Use a torque multiplier with torque wrench?

[fleabag]

Is it possible to use a torque wrench with a torque multiplier, divide the amount you're trying to torque and set that setting on the torque wrench in order to get the same effect as using the torque wrench directly on the desired setting?

To put it in simple terms, you use a torque multiplier that does 4X, you need to torque to 200ft-lbs, so you set your torque wrench to 50ft-lbs and then use the torque multiplier with your torque wrench.

 

[bruceb]

Yes. That is how it works. Check out the Snap On tools catalogue for their Torque Multipliers. But, they are not cheap. Sometimes that is the only way to really tighten a large bolt and be sure it is as tight as it was intended to be.

 

[fleabag]

Any other opinions?

 

[IcePickFreak]

Yep this how we did it when I worked with hydraulic cylinders. Some of the larger ones had tie rods over an inch in diameter and required torquing to ridiculous specs. We used a 3 foot torque wrench & a torque multiplier to get them to spec, and it works just as you suspect.

 

[marvdmartian]

Yep, works that way. Years ago, had a job where the nuts on a steam generator hatch had to be torqued to something like 3000 ft lbs torque, but we only had a 600 ft lb torque wrench. Bring in the 10x multiplier (big heavy sucker, took one person to hold it while someone else turned the torque wrench!!), then only had to torque the wrench to 300 fl lbs. 🙂