Long Allens

[chris kennedy]

I'm still looking for sockets for torque wrenches that can reach deep to the lugs of large molded case CB's. Thanks.

 

[mengelman]

No problem Go to Sears, or Harbor Freight, or stop one of the tool trucks, Snap-on, Mac, ect.
Where have you looked?

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Chris,
You are correct that most of the standard allens are too short for many breaker lugs. If you need one in a hurry, you can remove the short allen from the socket, most are held in with a small set screw, cut off the short part of a standard allen and intall that in the socket.
Don

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

I am wondering if using a longer Allen key that is not designed for the torque wrench would have any effect on the actual torque value?

 

[LarryFine]

I am wondering if using a longer Allen key that is not designed for the torque wrench would have any effect on the actual torque value?

Not if you're careful about keeping the torque applied about the turning axis.

In other words, keep one hand at the turning point to avoid any sideways pressure.

 

[winnie]

Using a long straight shaft on a torque wrench won't alter the torque value; the shaft will simply twist up some before it transmits the torque.

The long shaft, since it will act as a spring, would alter the dynamic 'change in torque with angle'. I don't believe that any torque measurement tools measure this second order value, but it would probably alter the 'feel' that you have of how the fastener is responding to being screwed down.

McMaster sells straight allen 'blades', and possibly even sockets with long allen blades already installed.

-Jon

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

Thanks, just the kind of answers I was looking for. You guys can certainly make us seem a lot smarter than we really are .

 

[infinity]

When in doubt do as Don suggested. Take an "L" shaped Allen key and cut off the short side. If you don't have any ratchet Allen keys, simply insert this into a standard socket of the same size. Put on a little electrical tape to hold in it place and you've got a long Allen wrench.

 

[celtic]

Yup....sacrifce your set of Allen keys (you won't even need them anymore)...save BOTH the long and short ends after cutting...stick them in the matching socket - long and short keys!

I did this years ago and never looked back.

 

[chris kennedy]

I am wondering if using a longer Allen key that is not designed for the torque wrench would have any effect on the actual torque value?

This was one of the first things that entered my mind because in most applications an extension is needed to clear the back box. Both the wrench instructions come with adjustment calcs. for long extensions (over 12 inches). Excellent question Pierre. And to everyone else, thank you, my wallet feels lighter already. I love new toys!

 

[chris kennedy]

Where have you looked?

Big box, National Tool, Google.

 

[LarryFine]

Take an "L" shaped Allen key and cut off the short side.

Well, technically speaking, since you don't want the 90, you want to cut off the long side, and use that.

 

[Bob Kraemer]

Try these guys out.
http://jlindustrial.com/ or http://www.mscdirect.com/