how to use a BEAM STYLE torque wrench

One of the simplest torque wrench is would be a beam style torque wrench. There’s nothing to set on it you just tighten the bolt and as you do you watch the needle that stays stationary point to your torque. It’s even possible to torque a reverse thread because the numbers go on each Direction. Very simple but effective. I guess your torque. These wrenches are typically lower cost than the clicker style

[conservatorcivilus]

May I add that proper use includes a)checking that the needle is showing 0 when beam is at rest, b)keeping the grip handle pivoting on its pivot (if it has one) while torquing, and c)seeing that the needle is not rubbing but rather 'floating' in its guide while tightening to torque value. Thanks.

[omarmendez]

I just got a torque wrench & this video helped me so much this is the best video explaining

[zerozero]

For $15 im glad theres options and this was mine currently

[sketchin]

Thanks for this. I watched a terrible video on the same subject just a decond ago, but this was a breath of fresh air.

[BlondieSL]

A couple of things for anyone watching this video.

I HIGHLY recommend to NOT test your torque wrench in a vice like this. Unless, you are testing very low torque numbers and know when it's not working right.

A few weeks ago, I bought a torque wrench. Sadly, it was garbage. I set it to a low number, like 20 FP and put it in the vice like this.
But I didn't know what 20 FP would "feel" like. So I kept pulling, waiting for the click (click type wrench not this beam style one).

Well, all of a sudden, a huge SNAP! The vice literally broke in half. And right at the bottom of one of the jaws where the metal is thick.

So never again.

I did return THAT wrench and bought a much better one that actually works. (I actually bought 2. One that goes up to 250 FP and a smaller one with more accuracy).

I did have to buy a new vice, which I'll install any day now... sigh... anyyy dayyyy nowww. LOL


As for the beam type, I also have one of those and used it for years.

A bunch of months back, I noticed that the needle as not pointing at zero when not in use.
So, I just bent the pointer bar until it was at zero.

To my shock, when I tested the beam type wrench against the one with more accuracy and to my great surprised, the beam type was right on the button! Impressive for such a cheap, non-clicking wrench.

[marlowt]

Why is it resting at 10 ft/lb? Seems like a problem. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[tweetdezweet]

just a FYI: MKG does not equal NM, you have to divide Nm by 10 to get mKG :)

[USMC-Sniper-]

I've never seen a beam torque wrench 10 ft. lbs. off! Wish you showed how to re-calibrate it to zero. Maybe if I take mine to a lug nut that might fix mine being about 2 lbs. off. UPDATE: Just got back from testing the accuracy of my clicker against my Craftsman beam and found my clicker to be dead on. I also looked at my beam after a few 60 lb. twists of my lug nuts and it looked to be almost dead on now. I guess they were right that when put into use, they straighten them selves out. I'm sure heat and cold can play a minor factor in accuracy as well. Now I have to decide which to use on my Chevy 350 head bolts at 65 ft. lbs. I guess seeing is believing and it don't get any more accurate than

[MrCROBosanceros]

How about explaining the most important part of Beam Type Torque Wrench, how to properly hold a handle?

[saprissa]

I got two of these from a garage sale. Bought them without even knowing how to use them. I had to grab them I think they were made in the US and sold by SEARS.

[jaky]

The metric scale is dNm, which is Nm * 10, so the max is actually 200Nm, not 20.

[randallthomas]

And the beam type, let’s you see if the fastener is binding and releasing. Which you can’t detect with the click style.

[GY-SCOOTERS]

I happen to notice that the needle reader was off center when your hand wasn't touching it looked to be sitting at 8-10 foot pounds

[Alex-qmig]

I used a rope that I measured to break at 54N and just multiplied the lever and managed to hit 25NM without such a wrench x'D

[NavajoBenJr]

LoL kool thank you from the Navajo Reservation

[okaythen]

Is it true that beam type rarely get out of calibration vs click ones? how often should you recalibrate beam type? and people actually use beam type to check on click type wrenches?

[lorenfok]

What brand is that torque wrench? Is the Craftsman beam from Sears any good? They have it for $15 right now. Cheaper than harbor freight clicker wrench.

[Mirrale]

You're like Hank Hill without the accent.

[willisram]

Can you do spark plugs with this style torque wrench?

[MrHardcoreBS]

I need 40nm of torque for my crankset on bike, i think i need a lot of power for it, that is a lot torque I think if this is ony 20nm wrench