Torque wrench, do most people use them.

[simon.r]

It's best not to use a wrench or allen key to tighten threaded fasteners. Both of these tool designs have only one handle and so the force is applied asymmetrically. Far better to use a 'T' shaped wrench/driver, although I've never seen a torque wrench in that format.

I use one of these to avoid the asymmetry of allen keys and other wrenches that have only one handle.

How is that going to affect how tightly a bolt is done up?

 

[Smurfy]

How is that going to affect how tightly a bolt is done up?

It doesn't. I'm merely observing that the tool design is far from ideal for the job (asymmetric loading means that it is more likely that the socket of the fastener will become damaged during tightening/loosening). I've never seen a design of torque wrench that doesn't involve asymmetric loading.

 

[simon.r]

It doesn't. I'm merely observing that the tool design is far from ideal for the job (asymmetric loading means that it is more likely that the socket of the fastener will become damaged during tightening/loosening). I've never seen a design of torque wrench that doesn't involve asymmetric loading.

Ah, I see - fair point.

 

[Night Train]

It's best not to use a wrench or allen key to tighten threaded fasteners. Both of these tool designs have only one handle and so the force is applied asymmetrically. Far better to use a 'T' shaped wrench/driver, although I've never seen a torque wrench in that format.

I use one of these to avoid the asymmetry of allen keys and other wrenches that have only one handle.

It is a case of what works for you.

I've never had an issue with asymmetric loading of the tool. I brace the driver end of the tool with my other hand to stabilise it, much like using a car jack under the end of a wheel brace when loosening stubborn wheel nuts, and then ensure I am providing a rotational torque around the driver and not just a linear pull.

35 years of not using T handled tools and it hasn't been an issue.


I have a torque wrench but it is used for torque critical jobs like head gaskets and pressure seals. For small stuff I rely on a one or two finger pull on the tool to gauge the loading and equalise loading over more then one fixing.