Torque Wrench question
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Club Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,864
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, TX & Santa Fe, NM when I can find the time....
Torque Wrench question
am planning on doing some minor maintenance on my bike...fluid changes and the like, and am looking to get a couple of torque wrenches (both an inch and foot pound). What drive size is best...1/4? 3/8? 1/2?
Any recommendations on brands/quality? I was planning on going with a Craftsman, but the reviews were/are pretty poor on them. Don't want to spend $250 per either!
Any recommendations on brands/quality? I was planning on going with a Craftsman, but the reviews were/are pretty poor on them. Don't want to spend $250 per either!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
Likes: 29
I talked to a guy that works in a calibration lab. He told me Harbor Freight torque wrenches are as good or better than Craftsman. They are a good bit cheaper than Craftsman, plus come with a lifetime warranty....unlike Craftsman...Nope, Craftsman torque wrenches don't have a lifetime warranty like their other hand tools.
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
haven't looked at them for yrs... had my craftsman probably 40yrs and its 1/2. They make an 1/2-3/8 and one that goes from 3/8-1/2 adapter that will let U use either. Like a lot of other stuff, they probably are not made made like they used to be..
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/1AH99
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&key...l_15rdmjm8mw_b
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/1AH99
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&key...l_15rdmjm8mw_b
Last edited by oct1949; Oct 30, 2009 at 11:18 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 380
Likes: 37
From: Parma, Ohio
just a remimder
After you use your torque wrench, make sure you set the tool "BACK to ZERO" or the torque wrench will lose some of it's accuracy, this is for the "click-types". As simple as this sounds, at the end of the day and when I have finished a project, the part I hate is putting away all the tools, especially if it's late and getting cold out.
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 817
Likes: 1
From: N.E. Ohio
3/8 is probably the most used for me. I have a 1/2 also. Also get yourself a set of 6-point sockets. I don't recall seeing a inch pound in a 1/2 drive. I think a 3/8 inch drive will be fine for what you need.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,208
Likes: 374
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
Another vote for Harbor Freight. The 3/8 will be used most often. Sign up in their club/catalogs, watch for coupons and sales, you can get all 3 for less than a Craftsman. And these are lifetime guarentee.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...Itemnumber=807
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=2696
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...Itemnumber=239
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...Itemnumber=807
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=2696
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...Itemnumber=239
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,061
Likes: 52
From: So-Cal
Can't go wrong on a tool truck.
I have a 3/8 Snap-on and a 1/2 Cornwell. Both very accurate.
I avoid harbor freight like the plague.
I have a 3/8 Snap-on and a 1/2 Cornwell. Both very accurate.
I avoid harbor freight like the plague.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,289
Likes: 22
From: Beautiful Downtown Burbank
If you're really on a tight budget, then go with Harbor Freight. They're accurate and stay accurate, but they break a little too often for me. Cheap aint the answer unless you only plan on using it a couple of times. The last one I had lasted 2 weeks in daily use before the ratchet chattered. Then it took flying lessons.
Craftsmans are good wrenches, but dont expect them to be as silky smooth as a Snap-On. Craftsman is good quality for the money, and Snap-On if you expect it to last forever. Take care of your tools and your tools will take care of you.
Two 3/8 wrenches are all you need. One in inch-pounds, the other in foot-pounds. Anything more than that and you can call Godzilla for assistance.
Craftsmans are good wrenches, but dont expect them to be as silky smooth as a Snap-On. Craftsman is good quality for the money, and Snap-On if you expect it to last forever. Take care of your tools and your tools will take care of you.
Two 3/8 wrenches are all you need. One in inch-pounds, the other in foot-pounds. Anything more than that and you can call Godzilla for assistance.