torque wrench question
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 541
Likes: 3
From: Houston
During storage and non use all torque wrenches need to be backed off to the lowest setting...dont need to go lower than the lowest number...
*If you dont the spring will give you bad readings*
Torque wrenches are only good from 20% and up from range...so 100ftlb is only good from 20ftlb to 100....not below unless you can test it...
If you buy cheap ones to "save money" you need to get the unit tested to make sure that its +/-4% of reading...better models have 3% of value
so if testing at 25ftlb you will be accurate to +/- 1 ftlb
I bought a cheap 100 ftlb model to work on my car but I calibrate these everyday so I test mine before I use it...
*If you dont the spring will give you bad readings*
Torque wrenches are only good from 20% and up from range...so 100ftlb is only good from 20ftlb to 100....not below unless you can test it...
If you buy cheap ones to "save money" you need to get the unit tested to make sure that its +/-4% of reading...better models have 3% of value
so if testing at 25ftlb you will be accurate to +/- 1 ftlb
I bought a cheap 100 ftlb model to work on my car but I calibrate these everyday so I test mine before I use it...
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,065
Likes: 1
From: Madison, WI
One tool not to go cheap on it the tq wrench. I have seen some break bolts before they clicked. Later to find out this "new" tool was not breaking at the higher settings.
I have an inch pounds and a foot pounds to cover most everything on the bike. The inch pounds is also great when I am working on rifles and scopes.
I have an inch pounds and a foot pounds to cover most everything on the bike. The inch pounds is also great when I am working on rifles and scopes.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 2
From: St. Augustine Florida
I have the HF 1/4" and works very well
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 541
Likes: 3
From: Houston
"Later to find out this "new" tool was not breaking at the higher settings."
thats why just get them tested first...
Almost all torque wrenches have the same material and parts inside...
same with Proto , Snap-on, craftsman...etc...
When they get tested they get tested at 20%, 50%, 100% of range.
for low end torque wrenches you might pay max $45 to get tested and the 20-30 for the wrench at harbour freight and your still under the cost of snap-on...
If your a mechanic with heavy use..I recommend proto or snap-on
ONE THING TO CONSIDER JUST CAUSE ITS NEW DOESNT MEAN ITS GOOD!
I cant tell you how many items I fix that are brandnew and dont pass manufactures specifications.
sometimes up to 3x more than it should
thats why just get them tested first...
Almost all torque wrenches have the same material and parts inside...
same with Proto , Snap-on, craftsman...etc...
When they get tested they get tested at 20%, 50%, 100% of range.
for low end torque wrenches you might pay max $45 to get tested and the 20-30 for the wrench at harbour freight and your still under the cost of snap-on...
If your a mechanic with heavy use..I recommend proto or snap-on
ONE THING TO CONSIDER JUST CAUSE ITS NEW DOESNT MEAN ITS GOOD!
I cant tell you how many items I fix that are brandnew and dont pass manufactures specifications.
sometimes up to 3x more than it should
Last edited by MyClassic09; Mar 11, 2010 at 01:35 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,721
Likes: 372
From: Tonopah Az
I just wanted to throw something in here that happened to me. I crawl around under my bike tightening bolts all of the time but I guess I missed the 2 on the bottom of the Transmission where the exhaust hanger is bolted went on a ride couple of weeks ago came home parked the scoot, when I went out the next morning there was a small pool of oil on the floor. Point is I missed those two bolts so make sure you get them also. Tightened them no more leak.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 604
Likes: 0
From: STATE OF JEFFERSON
I got a in/lb 3/8 rachet torque wrench 0-250 in/lb at SEARS $69.00 craftsman .Who's got a convertion chart for inch/lbs vs ft/lbs IS THIER ONE .
Last edited by BLACK BAGGER; Mar 11, 2010 at 03:22 PM.
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 604
Likes: 0
From: STATE OF JEFFERSON
I was thinking testing 1 again the outher low ft/lb #'s to high in#'s . NO WAY HA . NOTSURE IF I'M EXPLAINING IT RIGHT. JUST WONDERING.
Last edited by BLACK BAGGER; Mar 11, 2010 at 04:03 PM.