Discussion
There's several trains of thought with this with regards to cost/quality/frequency of use, having done a fair bit of research on torque wrenches over the years, I would recommend Halfords Professional torque wrenches which always seemed to score very highly in magazine tests, they're actually made by Norbar for Halfords and Norbar are good quality.
I treated myself to a couple (3/8 & 1/2") of Snap On digital torque wrenches a couple of years ago and they're absolutely fantastic, however, I appreciate that this is overkill for the home mechanic but I'd had issues with my two mechanical torque wrenches (Teng & Britool) and was a bit frustrated and was offered a good PX deal. I also live offshore so couldn't just nip down to Halfords.
I'd imagine if its general stuff you're torquing where a few lb-ft/nm out isn't the end of the world then most budget stuff would be alright, if rebuilding engines then you might want something half decent.
Britool Expert (grey and blue) is horse s
te, the older red Britool was better, Teng didn't feel or look any different to any of the budget wrenches from Clarke/Draper etc. can't abide Draper myself (too many failures) Sealey are ok. You could buy used but you'd want to be assure that it's not been abused, been calibrated once in a while and has always always been zeroed after each use.
I treated myself to a couple (3/8 & 1/2") of Snap On digital torque wrenches a couple of years ago and they're absolutely fantastic, however, I appreciate that this is overkill for the home mechanic but I'd had issues with my two mechanical torque wrenches (Teng & Britool) and was a bit frustrated and was offered a good PX deal. I also live offshore so couldn't just nip down to Halfords.
I'd imagine if its general stuff you're torquing where a few lb-ft/nm out isn't the end of the world then most budget stuff would be alright, if rebuilding engines then you might want something half decent.
Britool Expert (grey and blue) is horse s
te, the older red Britool was better, Teng didn't feel or look any different to any of the budget wrenches from Clarke/Draper etc. can't abide Draper myself (too many failures) Sealey are ok. You could buy used but you'd want to be assure that it's not been abused, been calibrated once in a while and has always always been zeroed after each use.I've finally got a torque wrench after years of guessing, the Halfords Advanced Pro stuff was great but £80, so I went for this. It's 3/8" drive.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0001K9T2O/ref...
I wish I'd bought one years ago, to help me avoid situations like this:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0001K9T2O/ref...
I wish I'd bought one years ago, to help me avoid situations like this:
underwhelmist said:
I've finally got a torque wrench after years of guessing, the Halfords Advanced Pro stuff was great but £80, so I went for this. It's 3/8" drive.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0001K9T2O/ref...
I wish I'd bought one years ago, to help me avoid situations like this:
Is that the old 'what is the torque needed?'. 'Tighten till it shears, then back-off half a turn theory?'https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0001K9T2O/ref...
I wish I'd bought one years ago, to help me avoid situations like this:
Pica-Pica said:
Is that the old 'what is the torque needed?'. 'Tighten till it shears, then back-off half a turn theory?'
Yeah - I'm learning though...
Edit: I was surprised that the torque range for these was only 18-28 Nm, given that these are the bolts that tighten the clamps that hold the front forks in the yoke. I've done em up to 23 Nm, halfway through the range, is that a sensible approach?
Edited by underwhelmist on Monday 18th September 20:42
underwhelmist said:
Pica-Pica said:
Is that the old 'what is the torque needed?'. 'Tighten till it shears, then back-off half a turn theory?'
Yeah - I'm learning though...Edit: I was surprised that the torque range for these was only 18-28 Nm, given that these are the bolts that tighten the clamps that hold the front forks in the yoke. I've done em up to 23 Nm, halfway through the range, is that a sensible approach?
Edited by underwhelmist on Monday 18th September 20:42
Pica-Pica said:
110Nm is a bit high for 3/8" square drive, that is more 1/2" sq.drive. I have a very old (= long-lasting) Norbar 'slim-line'. Mainly used for wheel bolts. Technically, I suppose I should get it calibrated, but...
My Norbar is nudging 40 years old and is still used regularly.Pothole said:
That's one of the jobs I need a wrench for, Apparently mine need 21Nm
Well careful you don't snap 'em, it's a pain getting the snapped bit out!Oops, another edit: The Laser one you've linked to looks similar to a 1/2" drive one I was given that goes up to over 100 Nm. Useful for wheel bolts etc on the car. I think it was from B & Q - Torq brand? Happy with it, I don't think precision is so critical at those kind of torques. But then I have a history of snapping bolts, so...
edit to the edit: Aren't Toolstation owned by B & Q? If so it might be the same wrench.
Edited by underwhelmist on Wednesday 20th September 00:29
Edited by underwhelmist on Wednesday 20th September 00:33
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