Is there some formula used that will tell you how much torque you're applying when using different length socket extensions?

 

Not sure I understand the question. A torque wrench will tell you how much torque you are applying to a bolt. Just by lengthening the socket or adding an extension is not going to change the amount of torque you are applying to the bolt I don't think. If so, then that is news to me.

 

There's no formula I know of; it would depend on the type of material and construction of the extension, which is too big a variable for any formula. Long story short, the formula is : only use an extension if you have to, and the shortest possible.

 

I did find this calc for extending a wrench parallel to the wrench itself, but I'm guessing you're talking about perpindicular extension.

http://www.norbar.com/torquewrenchex...calculator.php

 

As long as you hold on to the handle of the torque wrench and use smooth motions, you'll be getting accurate readings...at least as accurate as your torque wrench. If you hold onto the wrench somewhere else or start adding longer handles, it becomes a physics problem.

Basically, if you have a 1foot bar applying 100 pounds of pressure, you're producing a torque of 100lb-ft. Extend that bar to 2 feet with the same pressure, and you'll be applying 200lb-ft of torque to the bolt.

 

Yeah, I didn't think he was talking about a cheater bar added to the handle of the torque wrench, but a longer socket or an extension from the socket to the connection on the torque wrench.

 

I was talking about an extension from thesocket to the wrench. What you all say makes sense - it would still be the same torque at the head of the wrench unless I extended the handle length. Guess I was making something complicated out of something simple but I just like to know I'm doing it right. Never was good in math or physics.........thank you all......

 

Actually, the length of an extension could have an effect on how the torque is applied tothe bolt/nut and how much torque is applied. It will only be the same as long as the head of the wrench is on a line perfectly perpindicular to the bolt head. The only way to do this is to apply an equal amount of force at the wrench head itself or along the extension; otherwise, if you are pushing down on the wrench handle, the head of the wrench will want to deflect downward such that the head is no longer on a straight line perfectly perpendicular to the bolt head. Rather than all of the torque be applied in the plane parallel to the bolt head, there will also be a component of torque perpindicualr to that plane. This will reduce the amount of torque actually applied to the bolt head in the direction that you want to turn it, as well as run the risk of rounding off the bolt head. Technically, this is occuring even with just the socket attached to the torque wrench; however, since the torque is applied such a small distance out from the bolt head, the effect is negligible. The longer the extender, the greater the effect. If I could draw you a picture, it would be obvious where this lost torque is going. Unfortunately,I can't do that over the internet.

 

.....

 

Thanks...The info about the lubes on the bolts was good stuff....I have an old pointer type torque wrench that I used to work on lawn mower engines years ago. I'm assuming that won't be accurate enough ??