Calibrated wives (was A reply to Gross a

[paul.heneghan@bbc.co.uk (Paul Heneghan)]

From: geo <gamills@ns.sympatico.ca>
>This sounds interesting Paul.  Now if my wife weighs 110 lbs., how far 
along
>the lever, ie. piece of scaffolding, would she have to be to get 330 lb.
>torque?

I can do that one in my head - 3 feet.

> I have a long piece of galvanized pipe (6 ft. or so and I believe 1.25
>inches diameter) that used to be part of a Lord and Burnham (not sure of 
the
>spelling) greenhouse.  Certainly thick enough to take on this job.  Not 
sure
>about the sockets I have being able to take the strain

I would imagine that most 27mm sockets would easily be able to cope with 
332ftlb of torque.

>but I have a
>next-door-neighbour who's into the heavy duty gear and would probably like 
to
>see me sweat doing this.  Perhaps if I hold my wife by the waist (I like 
that
>part) and she jumps up and down on the bar it will be tight enough.  Should 
I
>worry about too much force?

Yes.  It is not a good idea to use too much torque when doing up fastenings. 
 I would try to stay within 10% (when was the last time your wife weighed 
herself - I hope a diet is not going to be required!).

Paul
paul.heneghan@bbc.co.uk
1984 Audi 80 quattro
1989 Audi 100 Avant