Stephen Teate wrote: >>I know what the torque value should be for the 3/8" diameter bolts. My >>question is are you using this torque through the wood cross pieces? Even >>with the large plate washers I am concerned about crushing the wood.<<
You'll definitely crush the wood if you use any of the "normal" torques given for 3/8" bolts. A reasonable guide would be what we use for wooden props, which is about 180 inch pounds (15 ft-lbs). If you hear crushing noises, that's past the limit, and if you torque much more than 15, you'll know what I mean. An inch-pound wrench is normally used because 180 is in the upper middle of the range where the calibration is usually good (assuming it's been calibrated and stored properly in recent years), whereas 15 ft-lbs is way down the scale on a typical 75 ft-lb wrench where it's not so accurate. Speaking of torque wrenches, some folks may not realize that you need to return the wrench to the lowest setting on click-type torque wrenches when you're not using them. Otherwise the spring stretches and it quickly drifts out of calibration. Not a problem for beam types, obviously... Mark Langford ML at N56ML.com website at http://www.N56ML.com --------------------------------------------------------
