Do you own a torque wrench?
#41
(I have a 1/2" and 3/8" clicker type and a 1/4" beam type for the little stuff)
#42
Drifting
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A torque wrench is a tool that the average person doesn't need very often, but it is an essential tool and worth every penny to have sitting in your garage toolbox.
Personally I wouldn't buy a beam type, I have a click type, and use it relatively often, haven't tried a digital one, and can't see anything being an improvement over an audible "click".
I take my wheels off to clean them, so that's about once or twice a month, plus there always seems to be a job on my motorcycle, or my wife's car, that needs a torque wrench.
They are not expensive, are simple to use, and give you peace of mind. Everyone should have one.
Personally I wouldn't buy a beam type, I have a click type, and use it relatively often, haven't tried a digital one, and can't see anything being an improvement over an audible "click".
I take my wheels off to clean them, so that's about once or twice a month, plus there always seems to be a job on my motorcycle, or my wife's car, that needs a torque wrench.
They are not expensive, are simple to use, and give you peace of mind. Everyone should have one.
#43
Le Mans Master
I have 2. Clicker type is the best. Beam type is probably second because it doesn't run through batteries and lose calibration like the digital type. But clicker can be used in more positions and you don't have to look at it.
I pretty much only use one for wheels. I did several experiments with the oil plug until I calibrated my arm so I don't bother with one for oil any more. That plug isn't really that tight and has a gasket to take up the slack. But I would always wonder because of a steel plug in an aluminum pan if I hadn't done the experiments.
Accuracy isn't really that important. Being off 10% isn't going to hurt anything. Consistency is more important. Without a torque wrench you can easily be 50% low or 100% high if you are in an odd position and haven't gotten experience with the right torque like that.
I pretty much only use one for wheels. I did several experiments with the oil plug until I calibrated my arm so I don't bother with one for oil any more. That plug isn't really that tight and has a gasket to take up the slack. But I would always wonder because of a steel plug in an aluminum pan if I hadn't done the experiments.
Accuracy isn't really that important. Being off 10% isn't going to hurt anything. Consistency is more important. Without a torque wrench you can easily be 50% low or 100% high if you are in an odd position and haven't gotten experience with the right torque like that.
#50
Advanced
Member Since: Jan 2012
Location: Gardiner NY
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I have a 3/8 and 1/2 Matco, I got a student discount so I couldn't pass up the deal. FYI, the Matco torque wrenches are the same thing as Gearwrench.
http://www.tooltopia.com/gearwrench-...nch-85053.aspx
http://www.tooltopia.com/gearwrench-85052.aspx
http://www.tooltopia.com/gearwrench-...nch-85053.aspx
http://www.tooltopia.com/gearwrench-85052.aspx
#52
Le Mans Master
Yep. The ones at Harbor Freight are cheap, and work well enough. Good for your typical easy to do stuff (spark plugs, wheels, etc.)
If you think you're going to use them a lot, a nice Matco or Snap-On is always a good choice, but for just occasional use, the HF ones work and are $20 or less.
If you think you're going to use them a lot, a nice Matco or Snap-On is always a good choice, but for just occasional use, the HF ones work and are $20 or less.
#53
Burning Brakes
I wouldn't count on a $10.00 torque wrench being very accurate. I've also read that a torque wrench should only be used to tighten nuts/bolts. Using it to loosen things will reduce its accuracy over time. That was also a good tip earlier about resetting it to zero after use. That too will preserve its accuracy. Just through normal use they should be recallibrated every few years.
#54
Drifting
Coming from a military rotary winged maintenance background, very little was ever secured without the confirmation of a current and valid torque wrench. Safety wire and a torque spec for everything that can possibly become undone.
#55
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Thanks for all the input. I will probably get one of the less expensive ones, for tightening wheel lug nuts etc, and we have two Harelys in the garage too.
#57
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '13
#58
Drifting
Actually the correct procedure is to tighten the bolt or nut until its tight, then keep going until it just starts to loosen up, Then...back off 1/4 of a turn, you have then achieved optimum torque on that fastener, because clearly it wont take much more than that !!!
#60