, they might look the same but you will certainly notice some outstanding differences when you use them.

Head shape

The head shape would mostly apply to the ratchet. The torque type wrenches come in different types, so it would not be fair to classify them going by the shape head.

With the ratchet, you will get either the round head or the teardrop head styles. As their names suggest, these are just shapes you can commonly find the ratchet in.

Round head ratchets are bulky, so they will not fit easily in tight spaces. The switch for direction is also mounted directly on the back of the round head, which increases the bulkiness. In addition, the switch is designed like a knob.

Fixed or flex head?

What we can say about the torque wrenches is that they come in the fixed head style, that is, unless you get one that is specifically designed as a ratchet wrench.

The pear/tear-drop and round head ratchets come with fixed or flex-style heads. The latter (flex-head) allows you to reach fasteners in tight spaces because it can flex at an angle from the handle of the ratchet.

Flex heads are not very helpful in situations where you need to apply high torque. For that, you should use the fixed head ratchet.

Design and style

This is the first difference between the torque wrench and ratchet.  One of the design differences is in the head.

You can change direction on the ratchet with the flip of a small switch that you will find behind the head. This will help change the direction of the handle to loosen or tighten fasteners.

If you are afraid that the switch will increase the bulkiness of the ratchet head, that’s not going to happen. Most of these ratchets have the switch in a recessed part, so it does not increase the thickness of the head.

Applications

You can use a ratchet on parts of machinery that don’t require precise torque application. Therefore, this tool is most useful for tightening parts that are not torque-sensitive.

On the other hand, you should use a torque wrench on fasteners that require precision, for instance in the engine bay, nut lugs and spark plugs.

The ratchet is useful for both loosening and tightening fasteners. This is something that you cannot do with a torque wrench since using it to loosen fasteners would ruin its mechanism.

Maintenance

Once in 1000 to 5000 cycles or once a year, whichever comes first, it is vital to send the torque wrench over to a calibration laboratory, tool shop or workshop for calibration. You can learn to do this so that you save yourself some money.

The ratchet does not require such “costly” maintenance. Just store it in the plastic it came with, protect it from drops and so on and it will remain in good shape for -a long time.

Usability/Ease of use

Ratchets are so simple to use. Just fix the socket on the fixed square, or other drive and tighten your fasteners.

However, be sure to buy one that has a drive size that you want. Usually, ratchets come in ¼, 3/8, and ½-inch sizes. You can also buy a set of matching sockets so that you can make the most out of one ratchet.

On the other hand, using the torque wrench needs some serious skill. First, you have to read up to know how to set the torque.

Also, you ought to find out how it works so that you can stop tightening fasteners as soon as you reach the set torque.

Using electronic torque wrenches is easy. They have a display screen and a set of buttons that you can use to set the torque.

However, using a manual torque wrench can be hard because you have to twist or slide the handle to set the torque value you want, going by the markings on the body.

Torque type wrenches are precise! If you do not set the torque value right, you will affect the outcome. Since these tools are used to tighten rotating parts, if the torque is off, they can cause serious harm.

Price

Torque wrenches usually cost more money than ratchets, because of the mechanical differences and the intended use.

When buying a ratchet, get one that comes with a set of sockets or a set that comes with differently sized ones (½, 3/8 and ¼ inches) rather than just one.

You can also buy a torque wrench with a few drives, say, ½-inch, ¼-inch and 3/8-inch ones. If it comes with more drives than that, get it.

Ratchets vs torque wrenches: Similarities

The purpose of these two tools is almost the same – one tightens and loosens nuts and bolts while the one just tightens them.

Apart from that, are there any other similarities between the two tools? Let’s find out together!

Variety

Torque wrenches come in many types. Some are electric, pneumatic, manual, digital/electronic and there are the beam torque type wrenches.

Regarding the size, the most common, manual and small torque wrenches come in size drives of ¼, ½, and 3/8-inches.

The ¼ -inch wrenches are best for tightening motorcycle parts and small fasteners in the engine bay of a car. They are also good for gunsmithing.

Most of the small ratchets also come in these sizes. However, those are not the only sizes available. You can also find 3/4-inch ratchets and the king of them all could be the 1-inch ratchet for really heavy tightening jobs.

However, unless you are in the construction industry, you will rarely ever need to use a ratchet or torque wrench size bigger than the ¾ -inch.

The type of release

Release mechanism is a way to release the socket when you are done tightening or loosening or to change sockets.

Some ratchets come with a quick release mechanism with a button for the same on the head. When you press the button, the ball detent sets the socket free so that it can separate from the drive.

If it comes with a standard release, you will have to pull the socket off the drive or use a screwdriver to pry it apart.

The best torque wrenches also come with a spring loaded ball detent system to hold the socket and prevent it from falling. You can press a button to release the socket.

How they work

Both tools work in the same way, well, apart from the torque application. They come with a square drive or a hex drive. They also require you to have sockets that can work with them.

The drive connects the tool with the socket. You will need the socket for the torque wrench or the ratchet to work.

Torque wrench vs ratchet: Best to buy

There is no particular best tool to buy here since both of them serve different purposes. In most cases, you will need both of them.

If you like doing your simple car repairs at home, get both of these tools. You will need both at different times.

Here is a table of a couple of each of the two that you can buy:

Best torque wrench

Best ratchet

Final Thoughts on torque wrench vs ratchet

Torque wrenches are used for precise torque application on rotating parts, sensitive engine bay parts, cylinder head parts and spark plugs.

You can use a ratchet in tight spaces, especially the ones that come with a flex-head design. Only use it on fasteners that are not torque-sensitive on your car, motorbike or different areas of home improvement.

If you are a handy person with tools, you need a ratchet set, with different sockets and a torque wrench set with different sockets as well.

You can use the ratchet handle with the right socket to tighten fasteners, but you cannot measure the torque you apply on them.

You cannot loosen fasteners with a torque wrench, but a ratchet with the right size socket can.

Both of them are used to apply precise torque on bolts and nuts. However, they work in different ways. That is why you are reading this article so that you can know how to apply both of them.

If you are a tools aficionado, you most likely have a torque adapter in your tool collection. You also have a torque wrench in your toolbox, I mean, who doesn’t?

By design, the torque adapter is very different from the torque wrench. While it will eventually help you to achieve the precise torque when you are tightening your fasteners, it does this using a different means than the torque wrench. It is like having two people use different routes to get to the same destination.

You can also use the torque adapter and the torque wrench together. By design, most adapters come with female drives.

Torque wrenches come with male drives. If you have ½-inch torque wrench but you need to tighten a 3/8-inch fastener, you can use an adapter that has ½-inch and 3/8-inch drives.

Why a torque wrench alone is not enough

For your lug nuts, engine bay fasteners and spark plugs, you need a calibrated torque wrench. This tool is designed to make tightening fasteners easy and fast.

It also ensures that you do not exceed the recommended torque level, which can damage the fasteners and the parts you are tightening.

But, look here:

A torque wrench alone is not enough. It can only do so much!

Torque wrenches, especially the highest quality ones, are expensive. In addition, they come in different drive sizes.

Thus, if you are an all-time handyman, mechanic or HVAC technician, you might find it hard to buy different torque wrench sizes.

Right here is where the torque adapters come in. They can help you convert a ½-inch torque wrench into a 3/8-inch drive, without affecting the torque precision too much.

As you can see, you definitely need to buy a digital or other torque adapter.

What is a torque adapter?

As the name suggests, these are devices that “adapt” torque, thus allowing you to convert a regular ratchet wrench to a torque wrench.

There is no particular reason why you should use a torque adapter if you already have a torque wrench in your collection.

However, if you have a regular ratchet head wrench, you might be able to achieve two functions out of the same tool, by using a torque adapter.

A torque adapter can have two drives for versatility

The good thing about using an adapter is that it comes with two drives (please note, here, we are talking about digital torque adapters). The drives will be differently sized to suit more needs.

The truth is that in our day-to-day car and motorbike repair, the most used torque wrench sizes are ½-inch and 3/8-inch.

At times, you may not have the two of them. This is why you need an adapter with two drives, so that you can use it on different fastener sizes.

Since the drives are female, you can use the appropriate ratchet. This is easily the most versatile tool you can have in your collection. However, this comes at a cost, but it is well worth it.

Adapters will definitely affect the size of the torque wrench, mostly by increasing it. Don’t worry though because the torque adapter is calibrated.

Therefore, you can set the torque level of the fastener on the adapter. It will be precise and you will never over-tighten or under-tighten your fasteners.

There are some limitations though with torque adapters. First, they are bulky, so they cannot fit in small spaces, where a smaller wrench head would be more appropriate.

An adapter helps to convert a regular wrench to a measure torque

If you have a regular wrench, you can use a torque adapter to measure torque with it. The first benefit is seeing the torque reading displayed on the screen, so it will be hard to miss the mark.

It has also been designed with buttons that you can use to enter and adjust the torque settings that you want easily.

There are different types of torque adapters. For instance, Motion Pro offers one that can help you reach fasteners in tight spaces.

To use it, you will need a torque wrench, the adapter and the regular wrench – the crow wrench, which is thinner and can reach fasteners in the tight spaces.

To use this kind of adapter with a crow wrench, first, you will have to mount a torque wrench onto the adapter. The adapter comes with a female drive and the torque wrench comes with a male drive, so they should fit perfectly.

You also need to attach the crow wrench in the space provided for just that. Ensure you mount it at right angles to the torque wrench.

There… you will have an extended torque wrench.

But there’s a small problem!

Using a torque wrench and adapter in this way means you extend the length of the torque wrench. However, this affects the torque of the wrench. Therefore, you have to recalculate and set the torque level to match that of the fastener again.

How does a digital torque adapter measure torque?

The torque adapter measures torque in different ways, also referred to as torque modes. One of these is trace mode and the second one is peak mode.

Sometimes, you might not want to apply torque to a fastener in small portions, when you do not want to torque the fastener fully. As the name suggests, in this mode, you are tracing the torque that you are applying on the fastener.

When you need to apply maximum torque on a nut or bolt, you will use peak mode. This one displays the maximum torque that you have applied on the bolt. It will also stop tightening when you reach the peak.

Trace will show you the torque you have applied in real time, at that particular time.

4 most vital things to consider when buying torque adapter

To choose the right torque adapter for your needs, consider the following four things:

Torque Range

Just like torque wrenches, adapters have their torque range. If you have big bolts and nuts, you will need to get a torque adapter with a big torque range. Some of the digital adapters come with a torque range of between 10 and 250 foot-pounds.

An adapter with a bigger torque range is better than one with a small range because you can use it on high and low torque fasteners.

Know the type of fasteners that you will most likely be tightening. You can check their torque rating in the service manual of your car or bike.

Torque accuracy

The main reason for buying a torque adapter is to torque bolts and nuts to precise torque. Therefore, you must consider the accuracy rating of your adapter.

An accuracy rating of +/-1% to +/-3% is good, but if you cannot find such, look for one with accuracy rating of +/-4%.

Always remember that if you use the adapter with a torque wrench, change in length is going to affect the torque level.

One of the most accurate digital torque adapters in the market is NEIKO 20742A. It has a 3/8-inch drive and the accuracy rating is +/-2%.

The size of the drive

First, you can get an adapter that comes with two drives so that you can enjoy more versatility. However, even if you buy one with a single drive, ensure it can work with most of your fasteners.

Since many motorcycle and car fasteners are 3/8 inch or ½-inch in size, you can look for an adapter with a ½-inch and a 3/8-inch drive.

If you intend to be using the adapter with your crow wrench, check the size of the crow wrench first. The good thing is that there are adapters for every kind of job.

For more versatility, consider getting adapters that come in a set, with a few drives of different sizes. Such can help you to do various jobs using the one adapter.

Display and torque readout

It is best to get a torque adapter that has a large display, probably with LED back light. You can read the torque numbers clearly even when you are using it in low lighting.

Today, some adapters come with rotating displays. That way, when you move the wrench, the display is always in sight. This is good for those moments when you want to use trace torque mode, which we explained earlier.

When you have reached the maximum torque you had set, the adapter should give you a cue. Some vibrate, others give a flash of light and others can give an audio signal.

Some of these features might cause the cost of the adapter to go up, but they are very convenient and worth having.

Other features

Consider a digital torque adapter such as the NEIKO 20742A. Since it uses a battery, it has a “sleep” feature, so it goes into sleep mode after 80 seconds of staying idle. It does this to save power.

For recurring jobs, you might love an adapter that has memory, so that you can save some of the settings. That way, you do not have to reset the torque every time you have to do the same job.

Another convenient feature is the carry case for easier storage and transportation. Always store your adapter in the case when it is not in use to prevent contact with water.

Do torque adapters require calibration?

This is the burning question for many tool lovers. After all, the assumption is that if you are measuring precise torque, the tool you are using should be accurate.

However, you will find that many adapters, digital or otherwise do not need to be calibrated. There is no way to calibrate them, so they come pre-calibrated from the factory.

That’s why it’s vital to check their accuracy before buying. Take the one with the highest accuracy rating. Higher accuracy is better.

If you doubt its accuracy, you can always check the fastener with a calibrated torque wrench after using a torque adapter. It will check out okay, mostly.

You should also check with the manufacturer or supplier of the torque adapter, regarding its calibration. This can clear up many things.

Torque adapter vs torque wrench: Differences

Now, most companies that make torque wrenches also make torque adapters. Therefore, many people ask: What is the real difference between the two tools, apart from the way they look?

There are some differences, so we shall look at the most obvious of them here:

Torque wrench requires calibration

While no one is sure whether they need to calibrate their digital torque adapters, everyone is 100 percent sure that they need to calibrate their torque wrench after a certain number of cycles.

Some need calibration after every 1000 cycles or after a year of use, whichever comes earlier. Others say that you should calibrate their wrench after 5000 cycles or once every year, whichever comes earlier.

The design

The design of the adapters is very different from that of the torque wrench. Torque wrenches have a handle/shaft while adapters just have the head.

To tighten your fasteners to the right torque level, you just need the torque wrench. If you are using a torque adapter, you will need to use it in combination with a torque wrench or a regular wrench.

By design, the digital torque adapter has no handle. It just has one or two drives, which can be of different sizes. Therefore, you must use it with another tool.

Check the size of the drive. It can be ½-inch or 3/8-inch. It can also come with two drives so that you can use the same adapter with different sockets.

Uses

Apart from helping you torque fasteners, many people also use the torque adapter to calibrate their torque wrenches.

Taking a torque wrench to a calibration laboratory costs a good amount of money. If you can learn how to do that with your adapter, you will save money.

The reason why tool enthusiasts use the digital torque adapter to calibrate their torque wrenches is because it never loses its calibration. Hardly will the adapter ever need to be calibrated.

You can calibrate the torque wrench using other means, and some like the beam type torque wrench just require a twist to get the pointer beam to rest at zero.

Versatility

Honestly, torque wrenches are more versatile than torque adapters. First, if you get a ratchet torque wrench, you can use it to tighten fasteners in both the clockwise and the counterclockwise directions.

Secondly, a torque wrench with a ratcheting head works through the tightening cycles without you having to take it off the fasteners. This allows you to do a faster job than when you have to take it off all the time.

You can also find tens of different torque wrench types. Manual types are the most common and the most affordable. They are accurate and easy to use.

Electric torque wrenches come in the plug-in or wired design. These are useful for heavy-duty torque application jobs.

We also have pneumatic type torque wrenches, which you can use for heavy torque applications in the construction, petroleum, automotive and metalwork industries.

Its source of power is air, so you will need an air compressor to use it. These types are costly to buy and you will probably need it for DIY maintenance tasks.

There is a torque wrench for everything, including delicate jobs like tightening fasteners on a gun.

Wrapping Up

As we recommended in our article on torque wrench vs impact wrench, even here, we say you need to buy the two of them.

In your quest for the best torque adapter vs torque wrench, the two are different tools and if you work in a garage, you will definitely need both of them.

In addition to buying the two tools, learn how to use them, store and maintain them. That’s how you get the best value for your money.

An adapter will work with crow wrenches to reach fasteners in very tight spots, where the other wrenches cannot access.

Most tightening and loosening tools have the knack of looking the same, well, to a person who is not experienced.

In this website though, we are trying to demystify different types of tools. For instance, in another post, we looked at torque wrench vs breaker bar. We also concluded that you might need to buy both tools.

You will find that these two tools can perform many of the same duties. However, some outstanding differences make it impossible to use one tool in place of the other.

Torque wrench: what’s it and how does it work?

This tool measures torque on bolts, nuts and other fasteners. You can only use it for tightening but not loosening fasteners.

As we discussed in an earlier article on what is a torque wrench, we saw that this tool comes in many types. Some are manual type torque wrenches while some are electronic.

Some come in electric form and others in pneumatic form. You can use the last two where you need heavy application of torque.

This is easily the most important tool you must have in your collection if you are a car guy. If you own a motorcycle and you want to do your own repair and maintenance, you need a torque wrench.

For sensitive car, motorcycle, oil refineries, drilling rigs and other applications that operate under high pressure, the fasteners are torque-sensitive.

Torque refers to the twisting force applied to tighten a fastener. The physics behind all this is a whole lot. Luckily, you don’t need to go there because the manufacturers of these fasteners give a torque rating for each.

A torque wrench measures the amount of force you want to apply on the fastener. If you’re repairing your car or motorcycle, check the service manual to see the torque you should apply on the fasteners.

Torque wrench benefits

When you use the torque wrench on torque sensitive fasteners, you are going to prevent fastener thread damage as well as damage to the parts the fasteners hold.

A torque wrench is manual

Well, not all the time, but there is also the pneumatic torque wrench that uses air, and it is very good for heavy duty applications.

However, most of the torque wrenches in the market are manual, but that has the benefit of making them affordable, easy to maintain and use.

We have electronic/digital torque wrenches, but they too require you to use your body weight or arm power to tighten fasteners. For these ones, you will need to replace batteries when they go down, or recharge them if they are rechargeable.

Precise torque

This is the main reason for buying a torque wrench, so that you can apply precise torque. If a certain fastener requires precise torque, anything less than that is a big risk.

Likewise, anything higher than the manufacturer-given torque value can damage the threads or bust the fasteners.

You need to torque the wheel lugs to the precise torque level. If you over-tighten them, you can strip them. If you under-tighten them, they can run loose when your car is at speed and cause accidents.

In the engine bay, we have many torque sensitive parts. These include the oil sump, cylinder head and the spark plugs. You must never use a regular wrench on these parts.

To do your motorbike repair, you need the best torque wrench for motorbikes. These two-wheelers have hundreds of fasteners.

Some need precise torque and some don’t. In your collection, get torque as well as regular wrenches.

Good for sensitive jobs

In another post, we looked at the best torque wrenches for gunsmithing. Guns are very sensitive and precise, so it’s vital to use the proper tools, especially when you are mounting the scope base or rings.

In addition, a rifle has many fasteners in the form of screws, bolts and nuts. It is vital that you use a torque driver or wrench to tighten these ones. If you do not, you could strip their threads, mar the tube of your scope or cause other damage to the gun.

Spark plugs are also very torque-sensitive. If you do not tighten them just right, they are going to affect the performance of your engine.

Badly installed spark plugs can affect the fuel consumption rate of your engine. They can also cause serious damage to your cylinder head.

Motorbikes, generators and most other engines that use gasoline use spark plugs. When changing them, torque them to the right level so that you do not affect their performance.

Even your bicycle has many sensitive parts. Many bikes have carbon fiber parts. This is light but resilient material. If you over-tighten such fasteners, the carbon fiber part can break easily.

Makes minimal noise

Apart from the pneumatic wrenches, which we said are air-powered, the manual torque wrenches make no noise at all.

Therefore, you can use them at home, without disturbing your neighbors. The only sound you will hear is a click or a buzzer when it is alerting you that you’ve attained the torque you had set.

Safety

Torque wrenches are designed to enhance your safety when you are working with them. They come with a fixed square head/drive that holds the socket.

To keep the socket in place, they come with a spring loaded ball detent system. It ensures that the socket does not slip off and fall to the floor.

These wrenches are also safe for the fasteners since there is no risk of over-tightening and stripping them.

When this tool attains the final torque, it clicks, buzzes, flashes a light, vibrates or fails (breaks over) so it stops tightening.

Impact wrench: What it is and its benefits

One of the most popular questions on the web today is: is torque wrench the same as impact wrench?

Well, the answer is no. An impact wrench uses impact to loosen or tighten bolts and nuts. By design, this is like an extension of the regular wrench (spanner) only that this time, it uses a power source, which can be electricity, batteries or air.

One of the things you will experience when using an impact wrench is a big hammering action. Of course, this wrench is designed to absorb most of the impact, so you never feel it in your hands. Some can pass minimal vibrations to your hands.

Same as the torque wrenches, the impact wrench finds a lot of use in the automotive world, especially in garages that deal with trucks, buses, tractors and other heavier motorized vehicles.

They also find purpose in the construction industry, in the oil industry, metal work and other industries.

Not to be confused with the impact drivers, an impact wrench uses a ½-inch square drive while the impact driver uses a ¼-inch hex drive.

Impact wrench benefits

This tool has certain benefits that you might not find in other related tools. These benefits make it one of the must-have tools in the garage or workshop. Here are some of the benefits:

Versatility in use

This is a very versatile tool because you can use it to loosen or tighten bolts and nuts. Unlike torque wrenches that can only tighten fasteners, this one does both jobs. This is why it finds most use in the construction, metalwork, oil, and automotive industries.

Good for heavy-duty fasteners

In most cases, you can only use pneumatic torque wrenches to tighten heavy-duty fasteners. These types of wrenches are expensive and hard to find.

That is why we have impact wrenches. They can tighten and loosen big bolts and nuts such as you find on eighteen-wheelers. In the construction industry, people use big bolts and nuts. Because the impact type wrenches have hammering action, they can loosen or tighten these heavy fasteners.

Versatile power source

Impact wrenches can be battery powered, in which case you would have to recharge them as required.

Such tools are costly, especially because they are cordless. When the batteries wear out, you can replace them. Using a cordless power tool is good for field work.

You can also buy the corded/electric type that is best for really big lugs and fasteners. You can use it in the workshop, close to a power source.

Lastly, some impact wrenches use air compressors as their source of power. They are powerful and the set up is not too complicated.

Easy to maintain

Impact wrenches are not calibrated, so they require minimal care and maintenance, as compared to torque wrenches, which can lose calibration if mishandled.

Check the user manual that the tool comes with so that you can store it under good condition. Mostly, it is best to store power tools in the plastic cases they come in. This can keep out the moisture so that the metal parts do not rust.

While these tools are easy to maintain, handle them cautiously so that you do not drop them since replacement parts can be costly.

Good for long hours of work

This is one of the best things about using air impact wrenches. You can do a hefty amount of work without feeling fatigued.

These tools are designed to absorb most of the impact and vibration. In fact, some are so smooth such that you never feel the vibrations getting to your muscles.

If you are using a cordless one, you can use it for as long as the battery lasts.

Pneumatic torque wrench vs impact wrench: Differences

A pneumatic torque wrench and a pneumatic impact wrench may use the same source of power – air, but they are completely different.

They may sound, and even look like the same tool, but they do not work in the same way. Here are the main differences between these two tools:

1. The way they work

The torque wrench is going to apply precise torque, so you should use it for precise tightening jobs. You can use it on torque sensitive parts. This means you need to know how to read and set the torque.

Impact wrenches do not work in the same way. They are more like plug-and-play tools, since there is no torque to set. If you have the right socket for the job, plug it in and use it.

Please note, you will feel more tired if you work long hours with a torquing wrench than when you work with a pneumatic wrench. Your strength is the source of power when torquing fasteners.

2. Torque wrenches are safer

This is another huge difference between these two tools. By design, the torque application wrench has a spring loaded ball detent system. It holds the socket securely so it cannot drop and hit your feet.

Impact wrenches are different. They can be heavy and you have minimal control on the torque application.

An impact wrench is also not very safe for small fasteners. Because of its hammering action, it can damage such fasteners easily. It also does not measure torque so it is easy to strip the bolts and nuts.

3. Torque adjustability

Torque wrenches allow you to adjust the torque level that you want to apply on certain fasteners. Both tools work using torque.

With an impact wrench, you get static torque, so even if a small fastener needs a low level of torque, you cannot adjust it.

A torque wrench enables you to adjust the torque to different levels since fasteners in a car may come in different sizes.

4. Power and performance

Apart from the pneumatic and electric torque wrenches that can apply a high torque level, most of the others can only be used on cars, motorcycles, small boats, RVs and bicycles. The reason for this is because your body weight is the source of power.

An impact wrench on the other hand has a power source. It is electric, pneumatic or cordless (battery-powered). It is very powerful, but you have almost no control on the torque level that it applies on fasteners.

Because it uses a power source, you can use impact wrenches for a long time without feeling tired.

5. Noise levels

Torque wrenches are silent and you can use them inside your garage without any noise going out. Impact wrenches on the other hand make quite a lot of noise, during the hammering (impacting) action.

The noise can be too loud such that you have to wear earplugs. In confined spaces, the noise can feel quite loud. Protect your ears from noise pollution.

6. Working speed

If you work in busy garages where vehicles come in all the time, the best tool is the impact torque wrench because you can work on hundreds of fasteners.

You might have to tighten the most torque-sensitive fasteners to about 70 percent and finish the job with a calibrated torque wrench.

Torque wrenches are only good for small jobs. Using the tool to tighten too many bolts and nuts can cause damage. It can also make the tool lose its calibration. Also, since you work manually, you can only do so much.

Can you torque with an impact wrench?

In some cases, you can. However, this will depend on the fastener since impact wrenches have static torque. This means it is not adjustable.

If an impact wrench can apply a torque of 1500 ft-lb and you have a fastener with the same torque rating, you can use it. However, you have to be cautious because this tool does not measure torque, so it is easy to over tighten or leave it a bit loose.

While this tool is mostly useful for loosening big lugs from cars and trucks, you can use it in situations that require high torque applications.

If you have stubborn bolts and nuts, probably rusted over, you need an impact wrench to remove them. Perhaps you can also use a breaker bar, but this type of wrench is better because it is powered.

Can you set the torque on an impact wrench?

A pneumatic torque wrench, like an impact wrench is good for heavy-duty bolts and nuts

You can regulate the torque that you want on an impact wrench. Regulating is different from the precise action that you get from a torque wrench.

If you control the amount of air pressure that gets into the wrench, you can control the torque. High air pressure is going to give you higher torque and vice versa.

There is the tool air regulator and there is the compressor air regulator. The pressure regulator on the compressor is going to control the working pressure getting to the wrench.

The air regulator for the tool will help you get the torque level that you want. However, note that this will not be as accurate as you would get from a torque wrench.

Wrapping Up

Knowing what to choose between torque wrench vs impact wrench is not too hard. If you handle different types of fasteners in your professional or DIY work, you need to buy both tools.

You can use the torque wrench to tighten small to medium fasteners. Mostly, you use it on parts in the engine bay, car lug nuts, spark plugs and different motorcycle parts.

For stubborn, rusty fasteners, you will need a heavier tool such as a breaker bar or impact wrench to loosen them. However, even the breaker bar might not be able to work on some bolts and nuts that need heavy torque application.

Use the impact wrench on such nuts.

Not to be confused with each other, these are completely different tools. They do different jobs. Therefore, you cannot buy one in place of the other. If you are really hands on, you will have to buy the two of them.

In your day-to-day job or routine maintenance of your car or motorcycle, you will need to loosen and tighten many fasteners. You will need to do this even for your bicycles, lawnmowers and some appliances.

A torque wrench can tighten fasteners to the manufacturer-recommended torque level. A breaker bar can loosen very tight fasteners without breaking them. You can see why you will need the two tools.

To understand the differences between breaker bar vs torque wrench, we shall look at both tools in more detail.

What is a torque wrench?

In our article on what is a torque wrench and how to use one, we discussed in detail the different types of torque wrenches.

However, the most outstanding, perhaps even the most important thing to remember is that the torque wrench is for tightening fasteners. You should not use it for loosening fasteners.

To delve deeper into this, think about it this way … torque is the force that you apply to a fastener when you are twisting it, to tighten it. Therefore, torque is like force that you apply on the fastener. It is also like pressure that you apply on a fastener to tighten it.

Now, fasteners may be made of heavy-duty steel. However, they have their endurance. When you exceed it by applying too much twisting force (torque), they can break!

That is why we have these tools called torque wrenches. They measure the pressure or force you are applying on your fasteners.

These tools are designed to alert you when you attain the torque level you had set. For instance, an electronic/digital torque wrench can vibrate, buzz or flash an LED light to let you know when to stop tightening a fastener.

If you work in noisy environments, these torque wrenches are best. They are very accurate and easy to use since they have a clear digital readout.

Others such as the manual torque wrench give a clicking sound when you reach the torque that you had set. It can be hard to use such in noisy spaces, but they are very accurate and affordable to buy.

Some, like the break-over wrenches, are designed to fail, or stop working when the set torque level is attained.

Some torque wrenches also come in the ratcheting head design. What this means is that when you are tightening a fastener, you do not need to remove it from the fastener after every tightening cycle.

What is a breaker bar?

As the name of this tool seems to suggest, this is a sort of a breaker bar that “breaks” loose super tight nuts and other fasteners.

Therefore, while the torque wrench is used for tightening fasteners, the breaker bar is used for loosening them.

By design, this is a very simple tool. It comes with a bolt socket attached to a long handle. The long handle helps to make the work of loosening the bolts and nuts easily.

When bolts and nuts are rusted over, they can become too hard to loosen. You need to apply a huge amount of torque to loosen them.

In some instances, you can also use the breaker bar to tighten fasteners. However, only use it to tighten bolts and nuts when there is no need to measure torque.

Using the breaker bar requires the application of brutal force. Rusted bolts and nuts require a lot of force to get them loose. You can apply as much force as you need to and you will not damage the breaker bar.

How does a breaker bar work?

Because of the nature of work that this tool, also called the power bar is designed to do, it is made of high quality, heavy-duty material.

You can use it for all loosening jobs that need brutal power in the workshop and it will not sustain any damage.

The handle is longer and the head is designed in such a way that it takes the fastener deeply, so that there is no risk of slipping off.

If you have a three-foot handle on the breaker bar, the tool power can increase to 1000 ft-lb of torque! In the case of torque wrenches, only the electric types or air-compressor powered ones) can generate such a huge amount of torque.

A breaker bar works by giving you more leverage. You can use your body weight as the main force to get stuck and rusty fasteners loose faster.

Torque wrench vs breaker bar: Main differences

Every vehicle mechanic will have a breaker bar and a torque wrench in their tools collection. Read on to see the main differences between these two tools:

1. Purpose/Intended use: tighten vs loosen

Mainly, one loosens, while the other tightens fasteners.

When you buy any kind of tool, you must use it for the purpose for which it is intended. In this case, the breaker bar is intended to be used to loosen nuts and bolts.

The torque wrench is intended to tighten nuts. It measures the amount of torque that you are applying on the fastener.

Some models such as the electronic ones can show you the real-time amount of torque that you have applied on a nut or bolt.

While breaker bars are mostly used to loosen tightly stuck fasteners, well, you can still use them to tighten fasteners that don’t require you to measure torque.

2. Maximum torque they can bear

We said that torque is the twisting force applied on a fastener. Therefore, when buying tightening or loosening tools, their maximum torque level is an important consideration.

Torque wrenches, unless they are electric or air-powered, are designed to handle a low level of torque. Some smaller torque wrenches come with a low torque range of 0 to 250 ft-lb.

Once you have determined the torque level of the fasteners you are tightening, you can preset the torque on the wrench before you start using it.

Breaker bars have a higher torque rating. You can use them on jobs that require huge torque applications.

If you have large nuts and bolts that you need to tighten, you can use the breaker bar. Since you cannot preset the torque on breaker bars, you will have to gauge or estimate whether they are tight enough.

3. Maintenance needs

Torque wrenches require some maintenance. If you use it to tighten fasteners for 5000 cycles, you should take it for calibration because it will have lost its accuracy.

It is also recommended that you calibrate the wrench once in 12 months. So, even if you have not done 5000 cycles yet with it, make sure it is calibrated once a year.

If you use a beam torque wrench, you can calibrate it yourself by twisting it a bit until the pointer beam rests at zero when you keep it on a flat surface.

You also have to handle the torque wrench carefully. For instance, if you drop it on the floor, it will lose its calibration.

A breaker bar on the other hand does not require too much maintenance or care. Just use it and store it properly.

Since it does not measure torque, calibration is not required. Even if this tool is mishandled, it cannot sustain damage.

4. Durability

Torque wrenches are too sensitive. If you use them to apply higher torque than their rating, they are going to shatter easily.

It is important that you only use them to apply torque within their range. If it is rated for 150 ft-lb maximum torque, do not use it to apply 200 ft-lb.

Breaker bars are designed to handle more torque, say, thousands. As a result, they last long without sustaining any damage.

Breaker bars also don’t require you to set them up for use. Just take it and use it to loosen a fastener if it fits.

5. Automation and speed

Torque wrenches give more flexibility. For instance, if you have to do many recurring tasks with an electric torque wrench, just set the torque level and use it.

A torque wrench can help you achieve much more and faster too. When you tighten fasteners, that’s final.

If you use a breaker bar to tighten them, you might have to finish the job off with a calibrated torque wrench. However, please note that a power bar is best for loosening rather than tightening.

6. Which offers more choice?

Torque wrenches come in many types. Some are digital, some are electronic and some are click or manual torque wrenches. We also have impact torque wrenches that can do incredibly heavy jobs.

When it comes to the breaker bar, there are not many types. You get just one, so you do not have much variety to choose from. Also, these bars do not have any additional features or functions. You just get one with its basic usability.

7. Cost – breaker bar is cheaper

The cost of buying a breaker bar is so much cheaper as compared to that of buying a torque wrench. In addition, you might have to foot more cost for calibrating the torque wrench, since you might have to send it to a calibration lab. Remember to use a plastic storage case to store the torque wrenches in the right conditions.

Because of their rugged nature and general usability, breaker bars are so affordable to buy. They do not have sensitive functions such as torque level setting. You just use them to loosen your heavy nuts and bolts.

Overall, torque wrenches can cost a lot of money depending on the model or type that you choose. If you choose electronic ones, they will cost a good one.

The click type and the beam/dual beam torque wrenches are the most affordable in the market. Most of the others are costlier than the breaker bar.

Do not just buy the breaker bar because it is cheaper. You must tighten many torque sensitive parts in the engine bay with a torque wrench. Besides, the power bar is mainly designed for loosening tight bolts and nuts.

8. Convenience and speed

If you are looking for a tool you can use with speed, ease and convenience, go for the breaker bar. You can use it if you need to get a bolt or nut tightened faster.

It won’t measure the torque, but fasteners that aren’t in sensitive places can be tightened without measuring the torque. There are no settings to input. As long as the breaker bar socket fits, go ahead and use it.

If you have no experience, you can use a breaker bar. With a torque wrench, you must know how to read and set the torque level. Unfortunately, not everyone can be able to do this.

9. Size and leverage

Breaker bars are larger, are made of sturdier materials and they work well under great force or pressure. You can throw your entire body weight behind a breaker bar.

A power bar with a three-foot handle can garner up to 1000 ft-lb of torque, and give you more leverage than a torque wrench, which comes in a small size and with a shorter handle.

Some breaker bars are up to 40 inches long while most torque wrenches start at 9 inches, or just slightly longer.

Using torque wrench as breaker bar

The temptation to use a torque wrench as a breaker bar will be there – to use it to loosen fasteners. However, don’t do it!

If you store the calibrated wrench badly and it drops, it loses its calibration. You can imagine what would happen if you use it for a purpose the opposite of what it should do.

Can you use a breaker bar as a torque wrench? The answer is yes and no. Yes because you can use it to tighten fasteners and no because if the fasteners are torque-sensitive, it is just best not to use it.

Unfortunately, you do not have this advantage when using a torque wrench. It is purely for tightening things, not loosening.

Torque Wrench vs Breaker Bar: FAQ

We have said that you can only use a torque wrench to tighten fasteners. We have also said you can use a breaker bar for loosening mostly but also tightening fasteners that are not torque-sensitive. If you still need more clarification, this section on the frequently asked questions and their answers is going to help you:

Can you use a torque wrench to loosen bolts?

It is your torque wrench, so no matter what we tell you, you will do what you want to do. Many people have used a torque wrench to loosen bolts. However, as tool people, we would not recommend this at all. Perhaps you can use it once, if you do not have a breaker bar.

It might not sustain damage. But the calibration might go off. This will affect its accuracy when you do need to use it to torque your motorcycle, nut lugs or engine bay fasteners.

If you have used yours to loosen bolts, have someone check the calibration. Do not be surprised if you find that it’s off by far.

Do not use your torque wrench to torque fasteners before checking the calibration if you have used it to loosen bolts.

Can I use torque wrench as breaker bar?

The torque mechanism is entirely different, and more complicated than the breaker bar head. You should not use a torque wrench as a breaker bar because it can damage the mechanism.

Using it one time might not damage the mechanism, but it will still throw your calibration off.

Can you tighten a bolt with a breaker bar?

You can use a breaker bar to tighten fasteners that are not torque-sensitive. However, there are two things to note here… because of the sheer size and design of this tool, it can damage small fasteners if you use it to tighten them.

If you work in a workshop or garage, it is best to have breaker bars and torque wrenches so that you can use the most appropriate tool for the job. For rusted or stuck fasteners, the breaker bar can generate large torque levels to get them loose.

Use the breaker bar to tighten large fasteners such as truck wheel lugs. However, perhaps you want to tighten them to about 70% so that you can finish the job with a calibrated torque wrench.

Breaker bar vs torque wrench: best to buy

Wrapping Up

If you have been asking what to buy between torque wrench vs breaker bar, it is best to buy both of these tools.

As a technician, mechanic or a hands-on DIY-er, you will find a lot of use for both the breaker bar and the torque wrench.

You can use the torque wrenches, and torque screwdrivers for tightening torque-sensitive jobs on your car or motorcycle parts.

The breaker bar comes in very handy when you need a huge torque level to loosen rusted bolts and nuts.

You may  use a breaker bar to tighten bolts and nuts, well, when you do not need to torque them. However, you must never  use a torque wrench to loosen fasteners. That can damage its head and throw its calibration (and accuracy) off.

Guns are precise tools, so it is vital that every fastener on them should be torqued to the right force. If you do not do that, you will affect your aim greatly and ruin your hunting experience.

A scope does much more than magnify distant objects. It also has a reticle that shows you where the bullet should hit if you aim correctly. If the scope is not mounted right, it will give you the wrong “data” and you will waste your shot.

Knowing how to use a torque wrench to mount your gun scope will save you money that you would have used to pay a gunsmith to do the job.

It is simple, so you can learn how to do it. In any case, not all gunsmiths will use a torque wrench or a FAT wrench. So there is no guarantee that the scope is set right.

Another important consideration is cost. Your rifle is expensive and your scope is too. Therefore, to get the best value for money from the two, you had better do the scope mounting job in the right way. The best tool for the job will help you.

Why you need to torque the gun scope fasteners

The importance of tightening scope fasteners with a torque wrench is to protect the mounts (base and rings), the gun and the scope from damage.

It also protects the fasteners themselves from damage. When you use a regular wrench (spanner) or screwdriver to tighten the fasteners, you might under-tighten or over-tighten them.

The former would leave your scope loose and ruin your aim. The latter will strip the threads and you will have to buy new ones.

In this blog, we have always insisted that if there is a torque rating for your fasteners; use a torque wrench to tighten them. Thank us later!

As you will find out, a rifle has many fasteners. The more advanced it is, the more the fasteners. You will not only use a torque wrench on the scope, but on pretty much other fasteners as well.

If you take your gun apart (which is a skill every gun owner should have), you should use a torque wrench on bolt carrier keys, barrel nuts and action screws to name but just a few of them.

Recommended torque for various fasteners in a gun

We would like to mention here that most of the fasteners in a gun are small. They mostly require minimal torque, you know, as compared to motorcycle torque requirements, or car fasteners.

Therefore, when applying torque, you should measure it in inch-pound (in-lb) units, as opposed to NM or foot-pounds.

You could always check with the manufacturer of your gun, but the following are enough guidelines for you:

• Bolt retention screws require the most torque of 80 inch-pounds
• Scope ring cross bolts need torque level of 65 inch-pounds
• Action screws require torque of 30 to 65 inch-pounds
• The scope ring screws require 17 to 25 inch-pounds
• Scope base requires to be torqued to 15 to 25 inch-pounds
• M-LOK Accessories made of polymer – 15 inch-pounds
• M-LOKA accessories- metal – 35-inch-pounds

Check with the manufacturer of your gun to find out whether they give the order in which you should tighten the fasteners. It is vital to follow that order so that you don’t void the warranty on the gun or on the scope.

Now that you have an idea of what a torque wrench is important for when assembling your rifle, well, we can move onto other aspects of mounting your scope correctly.

What torque should scope mounts be?

Mounting the scope should be done in such a way that it is as close as possible to the barrel, but the two (scope and barrel) should never touch.

To do this, you have to tighten the scope mounts to the right torque so that the stresses of the bush do not cause dislocations.

A scope mount is big (especially for the ones that come in the one-piece design), so it is important that all the fasteners are tightened to the right torque. The torque level for most of them starts at 15 to 18 inch-pounds.

Torque specs for different types of scopes

Scope mounts come in different designs. Some come in a few pieces, say, about two rings and some come in one-piece design. This affects the torque level you need to apply on them.

One-piece scope mount

A one-piece scope mount from AI (Accuracy International) has ring cap screws with a torque rating of 18 inch-pound. The scope mount clamp screws have a torque level of 31 inch-pounds.

A scope mount has two types of screws. The base screws might require you to torque them to 80 inch-pounds, depending on the rifle.

The scope mount also comes with ring screws that need to be torqued to 15 inch-pounds. Cross bolts need a torque of 65 inch-pounds.

Some scopes also come with score clamp screws that have a torque rating of 50 inch-pounds. If it comes with Rail clamp thumbscrews, they will need to be torqued to a different force.

The torque that you apply on the one-piece scope mount is different from what you would apply on the scope rings.

Scope rings

As their name suggests, scope rings are just that – two rings that you attach to different parts of the rifle with screws and they hold the rifle.

Weaver scope mounts

There are weaver scope mounts, which are flat and the predecessors to the modern one-piece designs. You attach the weaver scope mount to the rifle and then you attach the scope to the mount. For this kind of scope mount, you would need to torque the screws to 15 inch-lb, or as recommended by the manufacturer.

Picatinny and dovetail scope mounts

For a Picatinny Scope Mount, the torque spec is 15 to 55 inch-lb, depending on the manufacturer recommendation.

A Dovetail scope mount is also very popular. People love it because it is very simple to change the scope since it slides off and on easily.

When the scope is settled where you want it, it locks into place using a mechanism provided for that. Mostly, the torque range for the screws of the Dovetail scope mount is 18 to 31 inch-lb.

Integral mounts

Depending on the type or design of your rifle, it might be compatible with integral mounts. These mounts tend to “integrate” onto the rifle, by mounting it on special mounts made for just that on the rifle.

By integral, it just means that by design, there are two rings and the base of the scope mount. They all come in one piece, hence the name integral.

The recommended torque level for integral scope mount is up to 40 inch-lb for many, but some might require higher torque.

Offset scope mount

By design, this kind of scope mount goes forward, more than other types of mounts. You should use it with AR rifles since it is designed for them.

If you use it with other rifles, it might push the scope too close to your face, in which case you might find it impossible to use. The torque specs for this scope mount is 20 to 25 inch-lb for the base and 18 inch-lb for the rings.

20 MOA Scope Mount

By design, this scope mount slants forward and it allows you to adjust the sights, which is vital when you are shooting long distance. The torque specs for a 20MOA mount is 20 to 30 inch-lb.

Quick detach scope mount

If you have to use more than one sights, you need the quick detach scope mount because you can detach the sights fast and change to others. This gives you a lot of flexibility when you are in action.

As you can see, there are tens of scope mounts. All of them have their torque specifications. It is best to check with the manufacturer or from the user manual to find out what torque you should apply.

What is the torque on Leupold scope rings?

In line with this question, another popular one is: What should I torque my Leupold scope rings to? Before we can learn the torque specs for these rings, let’s look at their design a bit.

These rings are best for rifles made to work with them. So, you cannot use every rifle with these scope rings. The front ring locks into place and stays in one position.

However, the rear of the scope can still move to the left or to the right as you seek to make the necessary adjustments. This kind of base is a bit complex so it is best for professionals. The saving grace is that you can make many adjustments to find your sweet spot.

The torque level that you can apply on these ring screws is 28 inch-lb, and you should not exceed this. You should also not torque it fully all at once. Do it by bits.

How tight should Picatinny rail be?

A Picatinny rail is mostly used to mount the scopes of big caliber rifles. This kind of rail can be used for many things. For instance, you can use it to attach laser modules, tactical devices, bayonets, bipods, night vision aids and so many others.

What is the difference between a Picatinny rail and a Weaver rail? This is a common question. They might look the same, but they are different.

The Picatinny rail has wider and deeper slots as opposed to the Weaver rail. Because of the differences in design, the torque levels you should apply on the screws are different.

To mount the Picatinny rail, torque it to 15 to 55 inch-lb. It is very important you use a torque wrench, because you cannot be able to gauge whether the rail is tight enough.

To mount rings on the Picatinny rail, you should apply torque of 14 to 25 inch-lb.

Mounting a scope without a torque wrench

All fasteners on cars, motorbikes and guns have a torque rating, which you can find out easily, if you want to. By nature and design, guns are precise weapons and for safety, you should ensure they remain so.

If you are intending to attach a scope on the gun, you should have a torque wrench in your tool kit. You also need one if you intend to use sights, night vision aids, laser modules and many other accessories.

In some sources, you will read that using a torque wrench is good, but not necessary. Nothing could be further from the truth!

Using a torque wrench on the action screws and the scope rings will protect them from damage. If you do not use a torque wrench, you might over-tighten the screws and cause them to strip. You could also under-tighten them so that they run loose when you start using the rifle.

Since you now know the danger of over-tightening the screws, you must include a torque wrench (an adjustable one) or a torque driver, or both of them in your collection of tools.

If you can, get a digital torque wrench. It is easy to use, accurate and it gives a buzzer when you have reached the torque level you want.

A scope for the rifle is going to cost you a good amount of money. Some people even spend more than $2000 on a scope.

Now, it would be quite an oversight to gauge the tightness of the scope by hand. Invest in a torque wrench which is way cheaper and save yourself a lot of trouble.

Best Torque Wrench for Scope Mounting

First, we shall give you a glimpse of a few torque wrenches that are popular for mounting gun scopes. Here they are:

WEAVER Gunsmithing Torque Wrench

• It is an 11-piece (with the driver and 10 bits) for different scope mounting screws/fasteners
• All bits have magnetized tips so there is no risk of losing fasteners
• High quality storage case to lock out humidity
• Minimal weight of 2 pounds makes it easy to carry in your backpack
• Wide torque range of 15 in-lbs to 80 in-lbs

NEIKO 10573B 1/4” Torque Screwdriver Set

• The driver has a hex-style head and it comes with 20 hex bits
• Magnetized tips prevent loss of fasteners
• The torque range is 10 to 50 in-lb, adjustable in 5 in-lb increments
• It clicks when you achieve the set torque
• Easy to adjust the torque – just pull, turn handle and lock

Capri Tools CP21075 Certified Limiting Torque Screwdriver Set

• It has a plastic, soft-grip handle for comfort when working long hours
• Has a torque range of 10 to 50 in-lb with 1 in-lb increments
• Package comes with one torque screwdriver, one T bar handle and 20 hex bits
• Torque accuracy is +/-6%
• Easy to use for beginners, sets and locks torque into place to avoid slipping

Mounting a scope onto your rifle can seem like a very simple task. However, without the right tools, so much could go wrong and compromise your aim. You have seen the importance of using a torque wrench for your scope mounts.

If you still need more clarification on some issues, hopefully, this section on frequently asked questions, and their answers, will help you:

Do you need a torque wrench for scope rings?

There are about 11 or more types of scope mounts and rings make a good number of these. Different types of rings for mounting your scope require different torque measures.

It is very important to torque the screws with a torque wrench or a torque driver to make them appropriately tight and prevent them from stripping.

So many things could go wrong including damaging the scope mounting rings themselves. If you are not careful during the mounting, you can also get your scope tube badly marred.

Do you need a torque screwdriver to mount a scope?

Consistency is everything in a rifle, which is a precision weapon. Therefore, get a torque wrench. Torque screwdrivers are different from regular screwdrivers because they can measure the amount of torque being applied on a screw.

So, whether you use a torque wrench or driver will be determined by the types of fasteners you have on the scope mount or ring.

If they are screw-types, you should use a torque screwdriver. If they are in the bolt and nut form, you should use a torque wrench.

What torque wrench do gunsmiths use?

Gunsmiths use the F.A.T or FAT wrench. This is an acronym for Firearms Accurizing Torque wrench. It is the most important tool that you can buy if you are a gun enthusiast.

It is going to help you apply the right torque to various screws used on different parts of the gun. In addition to this torque driver, you should also have a torque wrench. It can be a click torque wrench or another kind that can work in constricted spaces.

Wrapping Up

The debate on whether to use or not to use a torque wrench for a scope mounting is not ending anytime soon.

Most people agree it is vital to use the best torque wrench for scope mounting. There are many of them, as you have seen here.

Choosing the right scope mount is simple. However, you have to attach it in the right way to the rifle. If you do not mount the scope in the right way, you can damage your scope tube.

If you tighten the screws of the scope rings too much, you could strip the threads, which would require you to replace the screws.

Most gunsmiths might not even use a torque wrench to tighten the scope mount screws. If you like to be sure, it is best to do the job yourself. Tighten the screws and torque them to the manufacturer-recommended torque level.

Any kind of engine work is hard. However, having the right tools for the job makes it a bit easier. If you are changing or inspecting your spark plugs to know the health status of your engine, you need the right tools for the job.

You need to replace the spark plugs by mileage or by the behavior of your engine. There are many tell-tale signs of worn out plugs.

So:

Why do you need a torque wrench for spark plugs

Some parts of your car or motorcycle are too sensitive. You cannot afford to tighten them without adhering to the right specifications.

It is quite possible to have the screw end of the spark plug get stuck inside the cylinder head if you tighten the plugs too much.

This would cause serious trouble because it could mean opening up the cylinder head, and probably buying a new gasket. Too much work!

Another thing that could happen when you tighten too much is that you could compromise the quality of the seals. This would lead to serious engine trouble.

Likewise, if you do not tighten the spark plugs to the correct torque and/or angle, they will run loose and they will damage the engine.

As the engine vibrates, the plugs will run looser leading to more damage. They can also cause the combustion gas to leak.

Some spark plugs are tightened at an angle. Therefore, it is vital to know how yours fit in so that you can do it right. This can be challenging, so if in doubt, always refer to the service manual of your car to know how to tighten them.

Torquing the spark plugs protects insulator

It is possible to cause the insulator head to crack. Plugs are deep seated, so it is practically impossible to see how the plug is seated.

If you hold the torque wrench at an angle, it can be hard to notice. The insulator can crack even when you are uninstalling the spark plugs.

When tightening, you are more likely to crack the insulator if you apply too much force. Any unreasonable level of force you apply on the spark plugs can crack the insulator.

Other problems that might occur when you don’t torque your plugs

Plugs play a very important role in the ignition system of the car. However, they will only do a good job if they are installed in the right way.

If the plugs are too loose or too tight, you might have cylinder head issues. You can also have ignition issues, slow acceleration and picking as well as vibrations that you can feel on the steering wheel. Other issues include engine misfires and crazy consumption of fuel.

Some people ask: Is it necessary to torque the spark plugs? Some sources say that it is not absolutely necessary. Here, we think it is very necessary.

You cannot tell when you have tightened the plugs fully by hand. A torque wrench on the other hand is designed to “fail” or alert you once you attain the set torque.

How to use a torque wrench for spark plugs

As we have said in this blog several times, buying the right tool is one thing and knowing how to use it well is another thing altogether. Because of their confined space, spark plugs are especially hard to torque in the right way.

Spark plugs require to be tightened to a certain torque level. So, how do you go about using a torque wrench on your plugs? It is not too hard.

Find out the torque level recommended for spark plugs

First, you need to find out the torque level for your spark plugs recommended by the manufacturer.

Usually, the amount of torque you can apply on spark plugs depends on the thread size. The thread size starts at M 8 (just a code), so this is an 8 MM spark plug.

A M10 thread size spark plug is 10mm in diameter. They go on and on to M12 (12mm), M14 (14mm) and so on. It is also possible to have M10 spark plugs of various types and the same applies to others.

For an M 8 thread width, you should apply 8 to 10Nm/5.9 to 7.37 ft-lb of torque. For thread size M10 (10mm), apply 7.37 to 11.06 ft-lb of torque.

For M14 (14mm)thread sizes, apply torque of 14.75 to 22.12 ft-lb. Of course, this is just a guideline. The best thing is to refer to the spark plug manufacturer’s recommended torque.

Choose the right torque wrench

There are two things to consider here – the torque wrench size as well as the type. The best size for spark plugs is 3/8 inches. However, as for the type, you can choose the most appropriate one for your needs.

Dial torque wrenches are the most accurate so far, with accuracy ratings that are as high as +/-1%. Manual/click torque wrenches are also accurate. They will give you a click alert when you attain the set torque.

You can also use a beam torque wrench. They are easy to keep accurate because you just have to twist it until the pointer beam rests at zero.

The other option is to use a digital or electronic torque wrench. These ones are super accurate and they have a digital readout.

To set the torque, you can use the given buttons. When you attain the set torque, it will give a buzzer, a flash of light, vibration or a combination of the three so that you do not over-tighten.

Before you install the plugs

You need to ensure that any foreign material such as dirt, grease and dust do not get into the engine through the spark plug chambers.

Also, clean the mounting seat before you install the plug and check to make sure there is a gasket. If everything checks out, you are ready to install and tighten your plugs.

Installing the plug

The seat mounting is okay, there is no dirt or dust. Now, you can install the plug and tighten it by hand. To do this, hold the spark plug vertically, straight and tighten by hand, before you can torque it.

It is important to ensure the thread end of the plug does not come into contact with grease. If it is slippery, you will apply more torque than necessary. Over-tightening the spark plug is harmful to the cylinder head and the plug itself.

Tightening by turns

For 14mm or 18mm spark plugs, just turn them 180 degrees using the wrench to tighten them completely. This means turning them half-circle and the job is done. If you exceed that, they will be over-tight.

For used plugs, just tighten them by hand and then turn them 30 degrees only and they will be tight enough.

What size of a torque wrench do I need for spark plugs

The torque requirement for spark plugs starts at 7 ft-lb going upwards, mostly to 20 ft-lb. The socket size for this wrench is 3/8 inches. However, because the plugs sit deeply, you have to get a torque wrench adapter to reach the plugs.

This is going to extend the wrench size, so you have to recalculate the torque that you need. It is also best to use a beam torque wrench since you can set low torque levels.

Before you buy the torque wrench, check the torque range. If the lowest value is higher than 7 ft-lb, you might need to choose a different one.

If the 3/8-inch torque wrench is not going to help you, you should probably get ¼-inch wrench because that might measure torque levels of as low as 5 ft-lb.

How important is it to use a torque wrench for spark plugs?

Can you tighten spark plugs without using a torque wrench, by hand? Many people doing their plug change for the first time are going to ask this question.

If you are a novice at changing spark plugs, you should torque them to the right force. Most experienced mechanics are able to tighten the spark plugs quite well, without torquing them.

There is a lot of risk when you tighten the spark plugs without torquing them. For instance, you can damage the cylinder head if you over-tighten them.

If they are too loose, you will experience misfire, loss of power, poor fuel economy, hard start in the morning and many other issues.

To avoid all of these risks, ensure you use a torque wrench to tighten the spark plugs to the right torque level. If you do not torque the wrench, you will not have peace of mind because you will always doubt the health status of your engine.

Even when it’s your mechanic changing the spark plugs, insist they have to use a torque wrench to tighten the plugs. This ensures there isn’t excess force on the gasket or looseness that can hamper the performance of your engine.

Best torque wrenches for spark plugs

Here are a few torque wrenches that you might want to use for your spark plugs:

T OOLUXE 03703L Dual Drive Beam Style Torque Wrench

The package comes with a 3/8-inch and ½-inch drive heads for different jobs

The size of the handle is 17 long

With a torque range of 0 to 150 Ft-Lbs, it can measure the low spark plug torque

You get accurate readings from the beam deflection. Another benefit is that this type of beam torque wrench does not lose calibration easily

You can use this wrench in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions easily

CDI 1003LDFNSS torque wrench

The torque range for this wrench is 0 to 100 ft-lb, which makes it possible to use on spark plugs.

It has a 1/2-Inch Drive so ensure your spark plugs need this size

By design, it has a torsion beam which flexes when you tighten the spark plugs. This then moves the dial needle to measure the torque

It does not have a ratchet head mechanism so you will have to remove it every time and refit it on the fastener

The wrench is very accurate so it is used in military, nuclear and other sensitive installations

ACDelco ARM601

The torque range for this wrench is 3.7 to 37 ft-lb, so it’s good since most spark plug minimum torque is 7 ft-lb

This digital torque wrench has a buzzer and LED flash to let you know when set torque is achieved

It has a 3/8-inch drive, which is appropriate for most spark plugs

The accuracy rating is high at +/-1.5%

It uses batteries (4 AAA) types that can last a good duration

FIRSTINFO Magnetic Universal Swivel Spark Plug Socket Wrench

This comes with a 3/8-inch drive and it’s specifically designed for spark plugs

It comes with a T-handle design so it is easy to reach the spark plugs from their positions

The head has 360-degree swivel action to give you maximum flexibility

It has an interior magnet to get hold of the spark plugs so that they do not drop back in

The shaft is 11 inches long, made of chrome vanadium steel alloy a polished chrome finish

Wrapping up

Choosing the best torque wrench for spark plugs can save you a lot of headache and money when it comes to replacing your plugs.

Some people will say that you can tighten the spark plugs without using a torque wrench. However, that is not entirely correct. It is best to torque them so that there is no risk of damage to your cylinder head, spark plug or other engine components.

The best torque wrench for this job can be a dual beam one, electronic or click type. We would also highly recommend the FIRSTINFO Magnetic Swivel wrench, which is specifically made for spark plugs. It has some benefits such as the magnetic socket that holds the spark plugs intact.

Overall, do not ignore torquing your spark plugs. It will give you peace of mind. Besides, even with experience, it is hard to tell when you have really tightened the plugs to the manufacturer-recommended torque value.

Just because the bolt is located in a hard-to-reach space, it does not mean you should ignore torquing it properly. There are types of torque wrenches made for that kind of hard job.

Types of torque wrenches to use for tight spaces

Here, the choice of the torque wrench to use depends on how tight the space is and the work setting. I will try to explain what I mean by this…

You see, a tight space in an industrial setting is not the same as a tight space in the engine bay. Therefore, you will find that you can use a really big torque wrench to tighten fasteners in tight spaces – in an industrial setting!

On the other hand, a small, digital torque wrench is appropriate for tightening fasteners in small spaces in the engine bay.

Pneumatic vs hydraulic torque wrench for tight spaces in industrial setting

As you can see in our article on hydraulic vs pneumatic torque wrench, the hydraulic one is most appropriate for small spaces in the industrial setting.

It comes in two types – the low profile hydraulic torque wrench, which is smaller and is designed to slip over the bolt/nut. Its recessed design makes it appropriate for heavy-torque fasteners in small spaces.

There is also the square drive hydraulic torque wrench, which is bulkier. It cannot help you tighten fasteners in tight spaces.

However … despite its bulky head, the fixed square hydraulic torque wrench is still better for small spaces than the huge, bulbous and bulky pneumatic torque wrench.

Manual vs digital torque wrench for small non-industrial spaces

Which between the manual vs digital torque wrench is better for the small spaces in your car engine bay, boat or other such setting?

Well, we would recommend you go with the digital torque wrench because it is easier to use. It also gives a combination of alerts when it reaches the set torque. It is hard to miss!

However, don’t write off the manual torque wrench just yet. If there is space to spare, use it. It’s accuracy is not compromised but you can miss the click easily if you are working in noisy spaces.

Why you need a torque wrench for tight spaces

If you have tried to pry loose a bolt that was over-tightened in a tight space, you can probably understand the importance of using the right amount of torque in tight spaces.

The best thing is to get the force application right in the first place. This means applying the right amount of torque on the fasteners in the tight spaces. That way, even when you have to undo the fastener in future, you are not going to need to use too much force.

Thankfully, for such fasteners in tight spaces, there are torque wrenches designed for just that. In “specific” terms, we refer to these as ergonomic torque wrenches. There is a good number of these so buying one is not a problem at all.

The last thing you want to do is to under or over-tighten the lug nuts of your car. Imagine a car rolling down the highway at the speed of 60MPH with loose lug nuts! That is not very encouraging.

To avoid this, you need to know the recommended torque level for the fastener. Check with the car service manual. You can find torque levels indicated for every fastener used on the car.

Some nuts and fasteners are in nooks and crannies that can be hard to reach. The good thing though is that there are torque wrenches that are designed to use in tight spaces. We shall see more about them here.

It does not matter whether you are a DIY-er or a professional mechanic, the fact is that you need a good set of torque wrenches. Among them, you must have one that you can use in squeezed spaces.

How do you torque a tight space?

Just because there are fasteners in tight and hidden space, it does not mean you should ignore to torque them.

Choose the right torque wrench for tight spaces

To torque fasteners in tight spaces, you need the right torque wrench. Most people prefer to use a break-over wrench.

This is aptly named because it has an integrated hinge. Once the set torque is reached, it “breaks” at the hinge and so you cannot use it to tighten anymore.

The dynamics of tightening fasteners in the tight spaces are not different from those of wide-open spaces.

If the space is very squeezed, there will not be enough room to fit the ratchet head and the socket at the same time. However, a break over torque wrench is going to work well in such spaces.

What makes the break-over wrenches fit enough for such jobs? The design is different from that of the ratchet head and socket wrenches.

Instead of a ratchet head, these tools come with a spigot-style head, a box or open-ended design. The good thing with such heads is that they are flatter, so they can fit better in squeezed spaces. They work the same as a manual torque wrench and they are very accurate.

This flexible design of the break over wrench enables you to tighten fasteners to the right torque, even when they are in inaccessible spaces.

Tighten to the specified torque level

It will take more time to torque bolts and fasteners in the tight spaces than it would take to tighten those in open places.

However, take your time and ensure that the bolts are torqued fully, until the torque wrench gives you the signal of having achieved the set torque.

Because of the positioning shenanigans, these fasteners deserve more care than others. If you do not torque them to the right level, you are going to have problems when you need to loosen them in future.

You can tighten the fasteners using two steps. First, set the torque wrench to half the needed torque and then tighten the fasteners half way. After that, you can set the final torque and tighten them fully.

Also, check the fasteners for rust because it can prevent you from tightening them accordingly.

You can use a torque adapter

Some parts in the engine bay are totally inaccessible. If this is the case, you can try to use an adapter, specifically one that’s designed for use in the tightest of spaces in the engine bay and other places.

Perhaps you are afraid that these torque wrench adapters will mess up with your torque settings. They will but you can recalculate the torque level you need to set. To do that, you would have to consider the length of the wrench and that of adapter.

Because of the extra length that the torque wrench is going to gain after adding the adapter, the torque will be higher. If you are not careful, you will apply more torque than the manufacturer of the fastener intended.

This will cause over-tightening the fastener, which can ruin its threads and compromise of the part it is holding together.

Once you adjust the torque accordingly, it will be so simple to use your wrench to tighten the fasteners. You need never struggle again with fasteners in tight spaces.

Which should you torque: bolt or nut?

Another question most people ask in this regard is: Does it matter if you torque the nut or bolt?

Short answer is… you torque the nut more often than the bolt.

Long answer is … This depends on the job at hand. In some cases, you might need to torque the nut alone and not the bolt.

In some cases, you can torque either and the result will be just as good. They will both give you a seriously tight connection.

When to apply torque on bolt or nut alone

If the hole that the fastener is going through provides an interference, you might want to apply the torque to the nut rather than the bolt.

If you are using the bolt and nuts to tighten a fastener that has a bigger hole on one side only, you will be using a fastener that has differently sized nut and bolt head.

If this is the case, you should always apply the torque on the head (bolt or nut) that is on the smaller hole side.

When you are clamping two types of materials together, you should torque the head (of bolt or nut) that is on the side of the material that is likely to have the lower friction coefficient. This is especially important to remember when you are clamping two parts of different materials.

When you are clamping aluminum and brass material together, torque the bolt or nut on the side of the material with the lower friction coefficient. In this case, that will be on the brass side as it has a friction coefficient of 0.51 while that of aluminum is 0.61.

When you are using long bolts, apply the torque on the head. If you apply it on the head of the long bolt, there will be torsional wind up.

Overall, as you have seen here, we torque nuts more often because they are stronger than bolts. If you expose a bolt and a nut to the same conditions, the bolt will break earlier, before the nut can strip. That is why in many tightening applications, you should torque the nut more than the bolt.

The right way to thread a nut over a bolt

The bolt is longer than the nut. There is a proper way to thread the nut over the bolt. Always leave the first two threads of the bolt exposed. Assume them to be misaligned or bad.

Best bang for your buck torque wrench (for tight spaces)

There are so many torque wrenches in the market that you can use for working in tight spaces. Do you want a low profile hydraulic torque wrench for small spaces in industrial setting?

Perhaps you a digital wrench for small spaces in your car’s engine bay. They come in their numbers.

Here is a table to show you a few such torque wrenches and their features:

EPAUTO 3/8-Inch drive – Best Click Torque Wrench

• Very affordable, also comes with 3/8-inch, 1/2-inch and 1/4-inch torque adapters
• Torque range is 10 to 80 ft-lb
• Knurled grip on the handle makes it anti-slip
• Usable for bike, motorcycle and car maintenance and repair
• Built to last with chrome vanadium, comes in a high quality plastic carry case

GEARWRENCH 1/2-Inch Drive – Best Digital Torque Wrench

• It has a 5-degree swinging arc so it works in tight spaces
• Has 72-tooth ratcheting mechanism
• It is water and oil-resistant so you can work with it outside
• High accuracy rating of +/-2% clockwise and +/-3% in counterclockwise direction
• Torque range is 7.37 ft-lb to 100 ft-lb
• Also available in flex-head design, comes in a nice plastic case

Atlas COPCO RTX-14 Low Profile Hydraulic Torque Wrench

• The housing is made of aluminum to keep it lightweight
• Has many axis (like pivot points) for the hydraulic pipe flexibility
• Low profile design enables it to slip over bolts in tight spaces
• Wide torque range of 2010-13400 ft lb to tighten or loosen fasteners

Wrapping Up

Fasteners in dinghy places in the engine bay require the best torque wrench for tight spaces. To recap the information we have given you here, you should use a break-over torque wrench because it has a smaller head.

It will fit in nifty places. If they are really hard to reach, torque them halfway and then set the full torque, and torque to the end.

If you have the right tools for the job, you can do many of the bikes maintenance needs, and save yourself a good amount of money.

You will also find that the more care you give your motorcycle, the more the two of you understand and respect each other.

But first, what size torque wrench is best for motorcycles? Most of the fasteners on motorcycles range along the sizes of ¼ and 3/8 inches. Ensure the motorcycle torque wrench set you buy has sockets of these sizes. You can also toss in a ½-inch socket for the occasional big nut.

Apart from buying the right torque wrench, there is a lot more to know about how to tighten the bike fasteners.

Different fasteners require different amounts of torque. We shall explore all that, and more. Remember, you can have the right torque wrench and still misuse it and wreck your bolts and nuts.

Before you hop into the market to buy a click torque wrench, here is everything you should know about torque application on your motorcycle parts.

Torque wrench sizes for motorcycle parts

Torque wrench sizes for motorcycles start at ¼ inch, and can go all the way up to ¾-inch, or even 1 –inch. Here are the most common applications for the different sizes:

¼-inch size – This is the most common size for the small fasteners in the engine, for valve covers and other similar parts. It is best for fasteners that do not need more than 50 to 250 inch-lb, or 4 to 21 ft-lb.

3/8-inch size – You can use this one to tighten the lug nuts of most motorbikes. You can also use it to tighten the spark plugs of your engine. Either way, it is a good tool to have in your motorbike torque wrench set. It will apply torque of between 15 to 75 ft-lb.

½-Inch size – This is best for large nuts and bolts. You mostly use it for suspension parts such as wheel lugs. Such fasteners need 30 to 250 ft-lb torque range.

¾-inch to 1-inch wrench – You will hardly find any use for these large sized torque wrenches on your motorcycle. However, it does not hurt to have them around. You can use them for your car or truck needs.

How much torque do you need on motorcycle fasteners?

It is vital to know the level of torque you need to apply on different motorcycle fasteners. If you under-torque your fasteners, they will run loose and that can put your life in danger.

Over-tightening your nuts is going to compromise the fasteners as well as the parts they hold together.

Another benefit of knowing the level of torque to apply on fasteners is that they (fasteners) come in different types.

Here is a brief look at some of the common motorcycle fasteners:

Hex head bolts – These are screws with heads shaped like a hexagon. They are the most common fasteners for cars, bikes, motorcycles, lawn mowers and many other items.

Flanged bolts – they look like hexagonal head bolts but this time around, the head flares out where it joins the stem, as if a washer has been welded into them. They are used for engine covers/side covers.

Allen head bolts – These are also called socket head bolts and you require an Allen key to tighten or loosen them. You cannot use a wrench since they have a sunken head.

Torx bolts – The head looks like a star and the part that you use to tighten with the right tool is sunken.

Phillips head screws – They are not popular but they still find some use here and there. These screws come with a cross-slot, so you need a “star” screwdriver to tighten them.

Studs – a stud is long, it has threads on both sides, and no head that you can tighten with a torque wrench. Normally, you screw them onto a part and then you use a nut to hold an item to the stud.

These are just a few of the types of fasteners that you will find being commonly used on your motorcycle to join different parts.

Now, we need to find out how much torque different fasteners for your bike need.

Torque range for different fasteners of a motorcycle

You could ask: What is the torque wrench range for motorcycles? Generally, nothing on a motorcycle is going to need a torque level of what the wheel lugs of a truck would need. Most fasteners seem to do well with a torque range of 1.1 ft-lb to 94 ft-lb.

Head bolts require torque values of 45 to 50 ft-lb, or higher. Exhaust manifolds need torque of 13 to 20 ft-lb and the flywheel requires 41 to 47 ft-lb.

The clutch cover torque level is 13.5 to 20 ft-lb and so on. Of course, this will differ from one motorbike to another, but that is the general range.

If you are not sure about the torque you should apply on different bolts, you should check with the manufacturer of your bike. Always ask when you are not sure!

If you cannot get the recommended torque values for different fasteners, check with a site like Bolt Depot. They bring you a well detailed chart showing different types of bolts with their recommended torque levels.

Why is torque application important? Some people will tell you that it is okay to use a regular wrench (spanner) to tighten the bolts and nuts as long as there are no bearings behind the nuts. This is wrong though! You should not do that at all!

If there is torque listed for a certain fastener, you should apply the right level of torque.Even if you are very experienced, you cannot test the torque by hand.

You need a torque wrench because it is designed to “break” and stop tightening when you reach the desired torque.

Besides, you don’t want your wheel lugs to become loose when you are doing 80MPH on your motorbike, do you?

How do you use a torque wrench on a motorcycle?

Buying a torque wrench is good, but knowing how to use it for different tightening jobs is even better. So why is it so important to know how to use a torque wrench for a motorcycle?

If you do not know how to set the torque level on your tool, it will mean you will torque the fasteners to the wrong torque level. You will think you have done the right job while you have actually under or over-tightened.

Use the right torque wrench

Start by selecting the type of wrench you want for your bike. It can be a beam torque wrench, or any other type.

For delicate engine parts, you should use a digital torque wrench. This one gives a digital readout for torque, so it is easy to use.

You will also find it easy to enter your torque settings. Also, they do not lose their calibration if you handle them carefully.

Secondly, when you do not torque your nuts to the right levels of force, you will damage your fasteners as well as the part you are working on.

To use the torque wrench on your bike wheels, start by tying the nuts on the threads by hand until they catch.

You can then fit the socket to cover the lug and then commence tightening it until the torque wrench “fails” to tighten any more.

If you are doing the wheel lugs, attach them by hand until they catch on and then tighten them diagonally to ensure some balance. This is also a good way to ensure that the wheel sits in balance.

It is also important to heed the advice of the seller of your bike. For instance, if you buy a Harley Davidson Freewheeler model, you might be advised to torque the wheels to a range of 90 to 100 ft-lb.

You will also be advised to check and re-torque again at 100 miles. It is very important you don’t ignore such advice.

How to tighten multiple fasteners

A bike’s cylinder head has multiple fasteners. Ensure you tighten them in a criss-cross pattern to make sure it sits in a balanced way.

You might want to avoid applying the final torque until all the fasteners have been torqued in stages to the same level of force.

Recommended torque for various motorcycle fasteners

These are torque levels for a few fasteners on different motorcycles. Motorbikes have hundreds of fasteners so you should consult the user manual that came with yours.

Conclusion

The best torque wrench for motorcycle comes is going to help you tighten the different fasteners to the right torque.

To use the torque wrench, refer to the factory service manual of your motorbike. Pay attention to the fasteners’ recommended torque levels so that you do not exceed them.

If you are doing multiple fasteners such as you would find on a cylinder head, tighten the bolts slowly and uniformly.

Do the same for wheel lugs so that the wheel sits squarely.