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/pow...rquewrench.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

[sil3nt]

Supercheap had a digital one pretty cheap.

http://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/onli...00#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

[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

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/page...t=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/natio...arrenBrown.jpg