Racing roadkill
Guru
It’s always best to use a torque wrench where possible, it reduces the risk of unnecessary damage to components, or general over tightening, or indeed under tightening, which can be just as bad.
Is a torque wrench really necessary ?
- Thread starter snazpizaz
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Pale Rider
Legendary Member
We had a £300 Snap-On torque wrench in the garage where I worked.
Proper bit of kit, as it should be for the money.
I was taught not to use it as a ratchet handle, not sure why.
It was only ever used for head gasket bolts.
I can't see the point of one on a steel or ally bike.
Carbon may be a different matter, but I've never laid a spanner on a carbon frame.
Do you have a link by any chance please
Levo-Lon
Guru
I used a torque wrench on my motorcycles ,but most of them would do well over 160mph
Never used on my cycles as I use feel, and I've never trashed a thread.
My son in law on the other hand seems to judge all torque by car wheel nut application
If you aren't confident with feel then use a torque wrench especially on critical bolts.
Also be aware that tightening a bolt with coppa slip grease ect applied will change the torque value so remember torque is for Dry threads and treads with blue loctight etc.
Never used on my cycles as I use feel, and I've never trashed a thread.
My son in law on the other hand seems to judge all torque by car wheel nut application
If you aren't confident with feel then use a torque wrench especially on critical bolts.
Also be aware that tightening a bolt with coppa slip grease ect applied will change the torque value so remember torque is for Dry threads and treads with blue loctight etc.
Levo-Lon
Guru
Bet you don't use them on your bikes though.
Allan keys and torx keys pretty much cover it
rogerzilla
Legendary Member
I only use one for axle nuts on SA hubs (25Nm and they can strip at 40Nm) or on fixies (30Nm suffices on plain steel dropouts; chromed ones need more).
Rusty Nails
We remember
- Location
- Living in the slow lane
I would have thought that's too tight for most nuts/bolts on a bike.
HMS_Dave
Grand Old Lady
Not very often to be fair, i use them to repair lawnmowers as a side business of mine and various other mechanical jobs. Of course, my dad gave me the tools just so he can do his mechanical work on my drive and not on his.
He thinks im daft and maybe i am 
keithmac
Guru
I've got two Snap-on Torque wrenches (I know Mitotoyo made their Vernier calipers and Micrometers so possibly had a hand in these as well).
Had one out today as it happens for a head gasket job, that's all mine get used for generally.
I would say if you aren't used to tightening fasteners then they are a good tool to have.
As for using it as a general ratchet no chance!, mine come out of their boxes to dona job then straight back in again (unwound)..
D
Deleted member 1258
Guest
I have a tendency to overtighten things, I have a torque wrench for the smaller stuff.
Levo-Lon
Guru
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
Necessary - not if you've a well developed mechanical aptitude and lots of spanner ing experience.
Highly desirable- most certainly. As above though, the do require periodic recalibration, and all it takes is a fumble and to drop it on the floor and its liable to be out of whack anyway.
I do own a couple, but use them rarely.
Highly desirable- most certainly. As above though, the do require periodic recalibration, and all it takes is a fumble and to drop it on the floor and its liable to be out of whack anyway.
I do own a couple, but use them rarely.
Profpointy
Legendary Member
It's a very expensive high quality American brand of hand tools. Probably too expensive for what they are, but they are very nice.
