Errr...can we torque ?

eddiekay · January 21st, 2010, 08:19 AM

The DIY forum is so well done that I've decided to start wrenching.
And my first purchase will be a torque wrench. Webbike world writes up the Precision Instruments C2R100F as it's current fave...OK. Located it at Mechanics Tool Supply for $127.99+ freight.
The question is...given that I have metric sockets that are 1/4, 3/8 and a few 1/2 drives...will using a drive adaptor cause inaccurate readings on the wrench. The C2R100F is avail in 3/8 and 1/2...I have craftsman sockets and adaptors.
Also...I've seen torque values expressed in inch pounds as well as foot pounds....is there a formula to convert to foot pounds ?
Thank you in advance
eddie K

sharky nrk · January 21st, 2010, 09:08 AM

just multiply by 12 for inch to ft lbs. the extensions and adaptors should not invalidate your readings - the good thing about having multiple sizes are the ranges

eddiekay · January 21st, 2010, 09:39 AM

...better to ask a dumb question than make a dumb mistake...so if the book says 120 inch pounds....that's 10 foot pounds ?
Ran across a DIY calling for 94 inch pounds,,,I guess ...set the wrench @ 8lbs

sharky nrk · January 21st, 2010, 09:48 AM

indeed

kkim · January 21st, 2010, 10:31 AM

Just be aware that torque wrenches get very finicky about reading correctly/clicking at the low end of their respective scales. My 3/8" drive wrench is kinda "iffy" at 8ft/lbs, so I use a 1/4" drive wrench in inch pounds for those low values.

While getting a good wrench is important, I went with 3 cheapy wrenches that covered all my bases from Harbor Freight. The main thing is to use the wrenches as opposed to not using one and guessing at how tight things should be. Even a cheapy wrench will get you close to the correct value, if not right on.

eddiekay · January 21st, 2010, 11:12 AM

KK...good strategy for an experiened mechanic. I can get 3 HF wrenches for 1/2 the price of the C2r100F. Yet, I have no experience. Quick check of HF Pittsburgh T wrenches on other forums yielded little positive comments.
I believe I will go with the $127 wrench, use drive adaptors and maybe spring for the HF 1/4" inch-pound wrench. Noobies like me tend to buy too many tools too soon and i don't want to buy stuff till I need it AND feel competent to use them.

rockNroll · January 21st, 2010, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddiekay

KK...good strategy for an experiened mechanic. I can get 3 HF wrenches for 1/2 the price of the C2r100F. Yet, I have no experience. Quick check of HF Pittsburgh T wrenches on other forums yielded little positive comments.
I believe I will go with the $127 wrench, use drive adaptors and maybe spring for the HF 1/4" inch-pound wrench. Noobies like me tend to buy too many tools too soon and i don't want to buy stuff till I need it AND feel competent to use them.

Exact, accurate torque isn't that crucial on most things on your bike and a cheapo torque wrench would work (for the most part it will keep you from over tightening things, which is the most common problem people have). I rarely use a torque wrench on my bikes but I do if I'm tightening things like head bolts, bearing caps, etc and then I use a very accurate torque wrench because I want each fastener to have equal/exact torque on it. I don't suggest a 1/4" drive torque wrench, get your inch-pound torque wrench in 3/8' drive. 1/4" drive tools (especially cheap brands) deflect too much and so using an extension on the torque wrench will end up with a kaddywompus torque.

jonthechron · January 21st, 2010, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockNroll

Exact, accurate torque isn't that crucial on most things on your bike and a cheapo torque wrench would work (for the most part it will keep you from over tightening things, which is the most common problem people have). I rarely use a torque wrench on my bikes but I do if I'm tightening things like head bolts, bearing caps, etc and then I use a very accurate torque wrench because I want each fastener to have equal/exact torque on it. I don't suggest a 1/4" drive torque wrench, get your inch-pound torque wrench in 3/8' drive. 1/4" drive tools (especially cheap brands) deflect too much and so using an extension on the torque wrench will end up with a kaddywompus torque.

+1

I have a 1/2 and 3/8 torque wrench. A combination of both will be just enough for what you need to do on this bike.

Sailariel · January 21st, 2010, 07:42 PM

I have a 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2" wrenches. They were not terribly expensive. They also get used a lot. Remember to slacken them up after you use them (Return to Zero). Definitely a wise choice if you plan on wrenching.

eddiekay · January 21st, 2010, 07:49 PM

Followed KK's and SA leads...Harbor Fr in 1/4, 3/8, 1/2...er..what size is the axle nut...yeah, checked...only have PART of a craftsman set in the garage
thanks for help guys, maybe i'll post pics of my bleeding knuckles in a week or so

January 21st, 2010, 08:19 AM	#1
eddiekay ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: eddie Location: Lawnguylind Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 300, WeeStrom Posts: A lot.	Errr...can we torque ? The DIY forum is so well done that I've decided to start wrenching. And my first purchase will be a torque wrench. Webbike world writes up the Precision Instruments C2R100F as it's current fave...OK. Located it at Mechanics Tool Supply for $127.99+ freight. The question is...given that I have metric sockets that are 1/4, 3/8 and a few 1/2 drives...will using a drive adaptor cause inaccurate readings on the wrench. The C2R100F is avail in 3/8 and 1/2...I have craftsman sockets and adaptors. Also...I've seen torque values expressed in inch pounds as well as foot pounds....is there a formula to convert to foot pounds ? Thank you in advance eddie K

January 21st, 2010, 09:39 AM	#3
eddiekay ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: eddie Location: Lawnguylind Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 300, WeeStrom Posts: A lot.	thanks SN ...better to ask a dumb question than make a dumb mistake...so if the book says 120 inch pounds....that's 10 foot pounds ? Ran across a DIY calling for 94 inch pounds,,,I guess ...set the wrench @ 8lbs

January 21st, 2010, 07:49 PM	#10
eddiekay ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: eddie Location: Lawnguylind Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 300, WeeStrom Posts: A lot.	took some good advice Followed KK's and SA leads...Harbor Fr in 1/4, 3/8, 1/2...er..what size is the axle nut...yeah, checked...only have PART of a craftsman set in the garage thanks for help guys, maybe i'll post pics of my bleeding knuckles in a week or so

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January 21st, 2010, 09:08 AM	#2
sharky nrk Fighting Texas Aggie '05 Name: Neil Location: Hutto, TX Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '07 ZX6R, '08 Versys, '09 250R Track, '93 F2/F3 Track Posts: A lot.	just multiply by 12 for inch to ft lbs. the extensions and adaptors should not invalidate your readings - the good thing about having multiple sizes are the ranges

January 21st, 2010, 09:48 AM	#4
sharky nrk Fighting Texas Aggie '05 Name: Neil Location: Hutto, TX Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '07 ZX6R, '08 Versys, '09 250R Track, '93 F2/F3 Track Posts: A lot.	indeed

January 21st, 2010, 10:31 AM	#5
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	Just be aware that torque wrenches get very finicky about reading correctly/clicking at the low end of their respective scales. My 3/8" drive wrench is kinda "iffy" at 8ft/lbs, so I use a 1/4" drive wrench in inch pounds for those low values. While getting a good wrench is important, I went with 3 cheapy wrenches that covered all my bases from Harbor Freight. The main thing is to use the wrenches as opposed to not using one and guessing at how tight things should be. Even a cheapy wrench will get you close to the correct value, if not right on.

January 21st, 2010, 11:12 AM	#6
eddiekay ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: eddie Location: Lawnguylind Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 300, WeeStrom Posts: A lot.	KK...good strategy for an experiened mechanic. I can get 3 HF wrenches for 1/2 the price of the C2r100F. Yet, I have no experience. Quick check of HF Pittsburgh T wrenches on other forums yielded little positive comments. I believe I will go with the $127 wrench, use drive adaptors and maybe spring for the HF 1/4" inch-pound wrench. Noobies like me tend to buy too many tools too soon and i don't want to buy stuff till I need it AND feel competent to use them.

January 21st, 2010, 07:42 PM	#9
Sailariel ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Alex Location: Belfast, ME Join Date: Jul 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Honda NT-700-V, formerly, Green 2008 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	I have a 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2" wrenches. They were not terribly expensive. They also get used a lot. Remember to slacken them up after you use them (Return to Zero). Definitely a wise choice if you plan on wrenching.