As long as the force applied is perpendicular to the lever, it doesn't
matter.

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver

caryccc wrote:

>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
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>