Torque wrench

[dans]

Just looking to get myself one of these.

Any recommendations?

Looking at these but open to any other suggestions.

The ones I have been borrowing are questionable at best!!!

Cheers,
Dan

[ailwyn]

Dan,

I got one of these:

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro ... 9&id=18289

Seems ok to me and it'll save you a few beans

Ailwyn

[Ekapol]

If not Snap-On (professional stuff), you can also try Craftsman (good stuff)

This is what I'm using Powerbuilt (cheaper stuff)

I might want to get another one from Craftsman.

[dapinky]

Halfrauds pro are good bits of kit (I use one).

I'm lucky enough to own a Snap On (NOT to be confused with a Strap On) and a real cheapo from Lidl.

Interestingly, they all perform to the same tollerances and are still within a couple of ft.lbs of each other.

(Except the Lidls one only does Metric).

The Snap On is nicest to use (and I like ft.lbs, more than Nm) with the best 'feel' and ratchet (not to mention the lifetime guarantee).

The cheapo one is a bit fidly to adjust, but works great (for a Fisher Price make!) - it lives in the car for wheel changes etc.

The Halfrauds one lives in my 'general' tool box and gets the most use.

(Kennedy is another good make, at reasonable prices - might be worth a squint!)

[ailwyn]

The screwfix one is the only torque wrench I've ever had (and only had that 6 months), but it suits me.

Feels solid, setting the torque is a doddle (unlock, twist handle, lock), reversible ratchet.

As long as Halfords and screwfix offer a returns service you could get both, compare and return the one you least liked, would cost you a few extra quid in postage (if it had to be posted) but could save you £25 or more.

Ailwyn

[John_W]

"Practical Classics" did one of their very good comparison tests on various makes of torque wrench in the May 2000 edition (page 106 Product Test - Torque Wrenches under £60).

I bought it because I was about to buy one. Unfortunately my wife threw the magasine out, but I thought I remembered that the Screwfix (or maybe it was Sealey) came top despite being one of the cheapest. So that's what I bought - the same Screwfix that Ailwyn gives the link to.

It's fine and I'm happy with it. Good solid feel (don't you just miss Stef being around to take advantage of these sort of double entendre opportunities) and seems to be all OK (I've no way to test its calibration though). The only gripe I have is that the torque settings are engraved into the metal and I can't read them without a pair of reading glasses.

If you want to find out which is best, you could buy a reprint of the article from Practical Classics for £2.25 here.

John

[dans]

Thanks for the feedback guys!!

I'll let you know what I decide.

Having trawled through a few tools websites I am now going to have a few beers before I get brave enough to get the credit card out!
(how do all those other bits get into your basket!?!?!?!)

Or maybe I'll just stick to what I was planning on buying!


Cheers,
Dan

[algirdas]

Dear Dans:

Couple other points from my experience with torque wrenches. I think it is good that you are getting the "click type" versus the "beam type". With all of the nooks and crannies on an Elan, getting a beam type into tight spots so that you can torque the nut or bolt and see the reading on the gauge is just too much to ask of mere mortals.

Make sure it is a 1/2 inch drive, not 3/8ths. My experience has been that I can get the 1/2 inch in everywhere I need so that if you are going to have just one torque wrench, the 1/2 inch drive is the one to get get.

When you are done using a "click type" torque wrench, always return the tension setting to one of the lowest settings. For example, my torque wrench's lowest setting is 2 lbs. When I am done using it, I always return the torque setting to 4 or 5 lbs. Do not leave the torque wrench at the setting you were using, say 60 lbs. or 80 lbs. The tension placed on the internal mechanism at those higher settings will, over time, adversely affect the wrench.

Also make sure that the ratchet mechanism can be disassembled and cleaned or rebuilt/replaced. If your ratchet mechanism does not operate optimally, you can start getting goofy results. Instead of transmitting "100%" of the torque to the bolt or nut, some of it gets chewed up in the ratchet drive. I know this from experience.

John W is right on the money on the issue of calibration. Torque wrenches need to be recalibrated periodically. I was lucky when I bought a Craftsman torque wrench close to 30 years ago. The model I bought came with (get this) FREE LIFETIME recalibration and overhauling. It gets even better, by FREE they mean COMPLETELY FREE. Sears pays all shipping to and fro. I was without a torque wrench for about two weeks while Sears sent it to some place in Ohio for rebuilding. Thirty years later, they still had parts for it and were able to restore it to as good as new condition.

I would be concerned with buying a torque wrench which would present problems with calibration and/or rebuilding. I would be chary of some pimple faced saleskid trying to assure me that the "calibration place just down the road" can take care of this torque wrench "no problem".

I hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Algirdas

[Doug]

Make sure it is a 1/2 inch drive, not 3/8ths. My experience has been that I can get the 1/2 inch in everywhere I need so that is you are going to have just one torque wrench, the 1/2 inch drive is the one to get get.

exactly what I was going to post

then just get a 1/2 to 3/8 adapter for your smaller socket sets . . .

[Doc Fizzix]

Make sure it is a 1/2 inch drive, not 3/8ths. My experience has been that I can get the 1/2 inch in everywhere I need so that is you are going to have just one torque wrench, the 1/2 inch drive is the one to get get.

exactly what I was going to post

then just get a 1/2 to 3/8 adapter for your smaller socket sets . . .

I have found I need both, my 3/8 goes to a lower range then the 1/2. I also only by Craftsman, my dad taught me at least one thing

[Doug]

the above is true and if you need small values and inch-pounds then get a smaller one

I originally had a smaller one, but in practice I never need small torque values so have found the 1/2" size is better for me -- on the flip side the 1/2" has higher end values needed for engine/suspension/brake torques . . .

[Doc Fizzix]

I originally had a smaller one, but in practice I never need small torque values so have found the 1/2" size is better for me -- on the flip side the 1/2" has higher end values needed for engine/suspension/brake torques . . .

That is why a screwed-up my valve cover gasket, I used my 1/2 and the values were not low enough, had to bust out the 3/8 torque wench on the second gasket so I could get the 3 ft*lbs correct

[dapinky]

Hey, this is great!

I didn't realise Americans used Ft.lbs - I thought it was only old gits like me (and Geoff!) who understood them, everyone else seems to use Nm or KGcm!

P.S. - to get an easy indication of 3 ft.lbs without a 'low range' torque wrench, its about as tight as you can hold a dry 1/2" drive socket with 2 fingers and a thumb (Does that help??????)

[algirdas]

Dear Dan, Dave and Al:

Dave-What you are alluding to is "torque elbow" as we used to call it on the mean streets of Chicago. Guys who have been wrenching for a long, long, long time can usually torque a bolt or a nut "pretty close" to right. But most of us have day gigs that do not allow us to develop "torque elbow". So we have to use torque wrenches to get things right.

Another couple of pointers on using torque wrenches: Don't re-check the torque on a bolt or nut by putting the wrench back on it and clicking it a second or third time. The scenario goes something like this: You are torquing down the main caps on your motor. It's late. You are tired. You know that if you do not get this right, you could cause yourself expensive and humiliating damage to your car's engine.

You have just torqued them down to, say, 75 foot lbs., and you want to "check" them to make sure. You throw the wrench back on each of them and "click it" again at 75 lbs. The torque now on those bolts is more than 75 lbs. but you really do not know how much. In order to check properly, you need to bust them all loose and tighten them up to 75 lbs. again.

Relax. "Cheating" in this way often does not really matter, so I am writing this so that we all know what we are doing in reality.

Another point is using a torque wrench to bust loose overtightened or rusted fasteners. I have seen people use their torue wrenches for this though I do not do so myself. That is why breaker bars were created. Also, never smack your torque wrench with a hammer or a mallet.

Bottom line-you need to use your torque wrench and not be afraid to use it. But if there is any tool in your tool box that you need to respect and not abuse, it is the torque wrench.

Al-I agree with you, that it is very convenient to have both a 3/8ths and 1/2 inch drive torque wrenches. The only point I was making above is that if you are only going to have only one, get the 1/2 inch. If you can allow yourself the luxury of both, then by all means do so.

I hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Algirdas

[Doc Fizzix]

Al-I agree with you, that it is very convenient to have have both a 3/8ths and 1/2 inch drive torque wrenches. The only point I was making above is that if you are only going to have only one, get the 1/2 inch. If you can allow yourself the luxury of both, then by all means do so.

I agree

For me, for years all I had was the 1/1/2 inch but at some poinnt if you are going to do some serious engine work you better get the 3/ths also

[dapinky]

I'm with you boys on this all the way, Especially Algirdas words on respect for the tool

If you misstreat / mishandle / damage the wrench it will go out of calibration and just be a very expensive ratchet bar wich gives you a false sense of security.

[Sy V]

...and then it'll be about as much use as a talk wench!

I'll get me coat...

[Dico]

Oh Danny boy ,

Thanks for the feedback guys!!

I'll let you know what I decide.

Did you get one in the end?
I've just cashed in my Shell fuel vouchers and have £130's worth of Halfords vouchers to spend , and I need a Torque wrench.
Halfords is looking favourite

[Paul.P]

I've just cashed in my Shell fuel vouchers and have £130's worth of Halfords vouchers to spend , and I need a Torque wrench.
Halfords is looking favourite

Better get me one then Dico, replace mine, that you've worn out !

[ailwyn]

I've just cashed in my Shell fuel vouchers and have £130's worth of Halfords vouchers to spend , and I need a Torque wrench.

That'll be a damn fine torque wrench.... at that price I bet the Beckhams mechanic has got one