trouble making a torque wrench...

[spyder335]

ive seen pros video but i dont have a propain torch. is there another way to make a torque wrench? different materials, diffrent method?
thanx

[master in training]

you'll have a job making a torque wrench! i think you mean a tension wrench (that'll give you a few more answers in your searches... ), you dont need a propane torch, use your stove if it runs on gas, if not, a camping stove, or possibly even a lighter with that "blow torch" type flame. as for materials, the metal parts from wiper blades, street sweeper bristles, hacksaw blades, anything like that. do some searches, theres more than enough information on the site telling you how to make picks.

[lockpickingnewb]

it's really easy to make tension wrenches. they sell thinks called junior hacksaw blades- they are almost small enough for a wrench but you may have to make them a little skinnier, but anyway, you don't need a torch- I just use a lighter, but a stove will work better.

[vector40]

Actually, "torque wrench" is a pretty common term for it, master; IIRC that's how the MIT Guide calls them.

[stick]

My gas stove is far superior to a propane torch. I find that it heats things well beyond high enough, and i can choose to heat a small area or the entire thing.

[digital_blue]

It seems to me that you don't even need to heat if you are using wiper blade inserts. You just bend. Junior hacksaw blades definately need heat, however. I have found with them if you heat them only until they just start to turn blue and quench right after, you can put the bend in and still have a nice strong tool. If you let them get bright red and quench you will have a tool that is too brittle to use as is and will have to be retempered.

You can also use allan wrenched that are ground flat on the short end with a bench grinder or dremel. Make sure you quench those too when grinding and never let them get hot enough to change colour.

db

[WhiteHat]

Actually, "torque wrench" is a pretty common term for it, master; IIRC that's how the MIT Guide calls them.

I'm trying to popularise raimundo's term: Torkylever.

advantages:

it's one word so you don't get superfluous results when searching for "Tension AND lever" or "Torque AND wrench" etc.

it sounds really cool and helps maintain a light hearted attitude while dealing with annoying people who don't search very much.

so search on torkylever and you'll get some results.

[vector40]

In an effort to fend off "torkylever" before it establishes a beachhead, I would like to introduce "torquinator."

It has all of your advantages, plus the major one of being a seriously savage mother.

[digital_blue]

OMG, I hope Romstar doesn't see this thread... he's gonna blow his lid!

db

[monkeE]

If you heat the thing to bright red then quench, just sand off the top until you get a shiny metal surface, then reheat to blue. This is the basic tempering process, but it only works on steel (iron with carbon in it). Junior hacksaw blades will temper real nice.

[CaptHook]

If you leave a radius in the bend, you should be able to bend without any heat (certain materials not included in this blanket statement..... )
Chuck

[digital_blue]

Just to confirm, I got some wiper blade inserts today. You can bend them up to 90 degrees without heat, but it is best to make the bend slowly and don't cross the 90 degree point or it will break for sure. Having said that, these little babies make fantastic tension wrenches. The twistfelx I made looks just like my SouthOrd one. They are strong and durable. Wow!

db

[HeadHunterCEO]

or take a smal screw drver and secure the last 1/2 in a vise

tap with hamer to achiee almost90 degree bend

[Projects]

Just to confirm, I got some wiper blade inserts today. You can bend them up to 90 degrees without heat, but it is best to make the bend slowly and don't cross the 90 degree point or it will break for sure. Having said that, these little babies make fantastic tension wrenches. The twistfelx I made looks just like my SouthOrd one. They are strong and durable. Wow!

db

Agree.
I just received my SouthOrd c2010, those tension wrenchs are almost same as my hand made wrenchs which are made from wiper blade inserts. the only problem may be the wiper blade insert isn't wide enough for the bigger size wrench.

[digital_blue]

Yeah, they are a little bit on the narrow side for some keyways, but for those I've got a couple wrenches made from junior hacksaw blades.

db