torque wrench
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 22
From: Fort Pierce, Florida
I have two of these... One is ftlb and the other is inlb. I choose the click style instead of the digital and they work great. They are also made by Snap-On, but they are cheaper in price not quality. I checked mine against a friend's Snap-On version and they look alike.
CDI Torque Wrenches
Do a search and you will find them at a reasonable price.
CDI Torque Wrenches
Do a search and you will find them at a reasonable price.
If you're just looking to get one for "weekend warrior" wrenching on your bike - save some bones & get something cheaper than a $470 wrench. You can get both Craftsman digital wrenches (in/lb + ft/lb) for less than the one Snap-On. Unless you're planning to be a professional mechanic - not really necessary...JMO.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 205
Likes: 1
From: Goode, Va
For the weekend warrior, no need to buy high dollar torque wrench. Sears stuff will do fine, or Harbor Freight. I know a lot of guys frown on HF, but for something you are not going to use very much, I think its a good way to go. Unless you are one of these lucky guys that do not have to worry about money, and demand only the best. Wish I was one of them. 
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 224
From: Glendale AZ
I have two of these... One is ftlb and the other is inlb. I choose the click style instead of the digital and they work great. They are also made by Snap-On, but they are cheaper in price not quality. I checked mine against a friend's Snap-On version and they look alike.
CDI Torque Wrenches
Do a search and you will find them at a reasonable price.
CDI Torque Wrenches
Do a search and you will find them at a reasonable price.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 914
Likes: 1
From: Republic of Texas
fore those of you who are mechanics i have a question.
i am looking at getting a digital torque wrench & mostly use it on my SG, now im not sure witch one to get the....
1/4" drive
2-20 ft lbs (24-240 in lbs)
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog
or
3/8" drive
5-100 ft lbs (60-1200 in lbs)
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog
witch one do you think would cover more of the bike?
thanks in advance
i am looking at getting a digital torque wrench & mostly use it on my SG, now im not sure witch one to get the....
1/4" drive
2-20 ft lbs (24-240 in lbs)
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog
or
3/8" drive
5-100 ft lbs (60-1200 in lbs)
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog
witch one do you think would cover more of the bike?
thanks in advance
IIRC, the derby cover inspection bolts specify in-lb torques. Get a properly rated wrench to do that and forget about trying to use the bottom end of a big ft-lb rated wrench. Why? Because any torque wrench will return accurate performance only in the middle portion of it's specified torque range. The bottom and top portions of the wrench's rated range will return inaccurate torque values. Having separate wrenches for in-lb and ft-lb uses as suggested by others is the best idea, IMO, and is the way I do it too.
I own several torque wrenches, one of which is a digital one, and it's my least favorite of the lot. It's just not always convenient to keep the digital display in your line of vision using the wrench.
Of the two you refer to, the 2-20 ft-lb one would be nearly useless IMO. Not nearly enough range, and probably only 10 ft-lb in the middle of the range would be accurate enough to trust.
Finally, be aware that spring-type torque wrenches should never be stored "loaded", they should always be unloaded before storage. They also need to be "worked" some before each use for accurate results.
There is a special variation of torque wrench that is unique in some useful ways. It's called the split-beam torque wrench, and I own this one which I use to tighten my 5th wheel trailer lug nuts to 120 ft-lbs. It does not require the "working in" prior to usage, which would be difficult to do on the side of the road somewhere.
Lots more to know about torque wrenches, but that enough food for thought now.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 205
Likes: 1
From: Goode, Va
You need to do some research on the different types of torque wrenches before committing to any one wrench or style. A "one size fits all fasteners" approach will lead to nothing but disappointment, at best, and badly tightened fasteners at worst.
IIRC, the derby cover inspection bolts specify in-lb torques. Get a properly rated wrench to do that and forget about trying to use the bottom end of a big ft-lb rated wrench. Why? Because any torque wrench will return accurate performance only in the middle portion of it's specified torque range. The bottom and top portions of the wrench's rated range will return inaccurate torque values. Having separate wrenches for in-lb and ft-lb uses as suggested by others is the best idea, IMO, and is the way I do it too.
I own several torque wrenches, one of which is a digital one, and it's my least favorite of the lot. It's just not always convenient to keep the digital display in your line of vision using the wrench.
Of the two you refer to, the 2-20 ft-lb one would be nearly useless IMO. Not nearly enough range, and probably only 10 ft-lb in the middle of the range would be accurate enough to trust.
Finally, be aware that spring-type torque wrenches should never be stored "loaded", they should always be unloaded before storage. They also need to be "worked" some before each use for accurate results.
There is a special variation of torque wrench that is unique in some useful ways. It's called the split-beam torque wrench, and I own this one which I use to tighten my 5th wheel trailer lug nuts to 120 ft-lbs. It does not require the "working in" prior to usage, which would be difficult to do on the side of the road somewhere.
Lots more to know about torque wrenches, but that enough food for thought now.
IIRC, the derby cover inspection bolts specify in-lb torques. Get a properly rated wrench to do that and forget about trying to use the bottom end of a big ft-lb rated wrench. Why? Because any torque wrench will return accurate performance only in the middle portion of it's specified torque range. The bottom and top portions of the wrench's rated range will return inaccurate torque values. Having separate wrenches for in-lb and ft-lb uses as suggested by others is the best idea, IMO, and is the way I do it too.
I own several torque wrenches, one of which is a digital one, and it's my least favorite of the lot. It's just not always convenient to keep the digital display in your line of vision using the wrench.
Of the two you refer to, the 2-20 ft-lb one would be nearly useless IMO. Not nearly enough range, and probably only 10 ft-lb in the middle of the range would be accurate enough to trust.
Finally, be aware that spring-type torque wrenches should never be stored "loaded", they should always be unloaded before storage. They also need to be "worked" some before each use for accurate results.
There is a special variation of torque wrench that is unique in some useful ways. It's called the split-beam torque wrench, and I own this one which I use to tighten my 5th wheel trailer lug nuts to 120 ft-lbs. It does not require the "working in" prior to usage, which would be difficult to do on the side of the road somewhere.
Lots more to know about torque wrenches, but that enough food for thought now.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,543
Likes: 19
From: Ashland Ohio
I have two of these... One is ftlb and the other is inlb. I choose the click style instead of the digital and they work great. They are also made by Snap-On, but they are cheaper in price not quality. I checked mine against a friend's Snap-On version and they look alike.
CDI Torque Wrenches
Do a search and you will find them at a reasonable price.
CDI Torque Wrenches
Do a search and you will find them at a reasonable price.
My big wrench is a Craftsman Digital for axles, sprockets, comps, etc.
My next wrench purchase will be a snap on old school digital (round dial) for the motor work I tend to do anymore on the side.
Account Retired
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,245
Likes: 12
From: Here
I've got two HF click type torque wrenches I've been using about three years now. Took them to a local shop and had them checked about six months ago. They were dead on the money.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,306
Likes: 2,443
From: Eastern NE
If the guy doesn't know any better & wants advice on something = yes...in today's economy I'd want to know there are other 'cheaper" options for a product. Kinda wasteful investing that amount of coin into a tool they might use 1-2 times a year - just like putting gold flakes in alcohol (gonna pi$$ is away).
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 22
From: Fort Pierce, Florida
CDI don't sell their tools directly. Just copy and paste the model numbers in google and do a search. You will find many companies who sell the tools at reasonable prices.