Torque Wrench
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 539
Likes: 1
From: Grand Blanc, MI
Torque Wrench
Getting ready to start the winter tear down and need a torque wrench for the re-build. What kind does everyone recommend? Craftsman has some for a decent deal but I'm not hearing much good about them. Input?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,310
Likes: 2,446
From: Eastern NE
Craftsman's good quility for the normal joe - you don't need to invest huge $$$ if you plan on doing the occasional winter project. I went w/Kobalt b/c Lowes has military discount - it works well too. Another option, for the cheaper route, is Harbor Freight...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,336
Likes: 67
From: SW Minnesota
Google Harbor Freight. They have theirs on sale until the 27th. When I replaced my front tire, I torqued to mid-range specs, and then had my dealer tech check at my next service. It was spot on.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 191
Likes: 2
From: At Work
Craftsman works well for me. My brother in law works at an airline and has checked the calibration for me. Spot on. Make sure to check the internet price and print out the page if cheaper. I saved $20 on each (inch & foot), but had to argue and present the internet page to get the store to honor the price. Still took the Manager to make it happen.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 683
Likes: 3
From: Florida
I have a Harbor Freight inch pound and a Sears Foot pound but the most valuable one in my garage is my old bar rail wrench. It always stays right. You can buy a new bar rail wrench most anywhere for $20 or so. The clickers are necessary for some work positions but use the rail to check them.
Calibration for the average guy that doesn't work in a shop is usually more expensive than buying a new wrench.
Buy what ever suits you, but check them every so often to your rail wrench.
I just bolt a grade 8 type bolt, 1/2 or larger to my truck trailer hitch area of the rear bumper. I will then torque it to say 25lbs with the rail wrench. Then set the clicker to 25lbs and see if it clicks. If it does then untorque and retorque the bolt (with the rail wrench) to 3lbs less and then try the clicker while it's still set to 25lbs. If it clicks before the bolt moves then keep working down to find out exactly where it's clicking. That way you will always be covered.
And always check a new wrench as soon as you buy it. I bought one from H.F. once that was defective.
Calibration for the average guy that doesn't work in a shop is usually more expensive than buying a new wrench.
Buy what ever suits you, but check them every so often to your rail wrench.
I just bolt a grade 8 type bolt, 1/2 or larger to my truck trailer hitch area of the rear bumper. I will then torque it to say 25lbs with the rail wrench. Then set the clicker to 25lbs and see if it clicks. If it does then untorque and retorque the bolt (with the rail wrench) to 3lbs less and then try the clicker while it's still set to 25lbs. If it clicks before the bolt moves then keep working down to find out exactly where it's clicking. That way you will always be covered.
And always check a new wrench as soon as you buy it. I bought one from H.F. once that was defective.
Last edited by R_W_B; Jan 27, 2011 at 06:39 AM.
Trending Topics
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Central Ohio
Craftsman works well for what I do. Checked it with others and they were spot on.
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
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Bismarck, ND
I don't like cheap tools. In fact any project I get involved in is another excuse to buy a nice new tool of some kind or another. I prefer Snap on torque wrenches. I do have a Craftsman ft pound torquer but I use the snap on inch pound wrench whenever possible and just convert the ft pounds to inch pound unless it exceeds the snap on capacity. I also like the dial torque wrenches because you can clearly see where they are if they have not been calibrated lately, and who the heck sends theirs in for calibration unless you are a pro mechanic.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 683
Likes: 3
From: Florida
I've never used a dial wrench. How do they work, or in other words when you say - you can see where they are at if they have not been calibrated - what does that mean?