Tool Advice Please... Torque wrenches...
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 704
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From: Western Washington
RE: Tool Advice Please... Torque wrenches...
ORIGINAL: Wags1
You will need at least two. One calibrated in inch-lbs and the other calibrated in ft-lbs. Craftsman makes a 3/8" drive inch-lb torque wrench and a 1/2" drive ft-lb torque wrench. They are fine for "personal" wrenching use.
You will need at least two. One calibrated in inch-lbs and the other calibrated in ft-lbs. Craftsman makes a 3/8" drive inch-lb torque wrench and a 1/2" drive ft-lb torque wrench. They are fine for "personal" wrenching use.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
RE: Tool Advice Please... Torque wrenches...
ORIGINAL: sknyfats
I don't use tools every day (like a full time mechanic)- so the brand or country of origin is of no matter to me. I bought a cheap torque wrench (yes, at Harbor Freight & not the family business)that only specifies foot pounds (doing the math to determine inch pounds is a piece of cake & most manufacturers actually provide a cheat sheet to boot). Two torque wrenches is not needed.
I don't use tools every day (like a full time mechanic)- so the brand or country of origin is of no matter to me. I bought a cheap torque wrench (yes, at Harbor Freight & not the family business)that only specifies foot pounds (doing the math to determine inch pounds is a piece of cake & most manufacturers actually provide a cheat sheet to boot). Two torque wrenches is not needed.
The conversion from ft. lbs. to in. lbs. and vice versa is easy using a factor of 12.
As many mechanics will tell you & others have already said - you can buy top shelf - and guess what? Even they still break without warning - on the first use even. Happens all the time. Go ask your local snap-on & craftsman folks how many returns/exchanges they process on a daily basis.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2007
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RE: Tool Advice Please... Torque wrenches...
by law (federal weights and standards) all torque wrenches must meet
the same percentage or error and accuracy.
So you can buy the most expensive or cheapest.
I bought my last three 3/8, 1/2, 3/4" drive at Harbor Freight.
I tested all of them against a buddies snap on set.
Just doing a click test after nut was tight at low, mid, and upper torque of each of the three sizes, they all clicked at same setting.
Not scientific I know but good enough for most applications.
A 3/8" drive will do most everything on your bike.
the same percentage or error and accuracy.
So you can buy the most expensive or cheapest.
I bought my last three 3/8, 1/2, 3/4" drive at Harbor Freight.
I tested all of them against a buddies snap on set.
Just doing a click test after nut was tight at low, mid, and upper torque of each of the three sizes, they all clicked at same setting.
Not scientific I know but good enough for most applications.
A 3/8" drive will do most everything on your bike.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,116
Likes: 0
From: Glendale, AZ.
RE: Tool Advice Please... Torque wrenches...
I have 3 HF torque wrenches that I bought 1 1/2 years ago at HF. One is a 1/4" Drive 20 to 200 inch lb, a 3/8" Drive0 to 80 ft lb and a 1/2" Drive 10 to 150 ft lb and I think I spent a total of no more then $40 for all 3 of them on sale. They seem to work just fine. 
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