What is the Difference between a torque wrench and a socket wrench? Are they the same thing?

Question

I am putting together a mountain bike that I bought ( just getting into it). The directions say to use a torque wrench. Not all that knowledgeable about hand tools. Trying to get information before buying the wrench.

Answer 1

A socket wrench is like a small steel tube - one end has ridges that fit precisely around a bolt. The other end often has an opening of 1/4", 3/8", or 1/2" square. This end receives the protruded part of a ratchet with the same dimension.

Most torque wrenches look like a larger version of a ratchet -- in fact, it often also has a ratchet mechanism.

The purpose of a torque wrench is to measure the precise amount of pressure you use to tighten down a bolt. Generally, you do this by placing a Socket wrench for the bolt size in question onto a Torque wrench. You will then dial (usually on the handle end) to the amount of torque the specification calls for -- usually in Foot lbs or Inch lbs.

Affix the bolt receiving end to the bolt and tighten, clockwise. You will hear a clicking sound when you have reached the indicated torque.

Again, a Torque wrench is used to measure the precise amount of pressure(torque) applied to a bolt. This is usually done to assure you do not over-tighten the bolt and thereby strip threads AND/OR assure you do not under-tighten and the bolt gets loose while you are operating the bike(a rather dangerous situation).

A torque wrench can cost over $50.00, and you will likely rarely use it. You might just tighten the noted nuts/bolts firmly, then take it to a local bike shop and ask if it is tightened enough. They might take a torque wench to it to check it out. However, experienced assemblers generally just firmly tighten --unless it's a high-end bike.

There are less expensive -- but less precise --torque wrenches available. You would still affix a socket wrench on it. Difference: instead of a dial adjuster on the handle with the audible click, it has a floating pointer that points to the measurement imprinted at the head of this wrench.

If you do decide to buy a torque wrench, they are available at Sears, Home Depot, and probably at most large auto parts stores(Pep Boys, Kragen, etc). Some of these auto parts stores might even allow you to rent one.
You can also buy the needed socket wrench at these same stores.

Answer 2

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RE:
What is the Difference between a torque wrench and a socket wrench? Are they the same thing?
I am putting together a mountain bike that I bought ( just getting into it). The directions say to use a torque wrench. Not all that knowledgeable about hand tools. Trying to get information before buying the wrench.

Answer 3

A socket wrench is a crude way to tighten a nut and bolt, you do not really know how tight you are tightening it.

As for a torque wrench, it will provide you a measure of how tight the nut and bolt are tightened. The measure is usually foot pounds per square inch. The torque wrench looks different than a socket wrench it has a display that shows the tightness on the nut and bolt.

I hope this helps.

Answer 4

Torque wrenches are used for adjusting the specific tightness of nuts and bolts. They come with an adjustable torque setting which is usually in foot pounds (english) or Newton meters (metric). In automotive applications, most nuts/bolts will have a torque setting specified in the manual that when applied will give the exact amount of pressure needed to operate smoothly.

Regular ratchets have no adjustable torque setting. Typically you would refer to the tightness of what you were working on as hand-tight .

For lugs nuts on wheels for example, you would definitely want to use a torque wrench to ensure the nuts are not too loose or too tight. By using a torque wrench, you can ensure that all of the nuts are tightened with the right amount pressure, which would more than likely be imperfect using a ratchet alone.

You can go to http://torquewrenchreviews.com/ to find the best torque wrench for you!

Answer 5

Home Depot Torque Wrench

Answer 6

the difference is simple,with a regular wrench,your strength is the torque,with a torque wrench you can set the desired torque and the wrench will slip at that measurement.example:the heads on a car must be torqued all the same,so you go to the book and you get the foot pounds setting lets say 80foot pounds.set the wrench and it will slip at that setting.a very popular place they use a torque wrench,is at a tire shop.

Answer 7

a torque wrench snaps at the handle then you don't over tighten on nuts.you set it to so many pounds per square inch once you hit that the handle gives then you cant go over tight.a socket wrench is just a fast way of tightening nuts.you can go over the limit with a socket wrench.

Answer 8

A torque wrench is a special wrench, used to consistently tighten all your bolts to the same level. They come in different sizes, and all have a connector to put sockets of different sizes, depending on what size you need. I would suggest going to an auto parts store and renting one, instead of buying one. They can be pricey, and for the use you need, it wouldn't pay for itself.

Answer 9

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No. The torque wrench just lets you dial in the amount you want to tighten a nut; mechanisms in the wrench prevent over tightening any nut.

Answer 10

for the amount that you will use it it will be cheaper to ask your local bike shop or even mechanic to tension the bolts for you

hope this helps dude