What Torque Wrench?
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,580
Likes: 7
From: The Internet (& Dyer, Indiana)
Many have left the circle and were replaced by others who were not privy to the former discussions.
That, and it's winter. LOL
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,573
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis, MN
Craigslist or eBay for used Snap On wrenches... I got a good price on a used Snap On ft/lb wrench, and it cost $38 to have it recalibrated by Snap On at the Illinois service center. They even paid for shipping to/from my house.
I agree: avoid the cheap chinese crap, buy american if/when you can. The job you save might be your own!
I agree: avoid the cheap chinese crap, buy american if/when you can. The job you save might be your own!
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 383
Likes: 1
From: Boston & thereabouts
cleaners
I've got a 1/4" drive bar type for inch pounds, and a 3/8" drive snap type for foot pounds that goes up to 70lbs. Both are Craftsman, and have served me well for many years. They also make a 1/2" drive that goes up around 100 ft pounds, great for axle nuts and other bigger parts.
While you're shopping torque wrenches, get yourself a set of thread cleaner/chasers to get all the old locktite & crap out of the threads. Get a small wire brush or two to clean off male threads too. That way your actually measuring the torque your putting down, and not just how gummed up the threads are. It can make a world of difference.
.02
JR
While you're shopping torque wrenches, get yourself a set of thread cleaner/chasers to get all the old locktite & crap out of the threads. Get a small wire brush or two to clean off male threads too. That way your actually measuring the torque your putting down, and not just how gummed up the threads are. It can make a world of difference.
.02
JR
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,502
Likes: 6
From: Lapeer , Mich
you should go at least craftsmen , these guys have there harbor freight ones that work great , how do they know , they go click when they pull on them . if you want 75 lb,s are they getting it or 80 , or 60 , they do not know but it went click , get a decent one and do not use it for a breaker bar and I have heard you should not use them in reverse , also they are supposed to be re-calibrated now and then , but lets face it we ain't working on no rocket ship other than on the motor just get it tight
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 18,776
Likes: 42
From: Walker WV by way of NEW YORK CITY
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,126
Likes: 51,453
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Long story over torque wrenches no less .......................... 
I'm a processional mechanic so I have the better quality wrenches of course a couple running in the hundreds of dollars for used ones . Had a rather heated argument with a goober who wouldn't qualify as a passable shade tree wrench about his Harbor Freight specials being the best , this is after I've repaired several stripped 1/4" holes in alum. cases from those " Best " torque wrenches of his being out by 30% or more . When this comes around and it does with maddening regularity it tweaks a nerve a bit .
I'm a processional mechanic so I have the better quality wrenches of course a couple running in the hundreds of dollars for used ones . Had a rather heated argument with a goober who wouldn't qualify as a passable shade tree wrench about his Harbor Freight specials being the best , this is after I've repaired several stripped 1/4" holes in alum. cases from those " Best " torque wrenches of his being out by 30% or more . When this comes around and it does with maddening regularity it tweaks a nerve a bit .
Last edited by TwiZted Biker; Jan 22, 2011 at 05:20 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 18,776
Likes: 42
From: Walker WV by way of NEW YORK CITY
Long story over torque wrenches no less ..........................
I'm a processional mechanic so I have the better quality wrenches of course a couple running in the hundreds of dollars for used ones . Had a rather heated argument with a goober who wouldn't qualify as a passable shade tree wrench about his Harbor Freight specials being the best , this is after I've repaired several stripped 1/4" holes in alum. cases from those " Best " torque wrenches of his being out by 30% or more . When this comes around and it does with maddening regularity it tweaks a nerve a bit .
I'm a processional mechanic so I have the better quality wrenches of course a couple running in the hundreds of dollars for used ones . Had a rather heated argument with a goober who wouldn't qualify as a passable shade tree wrench about his Harbor Freight specials being the best , this is after I've repaired several stripped 1/4" holes in alum. cases from those " Best " torque wrenches of his being out by 30% or more . When this comes around and it does with maddening regularity it tweaks a nerve a bit .
I don't even get into discussions over tools
anymore
I know what a high quality tool cost
say $1500.00 for three wrenches
I've people problems
Done a lot of things in my life
Last edited by firefighter616; Jan 22, 2011 at 05:39 PM.