Torque Sticks for Electric Impact Wrench

[cjcride]

I may get a set of torque sticks. I have 2 electric impact wrenches. One is 7.5 amp, 240 ft. lbs. and 2700 blows per min. the other is 3.5 amp, 220 ft. lbs. and 0 to 4000 blows per min.
I heard that torque sticks are designed for air impact wrenches and will not work properly with electric impacts.
Any advice please.

 

[DemoFly]

If it requires precise torque, don't use an impact to tighten anything past nearly snug.

Torque sticks are useless unless you're a tire-shop and can get away with being 20-40ft/lbs too-tight per lug-nut.

My 2c.

 

[Chris142]

I only use the 65ft lb one since 99% of lugnuts are torqued more than that. I run them down to the 65 then finish with my tq wrench

 

[Traction]

I just sold the torque sticks I bought 6 months ago. Yes, they seem to work, but you get no feedback like you do from a torque wrench. It is like, maybe they are right, but maybe not. I could tighten by hand without a torque wrench, and have a better feel than using a stick. Plus being several inches long, they are awkward to use.

 

[Rand]

I used to use them with my IR electric impact.
The torque sticks will be calibrated for a specific strength impact.. sometimes 350ft/lb

If you use them a few times with your electric impact you should be able to get a feel for how tight it gets... will be a percentage off the number on the torque stick

So in your case with my torque sticks you would use the 80ft/lb to get near 65ft/lb

Since I have pretty much retired my electric impact and use my Porter cable battery impact

They are not used often. Its very easy to get the lugnuts to 65-75 with the PC impact then final torque with torque wrench.
As long as the lugnuts move before the torque wrench clicks.. its fine. If not I back it off slightly and start over.

 

[Trav]

I have owned them and honestly i wouldn't waste someone elses nickel on them. I use an impact to remove lugs and to run them up but final torque is always with a torque wrench.
Do yourself a favor and buy a split beam instead, you don't need to set it to zero every time and you can leave it set to the most common wheel torque i leave mine at 90.

This is a good one for short $$

http://www.tooltopia.com/precision-instr...CFc2PHwodpssL9g

 

[stephen9666]

Originally Posted By: Chris142
I only use the 65ft lb one since 99% of lugnuts are torqued more than that. I run them down to the 65 then finish with my tq wrench


This really is the only smart way to use a torque stick, IMO. This is what I would do when I worked in a tire shop.