Help with buying a good torque wrench
Stage IV
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Valhalla
If going digital route definitely do not cheap out. Invest in a good quality brand ie: Snap On, (or CDI), Mac, etc. Heard far too many tales of inferior brand digital / microclickers crapping out. Myself I use good ol Beam torques. KD tools makes a nice beam torque for about $40.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 551
Likes: 17
From: japan
How do you know if its working right? It probably not working right if, you drop it. If you don't turn it back to lowest setting and lock it after uses, if you let your buddy use it, if it have not been calibrated in the last 6 months. If its not a beam type. You can pay 2 to 3 hundred dollars or more and not care for it and all you have is a fancy paper weight.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 9
From: Woodinville, WA
Look at the torque range for the specific fastener/application in the manaul. If it's a reasonably wide range, and they usually are, you don't need a super high end torque wrench, just set the wrench about 1/3 up from the lower end of the spec and that should be fine.
If you're doing head bolts etc my advice would be a little different.
So - in answer to your question, I'd buy one from Harbor Freight (and believe me I don't say that very often).
If you're doing head bolts etc my advice would be a little different.
So - in answer to your question, I'd buy one from Harbor Freight (and believe me I don't say that very often).
Well, since I don't believe in dumb questions just dumb mistakes let me ask you this: How do you know when a torque wrench isn't working right because I've always felt that about torque wrenches? I concluded I must not know how to use them, because they always seem to exceed the torque I'm after.
But you are right. There really isn't a way to tell if a torque wrench is working properly or not without getting it calibrated. TBH I rarely use one anyway as I don't really mess with too much where proper torque is crucial.
Well, since I don't believe in dumb questions just dumb mistakes let me ask you this: How do you know when a torque wrench isn't working right because I've always felt that about torque wrenches? I concluded I must not know how to use them, because they always seem to exceed the torque I'm after.
But you are right. There really isn't a way to tell if a torque wrench is working properly or not without getting it calibrated. TBH I rarely use one anyway as I don't really mess with too much where proper torque is crucial.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
BTW, I sold the Snap-On and I don't use the old mechanical wrench anymore. I don't know how the HF wrenches would fare in professional duty, but for my needs they are fine and have held up well over the years. Again, if they break I have a HF store a few miles away. I don't care what something costs, as I don't categorically relate quality with price, but how well it works for me for the money spent.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,336
Likes: 67
From: SW Minnesota
Harbor Freight currently has a sale through Sept. 30 on all three sizes....Your choice for $9.99 ! regular price is $34.99.
I didn't trust my "cheap" HF either until I had my tech at Mankato Harley check my front axle bolts after I changed out a tire, and they were right on.
Coupon number 59297683.
I didn't trust my "cheap" HF either until I had my tech at Mankato Harley check my front axle bolts after I changed out a tire, and they were right on.
Coupon number 59297683.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 326
Likes: 5
From: N.E. Ohio
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 326
Likes: 5
From: N.E. Ohio
Well, since I don't believe in dumb questions just dumb mistakes let me ask you this: How do you know when a torque wrench isn't working right because I've always felt that about torque wrenches? I concluded I must not know how to use them, because they always seem to exceed the torque I'm after.
Thats where reasearch and reputation comes in. As the other poster commented If it's a critical torque go with a good one. Whats considered critical. My son tried to install midframe air deflectors without a torque wrench and ruined the crush nut because he over tightened it. It was a 2 step tightening process. Even on something as simple as that if you don't have a "feel" from experience you're better off using an accurate torque wrench. (at least on bolts where you can get the wrench to fit on the bolt)
When using a "quality" torque wrench you should hear that click or at least feel it "give" a little when you reach the proper torque. Most torque wrenches won't be quite as accurate on the fringes of the torque range as they will be more toward the mid range torques. you can practice tightening nuts and bolts in your vice to get an idea of how the wrench works. You do have a vice don't you?
