Socket Wrench Basics For the Mechanic

!±8± Socket Wrench Basics For the Mechanic

Welcome back to our series on tools for the new do it yourself hobby enthusiast. If this is the first article that you've read, don't worry - we won't get too complex. Socket wrenches can really make the difference between enjoying a project and wishing you never saw it. Socket wrenches are more commonly just known as "Sockets," but their proper name is derived from the fact that they apply force on the same vertical axis as the more common open end or box ended wrench.

A socket wrench is very similar in nature to its more common box-ended wrench sibling except that it appears more like a cup that fits over the nut or bolt instead of the box ended wrench which slips around the perimeter of the nut or bolt. As with wrench sets, the socket wrench is also available in both metric and SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) sizes. It also shares the plating process in common with the more common wrenches.

When buying a set of socket wrenches for your new tool collection, you will want to hold socket wrenches to the same standard that you would hold regular wrenches. You will want to examine the finish of the plating to be sure that it is uniform in appearance. You will also want to be sure that the socket wrench is free of any sharp or unfinished edges as this may indicate a flaw in the metal used or the machining process when it was manufactured. I typically recommend that first time do it yourself mechanics get a set of both deep well sockets and regular length sockets as you will very often need both.

Socket Wrench Basics For the Mechanic

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Torque Wrench Basics For the Mechanic in You

!±8± Torque Wrench Basics For the Mechanic in You

Welcome back to my series on automotive tools for the person just starting out as a do it yourself car enthusiast. Today I will talk a bit about torque wrenches, what they are, and how to shop for one. Really a torque wrench might sound like something pretty simple, and for the most part it is. However a torque wrench can be absolutely critical if you are ever going to consider building an engine or doing any kind of differential work. A torque wrenches accuracy may vary with age or abuse, so be sure not to buy a used one unless it has been recently calibrated, or you know where to get one calibrated.

What a torque wrench does is actually very simple. It operates much like a regular ratchet in many cases, but as the bolt get tighter the torque wrench will measure the amount of torque that you are applying to the fastener. This is critical for fasteners that are securing bearing surfaces, as the tighter the fastener is the smaller the bearing clearances may be. Some torque wrenches simply make an audible noise when at the set torque limit, while others use a needle and pointer gauge to determine the amount of torque being applied.

When shopping for a torque wrench, please follow my general guidelines for all plated tools. Make sure that the chrome of nickel plating is uniform and even in its thickness and appearance. Be sure that there are no sharp edges on the surface as these may indicate flaws in the plating or machining process, or worse yet, that the tool was made out of inferior materials. I typically prefer a slim design, audible style wrench. There is no reason to buy a wrench with a digital readout unless you get really deeply involved with car work, but that's for another article all together.

Torque Wrench Basics For the Mechanic in You

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Socket Wrench Terminology For the Beginner

!±8± Socket Wrench Terminology For the Beginner

Welcome back to our series on automotive hand tools for the beginner. If this is the first article you've read, don't worry - we will take it easy on you. As discussed in other articles when you are building your new tool collection it can sometimes be hard to understand what it is that you need exactly. The last thing I want to encourage anyone to do is spend more than you have to spend in order to get the best tools you can. However, before you can understand what it is you need, we need to get you ready to understand what it is the tool does. In this article I'm going to very briefly touch on what some terminology is that you are going to need to know while selecting the best tools for your job.

Drive - this refers to the size ratchet that fits into the socket. Typically they are 1/4", 1/2" and 3/4" "Drives." The larger the ratchet, the more force you can apply to the socket and therefore to the nut or bolt that you are trying to turn. Although you can use adapters to switch the drive size between sockets it is not recommended as they often break. Also, smaller drives are meant to work in smaller places and should not be used to apply overly aggressive torque to a socket and drive combination that just was not meant for the workload you are asking of it.

Spark Plug Socket - This is a special socket meant specifically for spark plugs. It's typically identified by its wrench-friendly head on which you can place a wrench around the outside of it. They also have a soft rubber boot inside that is meant to protect the plug while you are installing it into the cylinder head.

Flex Handle - This is a ratchet that has a head which will flex up to 90 degrees in articulation. This allows you to work in areas that would otherwise not permit you to use a straight ratchet because of clearance problems.

Socket Extensions - This may be the most valuable thing to make sure you have multiple lengths of in all drive sizes. I personally have 3, 6, and 10 inch length extensions in every drive size at all times. They go in between the ratchet and the socket wrench to extend the reach of the socket so that you can get to nuts of bolts that a deep in your engine compartment. When shopping for a set, I'd recommend the style that locks on the socket end with a push button release. Extensions often will wiggle loose from the socket at the wrong time, so having a set that locks are a huge time saver. I'd also follow the typical recommendation to be sure that there are no sharp edges on the tool, and that the plating has an even appearance and feel.

Swivel - Think of this like it is a universal joint for your ratchet. It will allow to you turn a socket that isn't perfect perpendicular in the direction in which you move the ratchet. This is another indispensable item, and follows the guidelines for sharp edges and plating as well.

Socket Wrench Terminology For the Beginner

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How to Use a Combination Wrench

!±8± How to Use a Combination Wrench

Welcome back to our series on hand tools for the beginner do it yourself automotive enthusiast. In this article we will discuss the proper use of a combination wrench. While the combination wrench is not a very difficult or complex tool to use, there are a few tips I have learned over the years.

-When using the open end of the wrench to its most benefit you will want to put it around the nut or bolt that you need to turn and twist the wrench in a counter clockwise direction. If (and when) the nut gives you a difficult time I normally give it a good soaking of penetrating oil. Then shortly after applying the oil, I'll tap on the head of the bolt, or the side of the nut to help break the tension on the threads and let the oil work into them a little deeper than it would otherwise.

-Always try to use your free hand to secure the wrench down over the nut. I do this to control the wrench to a greater extent and prevent it from coming off and damaging the nut or something else, such as myself.

In tight places sometimes you can't move the wrench all that far. The opening it typically at a 15 degree angle so that in those situations you can turn the wrench slightly and then flip it over to turn the wrench another 15 degrees so that you don't need to reposition it.

Never, ever think a wrench is "tight enough." If there is any play at all between the nut on the wrench, don't use it and find the proper size wrench. If it was too big and slips off the nut, it can easily round off the corners or the nut and round the wrenches of the wrench. There's no point in destroying a nut or bolt and your tool when a few seconds to find the right wrench is all you need.

How to Use a Combination Wrench

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Tips For Using a Torque Wrench For the Beginner

!±8± Tips For Using a Torque Wrench For the Beginner

Welcome back to my series on automotive tools for the beginner. Today we will discuss some basic tips for using a torque wrench in case you are not familiar with how to best ensure that you are tightening your fastener properly. If you are going to need to use a torque wrench for whatever job you are working on you will want to be sure that you are using it properly. The torque specifications to which you are tightening to may be involved with determining bearing clearances, in which case the proper use of a torque wrench isn't only important, but required.

So here are the basic tips to know:

Tip 1: When grabbing the torque wrench, make sure you grab far down the shaft, not up by the dial. Grabbing low gives you more leverage and control over the wrench and fastener.

Tip 2: When you are looking at your project, tighten the nuts or bolts down in a sequence that will apply load or pressure evenly across the item. Do not use it in a pure clockwise of counter clockwise direction. Whatever is being tightened needs to move down evenly or your readings may be off significantly.

Tip 3: When working on a series of bolts or nuts, tighten them until they are snug, then go back over them for a final tightening and reading. This is once again to assure that you are placing even load on the surface you are working on. This is good general information, but becomes absolutely necessary when using a torque wrench on a surface that requires specific torque pressure.

Tip 4: When using your torque wrench make sure that the bolt or nut moves freely along the threads you are tightening against. I like to use an assembly lube specifically designed for this application. If the fastener has resistance in its movement along the threads your torque readings will take that resistance into account as metered torque and while the readings might otherwise indicate that the fastener is properly torque, it won't be.

Tips For Using a Torque Wrench For the Beginner

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