Which torque wrench?
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 759
Likes: 34
From: Virginia
Which torque wrench?
Several threads have discussed the benefits of having an inch-pound and a foot-pound torque wrench in the toolbox, but which ones? I have looked on-line and found prices ranging from $20 to $300 and specifications from 10 - 250 (inch, foot, whatever), 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" drive. I'm not a mechanic, but with a 2001 FLHT I occasionally have to tighten a bolt now and again. Can you guys steer me toward a decent quality set at a reasonable price?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,294
Likes: 33
From: Po-Dunk Looziana
Go to Harbor Freight. I picked up a very nice set of torque wrenches in both in/lbs and ft/lbs for a very nominal price. It made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside not spending a bazillion dollars for these, but I'm sure there are some that need the petting of havin spent the equivalent of the national deficit buying theirs somewhere else.
LOL!!!
LOL!!!
Last edited by UltraKla$$ic; Feb 21, 2010 at 07:54 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,711
Likes: 9,214
From: Snow Hill, NC
Craftsmen is always a decent tool and good warranty...the size depends on what you have most in your current toolbox as far as socket size is concerned but i would steer towards a 3/8" size because you can buy adapters to make them fit 1/4" and 1/2"...More than likely you have 3/8" sockets laying around. If you have the money to spend you can also look at snap on, Matco, Cromwell etc....The one i use is a cheap one from Advance aut that i paid $20 for...it's a foot/lbs but for tigntening lug nuts and heavy weight fasteners accuracy is not as critical as the Inch/lbs. I would spend more money on the latter if the funds were limited. Like the previous poster said also...Check places like Harbor Freight and Northern Tool and Equipment.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,036
Likes: 65
From: Earth
Go to Harbor Freight. I picked up a very nice set of torque wrenches in both in/lbs and ft/lbs for a very nominal price. It made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside not spending a bazillion dollars for these, but I'm sure there are some that need the petting of havin spent the equivalent of the national deficit buying theirs somewhere else. LOL!!!
LOL!!!
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 17
From: Mid West
Having been a wrench for over a quarter century, be careful as to your purchase of torque wrenches. These need calibration on a less than frequent but on a frequency basis or the damage one can cause is at times devastating.
I prefer name brand units from local tool dealers and return them for cal every year or so, inactivity is harder than continual use, my inch and foot pound units are Snap-On but MAC tool is as good for the money. I have had a few fail recal and the warranty on them from the bigger manufacturers is well worth the money spent.
I prefer name brand units from local tool dealers and return them for cal every year or so, inactivity is harder than continual use, my inch and foot pound units are Snap-On but MAC tool is as good for the money. I have had a few fail recal and the warranty on them from the bigger manufacturers is well worth the money spent.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,294
Likes: 33
From: Po-Dunk Looziana
I'm just messing with those that have expensive ones, certainly nothing wrong with that.
I'm just a cheap bastage that's all.....LOL.
I'm just a cheap bastage that's all.....LOL.
Last edited by UltraKla$$ic; Feb 21, 2010 at 08:38 AM.
Trending Topics
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,884
Likes: 75
From: Goldsboro, NC
Hey NOTGROWNUP,, Sears, (Craftsman) won't warranty their Torque Wrenches for more than a year. They do NOT have the Life time warranty.. been there done that,, got a little pissed at them. It is a hand tool, I know they won't warranty an electric saw, drill ect.... Anyway, it depends on how accurate you feel the tool needs to be. Torque wrenches are a required PMEL (Calibrated) item in the military tool inventory, but of course some things are probably more torque critical on a 2 BILLION dollar air plane!
I think a home use torque wrench the most important thing is if all bolts are evenly torqued, like on a jug/head ect.... other than that. I think the "Armstrong" torque wrench would suffice most times....(Unless your seating a bearing or something, then you don't want to get it too tight/loose)
I think a home use torque wrench the most important thing is if all bolts are evenly torqued, like on a jug/head ect.... other than that. I think the "Armstrong" torque wrench would suffice most times....(Unless your seating a bearing or something, then you don't want to get it too tight/loose)
Last edited by JimTJr; Feb 21, 2010 at 08:32 AM.
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
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 868
Likes: 51
From: Illinois
Several threads have discussed the benefits of having an inch-pound and a foot-pound torque wrench in the toolbox, but which ones? I have looked on-line and found prices ranging from $20 to $300 and specifications from 10 - 250 (inch, foot, whatever), 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" drive. I'm not a mechanic, but with a 2001 FLHT I occasionally have to tighten a bolt now and again. Can you guys steer me toward a decent quality set at a reasonable price?
I prefer Snap On tools, they are not for everyone. For most people Craftsman will be just fine.
