2012 f150 302 ci starter
09-07-2017, 06:51 PM
#21
Just a clarification... If you are applying a steady 100 ft/lbs to your ratchet you will get the same force out. It does not matter if you have a 1" or 100" worth of extensions. Yes the extensions will twist (it is basically a stiff torsion spring) but it will transmit 100% of the force with a steady (key word) pull.
If you try jerking the ratchet or are using a impact with a extension then you will reduce the output force as you would be essentially hammering on a spring.
If you try jerking the ratchet or are using a impact with a extension then you will reduce the output force as you would be essentially hammering on a spring.
Not touching this. Have at it Saleen.
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09-07-2017, 07:26 PM
#22
Just a clarification... If you are applying a steady 100 ft/lbs to your ratchet you will get the same force out. It does not matter if you have a 1" or 100" worth of extensions. Yes the extensions will twist (it is basically a stiff torsion spring) but it will transmit 100% of the force with a steady (key word) pull.
If you try jerking the ratchet or are using a impact with a extension then you will reduce the output force as you would be essentially hammering on a spring.
If you try jerking the ratchet or are using a impact with a extension then you will reduce the output force as you would be essentially hammering on a spring.
The problem is that when dealing with long 1/4" drive extensions the amount of twist you deal with may exceed the amount of room you have to move the ratchet in a confined space and keep you from breaking the bolt loose. If the extension easily twists 20* under light torque load, and you only have a 20* swing for your ratchet a shorter extension that only twists 10* under the same torque load, or a thicker 3/8" drive extension that is less willing to twist may allow you to do a job you couldn't otherwise do.
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RLXXI (09-07-2017)
09-07-2017, 07:29 PM
#23
It is true that if you keep the end of the ratchet supported so that the force is transmitted down the extension there will no difference in the force applied to the bolt given that the extension doesn't twist.
The problem is that when dealing with long 1/4" drive extensions the amount of twist you deal with may exceed the amount of room you have to move the ratchet in a confined space and keep you from breaking the bolt loose. If the extension easily twists 20* under light torque load, and you only have a 20* swing for your ratchet a shorter extension that only twists 10* under the same torque load, or a thicker 3/8" drive extension that is less willing to twist may allow you to do a job you couldn't otherwise do.
The problem is that when dealing with long 1/4" drive extensions the amount of twist you deal with may exceed the amount of room you have to move the ratchet in a confined space and keep you from breaking the bolt loose. If the extension easily twists 20* under light torque load, and you only have a 20* swing for your ratchet a shorter extension that only twists 10* under the same torque load, or a thicker 3/8" drive extension that is less willing to twist may allow you to do a job you couldn't otherwise do.
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09-07-2017, 07:38 PM
#24
Haha, I take it you've broken a few too. My Matco extensions have held up well over the years, my first ever set of Craftsman extensions also worked well until I bought that darn cheater pipe. But as you know half the job is being willing to get cut, scrapped, bruised, and burned; sometimes all on the same awful car. Torchwear sleeves made working around exhausts and particularly cats so much nicer.
09-07-2017, 07:43 PM
#25
Haha, I take it you've broken a few too. My Matco extensions have held up well over the years, my first ever set of Craftsman extensions also worked well until I bought that darn cheater pipe. But as you know half the job is being willing to get cut, scrapped, bruised, and burned; sometimes all on the same awful car. Torchwear sleeves made working around exhausts and particularly cats so much nicer.
The joys of being a mechanic
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gone postal (09-07-2017)
09-07-2017, 07:55 PM
#27
Ya really gotta love what you do as a mechanic to put up with all the bs from all aspects, management, customers and parts built with less quality than Tonka toys 40 years old.
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09-07-2017, 07:57 PM
#28
Edit: This is an example of Newton's third law for anyone who wants to read up on it for themselves.
The problem is that when dealing with long 1/4" drive extensions the amount of twist you deal with may exceed the amount of room you have to move the ratchet in a confined space and keep you from breaking the bolt loose. If the extension easily twists 20* under light torque load, and you only have a 20* swing for your ratchet a shorter extension that only twists 10* under the same torque load, or a thicker 3/8" drive extension that is less willing to twist may allow you to do a job you couldn't otherwise do.
Last edited by Mamushka; 09-08-2017 at 12:26 AM. Reason: Added more info
09-07-2017, 08:05 PM
#29
Sorry but your specs don't measure up to a life time of experience learning how to gauge when a tool might exceed it's capacity. I have scars to prove my experience in how much trust I put into tool specs I think
LOL.
09-07-2017, 08:15 PM
#30
You ever use (or seen used) torque sticks?
They are basically extensions, correct? Even though they are the same length they will give you a different torque value when used with a impact.
Why is that? They all have a different spring rate. If you used them with a torque wrench set to 100 ft/lbs you would get 100 ft/lbs out. What would be different is they would all flex at different rates, the lower torque ones might twist 5 degrees while the higher torque one might twist 1 degree.
