How To Use A Craftsman Torque Wrench [Beginner Guide]
There are plenty of torque wrenches on the market today. But none are as easy to use as a Craftsman torque wrench. Once you know how to use a craftsman torque wrench, you can easily tighten or loosen fasteners.
It contains many features that make it easier to use. This nice torque wrench is easier to operate and does not need electricity to work. You will be able to tighten or loosen fasteners with ease. The craftsman wrench can tighten or loosen bolts and screws by turning one or both ends of a bolt.
It would help if you safely used a torque wrench. In this blog post, I will teach you how to use craftsman tools to get the most accurate reading possible. So, let’s start reading:
Features of Craftsman Torque Wrenches
Craftsman torque wrenches have four main features.
When you apply a lot of force to a fastener, it won’t be easy to turn. The wrench will be hard to move. On the other hand, when you apply no pressure to the fastener, the wrench will be easy to turn.
How To Use A Craftsman Torque Wrench?
The following are some Steps of using Craftsman torque wrench:
Step 1: Understand the Torque Specifications of the Lug Nuts
The first step to tightening any nut or bolt is to check your vehicle’s torque specifications in the service manual. The service manual will have the basic procedures and instructions for repairing the part you’re trying to repair and the torque ratings for each nut and bolt.
Once you know the higher torque settings, you can use a torque wrench to apply the correct amount of force when tightening the nut or bolt. In most cases, the lug nuts need to be tightened to 100 lbs-ft of torque. Once you know that, grab your torque wrench and get to work.
Step 2: Find the Proper Torque Wrench Size
You’ll need to ensure you have the proper torque wrench for such a task. Torque wrenches are available in three sizes: 14-inch drive, 3/8-inch drive, and 12-inch drive. Select the option that best meets your project’s requirements. The ½-inch drive is the most commonly used size when working on cars. You will need to use a ½-inch drive wrench to change the wheels.
Step 3: Wrench Adjustment
Adjust the torque wrench to the lug nut torque standards of 100 lbs-ft by loosening the tiny adjustment write at the rear of the wrench so the grip can spin and slide freely. According to Craftsman, the torque wrench is accurate to 4% of the measured load.
The MicroTork, like other basic torque wrenches, includes a locking feature that allows quick and easy adjustments. When the rotating handle may freely spin, rotate it until the 0 written on it aligns with the 100 lb-ft lines on the rod.
To adjust a click, torque wrench to 99 lbs-ft, move the handle anticlockwise one click downward from the 100 lbs-ft lines on the bar. The nine marks on the handle should line up just before the 100 lbs-ft lines.
When tightening a lug nut to 100 lbs-ft, line up the 0 mark on the handle with the 100 lbs-ft mark on the bar. Then, tighten the adjustment at the back of the wrench so the handle doesn’t rotate, and the torque doesn’t change.
Step 4: Tighten the Lug Nuts
After adjusting the torque wrench to your desired torque, you will tighten the lug nuts by getting your socket, inserting it into the torque wrench, putting it on the lug nut, and turning clockwise until you hear a click.
The click sound indicates that you have reached your desired torque, and scales stamped into the casing display inch/metric torque settings. You should stop tightening lug nut and move on to the next. As you finish tightening the remaining nuts, make sure to do so with the same amount of torque.
Once you’re done, you can put your torque wrench away, knowing that your lug nuts are at the correct tightness. This way, you don’t have to worry about under-tightening or over-tightening them.
Tips for successfully Using A Craftsman Torque Wrench
1. The Craftsman torque wrench contains a hassle-free locking feature that enables the customer to adjust quickly and simply while offering comfort and mobility. The following are some tips to for using this wrench:
2. When you first begin using the craftsman torque wrench, you should always use the Allen key on the end of the socket. This will prevent you from twisting the socket.
3. When using a torque wrench, you should be careful not to over-tighten. Over-tightening fasteners can cause them to split, resulting in bolt lose.
4. It’s important to remember that when you are using a torque wrench, you should always tighten the bolt or nut evenly and should not exceed the torque rating to avoid any damage to the machine or object.
5. It would help if you also were sure to have the proper wrenching gloves to protect your hands. When new to using a torque wrench, you should practice until you have mastered the art of using a Craftsman torque wrench.
How To Use A Craftsman Torque Wrench Final Thoughts
A torque wrench is a helpful tool for tightening screws and nuts. They’re easy to use and usually come with an instruction manual that will help guide you. Craftsman Torque wrenches are inexpensive and reliable. They offer accurate readings and are easy to use, making them ideal for tightening bolts, nuts, and screws.
Craftsman also has a handy guide on how to use them properly. Did you find these tips helpful? What do you think are some tips that would be useful to others? Let us know in the comments section below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Use A Craftsman 1/2 Torque Wrench?
You use a craftsman 1/2 torque wrench as a substitute for a standard 1/4 or 3/8 torque wrench. It works on metric and standard wrenches, but its range is limited to one-half to three-fourths of what a standard torque wrench can do. You can still use it to tighten bolts with a wider range of angles and sizes.
How Do You Calibrate A Craftsman’s Digital Torque Wrench?
A craftsman torque wrench has three dials to measure the right torque in each direction: clockwise, counter-clockwise, and in-between. You can adjust these dials to match the standard 0-360-0, 0-240-0, and 0-120-0 values. After that, you must test the wrench to ensure it is properly calibrated.
How Can I Tell Whether My Torque Wrench Is Calibrated?
Calibration is an essential step in determining the actual resistance of a given screw or bolt, and calibrating a torque wrench lets you measure the torque accurately. But you have to know the correct method of calibration. We recommend using a calibrated torque wrench. You can also calibrate your torque wrench yourself.
The best way to do this is to apply a known force with a known speed and time and then use your torque wrench to measure the resulting torque. For example, if you want to know how much torque you need to turn a bolt of 4.5 inches, apply 4.5 in. lbs. of force with a constant speed of 15 rpm for 45 seconds and then measure the resulting torque. This method requires a torque wrench, but you can calibrate your torque wrench with the above method.
Can You Over-Tighten With A Torque Wrench?
Torque wrenches provide consistent and uniform tension, making it easy for anyone to tighten and loosen nuts. But it will be difficult to do so without using too much force when tightening or loosening a nut with too much friction. You may have to apply a little extra pressure to get the job done in such cases.
How Much Does Calibrating A Torque Wrench Cost?
It can vary based on the wrench’s brand, type, and model. Most brands and models will cost between $10 and $20 per calibration.
How Do You Zero A Torque Wrench?
To zero a torque wrench set the desired torque setting (which can be adjusted according to your needs). Second, zero the wrench. Third, tighten the nut, and remove the wrench when it reaches the zero mark.
What Is A Good Torque Wrench To Buy?
A good torque wrench has a maximum range of 0-100 ft-lb, and you should have a scale that shows the value you enter into it to avoid human error. It should also come with a digital display.
How Accurate Are Craftsman Torque Wrenches?
Craftsman torque wrenches are very accurate tools, but they can wear down fast if you don’t maintain them properly. It is recommended to use a grease fitting tool regularly to keep them in top shape. Also, it would help if you never tightened a bolt with a wrench and a drill simultaneously.
