Torque Wrench
4th Gear Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,209
From:
RE: Torque Wrench
ORIGINAL: A_J
Starting with the cheapest is the needle guage type - the main bar of the torque wrench flexes, and there's a needle guage on the side that takes the deflection and gives torque readings. These will do in a pinch, but in my experience they aren't terribly accurate and will eventually get out of whack.
Next is the standard clicker type, set the torque value you want, and it will click when you reach it. This is what I use, I use a Craftsman that was somewhere around $80. 3/8" drive tends to be the most versatile. This is what I'd suggest. Good enough to last and be accurate, but not breaking the bank.
The super high-end digital ones are overkill for most of us, I've been using a standard clicker type all my life.
And remember, a torque wrench is not a breaker bar, get a breaker bar if you need one (or a pipe over the handle of a standard ratchet). Using a torque wrench that way isn't good for it.
Starting with the cheapest is the needle guage type - the main bar of the torque wrench flexes, and there's a needle guage on the side that takes the deflection and gives torque readings. These will do in a pinch, but in my experience they aren't terribly accurate and will eventually get out of whack.
Next is the standard clicker type, set the torque value you want, and it will click when you reach it. This is what I use, I use a Craftsman that was somewhere around $80. 3/8" drive tends to be the most versatile. This is what I'd suggest. Good enough to last and be accurate, but not breaking the bank.
The super high-end digital ones are overkill for most of us, I've been using a standard clicker type all my life.
And remember, a torque wrench is not a breaker bar, get a breaker bar if you need one (or a pipe over the handle of a standard ratchet). Using a torque wrench that way isn't good for it.
As for using a pipe over the end of a a ratchet - [sm=nono.gif]. I sheared off the piece that goes into the top of the socket by doing that. Use a breaker bar if you're going to do anything requiring more torque than you can get via Arm-strong power. Yes, it means having another tool, but there are MANY times when having the right tool for the job is a good thing.
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 356
RE: Torque Wrench
I hear ya, pipe over ratchet bad... and yes, I've snapped heads off too, both on ratchets and breaker bars. But I've had times where there was no choice... come to think of it, they were all with an air-cooled VWs..hmm
4th Gear Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,209
From:
RE: Torque Wrench
ORIGINAL: A_J
I hear ya, pipe over ratchet bad... and yes, I've snapped heads off too, both on ratchets and breaker bars. But I've had times where there was no choice... come to think of it, they were all with an air-cooled VWs..hmm
I hear ya, pipe over ratchet bad... and yes, I've snapped heads off too, both on ratchets and breaker bars. But I've had times where there was no choice... come to think of it, they were all with an air-cooled VWs..hmm
Next thing I know, he's pulling out the air impact wrench and grunting like Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor because it just spun the bolt right outta there.
But back to torque wrenches...If a bolt says to use a certain amount of torque, GET OUT THE TORQUE WRENCH!!! Don't try to do it by feel. I learned that even 25 ft/lbs. is not very much torque, and if I try to do it by feel, I tend to over-torque it...
Thread Starter
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 403
From:
RE: Torque Wrench
ORIGINAL: WhoMe
After some searching I've decided on a Husky 1/2 wrench sold at Home Depot and a Kobalt breaker bar sold at Lowes. While my first choice were the craftsmen wrenches, after reading a few poor reviews on Sear's own website I've decided agaisnt it. Also while Sear's offers a one year warrenty on thier craftsmen torque wrenches, the Husky wrench and Kobalt breaker bar come with a lifetime warrenty. I cant thank you guys enough..your advice and info have been invaluable.
After some searching I've decided on a Husky 1/2 wrench sold at Home Depot and a Kobalt breaker bar sold at Lowes. While my first choice were the craftsmen wrenches, after reading a few poor reviews on Sear's own website I've decided agaisnt it. Also while Sear's offers a one year warrenty on thier craftsmen torque wrenches, the Husky wrench and Kobalt breaker bar come with a lifetime warrenty. I cant thank you guys enough..your advice and info have been invaluable.
Despite that I decided to go with the Husky anyway as the price and specs were to my liking. Problem...the 1/2 inch wrench was out of stock when I went to get it. So I ended up ordering a wrench from a manufacurer called CDI. Apparently CDI manufacurers torque wrenches for a few different brand names including Snap-On. Basically they sell to industrial customers and obviously the brands we are familer with sell to us. Anyway I ordered this... http://www.emaxaction.com/index.asp?...amp;ProdID=415
So in the end I paid more...but got a better tool. Oh and I went with Craftsmen for the breaker bar...couldnt resist some brand loyalty.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 956
RE: Torque Wrench
A good investment is a impact wrench.
Lets you take your wheels off with ease. also a floor jack.
Walmart sells both. I bought a 1/2 inch electric impact and a Jack Roush Floor jack and some jack stands.
The impact torques them to the correct torque for you, My daughter uses it most of the time.
A Torque wrench is not a practical tool for a new comer.
Lets you take your wheels off with ease. also a floor jack.
Walmart sells both. I bought a 1/2 inch electric impact and a Jack Roush Floor jack and some jack stands.
The impact torques them to the correct torque for you, My daughter uses it most of the time.
A Torque wrench is not a practical tool for a new comer.
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 455
From: On your six, 1.2nm... and I have tone!
RE: Torque Wrench
ORIGINAL: Sprzout
But back to torque wrenches...If a bolt says to use a certain amount of torque, GET OUT THE TORQUE WRENCH!!! Don't try to do it by feel. I learned that even 25 ft/lbs. is not very much torque, and if I try to do it by feel, I tend to over-torque it...
But back to torque wrenches...If a bolt says to use a certain amount of torque, GET OUT THE TORQUE WRENCH!!! Don't try to do it by feel. I learned that even 25 ft/lbs. is not very much torque, and if I try to do it by feel, I tend to over-torque it...
4th Gear Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,209
From:
RE: Torque Wrench
ORIGINAL: Fourth Horseman
+1. I've snapped more than a few bolts clean off thinking "that should be just about righ... *SNAP* Oh #*@#!"
ORIGINAL: Sprzout
But back to torque wrenches...If a bolt says to use a certain amount of torque, GET OUT THE TORQUE WRENCH!!! Don't try to do it by feel. I learned that even 25 ft/lbs. is not very much torque, and if I try to do it by feel, I tend to over-torque it...
But back to torque wrenches...If a bolt says to use a certain amount of torque, GET OUT THE TORQUE WRENCH!!! Don't try to do it by feel. I learned that even 25 ft/lbs. is not very much torque, and if I try to do it by feel, I tend to over-torque it...
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