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What actual poundage do you need, and I have never heard that an air wrench will double as a torque wrench. That is 30 lbs of pressure, not 30 lbs of torque. What if the air wrench has torque multiplation in it ?
Spend the money on a torque wrench. You will use it again.
You can probably rent a torque wrench if you need it or buy a torque multiplier or use a crows foot if it's close. Torque = force x distance so if you apply 30lb feet a few inches away you can solve for your applied torque. Say the head is 2 inches away from the fastener now 30 lbs x 1ft + 2 inches is actually 35 lb-ft when it clicks on the crows foot vs 30 say. Depending on space it may be a valid option if you have one laying around.
You should be able to pick one up at that Pl;ace that advertises everywhere ( don't know if mentioning the name is allowed) for about $10. Not the best quality but they do work. Look for a Coupon. A 3/8 version will work well for 30 lbs measurement.
Barrier
I bought one at Harbor Freight as my Craftsman broke during a head swap. I compared it to a freinds Snap On and it was just as accurate. For how long who knows lol.
IT was the click type not the one with that funky beam
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
As we have come to notice the HF tools have a value to the occasional grassroots mech. 30 ft/lbs is nice and tight.
So rather than fret over exacting values, Pull hard on a 12" wrench and you'll be fine.
Not only will it measure torque accurately using only a ratchet/flex handle, but it can be used to calibrate an extisting torque wrench.
I have three torque wrenches of overlapping capacities, but since getting this device I seldom use the torque wrenches if I only have one or two fasteners to torque ....just use this and a flex handle. No adjusting a torque wrench and then backing it off again.