Torque wrench advice please.

[wysper]

So I am thinking of getting a torque wrench.

I imagine I will only use it about 3 times a year LOL.
But would feel better knowing that I had the bolts right.

So having to mix the 'cheap scottish bastard' part of my ancestry with my 'desire not to buy complete crap' bit, does anyone have a recommendation of a torque wrench that would be good quality and accurate without costing as much as the bike itself?

I am not sure what range I would need, would 10 -100 ft/lbs be enough?
This is just for general stuff on the bike, not full on mechanical rebuilds - yet.

[onearmedbandit]

I've had a good run with PowerBuilt tools, but haven't used one of their torque wrenches before. However I'm sure they are fine and they come with a pretty decent guarantee. I see they also do an adapter that turns any ratchet into a torque wrench.

http://www.powerbuilttools.co.nz/powerbuilttorquewrench.htm

[onearmedbandit]

I get mine through work (part of the Smith City group) but seeing as I couldn't find any prices online trademe had this to offer.

Link (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/SearchResults.aspx?searchType=all&searchString=powerbuilt+torque+wrench&type=Search&generalSearch_keypresses=13&generalSearch_suggested=24)

[sil3nt]

Supercheap had a digital one pretty cheap.

http://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/online-store/products/Digital-Torque-Wrench-1-2-Drive.aspx?pid=219100#Description

Wonder how good it is? Have used a high quality digital one before and it was awesome.

[Owl]

King Tony seem to be fairly good, accurate and can often be found on special for around $100.

I have a 1/2" drive 10-150ft/lbs and a 3/8" drive 20-200in/lbs and use both regularly.

NM measurements would be handy though, as I always have to use a conversion table:facepalm:

[Edbear]

King Tony seem to be fairly good, accurate and can often be found on special for around $100.

I have a 1/2" drive 10-150ft/lbs and a 3/8" drive 20-200in/lbs and use both regularly.

NM measurements would be handy though, as I always have to use a conversion table:facepalm:

Agree you really need both for bike maintenance and also agree NM is handy to have. Most tools these days are reasonably good for the home handyman, it's when you are in the trade and using them daily that you need the quality and best accuracy. Sulco have a range and if you call their freephone number and ask for Sarge, (Dallas), he'll give you the best deal he can. He's also a Kiwibiker and knows his way around a spanner.

If you go to a place like Supercheap, still look for the name brands if they offer them.

[wysper]

Thanks guys

I was thinking of visiting my local Trade Zone store. I was looking at getting something better than you would from the likes of Bunnings and Supercheap but not necessarily tradesman quality.

I will have a look at those King Tony ones and see if I can see some locally.

And you would recommend getting 2. The 10/150 ft/lbs range and the in/lbs one also?
What does the difference in drive mean, ie 1/2 or 3/8" drive?

[HenryDorsetCase]

With exactly the same criteria as you, I ended up buying a Teng Tools one, purely on the basis that Performance Bikes magazine rate them for home use.

I got mine from George Henry on Le Speziale, for ~$120? Its 3/8 drive, and has a NM scale.

Sure, get a Snap On if you earn your living with it, but if you're just tinkering in the shed, have a look. It felt good in the hand too (ooh err) nice fine ratchet etc.

Plus I havent broken anything while using it.... bonus.

[HenryDorsetCase]

http://www.tengtools.co.nz/2010/pages/products/?cat=torquewrench

[Owl]

I was thinking of visiting my local Trade Zone store. I was looking at getting something better than you would from the likes of Bunnings and Supercheap but not necessarily tradesman quality.

I will have a look at those King Tony ones and see if I can see some locally.

And you would recommend getting 2. The 10/150 ft/lbs range and the in/lbs one also?
What does the difference in drive mean, ie 1/2 or 3/8" drive?

Trade Zone sell both King Tony and Teng I believe.

I'd recommend two, but I use the larger one more frequently. Light one is great for oil filter, axle pinch bolts, engine cover bolts etc.

Drive refers to the square drive size of the tool i.e 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 3/4", 1" etc.

[awa355]

Apart from the axles, most threads, ( not nuts ) on a bike would be between 6mm and 13mm diameter. So what torgue range would cover most of these?

Remember an old mechanic ( before the days of automotive technicians ), telling me, "Not sure how tight? just take 'er up till the nut goes soft, then back it off 1/4 turn." Did that on a sump plug once, and got away with it.

[JMemonic]

I have a powerbuilt 1/2 inch drive that has proven to be fine, and it was reasonably priced with a quality build compared with some budget ones on the market.

[davebullet]

Mine is about 20 years old. No markings on it - not sure what brand. It's reversible and clicks when torque is reached. Has quite a long bar. It's a 1/2" drive and goes upto about 150 lbs from memory.

I also only use mine a few times per year. In fact when you have one, you'll be surprised how much you use it where you used to "guess" before. Typical things are sump plugs and axle bolts for chain adjustment.

The one thing about it is no rust. It looks brand new still. I recommend even if you don't use a particular tool much - get something with a bit of quality. After all - it will last you a lifetime, do the job properly and will always be there when you need it.

I just inherited a Koken socket wrench set. Makes all those cheap Mitre 10 / Repco sets feel and look appalling by comparison.

PS: the longer the bar - look for something with small degree ratchet increments or you might run out of room.

[Owl]

I hope you torque that 46mm wheel nut Dave?;)

[Madness]

I personally wouldn't touch a Powerbuilt torque wench but feel a lot more comfortable about Teng Tools. A lot of this has to do with their intended markets, with Powerbuilt being destined for nothing more than DIY.

I saw one of the Powerbuilt digital torque wench adapter thingies the other day. I'd have more confidence in using my old Casio claculator with the boxing game than one of those for accuracy. It just looks like crap.

For reliability & accuracy you still can't go past the old Warren & Brown "clicker" type torque wench, Maybe what you have Dave?.
http://home.clear.net.nz/pages/national.torquetools/WarrenBrown/WarrenBrown.jpg

[boman]

I own both a 1/2" and a 1/4' Jonnesway brand Torque wrench. Both bloody handy fro the bikes. Between them they cover 6-30nm & 40 -200nm settings. Great pieces of equipment. In a handy plastic carry box, to protect them.

[Owl]

Jonnesway. Great pieces of equipment.

I hope their torque wrenches are better than their ratchets. We've had at least 8 fail in the workshop:facepalm: They replace them for free though:yes:

In saying that, my first 1/2" King Tony failed after about 3 weeks. Replaced for free of course.

[boman]

I hope their torque wrenches are better than their ratchets. We've had at least 8 fail in the workshop:facepalm: They replace them for free though:yes:

In saying that, my first 1/2" King Tony failed after about 3 weeks. Replaced for free of course.

A mate of mine owns a Mechanics Garage. He got them for me. For the amount of time and use, they should be fine.

[SVboy]

I went for TOPTUL 1/2 and 1/4 Torque wrenches. A small cut above Teng and King Tony quality wise and about the same price, but no Snapon or W&B.

[Woodman]

I got a 1/2" and a 1/4" drive teng tools torque wrenches. very good except I broke the 1/4" one putllng head studs down the extra 90degrees:facepalm:

For years when I used to get my hands dirty for a living I used a Warren and Brown wrench and it was fantastic. We used to send it away for calibration once a year to a guy that had the proper jig somewhere in auckland.

How do you get the other brands re calibrated? anyone know?

[Flip]

I have a old Sidchrome 1/2" one from my days on the tools. I also brought a Tengtools 1/4" one a few years ago.
We used to calibrate the bigger 1/2" ones on a jig so I have some confidence the Sidchrome one is a good quality unit.
About the only thing I would keep away from is any tool with a electronic display, I have seen so many verniers and torque wrenches fail because they got wet or dirty in the field.
Don't be scared of the old mechanical spring arm torque wrenches, they don't need batteries, don't wear out and are very stable and reliable.

[scumdog]

For reliability & accuracy you still can't go past the old Warren & Brown "clicker" type torque wench,

And don't forget to reset the clicker each time on those that need reset - or you'll end up with a sore arm, some stripped threads and a bad vocabulary...:shutup:

[davebullet]

I hope you torque that 46mm wheel nut Dave?;)

I'll see your 46nm and raise you 9nm. I did do a chain adjustment in the wekeend. Pinch bolt 55nm.

I got a house of customs single sided stand. Problem is the stub axle / mount (whatever you call it) only fits in through the RHS (not left) - so makes taking the wheel off a bit hard :laugh:

[Owl]

I'll see your 46nm and raise you 9nm. I did do a chain adjustment in the wekeend. Pinch bolt 55nm.

I got a house of customs single sided stand. Problem is the stub axle / mount (whatever you call it) only fits in through the RHS (not left) - so makes taking the wheel off a bit hard :laugh:

That wasn't 46NM, that was 46mm:facepalm:, which of course = 146NM:confused::laugh:

That stand looks like it can be altered to fit the left side as well?

[roadracingoldfart]

All the brands mentioned are ok for what they are intended . Always remember to either check against another wrench or get yours calibrated . I get mine done every 2 years but im a bit fussy and its a Norbar so worth it.

Paul.

[Geeen]

I'll see your 46nm and raise you 9nm. I did do a chain adjustment in the wekeend. Pinch bolt 55nm.

I got a house of customs single sided stand. Problem is the stub axle / mount (whatever you call it) only fits in through the RHS (not left) - so makes taking the wheel off a bit hard :laugh:

I got one of those stands and had the same issue. A quick brush around the inside of the axle with a gentle file fixed it.

[Edbear]

All the brands mentioned are ok for what they are intended . Always remember to either check against another wrench or get yours calibrated . I get mine done every 2 years but im a bit fussy and its a Norbar so worth it.

Paul.

Norbar are generally considered the best there is, but I sold a lot of Torque wrenches in my time with Sulco and the T&E ones were very reliable and every time tested they were well within spec. I only ever saw one Warren Brown I think and it was very well looked after.

Strainer Systems are a well known tester if looking for one.

[wysper]

I get mine done every 2 years but im a bit fussy and its a Norbar so worth it.

Paul.

Can you expect them to be correctly calibrated straight out of the box?

[Edbear]

Can you expect them to be correctly calibrated straight out of the box?

They should come with a certificate of calibration in the box. Norbar and T&E do I know that and I think Genius do as well, but these are the better quality brands. Cheaper ones may not, but a rough guide would be to test them against someone else's.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Remember an old mechanic ( before the days of automotive technicians ), telling me, "Not sure how tight? just take 'er up till the nut goes soft, then back it off 1/4 turn." Did that on a sump plug once, and got away with it.

WTF? Don't what ever you do follow that morons advice.

[Edbear]

WTF? Don't what ever you do follow that morons advice.

LOL!!! I thought it was tighten it until it went "snap" then back off a bit... :facepalm: No wonder I failed...

[Crasherfromwayback]

LOL!!! I thought it was tighten it until it went "snap" then back off a bit... :facepalm: No wonder I failed...

Same thing mate...the penis that said to tighten the nuts up until they went soft fucked them all as he went about his merry way!

[Edbear]

Same thing mate...the penis that said to tighten the nuts up until they went soft fucked them all as he went about his merry way!

Yeah, it didn't take me long to realise my own arm made a pretty poor torque wrench and it was a lot cheaper to buy an actual torue wrench than keep running down to the shop for replacement studs and nuts... :yes:

[roadracingoldfart]

Can you expect them to be correctly calibrated straight out of the box?

As Edbear says , the good ones have a cert with them but guage any against another (any brand) to get an idea if they are close , if way out the hard thing is working out which is the crook one but thats why i suggest a calibration if in doubt.

[Motu]

W&B are easy to check with 2 face to face....if you have 2.Back when everyone had a W&B it was no problem.

[roadracingoldfart]

Norbar are generally considered the best there is, but I sold a lot of Torque wrenches in my time with Sulco and the T&E ones were very reliable and every time tested they were well within spec. I only ever saw one Warren Brown I think and it was very well looked after.

Strainer Systems are a well known tester if looking for one.

I also sold tools for longer than i care to remember and thats why i accept the good stuff may cost more but its way more likely to do the job properly. I have Norbar and Warren & Brown and both are great and never need a tweek at Cali time.
Just dont lend them out lol.


LOL!!! I thought it was tighten it until it went "snap" then back off a bit... :facepalm: No wonder I failed...

No ..... its tighten it till it snaps then withdraw and pack it with Loctite 680,
re-install with medium hammer and allow to cure.(normally over smoko is enuff)

[pete376403]

I also sold tools for longer than i care to remember and thats why i accept the good stuff may cost more but its way more likely to do the job properly. I have Norbar and Warren & Brown and both are great and never need a tweek at Cali time.
Just dont lend them out lol.


+1 My tool box is home to snap-on, sk-wayne, stahlwille, a bit of britool and koken. Most of this was bought over 30 years ago when working at GG&H and it is still all good. Very few items have been replaced due to breakage, and the ones that did break were usually being "assisted" with a bit of pipe on the end of the bar.
The torque wrench is a 3/8" drive Snap On and I don't lend it to anyone. (Goughs torque wrenches were 1/2" and 3/4" W&B back then)

[The Pastor]

I have seen many bolts snapped with a torque wrench, but have not seen any part fall off due to not being tight enough....

[Crasherfromwayback]

I have seen many bolts snapped with a torque wrench, but have not seen any part fall off due to not being tight enough....

You haven't been round early British bikes or Harleys then!

[imdying]

Of course you've seen lots of bolts snapped off by torque wrenches, they're a bloody big lever, so if you don't know how to actually use one you can do all sorts of damage.

[Edbear]

My own. 1/2" drive, no name brand, made in Taiwan, 10 - 150ft.lb. bought in 1986 for $38.00. Still good today and it's done a lot of work in its time!

[fatboy323]

... if you don't know how to actually use one you can do all sorts of damage.

+1

Anyone wants to tighten up a sump plug with a torque wrench? :corn:

[JMemonic]

I have seen many bolts snapped with a torque wrench, but have not seen any part fall off due to not being tight enough....

No because generally you dont see them fall off, just an empty blind hole or cage nut, possibly the first clue is the oil leak, or that all important part falling off

Queue Kenny Rodgers you picked a fine time to leave me loose wheel

[Paulus]

Just in case any of you are cyclists also (and I know some will be) King Tony also sell a torque screwdriver with a range of 0-5Nm and a 1/4" head. Just the thing for tightening up parts on a carbon bike frame. I bought one from George Henry (along with 2 Teng torque wrenches 1/4" and 3/8"). These have replaced my trusty old one size fits all job that never really went low enough or high enough to be much use.

[jonbuoy]

Just be carefull if your working on old jap aluminum - the factory torque settings might strip in bolts that have been done/undone a few times (more than likely overtorqued in the past), on the CB I nipped up the camshaft bearing cups and rocker assemblies with some decent thread lock rather than risk the factory torque settings on advise from people that had stripped threads using the factory recommendations. +1 on mountain bike torque wrenches - nice bits of kit and pretty compact for low torque settings.

[wysper]

Right, heaps of good advice here.
Popped in to the tool shop this morning.
They have Teng tools on special at the moment.
3/8" Dr 15 -75ft/lbs for $105

Is that brand ok? And that price not to bad. I am going to try and find out if that range covers most of what I would need for my bike. They have a 1/2"drive that has a range of 10-160ft/lbs for about 15 bucks more. (they are clicker type)

The shop is tradezone.

What says the KB brains trust?

[Geeen]

Right, heaps of good advice here.
Popped in to the tool shop this morning.
They have Teng tools on special at the moment.
3/8" Dr 15 -75ft/lbs for $105

Is that brand ok? And that price not to bad. I am going to try and find out if that range covers most of what I would need for my bike. They have a 1/2"drive that has a range of 10-160ft/lbs for about 15 bucks more. (they are clicker type)

The shop is tradezone.

What says the KB brains trust?

Was in Hand Tool House on my way home this morning and they've got the Teng 1/4" for $116 + GST. So good price at tradezone.

[wysper]

Was in Hand Tool House on my way home this morning and they've got the Teng 1/4" for $116 + GST. So good price at tradezone.

Got the day off today so I have taken the chance to have a quick look round.

[sil3nt]

Got the day off today so I have taken the chance to have a quick look round.Did you get something in the end? I am going to go have a look in Hand Tool House (never heard of it before this thread) see what they have.

[wysper]

Did you get something in the end? I am going to go have a look in Hand Tool House (never heard of it before this thread) see what they have.

I think unless I hear otherwise, I will go for the Teng, it is on special all this month.

[Owl]

I think unless I hear otherwise, I will go for the Teng, it is on special all this month.

I'd suggest getting the 10-160ft/lb instead of the small one.

[Flip]

I'd suggest getting the 10-160ft/lb instead of the small one.

10-160 is a good range. My old 1/2" Sidchrome only goes from 30-160. Teng are fine tools.

The main sprocket bolt on my Harley needs 260 ftlb. I had to borrow a 3/4" one from my truck mechanic at work.

Its ftlb not ft/lb, torque is force x distance.

[Geeen]

Did you get something in the end? I am going to go have a look in Hand Tool House (never heard of it before this thread) see what they have.

Its on Sommerset St by ZIP Plumbing

[sil3nt]

Its on Sommerset St by ZIP PlumbingYeah not on King street like google maps told me :lol:

Drove down the street twice and wondered why i couldnt see the place :facepalm:

Lucky i was in the area anyway so not a completely wasted trip. Will head down tomorrow.

[Geeen]

Yeah not on King street like google maps told me :lol:

Drove down the street twice and wondered why i couldnt see the place :facepalm:

Lucky i was in the area anyway so not a completely wasted trip. Will head down tomorrow.

:laugh:Yeah they moved 6 months ago. Google was wrong :gob:

[sil3nt]

:laugh:Yeah they moved 6 months ago. Google was wrong :gob:Have sent an update to google they just need to review it.

[wysper]

I'd suggest getting the 10-160ft/lb instead of the small one.


10-160 is a good range. My old 1/2" Sidchrome only goes from 30-160. Teng are fine tools.

The main sprocket bolt on my Harley needs 260 ftlb. I had to borrow a 3/4" one from my truck mechanic at work.

Its ftlb not ft/lb, torque is force x distance.

Thanks Owl and Flip, looks like I made a mistake in my ftlbs (thanks Flip) and the range on the other one is 30-160 ftlbs. (incidentally the brochure lists it as ft/lbs, maybe that is for ease of reading)

[Edbear]

Thanks Owl and Flip, looks like I made a mistake in my ftlbs (thanks Flip) and the range on the other one is 30-160 ftlbs. (incidentally the brochure lists it as ft/lbs, maybe that is for ease of reading)

It's also known as pounds-feet, so there are a few alternatives. I've always used ft/lb as have most documents. Maybe it's a bit like Whanganui/Wanganui?

I've attached Sulco's May site here to give you some comparisons.

http://www.sulco.co.nz/monthly_specials/monthly_specials.pdf if anyone wants anything from SULCO, I can get it, maybe cheaper than anyone else.

[sinned]

This week I bought 2 Torque wrenches which cover the range I need for the bike. They are:
1/4DR 4 - 18 FTLB $77.39 + gst
3/8DR 15 - 75 FTLB $91.30 + gst
TENG manufacturer
Plus adapters 1/4 x 3/8, 3/8 x 1/2

All nice gear and the wrenches come in a substantial storage box.

From Total Trade Supplies, Sydney Street, Petone.