Torque wrench, what size? | Page 2 | GTAMotorcycle.com

Torque wrench, what size?

Just make sure you check them occasionally. I had the 1/2" one go out of cal by a mile (set at 100 would give you 70). Now I check them yearly or before an important job. Socket clamped in vice, strap around handle at known distance with known weight, it should be just clicking and should unclick with a slight upward force.


need to make sure you're backing them off after use. that will throw them out of calibration over a period of time
 
Just make sure you check them occasionally. I had the 1/2" one go out of cal by a mile (set at 100 would give you 70). Now I check them yearly or before an important job. Socket clamped in vice, strap around handle at known distance with known weight, it should be just clicking and should unclick with a slight upward force.


How does one get them checked? I have two wrenches from a Princess Auto sale from over 5 years ago.

I'm wondering if calibrating them costs more than buying new ones on sale
 
Clamp the end of it in a vise. Set it at 20ft/lb. Hang a 20lb weight 12" from the clamped end. Did it just barely click? If yes, you're good.
 
Clamp the end of it in a vise. Set it at 20ft/lb. Hang a 20lb weight 12" from the clamped end. Did it just barely click? If yes, you're good.
+ You just described how to make a custom torque wrench if you don't have a torque wrench (y)
 
Clamp the end of it in a vise. Set it at 20ft/lb. Hang a 20lb weight 12" from the clamped end. Did it just barely click? If yes, you're good.
I try to check them at a few different torques close to the values I care about. For the 1/2" I use 60 lbs of steel (because that's what I had kicking around) at 18" for cal at 90 ft-lbs. I clamp an impact socket in the vice so I dont chew up the flats on the torque wrench and the larger surface against the jaws is much more stable..
 
How are the Princess Auto ones? this one is a "hot buy" at the moment:
3/8 - 19.99 3/8 in. dr Click-Type Torque Wrench | Princess Auto

the also have:
1/4 - 39.99 1/4 in. dr Click-Type Torque Wrench | Princess Auto
1/2 - 49.99 1/2 in. dr Torque Wrench | Princess Auto
The silver are the standard chinesium fare. Nothing special but if you check them using weights I would use them. Check the PA reviews, the 1/2" seems to be junk.
My PA 1/2" drive was ok for about 10 uses, then the mechanism inside broke and it no longer works at all. Next time I'll buy mastercraft brand.

Sent from my SM-A530W using Tapatalk
 
The silver are the standard chinesium fare. Nothing special but if you check them using weights I would use them. Check the PA reviews, the 1/2" seems to be junk.

My PA 1/2" drive was ok for about 10 uses, then the mechanism inside broke and it no longer works at all. Next time I'll buy mastercraft brand.

Sent from my SM-A530W using Tapatalk

Ok so 1/2 is off the books! thanks!

the other 2 seem to have good review, may end up getting those
 
Ok so 1/2 is off the books! thanks!

the other 2 seem to have good review, may end up getting those
I also have the 1/4 and 3/8. Both have been fine until I somehow left the 3/8 outside and it completely rusted solid. Not their fault obviously.

Sent from my SM-A530W using Tapatalk
 
I also have the 1/4 and 3/8. Both have been fine until I somehow left the 3/8 outside and it completely rusted solid. Not their fault obviously.

Sent from my SM-A530W using Tapatalk
The upside to a $20 torque wrench is you don't need to waste $20 of evaporust and a lot of time trying to recover it.
 
Look for the CT Maximum 3/8" and 1/2" on sale. I have both sizes and they cover everything I need for bike + car tire changes
Actually the DeWalt ones that CT sells are better (and they go on sale too) - they have a lifetime warranty. (CT *used* to sell these as Maximum wrenches, but they changed them to something slightly crappier and killed the warranty - I have these wrenches in Maximum form)

Edit: That reminds me, should go trade in my 1/2" - the ratcheting head is starting to freeze up
 
Actually the DeWalt ones that CT sells are better (and they go on sale too) - they have a lifetime warranty. (CT *used* to sell these as Maximum wrenches, but they changed them to something slightly crappier and killed the warranty - I have these wrenches in Maximum form)

Edit: That reminds me, should go trade in my 1/2" - the ratcheting head is starting to freeze up
My 1/2" CT maximum ratchet used to freeze up all the time. I got annoyed and pulled it apart. Light lube and it has never done it again.
 
My PA 1/2" has seen a fair bit of use over the years. Still works. Still in spec.
The problem with PA, mastercrap etc is from the outside they sell it as a "mastercraft maximum 1/2" torque wrench" but the contents may change every year based on the supplier with the best price. You obviously got part of a good batch, based on the current reviews they are not selling a good batch right now. Next year they may be great again.
 
The actual real problem with them is that tool shops will laugh at you if you ask them to calibrate them
 
The actual real problem with them is that tool shops will laugh at you if you ask them to calibrate them
That's just snobbery, not reality (for most torque wrenches, I am sure there are some that can't be brought into spec). Even theoretically reputable companies like MAC are just buying from a factory and rebranding. I don't know of any home gamers that are paying for a cal sticker on their tools.
 

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