Torque Wrenches... Help me select one...
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 9,335
Likes: 13
From: MA
RE: Torque Wrenches... Help me select one...
I have two Craftsman torque wrenches and I like them. But remember.......you don't get the Craftsman lifetime guarantee with the torque wrenches, it's something like 90 days. I had a problem with one of mine and found this out when I went to return it. I fought them over it and got it replaced but it was painful.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,391
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From:
RE: Torque Wrenches... Help me select one...
I figured with as little time that I would use them, I would take the cheap route. I got an inch and foot pound wrenches from Harbor Freight. They seem to work great for me. Just remember to set them back at zero after each use, and I am sure they will last you for a long time. And, if one, or both, happen to fail, you can return them for a free replacement. Just keep your receipt.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 260
Likes: 1
From: Eastford CT.
RE: Torque Wrenches... Help me select one...
I picked up two craftsman 3/8 drive, one in inch lbs and one in ft lbs and they were on sale for about70 bucks. They have a 0ne year warranty.
The other day I picked up a 1/2 inch drive from Home Depot. It was the same price as the crafstmans but has a lifetime warranty and came with a nice heavy storage case.
The other day I picked up a 1/2 inch drive from Home Depot. It was the same price as the crafstmans but has a lifetime warranty and came with a nice heavy storage case.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,505
Likes: 379
From: Florida
RE: Torque Wrenches... Help me select one...
Thanks PapaT. I am in the same boat as they'll not see a whole lot of use to be honest but it'd be nice to have them when the need does arise. Hell, that's a better warranty than sears offers on theirs.
RE: Torque Wrenches... Help me select one...
ORIGINAL: HammerheadC4
I picked up two craftsman 3/8 drive, one in inch lbs and one in ft lbs and they were on sale for about70 bucks. They have a 0ne year warranty.
The other day I picked up a 1/2 inch drive from Home Depot. It was the same price as the crafstmans but has a lifetime warranty and came with a nice heavy storage case.
I picked up two craftsman 3/8 drive, one in inch lbs and one in ft lbs and they were on sale for about70 bucks. They have a 0ne year warranty.
The other day I picked up a 1/2 inch drive from Home Depot. It was the same price as the crafstmans but has a lifetime warranty and came with a nice heavy storage case.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,947
Likes: 5
From: Ontario, Canada
RE: Torque Wrenches... Help me select one...
I agree with most of what has been said above, but, here's something I wish I had known before.
There are a lot of spots on your bike a fixed head torque wrench won't fit without some kind of extention bar or universal joint installed. Once you add one or more of these the accuracy is off.
If I were buying again, and will in the future, my money would go to purchase a torque wrench with a flex head.
There are a lot of spots on your bike a fixed head torque wrench won't fit without some kind of extention bar or universal joint installed. Once you add one or more of these the accuracy is off.
If I were buying again, and will in the future, my money would go to purchase a torque wrench with a flex head.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 74
Likes: 3
From: Massachusetts
RE: Torque Wrenches... Help me select one...
I recently purchased a Sears Craftsman 25-250 in/lbs torque wrench to work on my Road King. I work as a mechanical calibration techenician and when i calibrated the wrench at work found it needed adjusting at the low end of the range right out of the box. I am lucky in that i can use our calibrated analyzers to adjust the wrench very close to the specs. Torque wrenches, depending on the manufactuer , can have an accuracy of 2-6% and using a torque wrench is very subjective. Meaning that one person may use it differently than an other personthus gettingdifferent readings. Just wanted to remind riders to remember that most torque wrench manufacturerspecifications state their accuracy at 20-100% of the range of the wrench. So if you are using it below 20% of the range there is a higher degree of error. Although most will not use it at that low range just be aware of it.
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Banned
Joined: Jan 2007
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RE: Torque Wrenches... Help me select one...
By U.S. Law (Weights and measures) all torque wrenches must meet the specs set forth by weights and measures.
So the the best isn't really any better just costs more money.
I have a 3/8, 1/2, 3/4 inch drive set of torque wrenches from harbor freight.
Paid less for them together than a 1/2 from snap on.
Used them against snapon in a comparision they clicked at same time.
(Not scientific, but close enough).
I did heavy equipment mechanics for over 30 years.
For home use I would buy Harbor Freights better quality always.
I have never broken a Harbor Freight socket regular or impact.
Their better quality air guns are as good as snapon and others.
I did bend the jaws on a 3/4 wrench. 4 years after I bought it and I had a cheater on it.
Only thing is most everything is made over seas and I would prefer USA made. But many times price is the determining factor.
So the the best isn't really any better just costs more money.
I have a 3/8, 1/2, 3/4 inch drive set of torque wrenches from harbor freight.
Paid less for them together than a 1/2 from snap on.
Used them against snapon in a comparision they clicked at same time.
(Not scientific, but close enough).
I did heavy equipment mechanics for over 30 years.
For home use I would buy Harbor Freights better quality always.
I have never broken a Harbor Freight socket regular or impact.
Their better quality air guns are as good as snapon and others.
I did bend the jaws on a 3/4 wrench. 4 years after I bought it and I had a cheater on it.
Only thing is most everything is made over seas and I would prefer USA made. But many times price is the determining factor.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 759
Likes: 0
From: Hampton, VA
RE: Torque Wrenches... Help me select one...
I have three (0-100, 0-250, and an inch pound) that I got from Home Depot (Husky I think). I broke the 0-250 at the race track a couple weeks ago and took it to home depot and they replaced it without question. Remember a torque wrench is only accurate from 1/4 to 3/4 scale (a 100 pound wrench is not accurate below 25ft-lbs or above 75ft-lbs so if you have a critical torque make sure it is the right wrench).