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.

Whether you work out each day or spend a lot of time sitting at a desk, it’s easy to suffer from aches and pains. If you have a strain in your back, neck, or legs, it limits your mobility and makes it challenging to get around— the discomfort can even last for days. While stretching may help reduce some of the tightness, sometimes you just need more targeted relief. Enter massage guns: massage guns work well to relieve tension and restore your comfort to avoid any interruption to your daily activities. They target specific muscle groups and allow you to get the same relief you’d feel after a visit to the chiropractor, masseuse, or physical therapist. What's even better is that you can treat yourself right at home. If you want to find the best massage guns in 2022, there are a few top brands to consider due to their efficient designs and reliable operation. Take a look at our list of top massage guns and our buying guide to help you choose the best product that will relieve your discomfort.

Sometimes, even after the most careful browsing, we can end up with a mattress that doesn’t feel as comfortable as it should. A bed topper can improve your sleeping experience tenfold by offering the extra cushion and support you need. However, finding the right mattress pad can be just as challenging as finding an actual mattress. We've carefully tested and selected four of the best bed toppers in 2022 available to make your search easier.

Whether you work night shifts or live in a well-lit area, it can be challenging to fall asleep at night if you’re not in a dark setting. Fortunately, eye masks offer relief and allow you to get into a deep slumber without closing the blinds or putting a towel over your eyes. Sleep masks are also ideal for traveling and getting used to a new time zone. If you want to find the best sleep masks in 2021 for your needs, there are a few top options to consider because of their quality construction and excellent fit on the face.

Like them or not, face masks are here to stay for the next foreseeable while. Nearly all public spaces that have not already been closed require a properly worn face mask as a condition of entry, including stores, parks, gas stations, and everything in between. Not all masks are equal, though - we singled out a few that are readily available and are of markedly higher quality than the rest.

Fires, smog, pollen, industrial pollution - poor air quality can come from a variety of sources. No matter how or why it happens, unhealthy air quality can lead to respiratory issues and other long-term health concerns. Unfortunately, clean air eludes many of us, especially if you live in or around a crowded city. The recent spate of record-setting wildfires also managed to bring smoke and ash across the entire continent, tinting the daytime sky an uncanny orange and spreading ash and PM2.5 in many areas of the country.