Torque Wrench

MtnBlue · Post by **MtnBlue** » Tue Mar 07, 2006 8:30 am

I need one. Any suggestions? What type? Range? Where to get it? How much?

srpiasta · Post by **srpiasta** » Tue Mar 07, 2006 2:41 pm

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but I'd buy snap on or Mac I know a lot of money but it's calibrated and also you know it's right. If your going to buy a princess auto one you might as well just do the hand click method hold the wrench thill you think it's tight and the a little more for good. I know most people are thinking of wanting to message me back with prices but when it comes to small torque IE in/lbs,,,, I'd rather buy the $300.00 wrench then the 500 cranckcase all because of inproper torqued bolts That's just my opinion.

Rob

Post by **dirtyboy** » Tue Mar 07, 2006 2:54 pm

I've heard about the accuracy thing before and I'm sure it's true. For my purposes on the dirt bikes, I use the Princess Auto variety because I figure that it's more accurate than my hand. But you have to use them with common sense or you will break off or strip a bolt.

I find the KTM with the lighter fasteners are a little more tricky than than the steel bolts that the Yamaha had.

I have a 20-200 in/lb (1/4" drive) and 20-150 ft/lb (3/8" drive).

I know that if I set the wrench to 50 in/lb that it is lighter than when I set it to 96 in/lbs. Good for tightening fork pinch bolts and stuff.

I don't think that you will get away with only torque wrench to do it all.

srpiasta · Post by **srpiasta** » Tue Mar 07, 2006 3:08 pm

I agree with you dirtboy you need more then one wrench, I have three differnt ones the only problem is the lower the torque the greater the precision must be for the wrench. I have all the torque wrenches including a 3/4" and also a 1" torque wrench if you ever need big bolts tightened IE 1000 ft/lbs, Also at my shop we have a hydraulic torque wrench that will goto 100,000 Ft/Lbs no joke!!!

anyways hope this all helps in your buying dilema

Rob

WR_Dave · Post by **WR_Dave** » Tue Mar 07, 2006 4:52 pm

I too have all the torque wrenches that Rob has but at home I use a craftsman 20-250 in/lb 3/8" drive and a 25-150 ft/lb 1/2" drive. I bring them to work a few times a year and check them out on the electronic torque meter and they are just as close as my Snap-on and Mac wrenches at work. I wouldn't however recommend them for continous shop type duty as I don't think they will hold up to the strain. For home I think they are good and like DB said "better than hand tight". Remember that if it feels too tight, it probably is.My .02-- Flame away---WR Dave.

Shibby! · Post by **Shibby!** » Tue Mar 07, 2006 5:31 pm

WR_Dave wrote:I too have all the torque wrenches that Rob has but at home I use a craftsman 20-250 in/lb 3/8" drive and a 25-150 ft/lb 1/2" drive. I bring them to work a few times a year and check them out on the electronic torque meter and they are just as close as my Snap-on and Mac wrenches at work. I wouldn't however recommend them for continous shop type duty as I don't think they will hold up to the strain. For home I think they are good and like DB said "better than hand tight". Remember that if it feels too tight, it probably is.My .02-- Flame away---WR Dave.

Mark another one down for Craftsman.

For garage work its accurate enough for me.

If you don't own a KTM you wont have to worry half as much. KTM's are made to to strip. (haha, kidding, just poking at the orange guys again, but I have read that KTM"s are very prone to stripping a lot of different bolts on the bike (KTMtalk).

buggo · Post by **buggo** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 9:49 am

I have 5 torque wrenches ranging from 700ft lb to 5 in lb.
And 2 of them Snap on. We have a calibration testing tool at work also, and of all, the most accurate was a "Deflection Bar" style, which was also my 5 - 200 in lb. The cheapest wrench of them all! The snap on where actually the worst. I ended up selling my Snap on 3/8 drive 100 ftlb wrench as it was over 30 lb out!
My favourite is a Electronic 100 ftlb Snap on (cause I won it in a raffle) and it is sweet for low torques.
Anyway, I think WR Dave would agree with me, the deflection bar design will be the cheapest, most reliable and accurate for home, garage use. Go Craftsman!

WR_Dave · Post by **WR_Dave** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 1:12 pm

You got it Buggo, You just can't beat "old school" . WR Dave.

Hammer · Post by **Hammer** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 6:36 pm

I use a 3/8" and 1/2" Craftsman deflection type on the bikes and the boat. Never had a problem and for less than 70 bucks for the two they come with the Craftsman moneyback guarrantee!