Yes, with some caveats. Ft.-lbs. x 12 = inch pounds. Or, another way to look at it, Desired inch pounds divided by 12 = ft.-lb. The problem is that if you need a bolt tightened in inch pounds, typically the amount is so low that (a) the wrench is at the low end of its scale and isn't even close to being accurate, (like off by 20 in.-lb.......if the bolt torque spec only specifies 20-25 inch pounds, that's a problem) ; (b) click-type wrenches may not "click" which may cause nasty problems; and (c) beam-type wrenches may not indicate enough scale movement to see what's happening. To be honest, 99% of the time when it calls for inch pounds, I use my self-calibrated right arm & a good ratchet. And watch the gasket to see how far it pooches out.
Yep, divide by 12. The best clickersI have been around are made by Sturtevant-Richmont; Belknap ( aka VB Detroit ) and CDI. They are industrial wrenches and are about a little more expensive than a commercial grade Snap On, Proto, MAC, etc. and take a lot more abuse but I would use any of those. Craftsman haven't held up well for us at all except one old beam type. Keep in mind though we abuse the **** out of them like nothing any home mechanic with a respect for good tools would ever do to one in his wildest imagination.
seems like clickers have to be calibrated more often, they are quicker and easier to use if you working fast, I also have not steped up to the clickers, stay with my old school stuff
Thanks fellas! I wondered that while looking at my old Craftsman clicker a few months back.The beam model hangs on the pegboard too. Thsi is the best source of useful info on the web...
I would ***ume a fella could flag down a Snap On truck and inquire with operator. Not sure if they have anything on board. For Craftsman owners, you can drop into a Sears and have it sent out for calibration. Not sure on the price of that off the top of my head. For the Twin Cities people on here, I believe 7 Corners Ace Hardware does a calibration in house. You would have to call them and check for sure.
Most decent tool places/power tool repair shops can get them calibrated as well...though they seem to be a dying breed, what with big box stores and our disposable society. .
I don't see too many Snap-On trucks while I'm sitting in my cubicle, ha ha ha. But I'll see if I can make a call to find a local Snap-On guy. Maybe, I could catch up to him one day. There's a tool center not too far away, I may have to give them a call, as well.
I have both a new clicker and an older beam & dial type... Since I've bought the clicker, I haven't used my beam one at all. It's frankly just a pain in the *** in comparison. The ratcheting thing is HUGE, that makes the job easier, and with my combo it's also longer and takes more torque. And ever since I've gotten my clicker, pretty much EVERY time I've had to use it, if I would have had to use my other it would have been horrible, trying to manuever myself into a position to see the dial, then get the socket so that I'll have space to torque (and then redo it 3 more times because I didn't torque it enough with the ratchet). Plus, I dunno about anyone else, but if I'm layin' on my back in some awful awkward position and need some pretty serious torque (as hard to reach bolts ALWAYS do), I am not only pulling myself off the ground half the time instead of turning the bolt, but I'm heavin' on it so hard my arms are shakin'. Kinda defeats any accuracy advantage it may have. Both are Craftsman... The old beam one I stole from my old man a long time ago (and he STILL ain't noticed!), and an ex-girlfriend got me the big clicker (it's the one where you rotate the bottom of the handle, turning numbered wheels inside the handle... You just twist until your torque value shows up in the little window). I'm not sure I've ever done anything that had such tight tolerances that I couldn't be off a foot-pound or two... But that's just me, I'm sure plenty have.
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