need to get torque wrench(es?)

1385 Views 26 Replies 15 Participants Last post by DBohrer, Aug 27, 2009

2Dahorizon

Discussion Starter · Aug 25, 2009

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seems i've been reading that to work on this bike i will need two different torque wrenches:shock:. the book i have mentions something about 0> 150for one and another reading/measuring 0 > 300, is this correct, or still valid?

and if so, anyone have a good lead on reliable tool(s) that i can aquire (i.e. sources)?

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plainmech

· #2 · Aug 25, 2009

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i have two electronic snapon tw's, change between newt meters in lbs. and ft. lbs w/ press of a button, very accurate and audible/ vibration when torque reached that being said very expensive. you can buy cheaper or used but i would get them calibrated:action::waving:

spiketwo

· #3 · Aug 25, 2009

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I bought one from Harbor Freight 5-80 & it works great for being a cheapo. 1/2" drive

plainmech

· #4 · Aug 25, 2009

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:shock: that is one tool i personally would NOT buy at hf, sometimes you do get what you paid for mho. might also add i make a living with my tools though so might be ok for occasional use

SpiderBob

· #5 · Aug 25, 2009

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You need two, one in inch pounds, one in foot pounds. One is for the really light work and then the other for the bigger work. My small one goes from 3.61 newton / 2.5 inch pounds to 29.03 newton / 250 inch pounds (or 20.8 foot lbs) and the bigger one goes from20 foot pounds to 150 foot pounds.
Thinking about it, the inch pounds will probably cover everything on the bike. Can't think of a bolt needing more than 20 foot lbs????) I have a Craftsmen and a Snaponand have had both for over 30 years. Had it re-calibrated last year for the first time. Harbor Freight,it's OK, just will not last as long. Get a clicker, if not better, the tension lever reading one is not very accurate.

2Dahorizon

Discussion Starter · #6 · Aug 25, 2009

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Thanks folks, I'm glad that HF was mentioned, they seem to have become the standard 'go-to' these days. i guess you can tell i have not been doing much wrenching in a while, remember when Sears was about the only game in town(lol)?
which reminds me, any opinions on Sears torque wrenches, i was believing the the only way to get to Snap-On tools was have a connect who was a mechanic or a sales rep., is this true? I don't use my tool to earn my coin but i DO use my BIKE to ge TO the coin, SOOOO, i DEFINATELY don't want to depend on a junk reading for any critical/or near critical bolts.

mzandmywing

· #7 · Aug 25, 2009

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I dont currently have an Inch pounder, I allways have to convert inches into feet and then adjust for the right torque. Just make sure your correct in your figures. I have been so far, but have heard many horror stories. All it takes is one brain Fart and ooooops ,I'm normal.Bummer.

cyclewizard

· #8 · Aug 25, 2009

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plainmech wrote:

i have two electronic snapon tw's, change between newt meters in lbs. and ft. lbs w/ press of a button, very accurate and audible/ vibration when torque reached that being said very expensive. you can buy cheaper or used but i would get them calibrated:action::waving:

+1 on the snapon, you get what you pay for.

Time inserts are expensive and a pain.

Buy a good one one time.

garyft

· #9 · Aug 25, 2009

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SpiderBob wrote:

Thinking about it, the inch pounds will probably cover everything on the bike. Can't think of a bolt needing more than 20 foot lbs????)

Axle bolts, head bolts, brake lines are all over 20. Axle is in the 40-ish range for sure. I'm gonna guess that motor mount bolts are up over 30 as well. Banjo bolts for brake lines are 22. You definitely need a good foot pound wrench for any in depth work.

daz800

· #10 · Aug 25, 2009

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i have 2

one is1/2 inch drive the other is 3/8

both made by snap on tools.

daz

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SpiderBob

· #11 · Aug 25, 2009

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garyft wrote:

SpiderBob wrote:

Thinking about it, the inch pounds will probably cover everything on the bike. Can't think of a bolt needing more than 20 foot lbs????)

Click to expand...

Axle bolts, head bolts, brake lines are all over 20. Axle is in the 40-ish range for sure. I'm gonna guess that motor mount bolts are up over 30 as well. Banjo bolts for brake lines are 22. You definitely need a good foot pound wrench for any in depth work.

Yep, for sure, was not thinking well this morning. You need both.

SpiderBob

· #12 · Aug 25, 2009

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2Dahorizon wrote:

Thanks folks, I'm glad that HF was mentioned, they seem to have become the standard 'go-to' these days. i guess you can tell i have not been doing much wrenching in a while, remember when Sears was about the only game in town(lol)?
which reminds me, any opinions on Sears torque wrenches, i was believing the the only way to get to Snap-On tools was have a connect who was a mechanic or a sales rep., is this true? I don't use my tool to earn my coin but i DO use my BIKE to ge TO the coin, SOOOO, i DEFINATELY don't want to depend on a junk reading for any critical/or near critical bolts.

You can walk up to any Snap-On truck and they will sell, probably not as cheap as their regular customers but they will. My 30+ year old torque wrench is a Crafsmen and still right on.I have one of each.

kah92340

· #13 · Aug 25, 2009

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SpiderBob wrote

You can walk up to any Snap-On truck and they will sell, probably not as cheap as their regular customers but they will. My 30+ year old torque wrench is a Crafsmen and still right on.I have one of each.

Sorry Bob but Snap-On doesn't sell to anyone cheap.

You do need a good torque wrench and any of the Tool Trucks (Snap-On. MAC Tool, Matco, will have the best ones designed for everyday professional use. You will pay the price but it will be good and if you go to one of their stops you can go on their trucks and buy. You may be able to find some deals on ebay but if you do I would have it calibrated just to be sure
Home use I would look at craftsman or SK the Autozone by my house loans out tools and they have torque wrenches. I have no Idea about the quality of the Harbor Freight Torque Wrenches some of their stuff is pretty good and some is not so good. I have a craftsman that I've had for years that still works good.

2Dahorizon

Discussion Starter · #14 · Aug 25, 2009

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sounds to me like i better stick with sears as a first choice(easy to find, and return, lol), Thanks a bunch for the input folks, I LOVE IT HERE!!!!!

exavid

· #15 · Aug 25, 2009

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I disagree with the necessity of a high quality torque wrench. If you're planning on making a living with your tools for the next twenty years sure but to maintain your bike that's not really necessary. I have a good quality 3/8" torque wrench and a 1/4" and 1/2" from Harbor Freight that are satisfactory. I've tested the two HF wrenches for accurace and repeatability and find them more than close enough for normal automotive work. In fact I wouldn't have hesitated to use the 1/4" one on any of the aircraft I've owned. I'll agree that some of HF's stuff is junk but if you choose wisely with an eye for quality you can find many useful tools there. If you're just getting started working on mechanical stuff but only as a hobby not an avocation it would make more sense to have a tool box filled with a wide range of low priced tools than a very few high quality ones. I can recommend the cheap HF digital multimeters too. If you're not highly experienced with electrical stuff it doesn't hurt to burn out a $5 meter as much as a $100+ quality meter. You'll never need exceedingly accurate meter readings on the bike so why spend a lot more than needed? For the professional mechanics among us, it ain't the tools it's the craftsman using them.

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gah-99

· #16 · Aug 26, 2009

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I have both ft-lbs and inch-lbs, both from NAPA, the only time I have used the ft-lb on the bike was to re torque the bolt on the crank pulley when I did the poorboy alternator conversion.

Regards

Garry

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peterbilt

· #17 · Aug 26, 2009

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torque wrenches????!?!??!?!??!

who needs em tight is tight too tight is broke

Keno

· #18 · Aug 26, 2009

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Takes years todevelop the touch and you wake up one day and find out your calibrations are way off.

Keno

DBohrer

· #19 · Aug 26, 2009

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One main thing about torque wrenches that no manufacturer will tell you is to back off the adjustment screw ALL THE WAY before you put it back in the box.

Been doing it that way for many years. It relieves pressure on the tension spring.

peterbilt

· #20 · Aug 26, 2009

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jeez i cant believe how many people used my quote

did you actually think i was serious?!?!?!?!?!?!

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