Torque wrenches

[twozeronine]

Hi

I'm looking at buying a torque wrench, particularly for tightening my BB cups, but also for any other bolts. The only tool I can find that (I think) is for torquing a Hollowtech 2 BB is this one: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=55930

I don't know much about torque wrenches, so would I need to buy a specific wrench that this tool will fit on to? And can anyone recommend one (preferably something affordable ).

Thanks

 

[HJ]

You could use any socket wrench with this tool, but that wouldn't tell you if you had the recommended torque, so I bought myself one of these which the job very well...

 

[Gareth]

I have used Torque wrenches professionally for the last 35 years: Snap-on, Britool, Facom, etc. and Norbar's service is second to none. I service exchange my Norbar torque wrench every 12 months which comes with a calibration certificate and is actually cheaper than having a specialist instrument calibration company doing it.

I can not fault the Norbar torque wrenches or their service.

http://www.norbar.com/

 

[twozeronine]

Thanks for the replies. So I don't need to worry about getting a certain torque wrench to use this tool? What confuses me is that it says this tool needs a 32mm or 1/2" wrench, but all the ones I can find say they're 1/4" or 3/8". What exactly does that mean?

Also, HJ, the one you recommend says it only goes to 15Nm, whereas with my BB it needs to go to a minimum of 35Nm. Am I misunderstanding this as well?

Sorry for the stupid questions.

 

[3narf]

Shear it & back half a turn.

 

[twozeronine]

Ah, I see. So is that just the recommended style of wrench to use? I can still use it with one that's 1/4", for example?

 

[PpPete]

Typically a torque wrench which will go to 35Nm will be a 1/2" square drive. 3/8" sq drives usually only go up to 25 Nm.
Probably need 2 wrenches to cover the full range of torques settings on a bike.

 

[twozeronine]

I see, thanks. Would this one be OK do you think:

http://www.parker-international.co.uk/11800/Park-Tool-TW2-Torque-Wrench---3-8-inch-Drive.html

It's only 3/8" but says it goes from 0 to 600 inch pounds (Google says that's 67Nm). I only really need it for the occasional bit of maintenance, so not fussed if it's not the best quality wrench.

 

[Gareth]

The reference to a 32 mm wrench means that an open ended or ring spanner of that size can be used, you can also use a 32 mm size socket (or shame on me an adjustable spanner that opens up that far).

Socket adaptors are available so that sockets with one size square drive can be used with handles of different size square drives.

Example. Male 3/8" sq dr to Female 1/2" sq dr. these adaptors are available from motorist shops including Halfords for £3 or £4 each.

These adaptors will allow you to use a 1/2" sq dr socket on a 3/8" sq dr Torque wrench and vice versa.

I have a full set of both male to female, and female to male adaptors from 1/4 inch sq dr right thro' to 1 inch sq dr. But only because I work on almost everything between Chain saws and ocean going container ships (including bicycles ).

 

[twozeronine]

Thanks for the info Gareth.

So do you think the wrench in my last post would be ok?

 

[henshaw11]

Probably need 2 wrenches to cover the full range of torques settings on a bike.

Very definitely.
Some bb-related torques are up to about the 50Nm mark, whereas M6 or below might be as low as 4Nm (I think some bolts on some old Pace forks might even be 3Nm) - I bought the 1-20Nm version of the Norbar SL0* (they do a 4-20 version too) specifically for the linkage bolts on my Spesh Enduro - it'd be an expensive little mistake to get wrong.

*For comparision purposes, those are ~80 and 70uid respectively

 

[Gareth]

Thanks for the info Gareth.

So do you think the wrench in my last post would be ok?

I do not like that style of torque wrench, it also has the Park name on it, so it's about £20 dearer for the same model of torque wrench under a different brands banner.

My preference is for reversible ratchet, click type torque wrenches. Theses stall with an audible when the correct torque has been reached.


My advice to you as an occasional user would be to purchase this torque wrench from tool station.

http://www.toolstati...60/sd180/p78582

it also comes with an extension bar, 1/2" sq dr to 3/8" sq dr adaptor, is less than £20, and because it is over a tenner toolstation will give you free delivery on the item.

 

[youngoldbloke]

From a thread earlier this year (try a forum search for 'torque wrench'):

To cover everything you will really need two wrenches, and a range of allen bits, sockets, adapters etc., but for most jobs a wrench with a low range will be most useful:

Here my post from early 2009/ October2010: My link

Recently, after considerable searching/research, I finally bought two torque wrenches from PVR Direct, both Sealey, and both with calibration certificates. A STW1012, 2-24 Nm, and an AK623, 27.1 -108.5 Nm. Also Sealey S0533 Hex Bit & Holder set, and a couple of adaptors/sockets. All for about £60. I am no expert but I think they are pretty good - as I said I did a lot of research, and was looking for certificated kit - and they were discounted by more than 50% when I bought them. Best prices around at the time. Also relatively difficult to find 'light' torque wrenches anyway. The S0533 Hex bit and holder set is really worth having.

- still well priced - see PVR tools

 

[twozeronine]

Thanks to both of you, some very good prices on both those sites. I couldn't find a light torque wrench on Toolstation, so will probably get a couple of the Sealeys on PVR.