[wendel]

I have found many of the fasteners have a low torque requirement. I just wonder if it would be more accurate to use my inch torque wrench instead of my big 1/2 drive ft/lbs torque wrench.

Does anyone know the formula to convert ft/lbs to inches?

 

[alltimes]

I have found many of the fasteners have a low torque requirement. I just wonder if it would be more accurate to use my inch torque wrench instead of my big 1/2 drive ft/lbs torque wrench.

Does anyone know the formula to convert ft/lbs to inches?

To convert foot pounds to inch pounds, multiply by 12.
To convert inch pounds to foot pounds, divide by 12.

 

[Blown306]

My inch/pound torque wrench will not go high enough for many of the fasteners. A 3/8" drive wrench that goes from somewhere like 5-10 to 80-100 ft/pounds would be a good addition to the tool box IMO.

I've always preferred torque wrenches with a narrower working range...I just feel they are more accurate. Not sure if that is actually true or not. I think they are also more accurate the closer to the middle of the scale, so you may want to consider that in making a selection. Converting most of the in/lb fasteners to ft/lb seems to put them well into the upper registers of my in/lb wrench, although I can get away with it sometimes.

 

[pidjones]

For most auto and motorcycle applications, the 3/8" drive is most useful. Harbor Freight has one that is often on sale for $9.99. They seem to check fairly accurate by all reports that I have read. All torque wrenches need recalibration about once a year. I have an inch-pound that goes to 250, but I seldom use it. I only use the 1/2" for lug bolts and such.

 

[wendel]

Thanks. The conversion makes sense. Guess I was too lazy to look it up. I also thought that at the lower setting an inch pound wrench would be more accurate. I have craftsman 1/2 and 3/8 drive. I had not considered the Harbor Freight torque wrench, even though I have buying more and more tools from them.

 

[rmaddox]

1 Ft-lb X 12 in/Ft = 12 in-lb

The units cancel out the Ft and leave In

 

[wehrme]

Thanks. The conversion makes sense. Guess I was too lazy to look it up.

Don't feel bad. The government probably spent $2 billion to get that information from a contractor.

 

[hunzee]

http://www.onlineconversion.com/