wide range torque w...
 

  You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more

[Closed] wide range torque wrench(s)

14 Posts
3 Users
0 Reactions
91 Views
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

i'm after a torque wrench (or 2) for everything form fork internals to van mechanics.
found this one which covers the whole range in one (i need 7.3Nm min to 110Nm max). it say 7-112Nm.
any chance at either end it'll not be as accurate?
is 3/8" drive a bit puny for 110Nm?

so should i get this one or a small and a big - a 1/4" poss with hex bits and a 1/2" for the van?


 
Posted : 03/11/2015 12:36 pm
Posts: 11605
Free Member
 

I have a Teng 3/8 that does 20 to 100Nm, if you can afford both I'd say get the ¼ and 3/8. The Teng ones have a 25-45 gap if you got the ½ over the 3/8 and to be honest I've never needed the extra grunt the ½ offers, if I did its only £55

Dont buy cheap shite either.


 
Posted : 03/11/2015 12:57 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

If it says it's good for 112 Nm then it should be good for 112 Nm - although 3/8" does sound a bit puny to me...

No way I'd put that near my fork internals though...

I'd do as you suggest and get 1/4" and 1/2" to cover the range.

I'll leave aside usual torque wrench accuracy debate especially for low torque fasteners...


 
Posted : 03/11/2015 12:58 pm
Posts: 11605
Free Member
 

As I said though there is a massive gap between the two ½ and ¼ wrenches I compared.

3/8 is fine for the torques given, why wouldn't it be? Think about it.


 
Posted : 03/11/2015 1:04 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

sure, obviously, but still, it's nice to be on 1/2" sometimes for peace of mind.
i do also need 110, not 100.
saw the teng tho, looks good for the money

jemima, are you implying that something that goes up to 112Nm may not be that sensitive/accurate don at 7Nm?

forgot to add the link:
http://www.toolstop.co.uk/sealey-stw1011-torque-wrench-micrometer-style-3-8sq-drive-7-112nm-5-83lb.ft-p15780

it is a sealey, = not bad brand no?


 
Posted : 03/11/2015 1:13 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I wasn't questioning your points - I was responding to OP whilst you posted.
But I do make my points based upon thinking about it.
According to Snap On a torque wrench should be selected to operate mostly in the middle of it's design range as they become less accurate at either end and this is more critical at the low end (as the error may be a constant percentage of the full-torque value so much bigger percentage error when compared to low-torque value). Even when compliant to standard the allowable error may be up to 16% of a low torque and this is in addition to the usual 25-50% error you can get with torque wrench tightening (due to friction etc).
So the question is on a £700 set of forks do you really want to inadvertently tighten your 7 Nm fastener to perhaps 12 Nm??
Also, I would personally not feel comfortable using a wrench capable of 110 Nm on the insides of my forks - fundamentally its just big and unwieldy for fiddly wee fasteners which just increases the risk of doing something stupid...


 
Posted : 03/11/2015 1:18 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

jemima, are you implying that something that goes up to 112Nm may not be that sensitive/accurate don at 7Nm?

Yes - precisely 🙂


 
Posted : 03/11/2015 1:19 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

yep, good, thanks. i'm persuaded.
i'll get 2 : )


 
Posted : 03/11/2015 1:20 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Good man. A 1/2" drive (longer) wrench is also much easier to apply the larger torques. I use a 300 mm long 3/8" drive and it's ok around 60-90 Nm but starts to need a fair old grunt above this (maybe I'm puny...)

I would personally avoid the Sealey tools though... but I am a tool snob...


 
Posted : 03/11/2015 1:23 pm
Posts: 11605
Free Member
 

Ah I misunderstood, I thought you were saying that it was too weedy to apply the torques it is specified for (and by possible implication you are one of those 'and a quarter turn for good luck' types).

My mistake entirely.

By torques given I meant specified, just check the two you want have a decent overlap, as I said the ½ and ¼ might have no overlap at all so you may end up worse off (financially, you can never be worse off for having more tools!)

Sealy aren't bad per-se but when I was in the same boat I decided my Teng was the best at that price point. Non calibrated as I'm lucky enough to have access to a setting jig.


 
Posted : 03/11/2015 3:12 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

i am a tool snob too, so i may just get a bike one for now, and a good 1/2" one next time i've got something to do on the van. it was at least a metre scaffolding pole on the end of the drive last time, so i'll get a half inch i reckon!


 
Posted : 03/11/2015 4:32 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

haha - sounds like you want 3/4"... 😀


 
Posted : 03/11/2015 4:39 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

aye, that as well. socket is 3/4 righty nuff.
but how often would you use a 3/4" torque wrench?
unless you repair tractors etc : )


 
Posted : 03/11/2015 7:03 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

righty nuff? You must be from my part of the world...


 
Posted : 03/11/2015 9:51 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

scottish borders? probably not


 
Posted : 04/11/2015 5:08 pm

6 DAYS LEFT
We are currently at 95% of our target!