Which torque wrench?

Too Tall · 2 May 2014 at 15:31

This seemed like the best place for this.

I'm after a torque wrench as I don't have access to one any more, will be used for the car I ideally in the range of 20-200nm and preferably 1/2" id rather use a step down for smaller stuff than step up.

I don't want to spend a fortune I just want one that is reliable and wont fall apart.

Any recommendations?

Firestar_3x · 2 May 2014 at 15:57

I've got a Draper and Halfords Pro one, both seem good, neither have fallen apart.

Had the draper for about 8 years, they seem very cheap now:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/3311...f11=ICEP3.0.0&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108&ff19=0

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/accessories-tyres/36087/torque-wrenches-tested

bledd · 2 May 2014 at 16:05

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cht141-1-2in-drive-torque-wrench

I have this one, works well, my brother tested it against his expensive one in work, said it's very accurate.

Follow the storage instructions.

Muffin` · 2 May 2014 at 16:14

Silverline, it's cheap and accurate 'enough'

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Silverlin...t=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item20e23ca4b0

lemonade · 2 May 2014 at 16:33

SIlverline stuff is utter junk, wouldn't touch them with a bargepole, except for simpler stuff like screwdrivers in which they still manage to break.

I use Sealey torque wrench, great quality device around £30 so good value too.

leigh_boy · 2 May 2014 at 16:37

lemonade said:
SIlverline stuff is utter junk, wouldn't touch them with a bargepole, except for simpler stuff like screwdrivers in which they still manage to break.

I use Sealey torque wrench, great quality device around £30 so good value too.

agreed silverline is pants, if your going to the effort to use a torque wrench you might as well do it properly as it will not be calibrated for long if at all.
halfords pro , bluepoint, snapon.

Tom_ed1987 · 2 May 2014 at 16:40

I have a Halfords pro one which seems very well made.

Although if i'm honest, i've hardly used it and unless I was doing a total engine rebuild I wouldn't get one.

shauncr91 · 2 May 2014 at 16:56

Tom_ed1987 said:
I have a Halfords pro one which seems very well made.

Although if i'm honest, i've hardly used it and unless I was doing a total engine rebuild I wouldn't get one.

This is my opinion with them too, unless you're doing very complicated work such as stripping engine etc then I can't see why most home mechanics would need one, nearly everything can just be doing using common sense to how tight it needs to be.

Too Tall · 2 May 2014 at 17:16

I'm an Aircraft Technician, its been drilled into me to tighten to specified tolerances

.

Muffin` · 2 May 2014 at 17:18

Too Tall said:
I'm an Aircraft Technician, its been drilled into me to tighten to specified tolerances .

so the RAF doesn't factor in "F tight" or "that'll do" ?

Too Tall · 2 May 2014 at 17:20

Muffin` said:
so the RAF doesn't factor in "F tight" or "that'll do" ?

No

if anything torque is measured in white knuckles.

lemonade · 2 May 2014 at 19:00

Those torque settings there are for a reason, so a torque wrench is a must for a home mechanic even if you don't do engine builds, for other vital components it is a must, like brakes, suspensions, service items like spark plugs, very easy to over tighten bits and strip threads and pay hundreds replacing parts.

Clarkey · 2 May 2014 at 19:54

lemonade said:
Those torque settings there are for a reason, so a torque wrench is a must for a home mechanic even if you don't do engine builds, for other vital components it is a must, like brakes, suspensions, service items like spark plugs, very easy to over tighten bits and strip threads and pay hundreds replacing parts.

Err no. I'd like to see you even manage to get a bulky torque wrench onto brake or suspension fasteners, and you definitely don't need one for servicing.

Simon · 2 May 2014 at 20:01

Ocuk expert engineers to the rescue. That's right-everything can be FT.

Spark plugs should be torqued correctly. That's a service item !

Fuzz · 2 May 2014 at 20:09

There's only two things that get done up with a torque wrench..

Wheels nuts and Cylinder head bolts. So unless you are thinking of stripping your engine down, learn how to use a ratchet

blueboy2001 · 2 May 2014 at 20:11

The only time I've snapped anything is using a 1/2" torque wrench. They don't work in confined spaces where you can't get a proper swing on it. I only really use it for wheel nuts and it makes a good breaker bar (which isn't a good idea, but needs must).

Most car items are relatively low torque, if I was buying one for car use I'd go for a 3/8" one.

Scythe · 2 May 2014 at 20:16

Wheel nuts, spark plugs, sump plug are the main service ones.

I bought one for use on my motorbike's axle nuts mostly, as they're high torque and you don't want the thing to come loose!!

Simon · 2 May 2014 at 20:18

Fuzz said:
There's only two things that get done up with a torque wrench..

Wheels nuts and Cylinder head bolts. So unless you are thinking of stripping your engine down, learn how to use a ratchet

Great for a bodger. Spark plugs should be torqued due to the crush washers

Muffin` · 2 May 2014 at 20:28

I tripple checked settings when putting my engine together and in, took ages but it's not fallen out yet. It was a Silverline so it may still fall apart, I wait with baited breath

Sindri · 2 May 2014 at 22:46

Clarkey said:
Err no. I'd like to see you even manage to get a bulky torque wrench onto brake or suspension fasteners, and you definitely don't need one for servicing.

Really? Never had any trouble myself. Didn't cause me any problems changing discs and pads this week - just used a standard socket wrench to tighten it most of the way then a torque wrench for the last bit.