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Old 12-01-2019, 03:34 PM   #1
Ford-A-baquet
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Default fish scale instead of torque wrench

A torque wrench only for the rear axle was too expensive for me.
I have already set. Can someone please recalculate.
It seems so tough to me.20 inch pounds is the Task.
Same procedure as with my Land Rover,only tighter.
Thanks
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Old 12-01-2019, 03:57 PM   #2
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Default Re: fish scale instead of torque wrench

One pound at 20 in, or 2 pounds at 10 in, 5 pounds at 4 in.
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Old 12-01-2019, 04:51 PM   #3
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Default Re: fish scale instead of torque wrench

Those numbers would come out to 19.92 in-lb. You're very close.
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Old 12-02-2019, 06:20 AM   #4
Patrick L.
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Default Re: fish scale instead of torque wrench

That scale looks like mine. Works great, a 3# fish weighs in at 7#.
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Old 12-02-2019, 09:32 AM   #5
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Default Re: fish scale instead of torque wrench

Normal torque for a screw driver is about 14 in/lbs to tighten a screw. Many of my torque wrenches won't even go that low. Most start at 30 in/lb and that ain't much. The one I use is a 0 to 600 in/lb dial type but I'm accustomed to how much a pinion shaft rolling torque should be. 20 in/lb would be more of a break away torque to me with a rolling torque around 11 or 12 in/lb. You want them tight enough for long term wear but you don't want them so tight you can't turn them by hand.Used bearings need less rolling torque. New bearings shouldn't go over max. I'd figure around 18 in/lb would be max for me. This is using light oil for lubricant.

Last edited by rotorwrench; 12-02-2019 at 09:38 AM.
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Old 12-02-2019, 10:10 AM   #6
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Default Re: fish scale instead of torque wrench

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With this setup you need to deduct for the weight of the bar, and the scale itself. Loosen the apparatus at the threaded rod, and swing the scale upside down. This will give you the deduction amount.
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Old 12-02-2019, 11:14 AM   #7
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Default Re: fish scale instead of torque wrench

You can get inch lbs Torque wrenches online for less than $20.
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Old 12-02-2019, 11:14 AM   #8
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Default Re: fish scale instead of torque wrench

ebay has new 0-80 in/lb beam type torque wrenches for $25. Just put on a socket and read the scale while rotating. Simple! Done, no fuss, no muss, no conversion factors, no adapters, no guessing!
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Old 12-02-2019, 11:17 AM   #9
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Default Re: fish scale instead of torque wrench

bear in mind it is a fish scale calibrated for fishermen.a 3/8 in-lb torque wrench is a better choice but it is your choice.being cheap is not always the best way

Last edited by 54vicky; 12-03-2019 at 08:44 AM.
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Old 12-02-2019, 11:47 AM   #10
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Default Re: fish scale instead of torque wrench

With the coupon you can get a inch pound torque wrench from Harbor freight for 9.99. In fact for the same price you can get one in foot lbs. I have one of them in every vehicle I drive to torque lug nuts if I have to change a tire. Car craft did a test a few years ago and they rated at the top with less than 2% error, that is better than my Snap-on and Craftsman!
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Old 12-02-2019, 01:24 PM   #11
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Default Re: fish scale instead of torque wrench

Quote:
Originally Posted by holdover View Post
With the coupon you can get a inch pound torque wrench from Harbor freight for 9.99. In fact for the same price you can get one in foot lbs. I have one of them in every vehicle I drive to torque lug nuts if I have to change a tire. Car craft did a test a few years ago and they rated at the top with less than 2% error, that is better than my Snap-on and Craftsman!

But those are the 'click-type'. They are no good for checking pinion bearing preload! When checking preload you must take the reading as the pinion shaft is turning steadily. The reading is highest just before the shaft starts to turn, then drops. What you need is rotating torque, not initial torque. So if you use a click-type wrench and adjust the preload so the wrench clicks just as the bearing starts to move, the rotating torque will actually be too low.
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Old 12-02-2019, 04:38 PM   #12
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Default Re: fish scale instead of torque wrench

Of course, I hang my index finger in the fish scale and draw
this in a circular arc in the 90 degree angle in the direction
of rotation. The pinion shaft is turning stadily.
And the task 3 kg -- the same as your 6,6 pounds was checked with
3 pack flour. Attached are two pictures out of the 1976 land rover
service manual for gearbox and pinion flange, note the fish scale.
being cheap is not always the best way ---- I pick up the ball
and play back ---- I live sustainably, Just buy what I
"absolutely" need. Why should buy a china torque wrench for one
job, if I can use my old fish scale which is good enough for the
rover diff. China products are my last choice. Instead of buying new
cheap china products I buy a second hand branded item on ebay and
fix it up. I remember the time when "one" neighbour in the street
had a longlife branded drill. Everyone has borrowed there.
Now everyone in the street has a drill. China drill for 25 USD
which last max. one month with stressful work.
I'm not stingy, I just lack the consumer thinking.
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Old 12-02-2019, 05:38 PM   #13
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Default Re: fish scale instead of torque wrench

Don't you dare do it the way hundreds (thousands?) of country mechanics did it for 90 years.
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Old 12-02-2019, 05:39 PM   #14
Ted Duke
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Default Re: fish scale instead of torque wrench

In case you didn't follow my last post, "That feels tight enough to me."
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Old 12-02-2019, 05:53 PM   #15
40 Deluxe
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Default Re: fish scale instead of torque wrench

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ford-A-baquet View Post
Of course, I hang my index finger in the fish scale and draw
this in a circular arc in the 90 degree angle in the direction
of rotation. The pinion shaft is turning stadily.
And the task 3 kg -- the same as your 6,6 pounds was checked with
3 pack flour. Attached are two pictures out of the 1976 land rover
service manual for gearbox and pinion flange, note the fish scale.
being cheap is not always the best way ---- I pick up the ball
and play back ---- I live sustainably, Just buy what I
"absolutely" need. Why should buy a china torque wrench for one
job, if I can use my old fish scale which is good enough for the
rover diff. China products are my last choice. Instead of buying new
cheap china products I buy a second hand branded item on ebay and
fix it up. I remember the time when "one" neighbour in the street
had a longlife branded drill. Everyone has borrowed there.
Now everyone in the street has a drill. China drill for 25 USD
which last max. one month with stressful work.
I'm not stingy, I just lack the consumer thinking.

But on the other hand, a man can never have too many tools!
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Old 12-03-2019, 05:13 AM   #16
Bruce of MN
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Default Re: fish scale instead of torque wrench

This made me think of a "fisherman's tape measure."
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Old 12-03-2019, 09:50 AM   #17
rotorwrench
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Default Re: fish scale instead of torque wrench

I have a force gauge that gives a reading for both push and pull but it gets calibrated every year along with my torque wrenches. Fish scales may not be all that accurate. All I can say is that at 20 in/lbs, it will take a good bit of force to turn the bare shaft with your hand.
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Old 12-03-2019, 01:32 PM   #18
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Default Re: fish scale instead of torque wrench

We calibrated our torque wrenches yearly in the General Aviation industry. They required adjustment to keep them accurate. I was told to always store the click type torque wrenches in the relaxed position ( handle rotated ccw). I have a old Craftsman beam style torque wrench that always passed the calibration check.
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Old 12-03-2019, 01:42 PM   #19
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Default Re: fish scale instead of torque wrench

40 Deluxe Great point about rotating torque, Now I need to find an inexpensive beam wrench....
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Old 12-03-2019, 02:17 PM   #20
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Default Re: fish scale instead of torque wrench

Quote:
Originally Posted by holdover View Post
40 Deluxe Great point about rotating torque, Now I need to find an inexpensive beam wrench....

About $25 online, or browse pawn shops. Beam type wrenches are very simple and reliable, As long as the pointer sits at zero, a used one should be fine. If the pointer is off center, some Harry Hammerhand may have bent the beam.
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