Electric or Hydraulic torque wrench

[bkshaw]

I have an application that I need to torque bolts to the 500 lb-ft range. I have been looking at hydraulic and some electric torque wrench websites. I am looking for some info/opinions on the two types from a user. I think that hydraulic will be too expensive for my limited use (once a month 30 bolts). Which brands are better?
Thank you
Brian

 

[arto]

Hytorc's work great

http://www.hytorc.com/

Valve makers use little ones & turbine makers use big ones - be sure to use never-seez!

 

[CoryPad]

I don't have experience with hydraulic tools . According to their website, Hytorc tools are used to preload fasteners with zero torque. They are much slower - minutes per fastener.

Electric tools use torque to preload fasteners. They are much faster - seconds per fastener. Good suppliers for these are AtlasCopco and Stanley. You can learn more at the following sites:

http://www.atlascopco.com

http://www.stanleyworks.com/bu_airtools.asp

 

[dugal]

You can buy pnuematic torque wrenches as well as hydraulic and electric. There is also manual torque wrenches capable of this torque which is the cheapest of all. Depends a lot on how you want to torque the bolts. Are you going right up to 500 ft/lb or working your way up in 3 or 4 steps while also torquing other bolts in a sequence, such is done on a pipe flange.
If I was out in a field I would obviously use the hand wrench, in a shop with an air compressor I might use a pnumatic torque wrench.