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torque wrench question

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Old Mar 13, 2010 | 05:19 PM
  #31  
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Originally Posted by Landon
I work for a facility that completes calibrations of different tools. We had an operator bring in his new Harbor Freight torque wrench. It could not be calibrated even when new. I would be cautious of them.
I bet you didn't use the Harbor Freight Torque Wrench Calibration Tool, did you?
 
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Old Mar 13, 2010 | 05:26 PM
  #32  
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Originally Posted by santajim
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.


Anyway you can take a pic of the bolts. I have a small leak and I cant figure it out.
 
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Old Mar 13, 2010 | 05:27 PM
  #33  
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Originally Posted by creep1
All you roadglide owners out there- the outer fairing torque screws have a value of like 6-12 inch lbs. thats low. I got a torque screwdriver for that. I think its used in automotive applications like dashboards.
I used to use one of those in the Air Force and wish I could afford one now. The cheapest I've found is around $200.
 
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Old Mar 13, 2010 | 06:05 PM
  #34  
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A torque screwdriver is something I've never heard of, sounds like a great tool to own...

Googled them and this one looks good....

http://www.cditorque.com/
 
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Old Mar 13, 2010 | 08:56 PM
  #35  
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Originally Posted by Rain
Has anyone tested one of the Harbor Freight inch pound torque wrenches for accuracy out of the box? I picked one up today and am not sure if I'll keep it or shell out the money for a better one.

Used to wrench on cars for a living and would not have dreamt of using a $20.00 torque wrench then but this one looks pretty good for $20.00 for home use. I have one of their $70.00 bike lifts and have had my FLHTC up on it a lot and it's great.
I've had two HF TQ wrenches for about 10 years and about three years ago tested them for accuracy. I also tested a Snap-On I had at the time (since sold) and a very old Thorsen torsion-bar wrench (indicated/actual):

Thorsen: 50/58, 100/104

Snap-On: 50/43, 75/70, 100/95, 150/140

Harbor Freight 1/2": 50/50, 100/101, 150/149

Harbor Freight 1/4": 200/200 in/lbs. (testing device didn't go lower)

The HF wrenches I've seen have a 4% (SAE) accuracy guarantee and all have a lifetime warranty. They're the only TQ wrenches I'm aware of with this level of warranty.
 

Last edited by iclick; Mar 13, 2010 at 09:00 PM.
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Old Mar 13, 2010 | 09:10 PM
  #36  
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Originally Posted by CroK
I bet you didn't use the Harbor Freight Torque Wrench Calibration Tool, did you?
Yeah, What brand of oil are you using in the calibration tool? Can't use Dino oil, it'll sludge up and cause your tool to be off.
 
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Old Mar 14, 2010 | 04:30 AM
  #37  
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i have all my torque wrenches zeroed, along with the torque screwdriver. yes, they do make those too. i don't know how important it would be to get them calibrated though, unless you're wrenching all day long, i wouldn't think you'd need to.
 
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Old Mar 14, 2010 | 07:27 AM
  #38  
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Thanks for all the input. Looks like the HF's are more good than bad.

I started thinking about what it would be worth to prevent one snapped/stripped bolt so ended up taking the HF back and getting a nice 3/8 drive K-D for 83.00. Looked at the 79.00 Craftsman and it just looked like too much bulky plastic for the price. Won't need to use a 1/4 to 3/8 adapter with this one and probably paid 63.00 extra for piece of mind.

Now I'll probably find that the K-Ds are worse the way it seems to work...
 
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Old Mar 14, 2010 | 07:56 AM
  #39  
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Originally Posted by Rain
Thanks for all the input. Looks like the HF's are more good than bad.

I started thinking about what it would be worth to prevent one snapped/stripped bolt so ended up taking the HF back and getting a nice 3/8 drive K-D for 83.00. Looked at the 79.00 Craftsman and it just looked like too much bulky plastic for the price. Won't need to use a 1/4 to 3/8 adapter with this one and probably paid 63.00 extra for piece of mind.

Now I'll probably find that the K-Ds are worse the way it seems to work...
That's another element people don't usually realize unless they have read the instructions thoroughly...

When using adapters and/or extensions, you have to add a few more inch/foot pounds to the value you are trying to attain at the bolt/fastener.
 
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Old Mar 14, 2010 | 08:16 AM
  #40  
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Originally Posted by CroK
That's another element people don't usually realize unless they have read the instructions thoroughly...

When using adapters and/or extensions, you have to add a few more inch/foot pounds to the value you are trying to attain at the bolt/fastener.
This one I did know about regarding loss of torque using adapters and extensions but I agree that probably a lot of people don't.

Oddly enough I spoke with someone a while back at a tool store that said that that school of thought no longer existed and that the loss of torque through adapters and extensions was so minimal it didn't matter. I didn't buy into that knowing that metal will flex (like using an extension) and throw values off.
 
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