Torque wrench hunt

[Randall]

OK, I decided to go looking for one. I went to some local hardware stores. They do stock the Taiwan ones but many of them keep telling me not to get them. The calibrations look very dubious because there is no certificate. All the hardware shop uncles say if you are serious and want insurance from proper calibration, don't get Taiwan ones.

 

What they recommend? Over the top in price ones like Britool or Armstrong. For a simple one that has a range from 6Nm to 33Nm is $165 for a Britool. The Armstrong one is worse and I will not mention anymore for fear of having your jaws drop onto your keyboard.

 

So what about eBay? US ones are good. I've been spying on eBay and the DIY torque wrenches for simple jobs like oil sump drain plug to spark plugs with 3/8" drive can be bought at USD5-16 lowest but the shipping even within continental USA is around USD15 making the total cost around USD60. So you can imagine the shipping from the US to here. Most are manufactured in the US and have calibration certificates to meet Federal standards.

 

I am using armstrong torque range which i bought locally...S$200+ i think 1 yr ago..I choose the range which ranges from spark plug torque to wheel nut torque range...just a reminder do not use torque wrench for loosening nut hoh.

 

All-in-all, if you get one from eBay, they should cost less than a Britool that is sold locally.

 

But of course, nothing beats the shear joy of owning a Britool or an Armstrong.

[Eyke]

here's a review of torque wrenches:

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/product_test/...e_wrenches.html

 

toying with the idea of getting one to tighten wheel nuts, seeing that most shops use air wrenches.

 

to what torque do air wrenches tighten?

[Genie47]

The air wrenches have a torque limiter but most use a one size fits all limiter.

[Eyke]

any idea what's the torque limit for most air wrenches?

 

if it's not too much over the recommended wheel nut tightening torque limit, then maybe i should just follow the herd and leave it to the shop...

[Genie47]

I have no idea what limiters they are using. The Kamasa looks pretty solid for the price.

[Megalord]

It really depends on the brand, make etc. The "air ratchet" is hell of a weak of those of 1/2" size, that time we were doing indenting, saw this forgot what brand(US or europian branded), but very good stuff, the torque only 40 or 70 max only, though the speed hell of a fast. Good for normal job that removes bolts and nuts @ tight places. Normal ones(gun shapped) like... OMG, forgot the brand, bluepoint or blueprint or something like that, can easily go up to 170NM with their 1/2" drive ones. the 3/4 drive one can wack above 400NM. The jap ones we had seem to be slightly weaker for the same drive. So far those i met, are all adjustable, but beware, when they gradually wear out, the numberings are no longer accurate or even precise. That time i got to tune to max(for a aged 1/2 drive air wrench) just to remove something of 110NM.

As such, try to torque it yourself as you see even the most common 1/2" drive one can dish out so much torque.

Edited April 20, 2005 by Megalord

[Eyke]

let's say change tires/rims, has anyone ask shop mechs to hand-tighten then DIY tighten with torque wrench?

 

or better still, got any shops using torque wrenches?

[Genie47]

In the US, this is possible. You can request for hand tighten with torque wrench. Here, they might look at you with the "you siao issit?"

[Megalord]

Careful with hand tightening, the torque that can be applied is tremendous. There was once my kaki was applying force on a extended T-bar using body weight(you know, sort of half squart while using upper body pressure to press the T-bar down), then dunno how he slipped and the full body weight went to the T-bar, and walla~ The thread broke.

Edit* As for shops, i only heard of one that uses torque wrench, and unfortunately, i forgot where or which shop. One of the toyota forums has mentioned about it. However, i dunno how often the wrench has been used and how calibrated, but at least it shouldn't be far from the value inserted, that is, still got standard.

Edited April 21, 2005 by Megalord

[Qooo]

Hi Genie!

 

How much did you pay for the Britool Torque wrench? Can PM me the price?

 

Thanks!

[Genie47]

$150.

[Qooo]

Thanks bro!

 

Will be checking it out soon!

[Pdesign1]

Is this brand any good? Not sure about the price though. Found their distributor in Sg. Not yet contact.

 

 

http://www.norbar.com/products_range.php&c...range_multid=10

Edited June 21, 2006 by Pdesign1

[Genie47]

Dunno about it. To me, it could be made in China or Taiwan since it is American brand.

[Pdesign1]

I keep seeing this Tekka mart name surfacing. What kind of brands of torque wrench can we get from there?

 

Any brands worth to buy there? The Tekka mart shop is a shop specialising in automotive tools or general hardware shop? Shop name?

 

From your reply, does it mean better to avoid american brands?

 

I was thinking of change the spark plugs myself. There is this plastic cover, the screws on it requires a "star" tip driver, think it is call Tor type. Where can I find this type? Those I saw at DIY shops are like too small.

 

Thanks

[Yeobh]

Many configuration of Torx bits, photo show tox bit designed to suit some european car cylinder head covers

[Genie47]

Tekka mainly has Japanese or British ones. These are the still made in Japan or the UK. US ones, usually, due to the bottomline kind of mentality in running businesses have theirs made in the Chinas.

[Pdesign1]

The Tekka place sell the Torx bits set?

 

How to tell the size to buy?

 

Cos like allen keys got 5mm, 6mm, 8mm ..... But Torx is in what?