Digger wrote on 07/14/10 at 22:09:04:



Decided to go this route.

Spent a grand total of $4.90 (cash only, please) to get these two parts:





There is a 15" long piece of 3/8" X 1 1/2" steel bar and a 1 1/2" long piece of 1/2" square steel rod.

Now, I just need to figure out how to get the two 1/2" square holes into the two ends of the bar.

james may wrote on 07/15/10 at 19:21:03:



James,

Thanks for the suggestions, but.....why do y'all have to keep reminding me that I don't know how to weld?    

Digger, man, why donchya start lookin around for a used welder, do some innerneck homework on whatever you find & see if that unit is decent. My Harbor Freight has given me a load of hassles, but since last time I had it apart, its welding a lot better. IDK Why..but IM diggin it. Run some 220 & set up a long cord from the breaker to the outlet to plug the welder into. Then, if you add a welder, you can just plug in & still be able to weld outside the shop, Id explain on the phone, too much typing.
Little stuff like this tool is where to start5. No school needed, theres enough info out there to get a guy "off the ground" or to "Launch" a new hobby..
Im just not shy about stuff like this & I wouldnt think twice about walkng up to a welder & telling him what I was trying to do & offer top pay him some, be his helper for a day or 2 & maybe even pay him a bit, just to show me how to set up a torch & how to drag a bead & let me practice some,,

Still doing promotional tours?
cut and file your square holes.
Then take it with you and ask a favor.

or take it to a muffler shop.

I gave up on the idea of using the 1/2" steel rod for a drive square.  A smart guy on my ST forum pointed out that that piece would probably twist under big torque loads.....sounded reasonable to me.

I decided to go with this plan:

http://www.freeinfostuff.com/TorqueExtension/TorqueExtension.htm

Thanks, Verslagen, for turning me on to that web site!  

I like how it ended up (I painted it gold because that was the only can of RUST-OLEUM I had at the house):





Jerry, the owner of Hinrichsen & Son Welding (near Circle and Platte in Colorado Springs) did a very nice job with the welding and his cost was certainly fair.  I would recommend him to anyone in this area who has small jobs to do....he welcomes small jobs and is an interesting fella to talk to.

A look at both sides of each end:














As you can see, the welds are stout.

All told, I've got twenty bucks tied up in this 1/2" drive torque extender, including the gold paint.  It measures about 13 15/32" center to center between the drives.  It turns my 0-150 ft-lb torque wrench into a 0-270 ft-lb torque wrench.

I'm pleased.

Thanks all, for your help and ideas!