I'm sure this is a silly question for those of you in the know, but why does
the lever need to be horizontal when measuring torque?  The length of the
lever is the same at any angle, and the force applied will be perpendicular
to the lever, right?

Cary

----- Original Message -----
From: George Goff <THX0001@AOL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2003 9:02 AM
Subject: Re: 250 ft-lb torque wrench?

> In a message dated 3/26/03 4:24:18 PM, j_rodgers@CHARTER.NET writes:
>
> << The formula to calculate the FT/lbs is to multiply the length of the
arm
> times the force applied. >>
>
> As long as the force is tangent to the swing of the lever; the force is a
> vector whose magnitude can only be specified with its direction.  That is
why
> a beam torque wrench has a floating handle.  Having said that, if you are
> hanging a dead weight from a lever in order to apply a known torque, use a
> clevis between the weight and the lever, then stop when the lever is sorta
> horizontal.
>
> George
>