Thread: Ratchet Adaptor for Torque Wrench

Can handle 512 Nm... that's pretty stout!

I have a 400mm breaker bar and 6 point deep sockets which I use for all the heavier jobs, but the issue is the limited angles you can get from the 6 point socket- often doesn't work in your favour. This ratchet adaptor would be an ideal tool for these situations.

Only tested it to 160Nm. (Email states maximum safe torque 512Nm.)
However, for the price it's worth a go at higher torque. Wear safety glasses!!!!
Never bought from Hans Tools before. It's a family business in Taiwan and has an extensive E catalogue. Answered Email overnight.

Socket head screw to pull apart.
Tension Wrench angle only 90' and a pain sometimes.

Chris

There can be problems of not getting correct torque figures if you use anything between Torque wrench head and bolt/nut being torqued, even an extension drive, my W&B's came with square 1/2" drive extensions (1" up to 12") which clip directly into the head of the torque wrench and replace the standard 1/2" drive bar.
I have tested, on an old engine, using a standard 6" and 12" Sidchrome extension drive/bar against the 6" and 12" 1/2" square extensions (which are stamped with their max. torque figures.
There was between 1/2 a bolt/nut flat and a 1/4 of a flat difference, the Sidcchrome extensions were not done up as far as the square extensions even though the torque readings were the same.
The Sidchrome or any other quality 1/2" extension bars allow more flex and trigger the clicker on the torque wrench before the bolt has reached it's correct position.
So I would check if there is a different reading using this "Ratchet" gadget, or you could end up with less torque on the bolt than you think, Regards Frank.

Umm unless you're permitting the head to deflect off of the center orrotation or your ratchet adaptor includes some kind of torque limiter, torque mulitplier or is built with the centers off axis.

No, Just no.

the rotational deflection of an extension bar simply means you have to pull the handle further round the circle to achieve the final required torque on the bolt. Unless your doing the bolt up so tightly that you're exceeding the yeild strength of your extension bars in which case

1. you need to select more appropriate tools
2. you need to select better quality tools
3. you wont get the torque wrench to click anyways because the extension bar will be absorbing the torque and not delivering it to the head of the bolt.

the logic is newtonianly simple. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. If I put 30ftlb of rotational toque on one end of a bar that has no method of friction applied to it to absorb any of the effort applied how many ftlb of torque appear at the other end of the bar?

IF however you allow the torque wrench to deflect off axis because of slop in the fittings and not supporting the head of the wrench inline with the center of rotation what happens to the applied torque and what is the formula for working out the applied torque value?

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

Umm unless you're permitting the head to deflect off of the center orrotation or your ratchet adaptor includes some kind of torque limiter, torque mulitplier or is built with the centers off axis.

No, Just no.

the rotational deflection of an extension bar simply means you have to pull the handle further round the circle to achieve the final required torque on the bolt. Unless your doing the bolt up so tightly that you're exceeding the yeild strength of your extension bars in which case

1. you need to select more appropriate tools
2. you need to select better quality tools
3. you wont get the torque wrench to click anyways because the extension bar will be absorbing the torque and not delivering it to the head of the bolt.

the logic is newtonianly simple. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. If I put 30ftlb of rotational toque on one end of a bar that has no method of friction applied to it to absorb any of the effort applied how many ftlb of torque appear at the other end of the bar?

IF however you allow the torque wrench to deflect off axis because of slop in the fittings and not supporting the head of the wrench inline with the center of rotation what happens to the applied torque and what is the formula for working out the applied torque value?

So you're saying that extension bars don't twist, why then when using an extension bar with a rattle gun on a very tight nut/bolt and it won't undo, then you remove the extension bar and the nut/bolt undoes easily.
Quote: "[B][/the rotational deflection of an extension bar simply means you have to pull the handle further round the circle to achieve the final required torque on the bolt."B].

If you pull the handle further as you say and the bolt/nut is not moving then my W&B torque wrench will reach it's designated torque before the bolt/nut has reached its correct position, which means quiet simply that the extension bar has some twist,
Quote: "1. you need to select more appropriate tools
2. you need to select better quality tools
3. you wont get the torque wrench to click anyways because the extension bar will be absorbing the torque and not delivering it to the head of the bolt.
.
I did state that I was using quality tools, sorry I don't get #3., Regards Frank.

G'day All,
Thanks for the feedback.
The Ratchet adapter is compact in design and does not have a bar connecting input and output as such. Only male and female 1/2" square drive and Ratchet in between.
However, my Tension Wrench is due for a Cal so hopefully in the next few weeks will get them to test with and without adaptor to see if there is a difference on there NATA certified equipment. (Fortunately rang last week however nobody in workshop that week.)
Will post the result.
Chris

Originally Posted by Tank

5 ft/lbs loss for every 6" of length extension bar, you can even get an App. for your phone to calculate, Regards Frank.

I feel sick. All those aircraft bolts I torqued up to 50 in/lb with a 6" extension were actually undoing themselves????

C'mon Frank - its out of the bag now. Let's stop derailing the OP's thread now

Steve

want to know whats really cool about those ratchets?

you can use them as finger ratchtes while they are hooked up to the torque wrench so if you have room to get your hand around the head of the wrench you can actually tighten the socket up with your fingers while you hold everything in alignment so if you get yourself in one of those fiddly hard to get into postiions (like say td5 alternator and starter bolts or the top bolts on a tdi gearbox housing) you can slide everything in put inwards pressure with one hand on the torque wrench and then just casually reach up grab the extension bars and turn them with the other hand. If you get one of those sodsa bolts that goes easy for 3/4 of a turn and then is just past hand tight, no problems, just give the torque wrench a go while your hand on the extension bar provides the inwards push.

If that one breaks on you let me know and I'll get you a link to an even better designed one that has knurling on the body and the ratcheting occurs on the female side on the inside of the ratchet so you can do the same trick while having about a 2 inch wide body to grab instead of a 3/4 ish diameter extension bar.