Author Topic: Purchasing a torque wrench: what range for whole bike? (Read 7531 times)

evanphi · « **on:** October 24, 2013, 05:33:35 AM »

What is the range for torque specs on the CB750? ie: lowest torque, highest torque?

MoMo · « **Reply #1 on:** October 24, 2013, 05:48:11 AM »

I have a Snap On 0-100 3/8 drive clicker torque wrench-covers everything on a motorcycle.

evanphi · « **Reply #2 on:** October 24, 2013, 05:49:35 AM »

Quote from: MoMo on October 24, 2013, 05:48:11 AM

I have a Snap On 0-100 3/8 drive clicker torque wrench-covers everything on a motorcycle.

That was going to be another Q... is a 3/8 drive enough?

crazypj · « **Reply #3 on:** October 24, 2013, 06:05:14 AM »

None are particularly accurate at the end of ranges, I have 3 one inch pounds for small stuff, 3/8" drive that does 10~50ft/lbs and a half inch drive 'somewhere safe' I don't remember the last time I used it

MoMo · « **Reply #4 on:** October 24, 2013, 06:22:28 AM »

Quote from: evanphi on October 24, 2013, 05:49:35 AM

Quote from: MoMo on October 24, 2013, 05:48:11 AM
I have a Snap On 0-100 3/8 drive clicker torque wrench-covers everything on a motorcycle.

That was going to be another Q... is a 3/8 drive enough?

For a motorcycle, yes. Two wrenches would be ideal if you can afford it( one in inch pounds for the smaller 6mm and one in foot pounds for the larger). I torque head bolts, case bolts, rods and crank bearings and alternator and clutch hub nuts-most everything else is done sans torque wrench. After 40 years one develops a feel for tightening nuts/bolts...Larry

evanphi · « **Reply #5 on:** October 24, 2013, 07:00:25 AM »

I was thinking of getting an electronic one, actually. But looking at the reviews, it seems it won't go low enough for bike parts.

I'll just have to keep an eye out for sales.

flybox1 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 24, 2013, 07:17:42 AM »

i have 2 i got from harbor freight. 3/8" 0-200inlbs and a 1/2" 20-150ftlbs.
about $20 ea. accuracy is +/- 4%

evanphi · « **Reply #7 on:** October 24, 2013, 10:06:40 AM »

Quote from: flybox1 on October 24, 2013, 07:17:42 AM

i have 2 i got from harbor freight. 3/8" 0-200inlbs and a 1/2" 20-150ftlbs.
about $20 ea. accuracy is +/- 4%

We just got a Princess Auto in my city (same as HF). Going to go check for some sales!

thirsty 1 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 24, 2013, 10:37:21 AM »

Just because its new doesn't mean it's accurate. Especially the Harbor Freight wrenches. I personally would not buy a cheap torque wrench. Go with a Snap on, Mac, Matco, or similar.... at least they'll be close to calibrated accurate. Ebay is your friend when it comes to tools.

lone*X · « **Reply #9 on:** October 24, 2013, 10:38:14 AM »

Princess Auto! All I could think about was pink handled tools.

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #10 on:** October 24, 2013, 10:54:25 AM »

You really do need 2. At about 15 ft-lbs and below most 3/8 wrenches just aren't that accurate.

I use a 1/4" calibrated in in-lbs for low end needs which includes my MG (12 ft-lbs for exhaust manifold nuts) and my bicycles.

Just multiple ft-lb by 12 to get in-lb, or get a free garage app if you have a smart phone. I use Garage Buddy Pro, which I got for free, but usually costs money. But it's worth the couple bucks as it will do all kinds of useful conversions and calculations.

thirsty 1 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 24, 2013, 11:25:49 AM »

I have a Mac Tools 1/4" inch pound 30"-180" and a snap on 5-75ft lb

Pecantree · « **Reply #12 on:** October 24, 2013, 07:59:26 PM »

Recommend two also!
A 1/4 drive in. pound and a 3/8 foot pound.
The 3/8 is a good quality one. The 1/4 is a HF piece of crap.
BUT, It's a consistent piece of crap!!!!!
I've calibrated /correlated it so I know when it reads
61" it's really 70" lbs.
75" 90" lbs
82" 102" lbs.
96" 120" lbs.

I've checked it over several years 4 or 5 times and it stays the same.
Also, when you store a click type torque wrench release the tension in the spring.
Google how to calibrate a torque wrench. Easily done if you have a scale.
Good Luck
Steve

crazypj · « **Reply #13 on:** October 24, 2013, 08:04:41 PM »

Quote from: thirsty 1 on October 24, 2013, 10:37:21 AM

Just because its new doesn't mean it's accurate. Especially the Harbor Freight wrenches. I personally would not buy a cheap torque wrench. Go with a Snap on, Mac, Matco, or similar.... at least they'll be close to calibrated accurate. Ebay is your friend when it comes to tools.

Surprisingly, there was a test done in one of the car magazines and HF was as accurate as anything out there, even more accurate in certain ranges which surprised everyone - me included

Gman · « **Reply #14 on:** October 25, 2013, 09:41:35 AM »

I bought an electronic one that fits on the end of a regular ratchet (or breaker bar). Covers the whole range, cheap, and works great - I can see the torque value I'm getting as I wrench, vs. just going in blind until I get the click (depends on the kind of torque wrench you use, I suppose). I also have 2 HF 3/8" and 1/2" and tested them against the e-torque unit. They are pretty accurate...

Good luck,
G

City Boy · « **Reply #15 on:** October 25, 2013, 10:03:57 AM »

Hey Gman.I have been looking at buying an e-torque unit like you describe.Are you able to check it for accuracy?Thanks Jim

Mista750 · « **Reply #16 on:** October 25, 2013, 10:36:50 AM »

Quote from: flybox1 on October 24, 2013, 07:17:42 AM

i have 2 i got from harbor freight. 3/8" 0-200inlbs and a 1/2" 20-150ftlbs.
about $20 ea. accuracy is +/- 4%

+1. And both with a lifetime warranty!

thirsty 1 · « **Reply #17 on:** October 25, 2013, 10:46:34 AM »

Quote from: crazypj on October 24, 2013, 08:04:41 PM

Quote from: thirsty 1 on October 24, 2013, 10:37:21 AM
Just because its new doesn't mean it's accurate. Especially the Harbor Freight wrenches. I personally would not buy a cheap torque wrench. Go with a Snap on, Mac, Matco, or similar.... at least they'll be close to calibrated accurate. Ebay is your friend when it comes to tools.

Surprisingly, there was a test done in one of the car magazines and HF was as accurate as anything out there, even more accurate in certain ranges which surprised everyone - me included

Huh? interesting. I suppose. I'll stick with the good stuff. The amount of money you can pay for repairs to cases ect. would, to me, pay off for the price of a quality tool. That's just me. If the HF stuff works, then hell use it.

JamesReid · « **Reply #18 on:** January 05, 2020, 07:54:06 PM »

hi mates, i'm planning to rebuild my bike. i have a friend of my working in tool shop who can give me great discount. Please advice what would be the best torque wrench when in comes to price and durability here is the list. Thanks in advance.

dave500 · « **Reply #19 on:** January 05, 2020, 11:14:00 PM »

if you got the money get this,or the equivalent in kinchrome brand,i don't like the micrometer types.
https://sydneytools.com.au/product/warren-brown-321500-38-drive-5120nm-deflecting-beam-torque-wrench

Korven · « **Reply #20 on:** January 06, 2020, 02:02:28 AM »

Mostly i use the 0-20NM wrenches to avoid any strippings (0-15lbs) to avoid any stripping on smaller bolts. I bought a midsegment one that i hope will last a long time, remembering to relase the tension while storing.
3/8" 4-20 NM ± 3 %. As far as Accuracy goes, the shop manuals seem to specify a pretty wide range. for example the general m6 bolts usually vary from 8-12Nm.

We tested on of those "mechanical" wrenches with the pointer at work (0-200NM) that you can get for 10usd. It was pretty accurate, for the price, it stayed around 5% and was consistent. im curious to see how much these stray away in range over time because of stress.

My friend bought a cheap Wrench on ebay, it doesnt "snap" back when it reached its torque so you manually have to push it back after each. We have stripped alot of threads with this one because of that fault. it looks just like this one below.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Multifunctional-Drive-Torque-Ratchet-Wrench-Adjustable-Micrometer-Torque-Wrench/283692434947?hash=item420d630603:g:mlsAAOSwD6Vd4GgY

web · « **Reply #21 on:** January 06, 2020, 06:43:50 AM »

Regardless, be wary of any torque wrench advertising wider than a 1:5 range.
That's almost impossible to achieve linearly, with one spring.

I tried one of those cheap 10-210Nm 1/2" wrenches once (that's like 7.5 to 150 lbs), and despite good reviews, sure enough it snapped a bolt or two before I calibrated it.

Turns out it read way low below 40Nm (~30lbs), i.e. set to 10Nm it would do nearer 20 than 10. Enough to consistently snap every 6mm bolt rated 10Nm.
With a large heavy wrench, it's also hard to feel such small torques by hand, so your sense of "this can't be right" is also clouded. Another reason to not get a big ass one-size-fits-all.

But I still use it for anything above 50Nm - that's where it's totally fine despite the low price.
I have a 10-50Nm 3/8" now, to fill the gap. Anything smaller, I torque by feel.

05c50 · « **Reply #22 on:** January 06, 2020, 07:00:26 AM »

I have a few different torgue wrenches including a couple HF. I've checked the calibration and they're close. My biggest problem with the HF wrenches is that I have a hard time reading the settings, the engraving isn't as deep and clear as other brands.

.....Paul

ckahleer · « **Reply #23 on:** January 06, 2020, 07:32:29 AM »

Always check your torque wrench for accuracy in the range you are going to use it.
I think there are more stories of stripped threads/broken bolts, from people using torque wrenches then people not using them.
Get a luggage scale and test it with various barbell weights. Then use the luggage scale to test your torque wrench.
Also, torque specs are for clean, dry threads. Clamping force ( bolt breaking/stripping force) is increased if the threads are oily.

web · « **Reply #24 on:** January 06, 2020, 08:18:48 AM »

I used a "calibrated" jug of water :-)

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Author Topic: Purchasing a torque wrench: what range for whole bike? (Read 7531 times)