[myk_edwards]

Hi,

As I'm going to embark with a little help to start with from Cookie, i need to start to think about getting better tools than the crappy old ones I currently have in the shed.

One of my shopping list items is a torque wrench, looking at a few tools sites for ideas, I notice there is a huge range to choose from, and a brief look in the Clymer shows a range required from 5 up to 105 Nm.

I've seen wrenches in the following ranges -

60 to 300 Nm
8 to 60 Nm
40 to 200Nm

I'd like to buy just one if possible, at £50 a pop, I don't want to be spending so much on tools, if I then can't afford fuel to ride the bike because of the great tool kit I have. Recommendations please?

 

[JeffB]

I bought 3 from harbor freight. They are the click type from China. I think my total was about $60. I'm guessing you have a similar supplier over there. They are not pro quality, but seem quite adequate for my needs. If you have to pull the rear end or swing arm, you're gonna need 200Nm.

 

[paalao]

I just bought one from Motorworks.co.uk (bmw parts) and paied £35.- for it. Good quality but dont recall the range on it.

 

[myk_edwards]

I just bought one from Motorworks.co.uk (bmw parts) and paied £35.- for it. Good quality but dont recall the range on it.

Range: 10-80Nm/88.5-708lb-in. Overall length 280mm.

I have a tool shop down the road that sells Draper stuff, will try their in the morning.

 

[c00k1e]

Check the Drapers out at the shop, then get them off ebay.
Want me to bring mine over for tomorrow?

 

[myk_edwards]

Check the Drapers out at the shop, then get them off ebay.
Want me to bring mine over for tomorrow?

Yup, just in case I don't find one in time.

What do you eat? any special diatry requirements? or are you happy being fed Chinese, Indian, or other similar take away food. The missus is probably out until late, so I have to fend for myself, which means buying in.

 

[browad]

Keep in mind that torque wrenches are inaccurate at the first and last 10% of their range. This can vary due to brands, models, etc. So it may be worthwhile to get two wrenches: one for low torque and one for high. This may not be a huge deal, but in many applications it is (aluminum blocks and bolts, things with low shear points).

Wiki article on torque wrenches.

 

[rattler50]

I have 3 torque wrenches in my tool box at home and two at work. One is for the little bolts (that I tend to break off) 25 to 250 inch pounds. One is 10 to 75 foot pounds and one is 20 to 150 foot pounds. These are all Craftsman except for the one Snap-On I have at work. They are good quality and priced right. They'll last forever working on your bike. Craftsman tools are guaranteed and always cheaper than the tools offered on the tool trucks that come by the shop. Sometimes I buy off the trucks if it's a good deal or something special I can't find at Sears...........

 

[browad]

The Craftsman torque wrenches are guaranteed for 90 days. If you just use it occasionally you'll be fine. For heavy use consider another brand that has a better warranty and can be adjusted.

I've got two Craftsman and one Precision Instruments , so far all have worked very well. The Snap-On Torqometer is a rebranded Precision Instruments, so if you like those buy direct and save some $$$. Plus they will build you one if you need specific ranges. Pretty sweet actually.

Cheers,

 

[yechave]

I have the Sears #44596 3/8th drive, 5-110nm.

Very pleased with it so far. Would most certainly have stripped a bolt had I not had it. Looked all over for something to cover the ranges called for in the specs I looked at.

Almost regretted buying it, until I actually used it.

Back in the day when I used to wrench for a living, I only used Snap On torque wrenches. Still would have preferred the two I used to own, but too expensive a tool for my use these days.

Sears had the best I could find in my 35+ mile radius of driving.

 

[myk_edwards]

I picked up a torque wrench today Range: 10-80Nm/88.5-708lb-in for £20.00, I'll be looking of another 80 - ??? which should cover just abotu every thing. As it happens the one I bought today is the same as Cookie has, so I'll match up the other one too.

While I'm at it, I might get myself a few new Allen wrenches, and a few other odds and sods.

Thanks for the input folks.

 

[grahamw]

Mike

Keep an eye on your local Aldi and/or Lidl store, they often have tools on special offer.

Regards

 

[myk_edwards]

Mike

Keep an eye on your local Aldi and/or Lidl store, they often have tools on special offer.

Regards

Good call, I'll keep my eye open, they normally have a flyer in the local rag.

 

[MneShim]

Screwfix are good, I also have a trade card for Halfords, if you want, I could post it to you, you use it, then post it back.

 

[myk_edwards]

Screwfix are good, I also have a trade card for Halfords, if you want, I could post it to you, you use it, then post it back.

We have a screwfix catalogue in the office, I'll give that a look see in the morning. Thanks for the offer of the Halfords card, I may yet take you up on that, whats the discount?

Used to live not far from York, in Strensall, was there for 2 years before moving south. Liked Yorkshire, finished my time in the RAF just up the road at Leeming, fantastic roads, and met lots of very nice people. When I was posted there, there were no married quarters available, so I found a place to rent out at Reeth, was a great place to live, and were made very welcome and within 2 weeks I was a regular in the middle house ( 3 pubs line a line) playing darts and dominos.