If you’re working in the maintenance and manufacturing world, you’ll need a torque wrench. That’s because tightening, controlling, or measuring the torque of fasteners is imperative for production efficiency and quality control. With inadequate torque, a fastener can vibrate, break, or work loose, potentially causing major damage. After all, a torque wrench is a precision tool and should be treated and maintained like a measuring instrument.
While all these wrenches help control your torque application, each type of torque wrench has its unique purpose. To find the right torque wrench, compare your needs to the capabilities of our tools. Below is a brief rundown of the wrench styles Mountz offers.
Click Wrenches
The most widely used torque product in the world, these wrenches emit a loud “click” sound when torque is reached. Most break for 3 degrees after torque is reached then turn positive, which can cause over-torque conditions. Operators must be properly trained to prevent them from turning past torque, limiting the utility of these wrenches in highly critical applications. However, the low price point of click wrenches renders them an ideal tool for most fastening applications with less critical torque requirements. Both adjustable and preset click wrenches are available.
Break-Over Wrenches
Break-over wrenches deflect between 20-90 degrees when proper torque is reached, preventing operators from over-torquing. Some models reset automatically, while others are manual. These wrenches are ideal for assembly operations and field service applications.
Cam-Over Wrenches
Cam-over wrenches utilize a ball and lobe design to slip free when proper torque is reached, absolutely preventing over-torque conditions if adjusted properly. This specificity renders cam-over wrenches perfect for all manner of critical applications where over-torque cannot be tolerated. In addition, cam-over wrenches are non-length dependent.
Electronic Wrenches
Electronic wrenches are diagnostic tools used in production, auditing, joint validation, and fastener testing. Certain models have memory settings.
Dial Wrenches
Dial wrenches are also diagnostic tools, typically used for quality control to verify or monitor torque. These wrenches can come equipped with memory pointers.
Insulated Wrenches
Insulated torque wrenches protect workers from electrical hazards while ensuring that electrical fasteners receive proper torque. These wrenches also reduce the possibility of short circuits.
RF, COAX, and SMA Wrenches
RF, COAX, and SMA wrenches provide torque control for RF cabling applications. This is particularly important in high-frequency applications using stainless steel or beryllium-copper bodies. SMA torque wrenches commonly have open-ended spanner or roller grip head configurations.
Weld Stud Test Tools
Simple tools for testing the shear torque of weld studs, weld stud test tools are particularly useful in the automotive and appliance industries.
To learn more about setting verification and calibration test intervals for your torque wrench, as well as preventative maintenance guidelines, read the white paper Understand, Maintain and Service Your Torque Wrench. If you have any other questions about Mountz torque wrenches, contact us and our team of torque experts will be happy to answer them.