Is a torque wrench really necessary ?

[Pale Rider]

A Snap-on torque wrench that just about covers the required range is about £300 - for a 4% accuracy one.

A 2% accuracy lower reading one would be twice that.

It's a different class of tool to a £30 home mechanic one, as it should be.

https://shop.snapon.com/product/New...atchet-Torque-Wrench-(5-25-N•m)/QD2RN25A

 

[mjr]

I had two ratchet wrenches go bad (one due to my inexperience and duff instructions, one just seemingly rubbish) and then switched to beam wrenches. A Topeak ComboTorq for the small stuff is about £15. A Draper automotive socket beam wrench for the tough stuff is slightly less. As long as stored unstressed, they shouldn't go out of whack unless the properties of metal change. Accuracy is whatever you can read off the scale with Mark 1 eyeball.

 

[snazpizaz]

I had two ratchet wrenches go bad (one due to my inexperience and duff instructions, one just seemingly rubbish) and then switched to beam wrenches. A Topeak ComboTorq for the small stuff is about £15. A Draper automotive socket beam wrench for the tough stuff is slightly less. As long as stored unstressed, they shouldn't go out of whack unless the properties of metal change. Accuracy is whatever you can read off the scale with Mark 1 eyeball.

Hi

Do you mean this for the Topeak :
https://www.topeak.com/global/en/products/shop-tools/639-combotorq-wrench-&-bit-set

I couldn't get an exact hit on google for a "Draper automotive socket beam wrench" - could you link to the type you mean ?

cheers again
sp

 

[Pale Rider]

Hi

Do you mean this for the Topeak :
https://www.topeak.com/global/en/products/shop-tools/639-combotorq-wrench-&-bit-set

I couldn't get an exact hit on google for a "Draper automotive socket beam wrench" - could you link to the type you mean ?

cheers again
sp

Those spring loaded torque wrenches aren't up to much.

You'd be better off with a thirty quid ratchet one.

 

[mjr]

Do you mean this for the Topeak :
https://www.topeak.com/global/en/products/shop-tools/639-combotorq-wrench-&-bit-set

I couldn't get an exact hit on google for a "Draper automotive socket beam wrench" - could you link to the type you mean ?

I've been and checked and the one I have is Draper 34487, available from lots of car spares places.

That's the Topeak, yes.

There is no spring involved in either, unlike a ratchet or those preset keys you can buy, so I think Pale Rider must be confused.

 

[carlosfandangus]

This is the one I have, currently £29.99, for that money why not have one? https://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-x-tools-essential-torque-wrench-set/
torque wrench

 

[Pale Rider]

I've been and checked and the one I have is Draper 34487, available from lots of car spares places.

That's the Topeak, yes.

There is no spring involved in either, unlike a ratchet or those preset keys you can buy, so I think Pale Rider must be confused.

You are kidding yourself if you think that contraption will read torque to any degree of accuracy.

The OP will get away with it, but only because there is no need of a torque wrench for his application.

 

[DRM]

A Snap-on torque wrench that just about covers the required range is about £300 - for a 4% accuracy one.

A 2% accuracy lower reading one would be twice that.

It's a different class of tool to a £30 home mechanic one, as it should be.

https://shop.snapon.com/product/Newton-Meter-Torque-Wrenches-±4%-Accuracy/3-8"-Drive-Newton-Meter-Adjustable-Click-Type-Fixed-Ratchet-Torque-Wrench-(5-25-N•m)/QD2RN25A

When the Snap-On man calls each week for his money, every garage looks like the Marie Celeste !

 

[mjr]

You are kidding yourself if you think that contraption will read torque to any degree of accuracy.

The OP will get away with it, but only because there is no need of a torque wrench for his application.

How accurate does it need to be? The small one will reliably show whether you've done something up to 3Nm or 5Nm, which is more than many cheap clicker ones will do in a year or two.

Happily, people can search for themselves for other opinions, or to check what we've written (such as whether beam wrenches contain springs...)

 

[snazpizaz]

cheers folks -
the draper - looks like this one ?
https://www.lawson-his.co.uk/draper...ldiB9u7KX6H2g9t3Y8oDZP-2Y2fB4c_RoCEUcQAvD_BwE

Topeak and Draper are available in UK - will they cover anything above 10Mn up to 18Mn ? - i'm thinking i can really do anything below 5Nm by hand/feel without a torque wrench on my bike.

• Chainring bolt 10Nm
• Pentaclip 15-17Nm https://www.evanscycles.com/brompton-pentaclip-00102999
• Handlebar clamp 18Nm max - this seems to me the most volatile nut/bolt on the entire bike and one where the torque needs to be correct because the securing passages/holes on the steel frame are not particularly robust. see images here: https://www.perennialcycle.com/brompton-handlebar-clamp-bolt-all-riser-stems.html
• 3-6 speed wheel nut 18Nm

cheers
sp

 

[presta]

For the big stuff I use the Norbar torque wrench I bought for the car 40 odd years ago, it's still accurate within about 5%. For the stuff that's too small for the Norbar I just use a spring balance.

 

[Pale Rider]

cheers folks -
the draper - looks like this one ?
https://www.lawson-his.co.uk/draper...ldiB9u7KX6H2g9t3Y8oDZP-2Y2fB4c_RoCEUcQAvD_BwE

Topeak and Draper are available in UK - will they cover anything above 10Mn up to 18Mn ? - i'm thinking i can really do anything below 5Nm by hand/feel without a torque wrench on my bike.

• Chainring bolt 10Nm
• Pentaclip 15-17Nm https://www.evanscycles.com/brompton-pentaclip-00102999
• Handlebar clamp 18Nm max - this seems to me the most volatile nut/bolt on the entire bike and one where the torque needs to be correct because the securing passages/holes on the steel frame are not particularly robust. see images here: https://www.perennialcycle.com/brompton-handlebar-clamp-bolt-all-riser-stems.html
• 3-6 speed wheel nut 18Nm

cheers
sp

That Draper tool is essentially a 1/2" drive breaker bar.

It's not suitable for a bike, being way too clunky.

Does anyone use 1/2" drive on a bike?

 

[keithmac]

It's a very expensive high quality American brand of hand tools. Probably too expensive for what they are, but they are very nice.

If you work with them every day they are worth every penny!. I've probably spent 20k on tools but its a life investment and my son will more than likely inherit the lot.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

This is the one I have, currently £29.99, for that money why not have one? https://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-x-tools-essential-torque-wrench-set/
torque wrench

Thats similar to the one I've got, though I think the brand on mine is Giant Tool Shed.

 

[screenman]

To the OP, just that fact that you are asking the original question makes me think a torque wrench would be a good idea.