Is a torque wrench the same as a socket wrench?
Wrenches perform the same function as ratchets and sockets — tightening and loosening fasteners — but there are differences and situations that call for one over the other. For example, a box-end wrench is a good option for loosening stuck fasteners because you can apply more torque without risking damage to a ratchet mechanism.
What are the types of torque wrench?
What Are the Basic Torque Wrench Types?
- Beam Torque Wrench. Beam torque wrenches are the simplest and basic type of torque wrench available in the market. ...
- Click Torque Wrench. Click torque wrenches are a bit sophisticated version of what we can find in a regular torque wrench.
- Dial Torque Wrench. ...
- Digital/electronic torque wrench. ...
- Hydraulic Torque Wrenches. ...
- Micrometer Torque Wrenches. ...
What are breaker bars used for?
Breaker bar tips and tricks
- Mind your hands and feet. You're going to be applying a lot of force, so make sure you're standing on a firm surface with no oil or anything else you ...
- Penetrating oil will often help loosen rusted nuts and bolts. ...
- Unfortunately, sometimes a bolt will shear, but it doesn't necessarily mean that the part where the threaded end is jammed is ruined. ...
What brand of torque wrench?
The Gorilla Automotive may be a lesser-known brand but it surely makes up for the performance you are expecting in a torque wrench. This product comes with a wide range of lug wrench adaptors, which enables aftermarket lug nuts use. It also boasts durability with its chrome vanadium steel construction.
What can I use instead of a breaker bar?
0:301:26Cheater Bar - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo if you don't have a breaker bar we don't have a long gated ratchet wrench. You could use theMoreSo if you don't have a breaker bar we don't have a long gated ratchet wrench. You could use the cheater bar.
Can you use a socket wrench as a breaker bar?
Never use your torque wrench as a breaker bar—that'll damage the torque mechanism. As a breaker bar works using leverage to get a bolt off, it provides quite a large handle for you. So, it is very convenient to use no matter who you are.Jan 20, 2020
How much torque does it take to break a breaker bar?
150 ft-lbs will break a 3/8" drive usually and about 300 ft-lbs will break a 1/2" drive. These are on regular breaker bars that are partially hollow and have the little ball in the space of the head to hold the socket. A SOLID 1/2" heat treated impact rated drive anvil will go up to about 1200 ft-lbs.Mar 16, 2016
Is it OK to use a torque wrench as a ratchet?
In these applications, a torque wrench is the proper tool to use instead of a plain ratchet. Fortunately, in all but the tightest or most specialized of applications, ratchet torque wrenches can be used.Jun 26, 2019
How big a breaker bar do I need?
The longer the bar is, the higher the leverage and subsequently, the higher the torque. Although length is necessary, there is generally no need to buy the longest break bar you can get your hands on; usually, 16 to 24 inches should be enough for general use.May 31, 2021
How much torque can a socket wrench handle?
Quarter-inch drive click wrenches can use most standard sockets and can tighten fasteners that need anywhere from 20 to 250 inch-pounds of torque. Inch driver versions can be set from 150-750 foot-pounds for heavy-duty manufacturing.May 14, 2019
How much torque can a 3/8 ratchet handle?
The maximum recommended torque for a 3/8 in. ratchet handle is 1800 lbs.
Do torque wrenches work with adapters?
Adapters will affect the torque wrench setting if the distance changes between the fastener and the torque wrench handle. A straight extension will have no effect on the torque wrench setting.Apr 1, 2018
Can You Use a Torque Wrench as a Breaker Bar?
No. Do not use a torque wrench as a breaker bar since it can ruin the calibration of the tool or could damage the torque measuring mechanism. It should only be used for tightening the fastener or loosening the nuts or bolts that are properly torqued and is within the range of the tool.
1. Working Principle
Torque wrenches and breaker bars have similar working principles. Both tools are used to tighten and loosen nuts and bolts through lever action, leveraging a handle that applies torque to a socket tool. They also fit the same nuts and bolts and look similar to the untrained eye. That’s where the similarity ends, though.
2. Function
Breaker bars are used to undo nuts and bolts that are too tight to undo using smaller tools. These sturdy hand tools can resist high torque values and don’t break easily. Their application tends to be non-precision, like loosening rusted bolts or undoing lug nuts on trucks. Breaker bars are straightforward workhorses.
3. Size & Weight
Torque wrenches come in a range of shapes and sizes, typically including drive sizes of ¼ inch, ⅜ inch, ½ inch, and ¾ inch. Smaller drives have shorter handles, and torque wrenches typically fit into small working spaces, like wheel wells. These tools tend to be relatively light and easy to wield.
4. Ratchet Mechanism
A ratchet mechanism is a mechanical device that allows movement in one direction while preventing movement in the opposite direction. This allows you to quickly turn the tool back to its original position without removing the socket.
5. Efficiency (Leverage & Control)
Breaker bars can exert far greater torque than a torque wrench since its handle or effort arm is significantly longer. This allows for more pressure to be applied to a nut or bolts with less effort – this is a great win when loosening rusted or really tight nuts.
6. Safety
Torque wrenches are perfectly safe to use. The likelihood of them experiencing catastrophic failure, stripping a bolt, sending splinters flying everywhere is very small. That is if you use them as they’re intended.
What is Torque Wrench?
A torque wrench is an advanced-level automotive tool that is always used for maintenance and repair tasks. It is designed to be used for tightening purposes according to proper measurements.
What is a Breaker Bar?
Breaker Bar is a well-known common tool in the automotive and mechanical industry. Many people know it as Power Bar. It is mainly used in the unbolting task, and if there is no need for accurate measurement, it can be used for tightening. Many people also use it to break extremely tight fasteners easily.
Torque Wrench vs Breaker Bar Detailed Comparison
In this part, we make a detailed comparison of these two tools and analyze the two tools part by part, which will help you know which tools are suitable for each purpose and which one will be perfect for your work. So let’s see.
Conclusion: Which one is best?
Torque wrench and breaker bar, both tools are perfect for two different work areas. If you are working on tightening and loosening nuts and bolts without any accurate measurements, then a breaker bar is an excellent choice for you.
What is a Torque Wrench?
A torque wrench is different from a breaker bar in two ways: first, a torque wrench can do both fastenings and loosening a bolt easily, while a breaker bar is intended mainly for loosening bolts. The second differencing factor is that a breaker bar can’t control torque and is non-ratcheting while a torque wrench can adjust torque easily.
Variations of Breaker Bar
Breaker bars have some variations but the differences among them are so little that it’s not worth mentioning them. You can be just fine with any good breaker bar you choose. The room for choice is less here, so nothing to worry about on your part. They all are designed to work optimally in any situation.
Variations of Torque Wrenches
There are 8 types of torque wrench variations available. They’re described briefly below
Durability
Both the breaker bar and torque wrench are very durable. If you can maintain and store them properly, they can easily last for years. But you should be careful with electric torque wrenches as they can get damaged from leftover charges in the batteries. If you decide to store your electric wrench for a while, discharge the batteries.
Measurement
A torque wrench can let you adjust the torque force before applying it as well as offer an option for reading the torque force measurements. On the other hand, a breaker bar is non-ratcheting and because of the stiff mechanism, can’t offer any of these.
