Torque wrench: Buying second / used
Discussion
Hi guys just starting out on some DIY got various things need doing as the fiesta I bought seems to have come with some unwanted baggage.
Anyway will be starting on the disc brakes and then a few bits behind the the centre control units. Most of which I've found great adv from on here (so thank you) and other forums as well as You Tube.
As far as tools go I understand quality is a must but as a newbie and budgeting I'm going low mid range and going on reviews. My thinking is I'm not running a business and not going to be constantly using tools - just now and then for maintenance and service. So my tools won't have much wear and impact.
I need help on deciding on torque wrenches though. I've seen some laser and sealey ones for under 30. But where would you stand with used or second hand big branded ones like nobar or snap on etc? And how much does ot cost to service a torque wrench?
Anyway will be starting on the disc brakes and then a few bits behind the the centre control units. Most of which I've found great adv from on here (so thank you) and other forums as well as You Tube.
As far as tools go I understand quality is a must but as a newbie and budgeting I'm going low mid range and going on reviews. My thinking is I'm not running a business and not going to be constantly using tools - just now and then for maintenance and service. So my tools won't have much wear and impact.
I need help on deciding on torque wrenches though. I've seen some laser and sealey ones for under 30. But where would you stand with used or second hand big branded ones like nobar or snap on etc? And how much does ot cost to service a torque wrench?
steveo3002 said:
do you need one just yet? only really needed for head gaskets and internals
id not want a used one without having it tested
This, I've been doing all my own mechanics for around 40 years and only ever used a torque wrench when rebuilding an engine (and not even then most of the time). I've never found them that accurate as a bit of lubrication (or lack of it) can make a huge difference to the amount of torque you get.id not want a used one without having it tested
You need to get torque wrenches calibrated periodically so if you're buying second hand then check they have been and also if they have been slackened off to a low measure before storage each time as you're not meant to leave them wound up for prolonged periods.
It's quite simple to do a rudimentary test to see if the readings are in the right ball park as torque is just length x weight so you can put some known weight on the end of one (perhaps dumbells with some wire) and then calculate how much that's meant to be exerting then set the torque accordingly and see if it clicks.
It's quite simple to do a rudimentary test to see if the readings are in the right ball park as torque is just length x weight so you can put some known weight on the end of one (perhaps dumbells with some wire) and then calculate how much that's meant to be exerting then set the torque accordingly and see if it clicks.
I bought one of these. It's great, robust, well built and accurate as far as I know. It doesn't see a lot of use so haven't had it calibrated.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
Just do everything up FT.
M6? FT M10? FT M15? You get the idea.
But seriously, if it's something fairly important just really should be torqued then the more accurate the better. If this means a second hand jobby that's been calibrated then so be it. Far better than a £20 special.
Or just, you know, FT.
M6? FT M10? FT M15? You get the idea.
But seriously, if it's something fairly important just really should be torqued then the more accurate the better. If this means a second hand jobby that's been calibrated then so be it. Far better than a £20 special.
Or just, you know, FT.
Oh wow thanks peeps for the replies - ATM just thinking about using on the brake calipers and wheels. Not sure yet what I'd need it for in the future RE servicing. Looking to do this myself too. So as to the question do I really need one?
Well I'm a newb. Never done anything bar emergency wheel change to the spare - then take it to the tyre place. I know what tight means, but not experienced on how far past tight I need to go for bolts with torque specs. Some say yay and others nay.
As I'm inexperienced I might not chance it and just get at least the 3/8 one. I would normally go and spend money on the Halfrauds one due to reviews and it apparently being the same as nobar. But £80 each for something that will be used prob once every year (even if that much) is a bit steep. And I'm not in the trade or qualified to get a trade card either.
Suppose the nobar I was looking at was described 'just found and looks rarely used' is not worth risking then. These are the ones I found locally:
http://www.toolstation.com/search?searchstr=22733%...
http://www.screwfix.com/p/reversible-torque-wrench...
What's the verdict?
Well I'm a newb. Never done anything bar emergency wheel change to the spare - then take it to the tyre place. I know what tight means, but not experienced on how far past tight I need to go for bolts with torque specs. Some say yay and others nay.
As I'm inexperienced I might not chance it and just get at least the 3/8 one. I would normally go and spend money on the Halfrauds one due to reviews and it apparently being the same as nobar. But £80 each for something that will be used prob once every year (even if that much) is a bit steep. And I'm not in the trade or qualified to get a trade card either.
Suppose the nobar I was looking at was described 'just found and looks rarely used' is not worth risking then. These are the ones I found locally:
http://www.toolstation.com/search?searchstr=22733%...
http://www.screwfix.com/p/reversible-torque-wrench...
What's the verdict?
untakenname said:
...also if they have been slackened off to a low measure before storage each time as you're not meant to leave them wound up for prolonged periods.
Not quite... http://www.norbar.com/en-gb/News-Events/Blog/entry...Neophyte2016 said:
Oh wow thanks peeps for the replies - ATM just thinking about using on the brake calipers and wheels. Not sure yet what I'd need it for in the future RE servicing. Looking to do this myself too. So as to the question do I really need one?
Well I'm a newb. Never done anything bar emergency wheel change to the spare - then take it to the tyre place. I know what tight means, but not experienced on how far past tight I need to go for bolts with torque specs. Some say yay and others nay.
As I'm inexperienced I might not chance it and just get at least the 3/8 one. I would normally go and spend money on the Halfrauds one due to reviews and it apparently being the same as nobar. But £80 each for something that will be used prob once every year (even if that much) is a bit steep. And I'm not in the trade or qualified to get a trade card either.
Suppose the nobar I was looking at was described 'just found and looks rarely used' is not worth risking then. These are the ones I found locally:
http://www.toolstation.com/search?searchstr=22733%...
http://www.screwfix.com/p/reversible-torque-wrench...
What's the verdict?
1/2 for wheel bolts and brake calipers. Well I'm a newb. Never done anything bar emergency wheel change to the spare - then take it to the tyre place. I know what tight means, but not experienced on how far past tight I need to go for bolts with torque specs. Some say yay and others nay.
As I'm inexperienced I might not chance it and just get at least the 3/8 one. I would normally go and spend money on the Halfrauds one due to reviews and it apparently being the same as nobar. But £80 each for something that will be used prob once every year (even if that much) is a bit steep. And I'm not in the trade or qualified to get a trade card either.
Suppose the nobar I was looking at was described 'just found and looks rarely used' is not worth risking then. These are the ones I found locally:
http://www.toolstation.com/search?searchstr=22733%...
http://www.screwfix.com/p/reversible-torque-wrench...
What's the verdict?
Be careful re the FT quote, with a 45cm bar I can easily overtighten most fasteners. Plugs I could strip with a 20cm rachet and I'm a weakling.
Thanks guys
Haha - I'm still trying to figure out what FT method is (haven't said anything yet for sounding dim) :looser:
But probably not worth knowing from the sounds of it. I was going to get a 1/2 for both brakes and wheels only that the torque setting is apparantly 26nm on the callipers and just my luck the 1/2 starts just above that.
Haha - I'm still trying to figure out what FT method is (haven't said anything yet for sounding dim) :looser:
But probably not worth knowing from the sounds of it. I was going to get a 1/2 for both brakes and wheels only that the torque setting is apparantly 26nm on the callipers and just my luck the 1/2 starts just above that.
I got a £20 one off Amazon:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000LFTSG6Z
Can't say I've ever measured the torque but the reviews seem to indicate that it's accurate. And at £20 it's probably cheaper than getting a used one calibrated
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000LFTSG6Z
Can't say I've ever measured the torque but the reviews seem to indicate that it's accurate. And at £20 it's probably cheaper than getting a used one calibrated
Dannbodge said:
Machine mart
Get on their mailing list and on a VAT free day you can get a 1/2" drive for £20.
I only use mine for doing up wheel bolts so does the job perfectly.
So looked on machine mart and hello....Get on their mailing list and on a VAT free day you can get a 1/2" drive for £20.
I only use mine for doing up wheel bolts so does the job perfectly.
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/cir13c-1-2in-impac...
So whats the verdict on this for just the wheels? I'll stilk be getting a 3/8 hand wrench.
Gassing Station | Home Mechanics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff