Torque Wrench Recommendations

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Torque Wrench Recommendations

Postby jcabiles » Thu Dec 01, 2016 8:54 pm

Looking for recommendations for a quality torque wrench. I have a small one that I use for oil changes and gear oil changes.


Looking for one (probably 3/4 inch drive) that will cover the higher torque settings on my RT.

My winter project is to change out my disk brakes.

Cost not a consideration at this point. Want to look at all options.
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Re: Torque Wrench Recommendations

Postby JimVonBaden » Thu Dec 01, 2016 11:21 pm

Go with the 1/2" torque wrench. It will cover what you need.

My preference is the Harbor Freight for $9.99 on sale. It is well calibrated and works well.

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Re: Torque Wrench Recommendations

Postby bdimon » Thu Dec 01, 2016 11:43 pm

I am fond of Sears' Craftsman brand and a couple of years ago bought a 3/4 and a 1/2 inch torque wrenches. I was going to buy one for my son-in-law for Christmas. It was half off so I bought two for me as well. 8)

I like the 3/4 inch wrench because it is smaller and is calibrated for a lower range than the 3/4 inch wrench. I use it for most fasteners but switch to the 1/2 inch for the bigger things.

Check out the Sears ads. They always have tools on sale this time of year.
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Re: Torque Wrench Recommendations

Postby Rick F. » Fri Dec 02, 2016 5:26 pm

jcabiles,

When my wife Nancy and I got married 45 1/2 years ago, she gave me a Craftsman 1/2" drive beam-type torque wrench as my wedding present. It's worked flawlessly ever since, as have the Craftsman ⅜" and 1/2" click-type torque wrenches I've acquired over the years. Having said all that, it would be hard to beat the price of the Harbor Freight one that Jim mentioned.

Happy wrenching,

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Re: Torque Wrench Recommendations

Postby JimVonBaden » Fri Dec 02, 2016 8:23 pm

bdimon wrote:I am fond of Sears' Craftsman brand and a couple of years ago bought a 3/4 and a 1/2 inch torque wrenches. I was going to buy one for my son-in-law for Christmas. It was half off so I bought two for me as well. 8)

I like the 3/4 inch wrench because it is smaller and is calibrated for a lower range than the 3/4 inch wrench. I use it for most fasteners but switch to the 1/2 inch for the bigger things.

Check out the Sears ads. They always have tools on sale this time of year.

I think you are confusing 3/8 with 3/4.

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Re: Torque Wrench Recommendations

Postby bdimon » Fri Dec 02, 2016 9:38 pm

JimVonBaden wrote:
bdimon wrote:I like the 3/4 inch wrench because it is smaller and is calibrated for a lower range than the 3/4 inch wrench. I use it for most fasteners but switch to the 1/2 inch for the bigger things.

Check out the Sears ads. They always have tools on sale this time of year.

I think you are confusing 3/8 with 3/4.

Jim :cool:

I'm dying of embarrassment. :emb:

If I had only written it once, I would claim it was a typo. :oops:

Thanks for the correction, Jim.
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Re: Torque Wrench Recommendations

Postby JimVonBaden » Fri Dec 02, 2016 11:30 pm

bdimon wrote:
JimVonBaden wrote:
bdimon wrote:I like the 3/4 inch wrench because it is smaller and is calibrated for a lower range than the 3/4 inch wrench. I use it for most fasteners but switch to the 1/2 inch for the bigger things.

Check out the Sears ads. They always have tools on sale this time of year.

I think you are confusing 3/8 with 3/4.

Jim :cool:

I'm dying of embarrassment. :emb:

If I had only written it once, I would claim it was a typo. :oops:

Thanks for the correction, Jim.

LOL It is nothing. I have done way worse!

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Re: Torque Wrench Recommendations

Postby Anton » Sun Dec 04, 2016 2:09 pm

What's the smaller one?

For me:
Small is 1/4" or 3/8" drive, rated for 20 ft-lb (27 Nm), used up to 20 Nm. Mine was originally 1/4 but I had a 3/8 head installed when new.
Medium is 3/8" drive, rated to 100 ft-lb (135 Nm) but I generally only use it up to 50 Nm due to the relatively short handle length.
Big is 1/2" drive, rated to 250 ft-lb (340 Nm) used for lugs and drivetrain stuff up to 220 Nm which I think is the highest spec I have encountered on BMWs.

I use electronic wrenches but you can get accurate and reliable results for far less expense. The Craftsman clickers are very well regarded and you can often get a set of three, roughly matching what I described above, for somewhere in the sub-$100 range if you wait for the right special.


jcabiles wrote:Looking for recommendations for a quality torque wrench. I have a small one that I use for oil changes and gear oil changes.
Looking for one (probably 3/4 inch drive) that will cover the higher torque settings on my RT.
My winter project is to change out my disk brakes.
Cost not a consideration at this point. Want to look at all options.
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Re: Torque Wrench Recommendations

Postby bdimon » Mon Dec 05, 2016 1:28 am

I just checked and both the 1/2 and 3/8 (yes, this time I got it right :lol: ) torque wrenches are on sale for $50 each.
http://www.sears.com/search=craftsman%20torque%20wrench
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