Mechanics: how much torque can a 1/2 inch drive withstand?

Self-tutoring about mechanics: the tutor shares a question and his own experience.

Sometimes, typing a question into a search engine, you need only a few words before the anticipation algorithm completes it. I always feel good then, because I know that if so many people have asked the same question,

1. Likely it’s a relevant question.
2. Likely, useful answers will be easy to find.

Today I typed in how much torque, then saw the completion can a 1/2 inch drive take – my exact question.

I recently performed a part replacement that involved a cheater bar possibly 2 1/2 feet, with me leaning against it. I weigh 180lbs, but was standing on the bare floor; not all my weight, likely, was transferred to the bar. I believe half was, though; in that case, the torque might have been 2.5feetx90pounds or 225ftxpounds. It could have been more, though, depending on how much push my feet could develop along the floor.

The driver was 1/2 inch, solid (not ratcheted). The nut came loose with a sound like a small gong being rung.

The forum I looked at suggests the limit for a half-inch drive might be 230 to 300 ftxpounds of torque; my experience seems to agree.

Source:

mechanics.stackexchange.com