did my oil change today and i was again reminded how junk my torque wrench is. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00944978000P?keyword=torque+wrench

i know it is a toy. i bought it like 15-20 years ago. i know that these things can get crazy expensive. i just want something that is accurate enough, easy to use, and won't break on me after a year or so.

i don't do any heavy-duty stuff like working on engines, so i don't need the top of the line model. i just do basic DIY projects.

can anyone suggest some good ones that won't cost me an arm and a leg?
my tool set is 3/8", but i did buy a 1/2" adapter so that my torque wrench can fit my sockets.
thanks!

I got mine at autozone for $20. It's an inch pound rather than foot pound torque wrench. Just took some figuring to convert inch to foot pounds and it works great, plus the foot pound model was $40-$50.

SW,

I have one of those bean type wrenches, but gave up on it years ago. I ordered a 3/8", 1/2" and 1/4" click type torque wrenches from Harbor freight and use them to this day.

if you're only looking for one, I'd suggest a 3/8" wrench click type wrench that scales from 10 ft/lbs to like a little over 100. It can be used for most jobs.

My 1/2 drive is my lug torque wrench for my car and my 1/4" I use for valve cover nuts and light stuff like that.

If you are looking for one of reasonably good quality, buy one from sears when they are on sale. If not, get one from harbor freight for like $20, IIRC.

are the $20 any good? kind of worried since the price ranges so much.

I've been using my $20 Harbor freight wrench for years. nothing's fallen off the bike... yet. :D

like I said, if you want one of reasonable quality (and peace of mind, I guess), get one from sears when on sale.

Gary you literally posted this up at the same I was going too. +I really have just about the same thing in my box right now. lol
I'm looking for that type to kelly. 10 to around 100 ft/lbs but I want a 1/2 drive. When I was at harbour freight the other day they had 3 newer types. I remember the 10 to 100 for like $25 but now the one comparable is like10 to 80. to get to 100 its like 20ish more. I'm gonna start some searching for this right now. I don't want the 80 cause I think theres a few parts I have to screw with that must be torqued higher.
Post if ya find anything gary. I'll do the same. thanks

I recently got this (1/4") one:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/02600-02699/02696.gif

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=2696

I have a sears beam type 1/2" that I have used for 30+ years

I also purchased this (3/8") Park one via mailorder, but it is also available at REI:
http://media.rei.com/media/544084Lrg.jpg
http://www.rei.com/product/544084

problem w/ a 1/2" drive is that they usually don't go quite low enough for our use. We need stuff that goes down to about 10 ft/lbs... even with the 3/8" drives going that low, it's sometimes tricky to get it to click correctly at that range. the 1/2" wrenches would be worse, if they have that range at all.

another thing are sockets for the 1/2" drives get clumsy for smaller/tighter work.


Gary you literally posted this up at the same I was going too. +I really have just about the same thing in my box right now. lol
I'm looking for that type to kelly. 10 to around 100 ft/lbs but I want a 1/2 drive. When I was at harbour freight the other day they had 3 newer types. I remember the 10 to 100 for like $25 but now the one comparable is like10 to 80. to get to 100 its like 20ish more. I'm gonna start some searching for this right now. I don't want the 80 cause I think theres a few parts I have to screw with that must be torqued higher.
Post if ya find anything gary. I'll do the same. thanks

Well I found the one I want...http://www.checkline.com/torque_wrenches/DTW

Found some I can afford.
http://www.overstock.com/Auto-Parts/3-8-inch-Ratcheting-Torque-Wrench/3142342/product.html?sec_iid=33972
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200349727_200349727
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100662099
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/s_10153_12605_Tools_Mechanics+Tools_Torque+Wrenches
http://www.amazon.com/wrench-torque-wrenches/b?ie=UTF8&node=559968

problem w/ a 1/2" drive is that they usually don't go quite low enough for our use. We need stuff that goes down to about 10 ft/lbs... even with the 3/8" drives going that low, it's sometimes tricky to get it to click correctly at that range. the 1/2" wrenches would be worse, if they have that range at all.

another thing are sockets for the 1/2" drives get clumsy for smaller/tighter work.

True Im mainly concerned with the axle bolts and the engine bolts and anything on the cars. The one from Home depot seems suitable for me. Its a 1/2 10-150 ft/lbs.. I can always use a 1/4 adapter...Im hesitant about the accuracy though!

So far it's between these two for me cause I want the 1/2 drive:
http://www.amazon.com/Sunex-International-9701A-10-150-Torque/dp/B000TD8PF0/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1240265684&sr=1-13
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100662099

yes, for heavier work, you need a 1/2" drive. IMO, the wrenches seem most "accurate"/easier to use in the middle of their rated ranges. Once you get towards the edges, they seem not to work reliably. That's the reason I own all 3 drive sizes (1/4, 3/8 and 1/2)... to overlap those regions of doubt.

excellent!
thanx for the inputs, have been searching for a good torque wrench too..

aloha

SW,
My 1/2 drive is my lug torque wrench for my car and my 1/4" I use for valve cover nuts and light stuff like that.


Your valve caps?:D really kelly.:rolleyes: lol I know you meant the carbs. btw offhand what are they torqued at?

Makes good sense what you say about having different sizes. just made it a little more diff. for me to decide now, cause I wanted to buy only one:(

lol... the 1/4" wrench is used for automotive valve cover nuts. Hondas use a rubber gasket that only needs to be compressed a certain amount to seal. Anything more and people would break off the stems the nuts were screwed on to, so I always used to torque those valve cover nuts to the specified specs... something like 7 ft/lbs which the 3/8" wrench could not accurately read.

You can try the 1/2" wrench and see if it works for ya. The problem is that at the light end of the scale, sometimes it doesn't make the wrench click and can lead to snapped bolts when you keep on tightening. :(

which is why for general work on the MC, I recommended a 3/8" drive wrench.

lol... the 1/4" wrench is used for automotive valve cover nuts. Hondas use a rubber gasket that only needs to be compressed a certain amount to seal. Anything more and people would break off the stems the nuts were screwed on to, so I always used to torque those valve cover nuts to the specified specs... something like 7 ft/lbs which the 3/8" wrench could not accurately read.

You can try the 1/2" wrench and see if it works for ya. The problem is that at the light end of the scale, sometimes it doesn't make the wrench click and can lead to snapped bolts when you keep on tightening. :(

which is why for general work on the MC, I recommended a 3/8" drive wrench.

you mean 1/4" for general work?

no, 3/8". it covers most of the range of torque specs you'll find on the bike. some may be outside it's range, but most fall within the range and you'll get a good solid "click" when you work.

like I said, try the 1/2" if the majority of your work will be at high values and see if it works for you on the bike, too.... if not, get a 3/8" to back it up later.

no, 3/8". it covers most of the range of torque specs you'll find on the bike. some may be outside it's range, but most fall within the range and you'll get a good solid "click" when you work.

like I said, try the 1/2" if the majority of your work will be at high values and see if it works for you on the bike, too.... if not, get a 3/8" to back it up later.

I'm sorry kelly. Im flip-flopping 3/8 and 1/2. Some machinist huh :)
I picked up a nice Husky set at home depot for the cars/bike and it's all 1/4 and 3/8. The only thing in my garage with a 1/2 is a breaker bar!!Stupid Joey:o

It seems the highest torque needed is the clutch hub nut @ 97.4 ft/lbs. right? I think I'll be getting something just above that and use the old torque wrench I have for the lighter stuff for now. Since I plan on a sprocket swap (94 ft-lbs) for the NE ride thats my best bet for now. I'll up grade the little guy soon later.

I ended up ordering a gorilla Torque wrench from Toolprice on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Gorilla-Automotive-Products-Adjustable-Torque/dp/B000FT6K4Q
I didnt receive the same wrench!!! I received some other wrench from Valley tools. I think I've been ripped! The wrench I received does go to 150 ft-lbs so I might just keep it. I'm still ticked though.

What did you end up getting Gary?

i keep meaning to go but i haven't gotten one yet. haven't done any projects that needed one since this thread. i think i will go to sears though... maybe tonight, otherwise next week. save on shipping.

Call around to Snap On or MatCo and find out what they charge to check the accuracy of your torque wrench, it is money well spent. Don't forget to relieve tension (dial it back down) after your done.

Call around to Snap On or MatCo and find out what they charge to check the accuracy of your torque wrench, it is money well spent. Don't forget to relieve tension (dial it back down) after your done.

thanks for the tips. good to know. i haven't used a "real" torque wrench before. gotta try to find a how-to on youtube.

edit: found one. wow, i didn't know torque wrenches can't be used to remove a bolt. the guy said it will damage it. so much i don't know.

Call around to Snap On or MatCo and find out what they charge to check the accuracy of your torque wrench, it is money well spent. Don't forget to relieve tension (dial it back down) after your done.

This is a good think to know. thanks :thumbup:

I have a pair of CDIs but they really are not reasonable in price (i got a discount). i also have a craftsman 1/2 that I use when i need a mobile. the harbor freight jobs are definately better than nothing

I should note here that Autzone has a 1/2" 30-150 ft-lb torque wrench for $30.00. I seen it in a store yesterday.

pOJqUpZSlLw
I'm guessing they put the switch on there for torquing left handed threads?

that is the video i saw. yeah i didn't realize that the torque wrench should not be used to take bolts off. i am going to keep my el-cheapo one with the pendulum bar thingy to use as a breaker bar.

i picked one up yesterday from sears. the instructions say to take it back to sears to re-calibrate it after every 5000 uses.

the one i got was on sale for $105.

Dang. Big money Gary. Well thats sweet they'll recalibrate it for you. I wonder if they do it there or send it somewhere? better keep a checklist of how many times you use it.LOL

oh, the recalibration after 90 days is not free. i don't know how much it costs though. i didn't want to spend so much, but i trust craftsman and the selection sucked. at least it was on sale :). we have a local sears service center that is located in a different part of town. i am assuming that is where i would need to go. not at the actual store.

lol about the checklist.