Torque multiplier question(s)

[sawdust_128]

I know everyone talks about the X12 http://times12.com/wrench.htm

so what's the advantage over something like this one from northern?

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200315001_200315001

or over the Mountz products?

http://www.etorque.com/html/hand_multipliers.htm

or more like these

http://www.etorque.com/html/mtmtorquemultiplier.htm

Another question, if you have one, have you ever used it for anything other than your coach wheels?

What else did you need to make it functional (e.g., extensions, sockets, reaction feet, etc.)?

[MangoMike]

SD,

I have the X12 and since you're applying about 500lbs of force you need that second arm which is secured by the adjacent lug. Without it I doubt you could make it happen.

Mike

5935

More over at Prevoman.com

http://www.prevoman.com/Pages/Cool%20Toos/x12.html

[Kenneth Brewer]

First, from what you have referenced and what I have seen, the multiplication ratio of most of these is usually 3 or 4 to one. Not enough. Especially for overtightened nuts, steel on aluminum, for instance, and where the nuts actually act as centering pilots on the studs so the wheel is centered. The spherical mating face of the nut and the receiving wheel hole are high friction.

Second, the torque reaction must be taken out somewhere. On the X12 for truck (coach) wheels, it is taken out on the next nut or stud. Even if you use the reaction wrench handle that comes with these other devices, a man usually cannot keep the whole thing from turning (or apply enough torque, usually). You just apply the force to be multiplied with the X12. I have seen large shop impact wrenches (1 inch drives) fail to budge the wheel nuts on my Bluebird, and the mechanic cursed and went and got the X12. ZIP, using the ratchet wrench that comes with it.

Trust me, sooner or later you will get one, or use a one inch drive wrench and one long (6 foot?) cheater pipe and hope the small enough turn you can get to break the nut loose will be eough, or it will be a long day.

[Kenneth Brewer]

I meant the SECOND man cannot hold the reaction wrench handle from turning, it has been mhy experience.

[Jon Wehrenberg]

Ed,

The X-12 is the big boy equivalent of the examples you have shown. Ken nailed it. If your wheel was installed by some guy with a 1" impact wrench and he just rammed the nuts home it is going to take a lot of force to loosen them and you have to use 1/3 the force to loosen nuts that may have been installed to 1200 to 1500 foot pounds. Good luck on that unless you have a helper and a 4 foot extension.

I haven't had to use my X-12 on the road, but I have used it at home extensively to torque my wheels. Any time I have to pull the wheels I use the X-12 to apply the torque, something I cannot do with a 1" wrench. I am contemplating getting a torque stick because the X-12 is heavy to use.

[James]

I was just about to order the X-12.

What is a torque stick? Is it better?

[dale farley]

The X12 people also make a universal model that has a flat arm that rests against the adjacent lug instead of fitting over it. This model is designed for people who have multiple applications that they can use the wrench with. I bought one of these universal models when I first got my X12. Because of the high torque that is required to remove the lugs, the universal model would not work correctly on the bus. It slipped when I turned the wrench.

The model that Mango shows is the one you need. I called the X12 people and told them about the problem I was having, and they sent me the one Mango and Jon have. Great customer service considering the fact that I told him I I had a used unit. Because I have a 1" air wrench, I have only used my X12 to do the final torque on the lugs, but that is the only way I have to accomplish that task.

[Orren Zook]

I was just about to order the X-12.

What is a torque stick? Is it better?

Here's a video that shows how the 'torque stick' works:

http://www.asedeals.com/video_accutorq_sockets.wmv

[James]

Here's a video that shows how the 'torque stick' works:

http://www.asedeals.com/video_accutorq_sockets.wmv

Thanks, looks like the ideal thing to have if you're using an air wrench.

[mikedee]

I am a regular at Pawn shops and see 1" drive 750 Lb torque wrench's for sale in the ~$200 range. I got a super wrench for $175.00 in Reno a couple years ago. The handle is two part and almost 6' long. It still takes a pretty fat boy (like me) to click it at 500 Lb.

I checked Ebay and nice units can be had for about the same money.

[Kenneth Brewer]

I was just about to order the X-12.

What is a torque stick? Is it better?

Great for torquing up wheel lug nuts, not so good at all, usually, loosening up overtightened nuts such as Jon described, even if you select a much higher rated stick, say 1000-1200ft#, the hammerblows that the pneumatic impact wrench applies to loosen the nut are attentuated. They are great for tightening to a specific value. But unless (or even if) you carry a sufficiently mean impact wrench with you on the road - with a compressor to match, you may (likely) wish you had an X12 (but it is quite heavy, as Jon points out).

[Kenneth Brewer]

Damn, that's attenuated. (But not due to age).

[Jon Wehrenberg]

Ken,

Lew is not here to pick on your spelling. We can attribute poor spelling to tappy fingers working faster than the brain, old age, apathy, and anything else you can think of and it is all OK.