When this question is mentioned, everyone must first think of using a wrench to tighten a bolt. But did you know there are other ways to tighten a bolt?
In this article, TorcStark will introduce various tools for tightening bolts. There is also one of the simplest methods.
Use a wrench to tighten the bolts
Wrenches are hand tools used to grip and turn bolts. They come in various sizes and types, including adjustable wrenches, combination wrenches, open-end wrenches, and box-end wrenches.
Socket Wrenches:
Socket wrenches, also known as ratchets, use sockets that fit over the bolt head or nut. They allow for quick and continuous turning without repositioning the tool.
Usage Scenario
Used to rotate bolts or nuts placed in tight or inaccessible locations. Socket wrenches are commonly used in automobile repair, machinery manufacturing, home repair, machinery repair, and other fields. It uses a reciprocating swing-type manual turning nut, which can be loosened or tightened, conveniently and quickly.
Tips & Tricks
When using a socket wrench to tighten, you can turn the handle of the socket wrench clockwise. At this time, the swing angle of the socket wrench is very small and can be used to tighten and unscrew the screws and nuts.
Under normal circ*mstances, a square sleeve will be equipped with a stay rod. When the handle is pulled back in the opposite direction, the stay rod will slide out on the slope of the ratchet teeth, so the screw or nut will not be reversed. If you need to loosen a screw or nut, the user only needs to flip the ratchet wrench and turn it counterclockwise to loosen the screw and nut.
Torque Wrenches:
Torque wrenches are specialized tools designed to apply a specific amount of torque (rotational force) to a bolt. They are crucial for accurate tightening, especially in applications where specific torque values are critical to the integrity of the connection.
Usage Scenario
Torque wrenches are widely used in petrochemical, machinery manufacturing, aerospace, railway, and transportation industries. In various industries, torque wrenches are used to ensure that bolts and nuts in various engineering projects are tightened to the correct strength to ensure the safe operation of equipment and structures.
Tips & Tricks
When using a torque wrench, you should try to use pulling force rather than pushing force to ensure personal safety during operation. When using a torque wrench to tighten the bolts, apply force evenly and do not use impact force to rotate the wrench.
Impact Wrenches:
Impact wrenches use a high-frequency rotational hammering motion to apply torque. They are commonly used in industries like automotive and construction, where rapid and high-torque tightening is required.
Usage Scenario
Impact wrenches are suitable for heavy-duty tightening or loosening of nuts and bolts. It is frequently used in auto repair shops, product assembly, and construction.
Tips & Tricks
Lubricating oil should be added frequently during the use of the impact wrench, and the bearing should be regularly filled with grease. Try to find a supporting point for the reverse force distance when using it to prevent the reaction force from hurting people. It is important to maintain a stable posture when using an impact wrench. Use even force and avoid sideways forces to prevent the wrench head from slipping or twisting.
Pneumatic (Air) Wrenches:
Pneumatic wrenches, often called air wrenches or air guns, use compressed air to generate torque. They are commonly used in industrial settings due to their high torque output.
Usage Scenario
Pneumatic wrenches can be used in racing cars, cars, trucks, trains, car assembly plants, repair shops, tire shops, large shipyards, power plants, construction and maintenance of railways, highways, bridges, mines, and oil well maintenance, engineering machinery, heavy machinery assembly, repair, and other industrial situations.
Tips & Tricks
When using, ensure the stability of the compressed air system, and then adjust the torque of the pneumatic wrench as needed to ensure the correct tightening force. The high torque characteristics of air wrenches can cause over-tightening of bolts, so care must be taken when using them.
Hydraulic Torque Wrenches:
These wrenches use hydraulic pressure to generate torque. They are suitable for heavy-duty applications where extremely high torque values are needed.
Working Principle
After the electric hydraulic pump is started, pressure is generated inside the motor. Then the internal hydraulic oil is delivered to the hydraulic wrench through the oil pipe medium, and then the piston rod of the hydraulic wrench is pushed. The ratchet in front of the wrench is driven by the piston rod, causing the ratchet to drive the drive shaft to tighten the bolt and complete the work.
Usage Scenario
Hydraulic wrenches are mainly used for tightening and removing industrial heavy bolts. It is often seen in construction, maintenance and emergency repair work in petrochemicals, shipbuilding, construction, electric power, mining, metallurgy and other industries.
Tips & Tricks
Before use, determine whether the bolts are tightened or removed, and change the direction of the drive shaft according to site requirements. Press and hold the round button in the middle of the lock and gently pull the drive shaft to disengage the drive shaft from the lock and the drive shaft can be pulled out. After confirming the direction, release the drive shaft into the wrench so that it fully meshes with the spline sleeve, and then tighten the lock.
When using a controller to control a hydraulic pump, be sure to pay attention to the oil inlet and oil return. After the oil return is completed, press the oil inlet button to start oil inlet. If the oil return is not successful, press the oil inlet button and the driving head of the wrench will not rotate.
Electric Torque Wrenches:
Electric torque wrenches use an electric motor to apply torque. They offer precise torque control and are commonly used in various industries.
Usage Scenario
Electric torque wrenches can replace hydraulic wrenches for tightening or removing large bolts and nuts. It can be used in the wind power industry, oil and gas, chemical industry applications, steel plants, and other metallurgical industries.
Tips & Tricks
When setting the torque, you can directly enter the required torque value. If you do not know the torque value, you can enter the size and grade strength of the bolt, and the system will automatically recommend a torque value. Before working, the machine should be turned on and idle for 3-5 minutes to check whether the wrench is stable.
Manual Torque Multipliers:
These tools amplify the force you apply to them manually, allowing you to achieve higher torque values than by hand.
Usage Scenario
Torque multipliers are useful when handling jobs that require high torque. Mainly used in heavy machinery maintenance, large vehicle maintenance, the drilling and mining industry, marine engineering, and other fields.
Tips & Tricks
When using a torque multiplier, select the right product for the task. When using, you should gradually increase the strength and avoid sudden application of excessive force. You should also pay attention to the recoil generated by the tool to ensure safe operation and prevent the tool from falling off.
Tightening bolts using the principle of tension
Tensioning tools apply a specific tension to bolts in applications where bolt stretch is critical, such as in flange connections.
- Hydraulic bolt tensioner:It is mainly powered by a hydraulic pump to elongate the bolts, and then tighten the nuts with a wrench. It is mainly used in industrial pipes, flanges, and other places.
- Electric Bolt Tensioners: These devices electrically tension bolts and are suitable for high-pressure vessels and connections where controlled bolt tension is required.
- Manual Bolt Tensioner: Similar to an electric bolt tensioner, but operated manually. Suitable for relatively small-scale applications.
Working Principle
The bolt tensioner uses the tensile force generated by the ultra-high pressure oil pump to stretch the bolt in its elastic deformation zone based on the tensile strength, yield coefficient, and elongation of the material. The bolt diameter is slightly deformed within the tensile strength and yield range, making it easy to loosen and tighten the nut with the help of dial rings.
Usage Scenario
Bolt tensioners are widely used in construction, maintenance, emergency repair, and other work in ship engineering, petrochemical industry, construction, electric power, mining, metallurgy, and other industries. It is a very important tool for the installation and removal of large-sized bolts. Especially in flange connections, the use of bolt tensioners is extremely high.
Tips & Tricks
Bolt tensioners are used in conjunction with the specific needs of the tensioning equipment. Before use, the outside of the bolt must be reserved first, and then the height and direction of the tensioner must be consistent with the radial direction of the nut, to ensure the best use effect of the hydraulic tensioner.
When using the bolt tensioner, be sure to grasp the pretightening force and then perform calibration checks. What we need to know is that the pretightening force cannot exceed the allowable stress of the bolt, especially when the length of the bolt itself is not long enough, we must pay special attention to this problem.
Many times bolt tensioners are used to stretch bolts on flange faces. At this time, all bolts must be stretched according to the relative stages and order, to avoid uneven tensile force between bolts.
Other non-standard tools to tighten bolts
The following tools should only be used for temporary solutions to tightening bolts. Torque accuracy cannot be guaranteed. If you require high torque accuracy, please choose professional tools.
- Hand screwdrivers: Although not as precise as spanners and torque wrenches, hand screwdrivers can be used to tighten small bolts in some cases.
- Nutrunners: Nutrunners can be used to tighten bolts, especially when other tools are not available.
- Manual rotary tool: similar to a torque wrench, but without precise torque control, it is suitable for some small and medium-sized fastening jobs.
- Special Custom Tooling: Depending on the specific application, custom tooling may be required to meet specific tightening needs.
- Mechanical Torque Amplifier: Similar to a manual torque multiplier, but uses mechanical principles to amplify the input force, resulting in greater torque.
- Universal joint wrench: This wrench allows torque to be applied at different angles and is useful in hard-to-reach places.
- Pliers or Clamps: Although not specifically designed for tightening bolts, pliers or clamps can be used to apply some torque in some emergencies.
The easiest tool for tightening bolts😜
When you need to tighten a bolt but don’t have any tools around. Then fasten with your hands. As long as you don’t have any requirements for the torque of tightening the bolts, any tool can be replaced by hand, and it is simple and convenient.
Ps: Just kidding, don’t take it seriously. Accurate torque application is critical to ensuring a safe and reliable connection.
Precautions when tightening bolts
- Make sure to choose the appropriate wrench to tighten the bolts.
- Make sure the bolt holes and nut holes are clean and free of oil stains and other dirt to ensure that the bolts can be fully tightened.
- Maintain correct posture and avoid bending or twisting the body. Gradually increase tightening force. This ensures your safety and avoids bolt damage.
- Be sure to avoid over-tightening bolts. When tightening bolts, tighten them according to specifications and requirements.
In the end
The above is a comprehensive introduction to bolt-tightening tools. Second, tool selection depends on factors such as required torque level, bolt size, available space, and specific application. If you do not know the parameters of the bolts and the selection of the wrench, please consult relevant professionals. Of course, you are very welcome to contact us. TorcStark provides free technical consulting services.
