I'm 40 this year and my folks have asked what I would like as a present. Really want something I will keep for ever (wife and children are getting me the watch). So after much searching I think I'm going to go for a Torque wrench, I know a bit boring but its all I could come up with. Based on the fact I dont have one and seems to be something that doesn't change every year. So whats the best one that will last?
If anyone has any other ideas other than a torque wrench, they would also be welcome. (note I dont do jewelrey, watch and wedding ring only)
Norbar are the best apparently - http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=7242
I looked into this a fair bit in the past. The Italian sounding 'effeto' (sp) looked the best, and make sure you get the calibrated one - proffessional I think they label it. I have used a couple of the cheaper brands and they were completely hopeless (non-accurate) and snapped my Thomson stem plate at the recommended setting!
If you really want to spend bucks, then Snap-on do a range, but to get low enough for bike stuff it's a digital read out, which I didn't want as I thought the times I would need it, the likely hood is that the battery would be flat! Plus it was £200-300.
I researched into calibration, and the wider the scale say, 0-30Nm the less accurate, than say a wrench from 0-10Nm.
I'll put a link up to the one I thought came out best value with a proper calibration cerificate, and not just a BS certificate that the cheaper one's came with. You'll need to make your own judgement of course.
This is the one I prefered out of the bike specific, but reading the blurb, you still have to request a calibration certificate which is questionable IMO! http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=29422
I did a bit of research into this - the difficulty is getting one with a low enough setting eg bike specific. Effetto make a good one and is also sold by Ritchie under their name. In the end I bought one marketed by Park Tools, they sell 2 models and the smaller one is ideal for bike use. It comes in a good hard case; but you will have to buy a set of bits to suit - easily available from any tool supplier or Amazon etc. I bought mine from CRC and have been really pleased - takes all the guesswork out of tightening those expensive Thompson stems on carbon bars!
Why do you need a torque wrench?
For example, on a bike the torque settings are quoted as a range: eg Shimano Hollowtech II crank bolts are quoted as 12 - 15 N.m
This range is fairly wide and hardly needs a torque wrench to get right.
There are few better torque wrenches than Norbar.
Norbar manufacture their own equipment, have their own calibration facility and also provide a calibration service to other suppliers/ manufacturers.
Norbar manufacture torque wrenches that are better than +/- 3% accurate. (Some people confuse accuracy with precision.)
3% of 12N.m is hardly worth talking about.
The range quoted for bike parts is not qualified by component manufacturers as to wether that is dry assembled or lubricated (grease, anti-seize, thread seal or whatever). In the past Campagnolo for example has stated on some seatposts do not lubricate the seat-clamp thread .
Some carbon seatpost manufacturers eg Reynolds advise against lubricating the seatpost in the frame .
So with a calibrated torque wrench with a calibration certificate and better than 3% accuracy what setting do you put the wrench to, if a 12 - 15 N.m setting is quoted?
Foe further thoughts on torque settings:
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=82119
The [url= http://www.bbbparts.com/tools_btl52.php ]BBB torquefix[/url] works just fine. I've had 3 returns in the last 4 years. One genuine manufacturing error, one from someone who appeared not to know how to work a torque wrench and one "Not what I wanted" Torque wrenches at affordable prices all have a 3-5% variation so a torq analyser would be the RR answer but beyond most of our pockets.
Norbar 11034
Woodsman - I like the look of that. Nice to get a recommendation that isn't just "shinney". I agree about having to request the calibration certificate, whats that about.
I guess I'm looking for something to do the lower settings, thinking carbon bars etc. Something like the 2 to 16Nm should cover everything I need.
I've had a Norbar SLO (0 - 20Nm) 1/4" drive for several years now, it does what I need it to.
torque wrench for what tasks? car, motorcycle, cycle etc?
as for makes tiddler stuff - Torqueleader
rest of stuff, Norbar, Britool Classic (robust but no ratchet) and or course snap-on
I bought my riding buddy the small Park one for his birthday; its great to look at and a joy to use.
http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/park-tw1-torque-item14293.html
I've never seen one used in a shop, it seems only bored office worker/internet surfers in their 30/40s buy them.
I've never seen one used in a shop, it seems only bored office worker/internet surfers in their 30/40s buy them.
You forgot with all the gear no idea.
That will be me then..... Well appart from bored, also I work from home sometimes.
I've never seen one used in a shop, it seems only bored office worker/internet surfers in their 30/40s buy them.
you got one then, Al?
+1 for the Norbar SL0 (0-20Nm)
I've managed without one for 20-odd years, but I got mine 'cos I was particularly concerned that I didn't strip the ally pivot bolts on my Enduro.
>I've never seen one used in a shop
And I suspect most bike mechanics have stripped/overtorqued a bolt at *some* point - they just get more practice at not repeating the error 😉