Cheapish inch-pounds torque wrench?

[dremu]

Any recommends on an inexpensive, occasional-use baby torque wrench, like 20-50in-lbs full scale?

Harbor Freight doesn't seem to have any, which is okay as their stuff can be TOO cheap ... Sears sells a KD Tools for ~$50 (found it elsewhere online for ~$40) ... anything else?

-- A

 

[4X4HIGH]

For what purpose are you wanting one? There are several different types of torque wrenches and a purpose for each type. There is a clicker type, dial type and a bar type.


FWIW, i've bought all of mine from E-bay and they are all snap-on and i got them cheap. Couple of them were brand new and others were slightly used. You can always have them calibrated after you buy them. I would not skimp on buying a cheap torque wrench though. Buy a good one or don't buy one at all.

 

[Confedneck79K30]

yeah, there really isnt a point to buying a cheap torque wrench, you want something that is quality and calibrated from the start, ive heard of kd and HF/northern versions being up to 25% off.... out of the box...

 

[dremu]

Well, I have a nice click-type 1/2" drive for doing the Real Stuff, but a little beam type one would be good for, say, checking drag on 14BFF pinions

That's why I said "cheapish", as I too firmly believe that a cheap tool is worse than no tool at all. Just can't justify a ton of money in this instance.

Thanks!

-- A

 

[K5Chris]

i have a KD 0-50 in/lb beam type, if your going to use it for pinion preload, you'll want something that goes lower than 20
.

 

[dremu]

i have a KD 0-50 in/lb beam type, if your going to use it for pinion preload, you'll want something that goes lower than 20
.

Yeah, so Scott told me in a PM. 20-25 top scale max.

More searchin'... thanks all!

-- A

 

[K5Chris]

maybe mine quits at 25..... been a while since i used it. i do know it goes down to 0....

 

[bowtiepower00]

They are $300+, but a Snap-on Techwrench allows you to adjust range, from NM, to FT-LB, to IN-LB, and adjust digitally. They also don't need to be "unwound" after each use. They are expensive, but they are very easy to use and save lots of time. Worth a look from anyone who uses a torque wrench frequently.

 

[HarryH3]

Here's one I have bookmarked, but it's 1/4-inch drive. You'll need a stack of adapters to get it to fit a socket big enough for a 14 bolt FF pinion nut.

 

[4X4HIGH]

An inch pound torque wrench that goes from 0-25 will be a 1/4" drive and will require a couple adapters.

The dial type would be best for checking pinion bearing preload.

 

[roadnotca]

Here's one I have bookmarked, but it's 1/4-inch drive. You'll need a stack of adapters to get it to fit a socket big enough for a 14 bolt FF pinion nut.

X2. That KD2955+two CalVan Tool push/pull adapters+crapsman 1/2>3/4 adapter. The CalVan is sold at Sears also.
I measure preload both CW & CCW and split the diff.

 

[dremu]

They are $300+, but a Snap-on Techwrench allows you to adjust range, from NM, to FT-LB, to IN-LB, and adjust digitally. They also don't need to be "unwound" after each use. They are expensive, but they are very easy to use and save lots of time. Worth a look from anyone who uses a torque wrench frequently.

As I said, I have a perfectly good 20-150 ft/lb clicker that's served me well thus far.

-- A

 

[dremu]

An inch pound torque wrench that goes from 0-25 will be a 1/4" drive and will require a couple adapters.

The dial type would be best for checking pinion bearing preload.

Adapters, no problem. I expect that. Dial type, check. (But I saw you using that beam type )

-- A

 

[4X4HIGH]

I used the beam type at work because my dial type is in my tool box here at home.

 

[dremu]

I used the beam type at work because my dial type is in my tool box here at home.

Hey, no arguments -- it worked for you

Other than a few random Ebay hits, though, I'm having trouble finding either style in such a small scale ... fortunately I won't be doing my other 14BFF for some time, i.e. until I regear... but it's still irritating

-- A

 

[4X4HIGH]

I've been keeping an eye out on e-bay for you as well. I'll let you know if and when i find one.

 

[blazinzuk]

Go to a bike shop they will have the beam benders in a small scale for pretty cheap if they sell tools

 

[mofugly13]

I have a dial-type, 0-30 inch pound range, 1/4" drive. It was around $70 and is made by CDI Torque Products Model #301LDIN. I'll see if I can dig up the link where I bought it.

EDIT: WOW, everywhere I find it online, it's twice as much as what I paid, or more! Yikes. It's a good wrench though, comes with a calibration cert. and a nice foam lined blow-molded case.