Torque wrenches are precision instruments, used to ensure that nuts and bolts are properly tightened in automotive engines, aviation and industrial applications. They provide a means of measuring the amount of force applied to the fastener, in order to tighten it. Without this measurement, there is no sure way of verifying that these fasteners have been properly tightened. If you’ve ever tightened up something just finger tight on your car engine and then forgotten about it; you probably have experienced the bolt or nut loosen up fairly quickly when the car was started. Since there is no opposing force to cause the nut or bolt to remain tightened, it is easy for it to become loose. However, a properly tightened bolt or nut won’t come loose, even after many hours of operation. The way that nuts and bolts work is that when tightened they put pressure, called “clamping force,” on the items they are holding together. As those items are more massive than the hardware holding them together, they push back, actually stretching the bolt microscopically. It is this stretching which prevents the bolt from coming loose. The stretching is like stretching a spring, allowing the bolt head and the nut to maintain pressure on the sides of whatever they are holding. There is a strong element of friction involved in fastener holding power. The friction between the head of the bolt or the side of the nut and the object they are holding, prevent the bolt head or nut from turning. As long as there is enough clamping force to maintain that friction, they won’t budge. While tightening fasteners to the proper torque is the way that we ensure that there is enough clamping force, this clamping force can change due to the type of finish on the fasteners and whether or not the fasteners have been previously used. The threads of a nut and bolt pair which has been tightened and loosened a number of times (without rusting) become somewhat polished by the pressure. This will increase the amount of clamping force applied each time, if tightened to the same torque. Nevertheless, the torque values which are used for nuts and bolts take into account the type of material used in the fastener, the hardness of that material and any surface coating. Engineers use pre-calculated tables, which take all of those factors into account, when specifying the proper torque to be used. Most torque wrenches today are “click type” wrenches, meaning that they make an audible click when the fastener is tightened to a pre-determined torque. The torque desired can be set electronically, with a mechanical digital readout or with a vernier, depending upon the design of the torque wrench. Generally speaking, the electronic ones are considered the best, as they are the easiest to set and work with. Vernier calipers require knowing how to work with a vernier. Torque wrenches which have a dial or needle and gauge aren’t really torque wrenches, but rather torque meters. While it is possible to use them to tighten a fastener to the right torque value, it is extremely hard to do so accurately. Torque is measured in foot-pounds or inch-pounds. Conversion from foot-pounds to inch-pounds is simple; all you have to do is multiply the foot-pounds by 12. One foot pound is one pound of pressure applied over a lever, where the force is applied one foot form the fulcrum or rotational point. So, if you have two torque wrenches, one that is one foot long and the other that is two feet long, and apply the same amount of pressure, the actual torque would be different. That one pound of force would become two ft-lbs of torque with the two foot long torque wrench. When selecting a torque wrench, it is important to verify that he tool will cover the entire torque range that you will be setting. A torque wrench that has a maximum torque value of 120 ft-lbs. won’t do you a bit of good, if you have to torque a nut to 150 ft-lbs. Having all torque ranges you need may require having more than one torque wrench, although it is possible to get one torque wrench which will cover all needed torque values for working on a car engine. Check out our list of the best torque wrenches in 2022.

Every workshop needs a workbench... or two or three. While some people like to build their own, it’s a lot faster and easier to buy a kit or one that’s ready to go. This also ensures that you’ll have a workbench that’s going to hold up under heavy-duty use, as sometimes DIY projects don’t go as planned.The workbench is the center of the workshop, providing a place to work on projects, set your parts when you’re not working with them, store tools, and whatever else needs to be done. Without a workbench, you’re stuck with trying to find somewhere else to work, and often that somewhere is someplace that’s going to upset your partner!Picking a workbench can be tricky, especially for those of us engaged in a variety of different projects. Check out our list of the best workbenches in 2022 and the buyer's guide below for some things to look for in your ideal workbench before making a selection.

If a guy’s only going to have one shop tool in his workshop, it’s going to be a table saw. While other stationary power tools are useful, a table saw is all but indispensible. Oh, you can do many of the cuts that people use a table saw for with a circular saw, but you can’t do them with anywhere near the accuracy; especially if you’re trying to get a straight cut. The table saw is a very versatile tool. Although designed predominantly for ripping wood, it can also be used for crosscutting and miter cuts. All of them come with both a fence for ripping and a miter gauge for crosscutting and miter cuts. Some people pooh-pooh the table saw’s ability to do accurate crosscutting, but I’d beg to differ with them. I won’t argue that it’s easier to do accurate crosscuts with a miter saw or radial arm saw, but I’ve done miter cuts accurately enough on a table saw, to be able to make picture frames with expensive moldings. That requires a level of accuracy that’s hard to meet with any tool. If you do a lot of miter cutting on your table saw, you may want to consider investing in a quality aftermarket miter gauge. Even the best of table saws have rather simple miter gauges. However, there are some excellent after-market models around, most of which are much larger and much more accurate than the typical manufacturer's miter gauge. Like many tools, table saws have evolved through the years. Today’s saws have many improvements over the saw that my daddy taught me on. They also tend to be more accurate, which is extremely important if you are doing any sort of cabinet work. Before looking for a table saw, you really have to decide what you want to use it for. If you don’t need that large rip capacity, then there’s really no reason to pay for it. On the other hand, buying a small saw, which doesn’t have the capacity you need, will leave you frustrated, and probably set you up for buying a larger saw later. Take a look and check out our list of the best table saws in 2022 and the buyer's guide on table saws below, before looking at the lists of reviews we have prepared for you. This will give you a much better idea of the various saws out there and what you should be looking for in them.

Purchasing a ladder can be a bit of a daunting task. On one hand, you want a ladder that you know will be strong enough to hold you up no matter what job you’re working on. On the other hand, you don’t want to pay a lot without sacrificing quality. The decision, ultimately, comes down to what you wish to use the ladder for. Will you be using it for general-purpose jobs around the home? Will you be using it in your garage? Will you be using it to gain access to your attic? The types of jobs you do, factor into what type of ladder you purchase. We have different lists available for a variety of best ladders in 2022 depending on what type you need. Rest assured that every ladder on the following list is the best of the best in each category.

More than anything, reciprocating saws are demolition tools. There’s no finesse, no fine line of accuracy, and most of all, no “finish cuts” with a reciprocating saw. When you need to take something down quickly, a reciprocating saw will do it faster than anything else, except maybe a chain saw. These saws are often referred to by their nickname, “Sawzall.” This is the name that Milwaukee Tools gave their first reciprocating saw, and it seems to have stuck pretty well. While Milwaukee is still the champ of the Sawzall, there are plenty of other contenders to look at. Because these are specialty saws, most do-it-yourselfers have a hard time justifying their purchase. In that case, you might want to consider looking at the best reciprocating saws in 2022 that we have listed. While these are not as heavy-duty as the professional models, for the homeowner who occasionally needs to take something apart or cut up a fallen tree limb, they’re plenty. We’ve also included a helpful buyer’s guide below to take some of the guesswork out of your search.

There are several reasons why a person might choose to drink oat milk instead of dairy alternatives. For example, if you are lactose intolerant, you may be searching for a tasty dairy replacement. Good news for you - oat milk tastes great in tea and coffee, on cereal, and can also be used to replace cow’s milk in various baking recipes.Many studies show that animal agriculture is a major contributor to greenhouse gases. Dairy milk uses about 8 times more land than any of the plant-based alternatives. The amount of water needed to produce cow’s milk is much higher than the amount needed to produce oat milk. It takes over 160 gallons of water to produce 1 quart of cow’s milk and it takes a little over 12 gallons of water to produce the same amount of oat milk. Basically, if you care about the environment, you should consider making the switch if you haven’t already.Not only does it have a lovely creamy taste, in time, the majority of oat milk drinkers don’t miss dairy milk at all. In fact, the popularity of oat milk has grown exponentially in the last few years, creating a large variety of brands and flavors to choose from. To help you find a drink that suits your taste buds, we have created a list of the best oat milks in 2022. Check it out below! If you want to do further research, we've compiled an oat milk buyer's guide as well.

The keto diet is one of the most popular eating trends among American men and women who are determined to shed their excess weight and get into great shape. The ketogenic routine involves very low carb intake while replacing them with healthy fats. This reduction in carbs eventually makes your body go into a metabolic state known as ketosis.Similar to the Atkins and other low-carb diets, keto can lead to some pretty dramatic results, especially if you’re looking to shed a lot of weight over a few months, or if you suspect you have a gluten intolerance. If you are a breakfast lover, this does not spell doom and gloom. In fact, there are numerous delicious ket cereals on the market today. Sure, you’re going to have to ditch the PB on toast and bacon sandwiches for the foreseeable future, but you can still enjoy a delicious (and convenient) breakfast meal thanks to these handy products.Let’s face it, cereal isn’t cheap at the best of times, unless you’re buying store-brand corn flakes which, you know, you can’t really eat on a keto diet. To help you make a decision, we have collected some of the top keto cereals on the market in our handy buying guide below. We’ve also taken the time to break down some important factors for you to consider before making any purchase.

Glowing facial skin is often a sign of healthy living, and while it comes naturally for some - others, not so much. Every skin expert knows that exfoliation is a simple trick to getting dazzling, spotless skin, which is why it is an integral part of every skincare routine. Facial exfoliation is a way of peeling old, rugged skin off your face, and as simple as it may sound, this procedure will make your face shine brighter and better.Exfoliation today is way better and safer than it used to be, and the best facial exfoliation pads in 2022 listed in this buying guide take it up a notch. The best thing about these exfoliation pads is that they combine mechanical (abrasive surface) and chemical action (active ingredients) to deal with facial skin blemishes.Exfoliation pads are typically infused with potent face cleansing substances like lactic, mandelic, or glycolic acids, generally known as alpha-hydroxy acids or salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid. These chemical agents have been found to increase collagen production, improve facial skin tone, eliminate dark spots, and reduce breakouts - and thanks to exfoliating pads, you get to apply some or all of them on your face.There’s an exfoliation pad for every skin, no matter the sensitivity or tone. And luckily for you, this buying guide has information on everything you need to know about these face scrubbers.

Acne is the worst! They leave you feeling self-conscious, insecure, and unable to have fun or be yourself. However, the really awful thing about dealing with acne is trying to get rid of it with a product that doesn’t work. If you’ve been there, we totally get it. Everyone’s skin is different, and what works for someone else may not work for you. So, to give you the best chance at getting rid of that acne, we have compiled the best acne treatment kits in 2022.

If you are a hardcore weightlifter or just your average gym enthusiast who knows how to take care of yourself when exercising, you’ll know the importance of a recovery drink. Usually, in the form of a shake or smoothie, recovery drinks are full of essential amino acids and proteins which are slowly released into the body over several hours, aiding your recovery and turning your body into an efficient, muscle-building temple.If your aim is to tone up, post-workout recovery drinks should be a compulsory part of your exercise routine. Not only do they help you build muscle, but they also boost your immune system and even improve your bone structure. Of course, you can make your own shakes with supplements, powders, and natural foods. But who has time for that? Many companies provide pre-made recovery drinks which give you absolutely everything you need with minimal fuss.Need help choosing the perfect drink for you? We’ve compiled a list of the very best recovery drinks in 2022, as well as some nifty tricks for choosing the right recovery drink on the fly.