Common Torque Wrench Designs?

by **scrapheap** » 23 Sep 2004 6:12

Can anyone suggest some good designs of torque wrench. I have a simple one at the moment (an L shaped piece of metal really) but I am looking to expand my collection to make my life easier with certain locks.

I am hoping to make them myself, as that is all part of the fun, so if anyone knows of any good templates then that would be great. I have already got a few ideas about possible designs, but I would like to have an idea about what is common so I can avoid re-inventing the wheel.

by **WhiteHat** » 23 Sep 2004 6:15

I've recently become partial to the lab-style twist-flex wrenches
as you can see here:
http://www.lab-lockpins.com/images/ta17pick.jpg

wind screen wiper blades can be twisted into this shape without heating

by **CaptHook** » 23 Sep 2004 6:27

Nothing wrong with what you are using. I like to experiment with different materials for different feels. Find what feels good, and you are all set.
Chuck

by **scrapheap** » 23 Sep 2004 6:27

They do look nice, I will have to have a lock at getting some wiper blades and having a go at making some.

by **scrapheap** » 23 Sep 2004 9:23

I have had a look but I can't find any designs of torque wrenchs designed for lever locks. I know that when dealing with these I will need a collection of different length hook pics, but I have not been able to find out what the torque wrench should look like.

by **Murph** » 23 Sep 2004 9:45

I made tulip torque wrenches similar to what is illustrated in the SouthOrd catalog. They are my favorite. I used the windshield wiper spines. I removed all my allen wrench torque tools but one small one from my pick case. So the tulip style is my first choice when selecting a torque wrench.

by **S3rratedSp00L** » 23 Sep 2004 20:59

You can have to much torque, but you can never have enough torque tools!

Start with your standard L and make a twist fles version, then work your way up from there. Also, experiment with the width! I am finding that I like to grind the wiper blades a little narrower for a good fit on certain locks. Experiment with the length of the tip inserted into the lock as well. Some locks feel better with a long tip and some like a shorter one. If you put your tension tool in the top of the keyway, then go for a shorter one.

My recommendation would be to make double sided tension tool! You can have different styles, sized, or both, on the ends. You can also experiment with tapering the width of the tip of the tool. This can make it fit more snug. Don't forget the thickness of the material, it does make a difference sometimes!

Then you have 2-pronged, circular, feathertouch, and many other styles. I still haven't tried them all. someting to look forward to!

That oughtta get you started!

I just made one of those LAB style tools, so I'll be giving that a try when I grind the width just right! Wiper blades are the way to go! I like to cold bend.

by **Chucklz** » 23 Sep 2004 22:52

Try finding as many different street sweeper bristles/ windshield wiper inserts as possible. There is a wide and wonderful variety of thicknesses and widths. I have a variety of tension tools, in at least 5 differing width/thickness strips. Not to mention different lengths, twists, etc. Just start bending. Eventually you will find something you just love.

by **S3rratedSp00L** » 24 Sep 2004 0:41

Chucklz. excellent advice!

Thinking about tension tools prompted me to make an offset twist flex wrench for opening those pesky diskus style locks while they are attached to something. My Brinks R70 is a real pain when attached, but this tool makes it a little easier, and a lot more comfortable.

I just started bending the heck out of a strip. I am going to try a couple other oddities as well....

by **Murph** » 24 Sep 2004 5:37

S3rratedSp00L wrote:Chucklz. excellent advice!

Thinking about tension tools prompted me to make an offset twist flex wrench for opening those pesky diskus style locks while they are attached to something. My Brinks R70 is a real pain when attached, but this tool makes it a little easier, and a lot more comfortable. I just started bending the heck out of a strip. I am going to try a couple other oddities as well....

That design sounds interesting, can you post a picture?

by **S3rratedSp00L** » 24 Sep 2004 8:50

I don't have the camera around right now to take a pic, because I am in the process of packing up to move... but for now...

I'll see if I can explain it... If you make a lab style tension tool and then bend the long end 90 degrees so that the business end is offset to one side, you'll have a tool that might not get in the way when working with diskus locks that are attached to something..

The lab style wrenches are basically a twist flex wrench with the tip also twisted 90 degrees...

Another way to look at it.... take a twist flex wrench and bend the tail part of it just after the twist 90 degrees to the left. then twist the tip that goes into the lock 90 degrees so it ends up being perpendicular to the tail part.

Man I hope that didn't just make it more confusing..

I want to take a pic soon...

arrrrgh...

by **S3rratedSp00L** » 24 Sep 2004 8:54

Oh, I almost forgot to mention, it kinda flexes a lot... I wish it were more rigid... Works ok though!

by **Chucklz** » 24 Sep 2004 10:52

Look around for other bits of steel. Some strips are far more rigid than others. I also like to have a good amount of "stock" around, in case I am suddenly inspired by a particular lock, etc. Sweeper bristles that are a bit too beat up to turn into picks often make great tension tools.

by **raimundo** » 24 Sep 2004 11:06

Sweeper bristles that are too rusted or scratched for making tools are good for twisting and bending to design a handle for your hand and to learn how to bend and twist the material without causing to to break. generally if you are twisting two pieces together, there should be about a quarter inch between the two lock pliers to avoid shearing the metal off or starting a fracture that will be there when you make a tool out of it. Also this summer, I found a lot of the bristles were wider and more brittle than before in this town, if you find brittle bristle, grip it with a plier and make a 90 degree bend, it will snap off, move the plier an inch down from the break off, and do it again, you might find that after breaking off a few inch lengths, you come to a place were the bristle bends rather than breaks, this could be inconsistencies in the steel alloy or in the tempering. you can learn about how to work the bristle on some pieces that you would otherwise throw out.

by **S3rratedSp00L** » 24 Sep 2004 21:22

I have two different types of wiper blade insert, and one is a bit narrower and also thicker, better material. I experiment with the softer weaker ones and then make the good shapes again with the better stuff.. I just need to find a few more inserts of the better quality and I'll be making more

I have also found some inserts that are not just simple strips and they work ok too.. just cut them in half to make two long strips and then cut them in lengths and bend away! They are slightly softer, but work great for standard wrenches and experimenting.

Unfortunately, the street sweeper around here doesn't seem to lose bristles. They might be made of nylon or something here.. I'll have to follow one around sometime and find out.

Raimundo, good information about the bristles... they are probably getting hot at the tip and losing their temper, but are fine down the length... I'll remember that if I ever get to work with that material myself!!

Common Torque Wrench Designs?

Common Torque Wrench Designs?

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