Low range torque wrench?

[darreni]

I'm after a low range - 5-25 ish NM torque wrench, anyone have any suggestions?

I've been looking at the norbar range as they seem well regarded.

[Coilspring]

darreni said:

I'm after a low range - 5-25 ish NM torque wrench, anyone have any suggestions?

I've been looking at the norbar range as they seem well regarded.

That' s very low range. I am guessing that you need consistent very accurate torque settings.

You will struggle to beat norbar. But probably more important to get it calibrated/tested for accuracy regularly.

[MECHENG84]

darreni said:

I'm after a low range - 5-25 ish NM torque wrench, anyone have any suggestions?

I've been looking at the norbar range as they seem well regarded.

The 1/4" torque wrenches tend to be exactly 5 - 25Nm, Screwfix sell a couple and start around £20. It all depends on how accurate you need them. But don't get me started on torque wrenches and accuracy...Should you grease the bolts 1st? coefficient of friction of steel on steel, zinc on steel, zinc on zinc, stainless on steel, stainless on zinc, stainless on stainless. All of these effect the final clamping force.

[Tony1963]

20Nm is about 14.75ft.lb, so not low at all.

Yes, I’d go for a Norbar, and I’d order it with a calibration certificate. Then, if it’s used occasionally, get it recalibrated after a year, and base future cal dates on that. If it’s miles out, recal every few months.

Is this for home jobs or work?

[Drew106]

I bought a Silverline one from eBay. It's just for very light home use, but I also have their bigger one for wheel nuts and I've never had an issue.

Bought the small one specifically for Rocker cover bolts on an MX5. Have only used it that one time in the two years.

[TartanPaint]

Teng do one, and I like their stuff.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Teng-1492AGE-5-25nm-4-inc...

Note the 1/4" drive, so you might need an adaptor.

(comes with a calibration cert too)

[darreni]

Tony1963 said:

20Nm is about 14.75ft.lb, so not low at all.

Yes, I’d go for a Norbar, and I’d order it with a calibration certificate. Then, if it’s used occasionally, get it recalibrated after a year, and base future cal dates on that. If it’s miles out, recal every few months.

Is this for home jobs or work?

It's for home use. I've always used the 'that's tight enough' method with smaller bolts & nuts etc, but as i'm doing more work on the cars, i'd like to ensure things are done correctly. And i like nice tools!

[finishing touch]

I loaned my torque wrench to a bloke down the road. It was just a mid price thing, nothing fancy.

He brought it back next day in its plastic case, said thanks, and walked off.

Thought I'd better check that it had been set back to zero before putting it away but on inspection it felt strange.
On further inspection the springs were missing from inside. My guess was the the setting screw had been undone
completely and the insides had made a bid for freedom.

Bumped into him a few days later and asked what he used my torque wrench for. "I fitted a roof rack", he said.
"Surely they were only little bolts," I said. " Yes, M6, but it gave torque settings in the instructions and I like to do things properly".

?????????????

I've done several fabrication jobs for him since and always add a few quid to the bill.

Paul G

[JoeMk1]

I have a Wera 1/4" 2-25Nm one , using it for engine assembly mainly. Comes with a calibration certificate.

Very happy with it.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WERA-1-4-Calibrated-Cli...

[darreni]

I ended up going for a wera 3/8 8-60nm to give me a bit more range.

It’s the older 7000 series & identical to the norbar professional range ( it’s also marked made in the uk, so I suspect it’s made by norbar for wera).