Torque wrenches

[kjjz28]

Thanks for all the input folks!

One more question, I've been told a beam/pointer type is good for ft. lbs and a dial is good for in. lbs....does anyone use a pointer type for ft. lbs? Guess I'm a bit skeptical on the accuracy of those?

[VET393]

Originally Posted by char393

Just out of curiosity, where does one have a torque wrench calibrated?

I can have mine calibrated by Mac Tools.

And I use the beam/pointer type FT/LB just on my axles at riding areas.It is in my tool box I take with me when I ride.

[Woody_393]

I have a craftsman 3/8" that I love. I bought the little more expensive one that goes from 5 ft/lbs to 80 ft/lbs (I thinks it's 80), and it's been awesome. Worked for everything on my CRF -- which is why I made sure it went to 5 ft/lbs.

It was $80 at the time, which was about 3-4 years ago.

[Mainjet2001]

Originally Posted by char393

I have the same one JohnJon... we use ours quite a bit..me likey

They did offer us the torque wrench too, but the impact made more sense for us.

Just out of curiosity, where does one have a torque wrench calibrated?

Hi gal....
You can go under Calibration Services in the yellow pages in your area and find a calibration vendor.

I work in a small 30 man aircraft assembly shop in which we use a bunch of torque wrenches. They run from .1 in/oz to 1000 ft/lbs. They are all calibrated and very in type (clicker, beam, torque watches & electronic). We have cheap ones and expensive ones and have bought a bunch off EBay.
We also have been schooled by Boeing and Parker Hannifin on the use of torque applications.
Having said that don't assume the cheap ones are less accurate. All the ones we bought off EBay only 1 clicker was bad. Yes, maybe we were lucky...
The schools will tell you that the beam wrench is the most accurate if you require dead accuracy. Does not mean the clickers are not accurate and I use them a lot on aircraft parts.

There is a lot of info out there if you Google Torque wrenches and calibration.

[Dirtbikindad393]

Originally Posted by Big Maico 393

I've had my Craftsman for about twice that long & it's still working just find, it's a wonder as I can be ham fisted sometimes

That thing is so old its the pointer bar that points at the number instead of a clicker type isn't H?

[Mainjet2001]

Originally Posted by Dirtbikindad393

That thing is so old its the pointer bar that points at the number instead of a clicker type isn't H?

Dane....you told me Howard is a "clicker".

[2fun]

Lots of excellent info here!!

I would give it a vote for the knowledge base forums when it has run its course!

[2fun]

Originally Posted by The Baron

FYI - ALWAYS turn the clicker type wrenches to zero after each use otherwise the calibration will be garbage.

Good to know, but why exactly is that?

[2fun]

I jus read this on a another site on a google search. Sounds interesting.

"I check my torque wrench by putting the square drive in a vise, extending the arm out horizontally, and pushing down precisely 1 foot from the center of the square drive while standing on a bathroom scale. With the wrench set to 60 ft-lb, I should be 60 lb lighter when the wrench clicks.

I'm sure it looks odd, but it works."

I guess you could try this if you have an accurate scale and no money to spend on calibration??

For that matter, I guess you could hook up one of those "pull" fish scales??

[2fun]

Here is a link to another good article on the subject!!

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

[04whyzee]

The reason for turning your torque wrench dial back to 0 is that it releases the tension on the spring inside of the wrench. Keeping tension on the parts in the wrench just causes the little springs and such that make it work wear out quicker!

[liftman]

I dont know why but the place we get our torque wrenches calibrated at work tell us to always reset to 0 when not using. We use several sizes of the clicker kind and all have worked well for me.

[mynewcr250]

snap on here

[Dan151]

i just picked up a Husky torque wrench at Homedepot, works great and a fair price too

[samcr108]

I bought mine at harbor freight and I have always properly unloaded it after use and its still an inaccurite POS! ive broken 2 bolts since i bought it...

i broke one tonight while putting the clutch back in my CR125...no more riding till i can take it to the shop and have them pull the basket since i dont have the tool to take it out...

im about to throw the thing in the trash and go to sears tomorrow and buy a digital craftsman...(what i should have done in the first place)

[Mainjet2001]

Originally Posted by samcr108

I bought mine at harbor freight and I have always properly unloaded it after use and its still an inaccurite POS! ive broken 2 bolts since i bought it...

i broke one tonight while putting the clutch back in my CR125...no more riding till i can take it to the shop and have them pull the basket since i dont have the tool to take it out...

im about to throw the thing in the trash and go to sears tomorrow and buy a digital craftsman...(what i should have done in the first place)

What should the torque be and what was the reading you applied to the bolt (off the torque wrench?

[donnie]

Huskey is a nice torque wrench. It's not a arm and a leg and it repeats. Buy it and have it tested on a snap-on truck if you can. It your in the Torrance area I have a torque wrench checker at my shop.

Thanks Donnie

[Darin]

I have a built in torque wrench. It's in my head, it has 2 settings. "Loose", and "tight". Never had a screw, bolt, or nut come loose on me.

[2001hondacr125]

i highley discourge anyone from buying cheap torque wrenches because they ARE junk, they r very inaccurate my dad works on cars and told me that what ever i done not to buy a cheap torque wrench. Hes got a snap-on and craftsman one which both work great

[Woody_393]

When it comes to tools, I think the adage "You get what you pay for" applies. I know it has for me.