Torque

[Mike Allfrey]

G'dday,

In Jowett Talk there have been several references to the expression 'ft.lb' in association with torque measurment description.

During my apprenticeship, and while at college, I had it hammered into me that torque is always expressed as lb.ft (Nm).

The expression ft.lb only relates to work done in a straight line.

I know that the Americans use the term ft.lb frequently, but having worked for two American companies and noted that their Engineering Specifications state that torque be stated as lb.ft. However, in both companies, the Engineering Department assembly drawings stated lb.ft, and Service Manuals stated ft.lb.

Strange, what?

My lecturer stated that torque is always measured as the load in pounds on a lever one foot long, lb.ft.

I remember the first time I built the Jupiter engine in 1963, and being concious of the extent of aluminium used in the engine's construction, I used a one-foot long lever with an old Salter 100 lb spring scale.

All in good humour folks! Not nit-picking!

My father always held, and I believed everything he said, that the commencement of the decline of the British motor insustry was the adoption of SAE threads - but that is another matter!

I'll get back to my cold stubbie of VB and leave you'll alone for a spell.

Mike Allfrey - E0 SA 42R.

[Forumadmin]

Strikes me you should start drinking warm beer down under, considering the weather! On second thoughts, keep it near freezing, it will taste awful otherwise.