lol not if you use it right =D it has to be faced perfectly on there and you cant angle or it will strip =D. Those are anal like that. Good thing he was replacing the line though =D.

 

Yeah, not my finest mechanical moment. This experienced further proved the point that the right tools make the job. The nut wouldn't have rounded if I had used the flare nut wrench in the first place. Lesson learned.

 

Just needed a good supervisor to watch over your work you know. ;p

 

^Glad I can count on you

 

Torque wrenches have one purpose: to provide an accurate torque reading when tightening a fastener. They are carefully calibrated to give that reading. It is not difficult to ruin that calibration through improper usage, like using the wrench as a breaker bar. For example, click type wrenches use a tensioner inside the wrench which is easily stretched by using excessive force after the click torque has been reached.

Short answer: a breaker bar has hardware designed to break loose tight fasteners. A torque wrench has carefully calibrated hardware designed to help you accurately tighten fasteners. Two totally different tools.

Also, the theory that checking the torque on an unloosened bolt will give you an accurate value for refastening is untrue. Time, and the constant heating, cooling, and oxidation that come with it ensure that the breaking force needed to loosen the bolt is well above the recommended torque spec. If it were that simple, you wouldn't have any of the problems the o.p. was.

Hope this helps.

 

I have over 20 years of experience, and at one time I was ASE certified.

How's that?