How to use torque wrench for beginners

Click THIS LINK for the worlds EASIEST how to video on using a torque wrench for beginners!
• How to use torque wren...
I wanted to show people how to use a torque wrench this video will help the absolute beginners.
I needed a torque wrench for working on my sons truck, I didn't realize how expensive a nice digital torque wrench can be. I ended up like most people forking out 20 bucks on a basic inch-lb wrench and stared haplessly at the numbers on the handle with no clue how it worked.
Then spent the next 30+ minutes getting confused by the instructions and what I found on the internet. There are a ton of review type videos out there and there are as many different types of torque wrenches as there are bolts to turn.
Click on this link to see what else i'm working on!
/ thepaulnf
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[@knownbutunknown]

Oh this was great! A basic understanding of math-inches-feet are needed for sure. There are 12 inches in a foot. For example, my Honda spark plugs need to be torqued at 156. On my torque wrench, the lowest number closest to 156 is 120. So I stop there. Then I turn the graduation to 3 which means 3 times 12 is 36. I add the base number which was 120 plus 36 equals 156. I hope this helps.

[@adinabalasa7715]

Ottima spiegazione,ho capito meglio da te che da tutto il video sopra,😊

[@mest1589]

Video starts at 4:10

[@marsflee3815]

It still sounds like rocket-science to me.

[@MyNiki1998]

mest1589 mvp

[@cadimac8379]

Thanx

[@Justentime77]

You got that right! Endless yammering about nothing...

[@bufalong]

Saved my life

[@durv13]

had to crack up when you said we only dont read instruction when were not interested in the job they want us to do ... lol sooo true . thanx for the video man . good stuff

[@jameskoralewski1006]

One of the most important things to remember, when using a torque wrench, is to return all settings to zero on the handle setting of your wrench or it might go out of calibration having constant spring pressure inside the torque wrench mechanism. Also, many torque wrenches only recommend using it in the tightening direction only and not in the loosening direction.

[@sgtstedanko7186]

They torque both left and right hand thread, but must not be used as a breaker bar

[@Scott-fv1nt]

Great info thanks!

[@brazyuniverse4221]

Aw dammit

[@maryr.4381]

Thank you so much. You helped me tremendously. I bought a torque wrench very very similar to this one tonite & the instructions lacked a lot of information that would've made things a lot clearer. That's what YOU did for me......and I thank you ever so gratefully. Now I am able to torque my lawn mower blades down where the maintenance book says to have them torqued. It appears I also need to torque my spark plug in as well after checking it out. Just in FYI: I am a 64 year old woman who is tired of paying someone over $100 to service my mower yearly........it ain't rocket science. Thank you again for helping me out.

[@PaulFosterrebuilds]

+Mary R. thanks for the feedback, I did this video a while back when like yourself I had just bought a torque wrench and was confused by how to set it. I'm glad that this video helped you.

[@jasonmckeaigg9143]

Work your way up on torque don't go straight to specified torque...while storing torque wrench zero it out to keep in calibration..good vid👍

[@MarzNet256]

Hey Paul. Several other things to be aware of: These wrenches need to be calibrated periodically to be accurate. Some machine shops can check and adjust calibration if necessary. They are most accurate in the middle of their range. Never use it to loosen bolts. Dropping it can throw the calibration way off. Finally, most specs are for clean (rust free) non-greased threads, but sometimes apply to using grease for the correct spec. Torquing bolts is really about getting them to the correct tension.

[@jeremydouglas8492]

It was calibrated before it left the factory

[@gregbolte6532]

Just bought this exact same torque wrench yesterday and after reading the instructions I was like, "what the hell?" lol Thanks for deciphering the cryptic instructions! I think I get it now : )

[@PaulFosterrebuilds]

Hey no problem Greg. I'm glad it helped you.

[@STOICDevelopmentcenterofEARTH]

Greg Bolte glad to learn the hard way first😂 I’ll get digital next. Helps to learn manual

[@82godoy]

Makes sense. 12 inches = 1 foot. Each turn of the knob from 1 -10 equals 12 inch pounds.

[@Ib2legit]

Yes the lowest default torque ft lbs is 10 lbs

[@danielmagdziarz7440]

What are you guys talking about? This is a great video. I just bought that very same torque wrench and the instruction was kind of confusing because the vertical scale measures in inch pounds whereas the horizontal scale measures in foot pounds. It turns out there are 12 inch-pounds in 1 foot pound, which is how he achieved 504 inch pounds by adjusting the wrench. This made me understand how to use this $20 at AutoZone wrench which is exactly what I needed. Great video! Thank you for taking time to explain this, record the video, edit the video, and upload the video. It accomplished exactly what it was meant to accomplish in only 8 minutes and it helped many, such as myself.

[@dggd]

Thank you Paul for your clear, concise instructions which covers a broad range of the fundamentals in understanding these tools (foot lbs., inch lbs. etc.) I for one am very appreciative of your time and humble efforts in sharing this vital information, as I attain knowledge on doing a few repairs/replacements on my car. Sometimes the basics are all we beginners need to get the job done. I really needed this. Thanks again!

[@jesseladd6864]

I have this wrench. Every number on the handle (which goes as high as 9) is a multiple of 12 for inch pounds. The guide on the shaft is total inch/pounds of force. Example: I zero the handle to match up with the centerline on the shaft to match the 360 inch/lb indication. Then I can twist to 3 on the handle. 3x12 = 36 and add that to the original 360 inch/lb. I’m at approximately 396 inch/lb of torque. I then lock the twist ring at the bottom and I tighten my bolt or what ever. And reset to lowest setting and unlock to relieve stress on mechanism. Hope this helped. It has a range of 120-960 in/lbs

[@mendoblendo321]

So what would 14 foot pounds be? 14x12?

[@yourstruly9340]

I didn't realize my chart was in inches & I was about to do ft. lbs. just went out & got a new "inch lb wrench. Thx again

[@pixotee2007]

I bought the same wrench and (life is weird man) I am working on a 91 Chevy S10.. I really hate this wrench, it is hard to see, hard to adjust. The video was excellent, I now know how to use this thing. Does seem that one of those digital models are worth the money to have easy of mind you get the torque del balls spot on. Thanks for the lesson...appreciated.

[@c4turtz]

Thanks Paul. I'm a trainee technician at a oil and gas company this really helped me out man. Keep it up!

[@PaulFosterrebuilds]

Darreem Lindsay happy to help.

[@grahamwoolley1606]

Paul, you cant please everyone. But I want to say you do get what you pay for. Did it come with a calibration certificate. ? a cheap one like that is probably at best +/-10% accuracy, an average click type torque wrench is +/-3% and the digital +/-1%. I wouldn't use the one you have on any engine I was working on. A torque wrench should be calibrated every 12 months or more depending on use. However in your case that would cost more than the wrench, about $35.00. I think you provided any newbies with a little input. kudos to you for trying ignor the jerks.

[@alexejnemov]

Jusst make sure to ajust it back to 0 after use this is inportant.. Even tho it's a cheap wrench, take good care of it and with your use probably last you manny manny years, you will need to calibrate it and you can buy a digital calibration unit for cheap. This unit can also convert a standard ratchet to a digital torqe wrench, but I jusst use them as a calibration unit. Sending in your wrench for calibration gets expensive in the long run. I may reccomend AC Delco for calibration becouse it has a peak setting and if using it as a torqe wrench it has a sound alarm when correct torqe is gained.

[@d-forceone3327]

Nice!, very informative the way you "Laid it Out" for a Intermediate wrench turner. ✊ Props Brah!

[@ASMRBully]

I'm a fucking idiot and this was hard to watch

[@PaulFosterrebuilds]

thanks for the feedback.

[@jameskoralewski1006]

There are only 10 digits on the graduatiion scale 0-9.99. You want 504 inch pounds ( once you convert it to inch pounds only deal with inch pounds). When you go to 480 inch pounds on the engraved scale, you only can increase that 10 digits to 490 inch pounds. So you will have to go up one scale on the engraved left and then turn your graduation scale so that the scale and the graduation add up to the 504 that you desire. If it still does not total to 504 inch pounds, then go up one more scale on the engraved right and add your graduation scale to reach the 504 total that you seek.

[@Warhorse469]

the old school torque wrench are the best imo, I would not go digital unless i really had to and 99% of the time i don't need to, great video mate.

[@PaulFosterrebuilds]

+Uteopia happy to help man

[@sissonsk]

Thank you for this video. I have a torque wrench like this and I lost the manual. I figured that each mark on the "knurled" handle = 120 inch pounds. Your video varified this and I thank you.

[@davidwilson-pl4iv]

i have to say man i had just bought this wrench today and said let me see how to tell ft from ins. and look what i found, i just loved it when you said and you had just one question ,and i said thats all i had, see i needed one and saw the price, great exept for one thing it was a girl and she asked if i wanted ft or in lbs, the cheap one was inches and so i had to take it but didn't want to ask her the difference, so now here i am wondering how will i find out and the first video i find is you,Wow I Thank you so muchkeep it up the ones who realy do need you.

[@PaulFosterrebuilds]

david wilson thanks for the feedback man, much appreciated.

[@armandocastillo7974]

Just say it brother. It’s Harbor Freight. No shame in it.

[@anthonymorales6980]

Yeesss!! Thank you, i have the exact tourch wrench and you answered all my questions.

[@coog7896]

I am a novice when it comes to dealing with auto mechanics and I will need to use one in order to install some new Shocks and Struts on my pick up. This helped me to be better understand what I need to do, Thanks!

[@TheNoobComment]

Up and down are inch ilbs. Left and right are ft pds so the line on 1 is #+12inch lbs(1=12ft lbs) So if you go to 2 it would be #+24(2ft lbs). Yeah at first I thought a line means 10 or 20 inch lbs.

[@paulhaines5755]

ARE THESE CHEAP WRENCHES ACCURATE??? I bought one of these. Exactly the same as in this vid. It's a $20 "no-name" wrench from O'reillys. We have a high dollar torque wrench validation unit at work that we calibrate often. I checked my cheap wrench on it at several different settings and it's spot on every time! Not bad.... Raises my confidence to use it on my small engine rebuild.

[@Gmacc187]

Hey brother I appreciate the effort and research you put in this video. I know you saved me a whole extra headache. Thank You.

[@thomascook4655]

I'm 60 years old, I've been working on car since I was 14. I want to share my knowledge with you. If you are working on a vehicle and you have a fastener to torque down,you want to buy a torque wrench in the mid-range of what you were torque a fastener to. Example lug nuts normally most vehicles a hundred foot pounds. Use a half inch drive torque wrench with a range between 50 and 250 ft lb . If you trying to torque down a fastener that requires 30 ft lb. You would use a 3/8 drive torque wrench with a range between 10 and 80 foot pounds. I know these tools are expensive but to work on a car you need at least three different torque wrenches. Some other things to point out always store the torque wrench at the lowest torque setting. When using the torque wrench hold it at the handle and turn the fastener and you stop as soon as the torque wrench clicks or gives.

[@GerardoZuniga]

Never use torque wrench, this video had showed me what I was looking for. Thank you.

[@pospc2]

I own and use both types of torque wrenchs. The digital is for sure more idot proof but you get used to the cheap click type fairly quickly. I use the digital mostly for engine work and click type for lug nuts and brake/suspension hardware. Also not sure how I ended up on this video. I was watching a tool review and now I am in torque wrench 101.

[@sterlinghousewashpressurew9594]

Dude thank you. I've had that same wrench for 2 years and never new how to set it.

[@enkadino]

Thanks for the video. It was very helpful. The detail is good for people like me who are trying to learn a torque wrench for the first time. It may have been TMI for some but for me it was just what I needed.

[@PaulFosterrebuilds]

Jane, thanks for the feedback I'm glad the video helped. I've had some requests about how to test the torque wrench and make sure its working as expected. That is a How to video that i'm planning to make in the near future between my bigger production video's.

[@therealjetli8328]

I'm a brand new KZbin mechanic just did my own brakes and I over torqued the dang bolt and snapped it in my caliper now I am becoming an expert on bolt extraction hahaha now I know where I went wrong!

[@therealjetli8328]

Thank you

[@floridaknight3052]

You are a life saver. I can now adjust it to 13 foot lbs or 156 in lbs. The instructions that came with the wrench are terrible.

[@dottielawing4323]

Thank you I needed to learn how to use it cause I'm going to attempt to replace my wheel bearings tomorrow and had no idea how to set foot pounds .

[@christophermercer1220]

Thank you very much for this video as it was helpful and did eventually show me how to use and understand my torque wrench and i greatly appreciate that. The video was however frustrating to watch with you taking the wrench out of view so much. But because you did actually help me understand it better, i gave you a like! thank you very much for this video.

[@brianmcdonald4914]

Thanks for the help man, I bought a cheap torque wrench just like this and I have used one before but never actually set it. Helpful!

[@JG-nx3jg]

Most people, like me, load these videos up, already pissed off with a diy job to do. Having to then sit through a rambling backstory about how you came to aquire the wrench is just fuel to the fire. I mean this in good faith.

[@dosequzla]

Besides the dizziness inducing movements due to your trouble focusing the camera on the tool I think you did a great job at explaining what made me return my torque wrench. I also got a lot of misleading information from mechanics about the use of this tool and some of them even admitted they don't even use it (for some jobs i guess) so after reading the very bad manual from the Chinese manufacturer I gave up and just returned the darn thing. I just found out that the job I did on my Montero 4x4 engine has to be redone due to some other peaces that will have to be replaced I figure it would be now a better time to order one of these but I will just buy an American made tool instead of ordering from Amazon.

[@jeffh2125]

Thanks Paul; that saved me a lot of aggravation. I have the original packaging from Harbor Freight. It's model M202-P from Performance Tool. Truthfully, I wish it were only in ft / lbs. I'm even batting around returning it. In my 65 years, I've never had an "inch pound" thrown at me and likely never will. Sure I can multiply and divide, but I'd rather not. Thanks again for taking the time.

[@jeffh2125]

Correction, I got the wrench at Advance Auto Parts and not Harbor Freight.

[@TheHumanSpirit]

Thank you. The video was helpful. Funny too bc I purchased this same wrench not too long ago and had many of the same thoughts/questions you present here (e.g. What the hell is "knurled?"). As for some of the thankless brats with their bad energy in the comments section, I say this: If you didn't take the time, or if you're unwilling to take the time to learn this on your own - no worry - but then don't be so impatient with someone who did, and who was decent enough to share free of charge. 8 minutes is nothing.

[@PaulFosterrebuilds]

Thanks for the feedback, this video was one of those where I had no idea what I was doing and once I figured it out I decided to share what I learned. I figured there were others like myself who were going to scratch their heads on how to use this tool.

[@Sieg670]

Video is longer than it needs to be but you did clear up my confusion so thanks. I got the exact same wrench and I couldn't figure out how they got 504 by setting it to two. This is my first time messing with one so I was clueless.

[@scalderafy]

Well done and a huge thanks because I was lost when I got mine home and started reading it as well. Big Thanks!

[@jakenader2265]

thank you for just tilling me it slides up the bar when you twist it clockwise, now i understand how it works

[@jacobseraphin685]

I love how the paper told him that 1 foot equals 12 inches 😂😂😂 imma be honest this is my first time hearing inch pounds so I wouldn’t know about this either, I learned something new today

[@timzzz9963]

really appreciate this since I bought one of these to make sure I get my spark plugs in correctly, same issue, inch pounds instead of foot pounds

[@PaulFosterrebuilds]

Thanks for the feedback Tim, probably the dumbest I felt was win I tried to figure out how many inch pounds were in a foot pound lol. I'm glad it was useful.

[@timzzz9963]

yeah it seems so obvious now lol

[@slickjed4988]

thanks brother that happened to be the exact same one I got exact same instructions I was a little confused before but I got it now I couldn't find anything that had on inch pounds on a torque wrench everybody was doing videos on foot pounds thanks again

[@mc0974]

Thank you! I bought one similar last year and never used...

[@Petes0281]

Beam style torque wrench for the win!

[@RodDuster]

You said you found a really good video that was helpful, out of interest can you add the link in the description 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@josechavez5950]

PAUL FOSTER THANKS FOR THE GREAT DETAILED TUTORIAL. I DEFINITELY APPRECIATE THE STEP BY STEP APPROACH...

[@jeffhardin8795]

Ummm, yeah I think I'll just keep guessing like I have for the last 40 or so years. Never had an issue with anything I've worked on.

[@bethvincent6386]

jeff Hardin yup..... he shows how to set it but I’m clueless on how to use it after u set it... 🤷🏼‍♀️ I know how to use ratchet & socket but this torque wrench thang is all Chinese to me.... in a day or two I’m gonna attempt to put a hitch on my vehicle and it says to tighten bolts to a certain ft pound... so I was talking to my ex husband and he said we won’t need a torque wrench lol I said well what u gonna use then..... he said “use 💪🏼” lol so I may just go with that method lol like u, we never had any issues before when we didn’t use a torque wrench lol

[@Bowns7774]

An inch pound torque wrench is all inches. Move it around to the 2 and now your at 482 not 504.

[@sonnyhalla7252]

He did a great job explaining, I don’t know what the hate was all about

[@jasonschannel1315]

Starting from 0 and needing 80lbs for lug nuts for my vehicle when you go to 8 for the first time is that 80lbs and the one I got is from Taiwan

[@johnrambo9771]

thats is Pittsburgh torque wrench from harbor freight

[@gregsullivan7408]

I have a Kinchrome that looks very similar. It's basically working, but my lock nut doesn't seem to do anything - I can easily adjust the torque setting even when it's locked.

[@gregsullivan7408]

Yep - it was faulty. Exchanged it for a new one.

[@juandiegoparra8889]

Great video! Makes a lot more sense when you used an example, I was confused by what the numbers meant on the handle!

[@PaulFosterrebuilds]

+Juan Diego Parra Thanks for your comment. I take a fair amount of grief about this video but it was really intended for people who like me bought their first torque. :)

[@judgeadvocate9275]

So, a beginner is showing beginners how to use a torque wrench. Still, I think I understood you, but I've gotta confirm what I think I learned. Thank you.

[@mareerogers7663]

I have a off and on wrench the foot pound was 87 I could only find it on 2-4 and 10-12 on brakes and lug nuts so I give it two turns if I can breaker bar this off so for my 87 with 2-4 it took 5 then just before torque I stopped to six clicks it on super

[@antonios4926]

Thanks for trying your best but i still got a headache from trying to work it out. Will watch the video a couple of times to understand it. I bought a wrench couple of weeks ago, took one look at it and i put it away. From uk

[@tonywalker5402]

Thank you. That was the question I was after too. Unfortunately it took me the half hour to find your video. Ha ha.

[@sethdominickortiz]

That’s a good example for a exact method, thanks a bunch again

[@New2Kendo]

Thanks for posting this video I bought a similar torque wrench I inch pounds, and I either missed the part in the instructions that says the dial is in ft pounds, or I wansnt paying attention. I needed 150 inch pounds, and when I turned to 150 it lined up with 230, it makes more sense now. I will try it again using ft pounds on the dial

[@luisjandres1626]

Thank you for being so detailed in the meaning of the those words

[@MrFamilyMoments]

It's a power torque wrench gm3004 3/8"drive 120-960 in/lbs

[@FunnyKingdom1986]

Great video. Well done. Answered my question on how to get 132 inch lbs & 364.

[@judsonhudson4861]

"I've never used this before" proceeds to tell the whole internet how to use it...

[@Bagger808]

Thanks for the vid, bought a torque wrench for the new boat prop and it stumped us!

[@garydenny7904]

Many thanks, you have just made up for some terrible instructions that came with my product👍

[@genogeno1234]

Good video, I now understand. Wish the focus would have been more consistent, but you handled it well. Thanks for posting

[@Eric_412]

If you think this is a good video than you must be his mum, one of the most frustrating videos on KZbin

[@joaquinmateo4142]

I work on aircraft mechanics and I was doing a job last night in front of my boss me having automotive I never use one of these small torque wrenches yet so I didn't lost

[@Madmax1111971]

So I was talking to my mechanic and he said that you need 10 pounds to toning up your transmission pan so I’m trying to figure that out on the torque wrench so I can tightening up my transmission pan Can you help me thanks

[@santoorzan1]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge on the TRQ wrench. I learned enough to operate my trq wrench. 🙏🙏👍👍

[@hotrodtrucker88]

I have one like it I just learned exacty what i needed to now they dont tell ou in the instructions tht on the handle they are foot lbs thank you you have answred my question

[@imGlobL]

After watching your confusing video explanation, I went out and purchased a digital torque wrench !!!!

[@SeanLovin]

The good about this video is that it teaches you how to do it, the bad about it is that it could of been 2 min long instead of 8 min.

[@PaulFosterrebuilds]

Sean, thanks for the feedback.

[@abelg66]

My rear driveshaft torque specs are at 76ft lbs... 76x12 =( the number you'll be putting on the torque wrench) . 🔧

[@cisium1184]

Very straightforward and helpful explanation!

[@osirisnero8641]

But how do you get 50, or 105 inch lbs? I have that same wrench, but I need leaders inch lbs.

[@olechuga2]

Great video Sir. However, I believe, at the end of your presentation you were mentioning "pressure", when you actually meant to say "ft. lbs. of torque". I am a "newbie" myself, so if I am wrong, please correct me. I am learning too.

[@thomasvernor8427]

thankyouverymuch ! Saved my valuable time. Just needed to know how to dial it in & you went right to it.

[@coppertone379]

It’s a great neck 3/8 torque wrench

[@joeking433]

I have the same goofy torque wrench as you. The manual for what I'm installing calls for 7 ft lbs which would be 84 inch pounds but it starts at 120 inch pounds. I can't use this torque wrench?

[@TheBossGi]

This was funny to watch because sounds like a situation I’m about to be in.

[@matthewturner]

Great help - never used one until yesterday and I have the same wrench from O'Reilly Auto Parts. The directions were awful. Thank you!

[@SecondHandProductions]

+Matthew Turner thanks for the feedback.

[@geoproduction27]

I got mine from autozone

[@Thegladlyoutsider]

still doesn't tell me I'm trying to set this at 6 pounds of torque which is 72 inch pounds what do ibdo

[@marcoforozco]

dud thank you so much... just bought one and didn't know how to use... great explanation... thanks...

[@Obet22]

Makes me wanna dispose my torque wrench after watching this video...lol

[@MrAcc45]

In Malaysia, a digital torque wrench go for the thousands$$. $20/for a normal one is already cheap. most tools in the US are dead cheap.

[@auxil47]

Thanks Paul, I now have some idea on how to torque my new wheels.

[@PaulFosterrebuilds]

Thanks for the feedback, glad you found the video useful :)

[@javiercacao7475]

wow thank you so much. Good research and explanation. So once it's set, what's the amount of force you use say if you need to adjust something under the car? Do you go twice 180 degrees turns ? once?

[@bearcam9746]

This is not the easiest how to, this is a vlog post. Chrisfix has a video its about 3 minutes long and you figure out whats going on 1.5 minutes in.

[@jasbirvirk9769]

you did good job as per novice for this tool.i liked your honesty.Hope u would improve your nxt videos.keep it up.

[@pasikajumba]

Which pound can use when you torque the engine

[@grantprivett9074]

So ive got the same type tork wrench and im At a loss, trying to figure out how to set it to 72 in/lb which is 6 ft/lb but I dont know how to set it on my wrench

[@PaulFosterrebuilds]

the handle shows 0-9 at the top, that is foot lbs.So if you stop at 6 you will be where you want to be. when you look at the slides going up the arm of the wrench it reads in inch lbs. if you turn the handle from 0-9 and finish on 0 again (stopping on the vertical line) you will see on the arm where the vertical line and slide markings are you are set at 120 inch lbs or 10 ft. Lbs. All you need to do in order to set it to 72 inch lbs or 6 ft lbs. is stop on the number 6 as your turning the handle. I hope that makes sense if not let me know I will send you a video showing it.

[@PingMan84]

Video was helpful and to the point. Dislikes come from people who does not understand 12”=1’

[@jazzynairrn]

What torque wrench do you use for spark plugs

[@XvS6-Lemaza]

@4:25 "we're not from the rest of the world, so we're going to set it up to foot pound" 😂