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Torque Wrench
Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 12:54 pm
by ngilbo
Can anyone recommend a decent torque wrench that doesn't break the bank?
Thanks
Nick
Re: Torque Wrench
Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 4:07 pm
by Billy Bananahead
What sort of torque values do you want from each wrench?
I've got a small and a large one. The small measures from approx 7nm to 25nm made by Laser, the large one is a Clarke with goes from approx 21nm up to about 90nm.
Both were pretty cheap, can't remember how much now, but seem to do the job well enough.
You pays your money etc etc......
Re: Torque Wrench
Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 4:11 pm
by Richard Simpson Mark II
First thing to check is the wrench actually covers the values you need.
Halfords ones have a good rep: don't know if it's still the case, but they were British-made Norbars, rebranded. Norbars are probably the best 'professional level' choice.
I've got a cheap one: sold under various names...don't trust it as the first time I used it on a low setting it seemed to not be letting go quick enough, and sure enough it stripped the thread. It seems to be better at the higher end ratings.
Top tip: a torque wrench is a measuring instrument...a lot of people bugger them up because they think they can also be used as a breaker bar.
Re: Torque Wrench
Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 4:41 pm
by ngilbo
Billy Bananahead wrote: ↑Tue Apr 07, 2020 4:07 pm
What sort of torque values do you want from each wrench?
I've got a small and a large one. The small measures from approx 7nm to 25nm made by Laser, the large one is a Clarke with goes from approx 21nm up to about 90nm.
Both were pretty cheap, can't remember how much now, but seem to do the job well enough.
You pays your money etc etc......
I'm just buying a project old trials bike I want to strip down. Plan is to rebuild the engine so I'm assuming I'll need something with a decent torque value. Agree on the cheap - will look to get something decent.
Re: Torque Wrench
Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 4:42 pm
by ngilbo
Richard Simpson Mark II wrote: ↑Tue Apr 07, 2020 4:11 pm
First thing to check is the wrench actually covers the values you need.
Halfords ones have a good rep: don't know if it's still the case, but they were British-made Norbars, rebranded. Norbars are probably the best 'professional level' choice.
I've got a cheap one: sold under various names...don't trust it as the first time I used it on a low setting it seemed to not be letting go quick enough, and sure enough it stripped the thread. It seems to be better at the higher end ratings.
Top tip: a torque wrench is a measuring instrument...a lot of people bugger them up because they think they can also be used as a breaker bar.
Funnily enough - was just going to ask if anyone had the Halfords ones. That's probably the one I'll go for after looking at reviews elsewhere. Agree on the breaker bar too - will only bring it out on special occasions
Re: Torque Wrench
Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 9:15 pm
by Yoyo
I use a 1/4in drive which covers 5 to 25nm and a 1/2in drive which covers 28 to 210nm. I use Clarke ones and they work a treat.
Sent from my ELE-L29 using Tapatalk
Re: Torque Wrench
Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 10:16 pm
by mark vb
I've 2 Halfords wrenches, a 3/8" drive which measures 8-60 Nm and a 1/2" drive which does 40-200 Nm. They seem well made and robust, far more so than cheaper previous wrenches from Machine Mart. Both came with comprehensive calibration certification. For less than 8Nm I still rely on feel/intuition albeit I keep on meaning to get a low torque 1/4" drive wrench.
The Halfords wrenches aren't the cheapest and I can well believe they are/were made by Norbar, as mentioned above. I've had them around 15 yrs now so getting the calibration re-checked is on the to-do list.
Re: Torque Wrench
Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2020 9:53 am
by Sanqhar
If you remove/change wheels on your car then you should use a torque wrench when refitting.
Car wheel settings are often around the 120/140 Nm figures.
tom
Re: Torque Wrench
Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2020 10:04 am
by ngilbo
Halfords do seem to have a good selection - probably go for a couple:
https://www.halfords.com/search?q=torque+wrench
Re: Torque Wrench
Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2020 10:16 am
by Teflon Jnr
I've got Draper black wrenches a 3/8 from 8 to 80nm and a draper black 1/2 30 to 210 nm great fit of kit and dont break the bank