Torque Wrench

[brewsy]

All,
have got a couple of online shopping carts on the go now that I need to replace my tools.

Harbor Freight have a 3/8s drive torque wrench for $9.99 down from $19.99.

Obviously you get what you pay for but....
Will this thing read 30 lb/ft and actually strip the threads as I actually rip 200lb/ft or are they fairly OK?

Sears has a 3/8 for $65 but it only goes to 75 lb/ft and Id like to be able to accurately torque the big back nuts.

What say you people?
Anybody know of any other good deals?

Cheers,
Marc

[hawksonfire]

I dont know if the torque wrench you speak of is the kind that clicks when you get to the desired torque or the kind the kind that has a rod that bends across a graduated scale to the torque. If it's a clicker the cheaper ones tend to loose their calibration quickly....If its the other kind they tend to be more reliable as when they are out of calibration you can see the rod wont line up with zero anymore(bent rod)

[cfiiman]

I think it is a 1/2" for that price, man I would like to get that if it is any good, that is cheap!!!

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=239

[KDNYC]

I was told to be leery of inexpensive torque wrenches. If this is a one-time job, would it be possible to ride the bike to a shop and "rent" one from a mechanic? Are you keeping your bike in an mc garage that has a shop?

Cheapest reliable ones I've seen in that range are $200.

[KDNYC]

I dont know if the torque wrench you speak of is the kind that clicks when you get to the desired torque or the kind the kind that has a rod that bends across a graduated scale to the torque. If it's a clicker the cheaper ones tend to loose their calibration quickly....If its the other kind they tend to be more reliable as when they are out of calibration you can see the rod wont line up with zero anymore(bent rod)

Are you referring to this torque wrench? Craftsman's 3/8 goes up to 75/ft and the 1/2 to 150. http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...orque+Wrenches

[dagus]

Marc, this is the one we used last week - #239-6VGA. It is 1/2 drive. Works great for me... and FWIW I never heard anyone complain about Harbor Freight's quality out of actual experience!

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=239

[MrDude_1]

well, the only time i ever use a torque wrench is when i need to be accurate.... i wouldnt cheap out on it.

you're going to need atleast two.. because the closer to the ends of the scale on the wrench, the less accurate it becomes.

the cheap clicker ones are usually "kinda-sorta" close when new.. but they dont stay "accurate" long....

if you intend to keep it or use it often, id recommend spending the extra cash on a decent one... the cheapest one id trust would be that $65 sears one.. the club here has one in a "loaner set" we pass around for head swaps (on LS1s) and its worked great for about 3 years now.. it was tested in january and was still good.

[Hanadad]

I have to say save up for a little longer if you have to. I've tried the Harbor Freight stuff on several occasions and quality has always been compromised. For an infrequently used pneumatic cut off tool, thats fine, but for something you rely on for accuracy, and repeatability, the extra money is worth it.

Jeff

[cfiiman]

I tend to agree, but for 10 bucks to do a job with doesn't seem bad...The manufacture claims accuracy to 4%, I wonder how the quality control/monitoring of that statement is and for what period of time, I assume lifetime but again, who makes sure it does what they say it will...