Torque Wrench recommendations

What’s a good combination of value/quality these days?

I’ve got a decent 2-20nm one that’s probably 15 years old and a cheap 27-100+ one.

But that leaves a gap in a range that’s useful on a bike – I probably need something that does 15-60? 80? (I’m guessing you don’t want to use them much at the limits of their range.

I like my Halfords Advanced 12-60Nm, which is made by Norbar, but tbh you can find the actual Norbar one for the same price.

It does both ways and goes high enough for anything I’m aware of.

Norbar 13841 TTi50 Torque Wrench 3/8in Sq Drive 10 – 50 Nm

But if it had existed at the time I might have gone for the Park Tool TW-2.2 beam 0-60. Cheaper and is reversible, although at higher torques it might be a pain to keep an eye on the gauge rather than just listen for a click.

Are the electronic ones worth it?

Beaten to the recommendation but norbar, always norbar.

Park Tool TW-2.2

I have this and its little brother, from a PSA on here. Very happy with them. Having had a cheaper clicky one fail, the beam type seems like a better option. Can’t leave it tensioned, and it’s reversible.

came to say Halfords Advanced , but beaten to it.

Norbar here, better than the cheap PX one I had before.

Current 2-20 is a Norbar SL0.  The other is a Sealey.

What I *hadn’t* realised is that both of mine are one way (because they both have a reversible ratchet on them). Which accounts for my current problem and why I’m asking – I’ve clearly massively overtightened something with a reverse thread…..

Norbar TTI50.  Wondering whether to risk second hand on eBay – peopel shouldn’t have been able to screw them up and bike torques are not ‘aircraft’ critical if it’s slightly out from use.

Are the electronic ones worth it?

I can’t imagine so – it’s a mechanical device, adding electronics to it seems an unnecessary complication/thing to fail

Cool Tool Tuesday #10: Talking Torque wrenches, part one

Norbar 13841 TTi50 Torque Wrench 3/8in Sq Drive 10 – 50 Nm

Was just about to hit buy then realised its NOT reversible – which is what got me here in the first place.  The UDH bolt is reverse 25nm and you want it properly tight but not overnight…..

So it’s the Halfords Advanced 60.  £115  but significantly cheaper than the Norbar Pro 50 it looks identical to (slightly different range) which is £150 upwards even discounted on eBay.

I’m sure Norbar do a version with a push through drive.  I can’t see anything wrong with going Halfords Advanced though

I have a reversible norbar which is 1 – 20nm and then halfords advanced 20 – 50nm I believe it is. Black Friday makes the halfords £92.

@golfchick – how’d you get a BF discount? I just bought online and didn’t seem to be any reductions on the Halfords  advanced range

That’s strange just shows up as £92 for me on the website. Don’t need to do anything extra.

Are the electronic ones worth it?

I can’t imagine so – it’s a mechanical device, adding electronics to it seems an unnecessary complication/thing to fail

Yes the digital torque wrenches are far better – they use strain gauges rather than a preloaded spring to mechanically ‘crack’ so have better accuracy.

My Facom is a nice price of kit – but spendy, you can see the torque levels rising with a numerical value and LEDs then it beeps at the setting.

I also prefer dial gauge torque wrenches than the ‘crack type’ as once again you can visually see the torque level rising. They are made by a UK company (but I can’t remember what they were originally called before rebranding) and can be occasionally found cheap on eBay – I have a few of them.

https://www.zoro.co.uk/shop/tools-and-machining/torque-tools/490324/a/brand/Q-Torq?srsltid=AfmBOorlZrmvcdsi6DQblpcrplnXok3E9QJxFKnmMr-GtbczCizMRSgp

@golfchick can you send me a link and screenshot? I’ll ask for a refund and but again if I need to.

im getting £115 here

https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand-tools/spanners-and-wrenches/halfords-advanced-torque-wrench-model-60-488695.html

Just went to get the screenshot for you and its gone back up to £115. You don’t know anybody with a trade card then? My husband and I would only be paying £92 because he has a trade card.

didn’t know theres was such a thing as a trade card for Halfords (and its the first thing I’ve bought there in years).  That said, their ‘premium’ tools have always been great value and quality – was looking at the screwdrivers and spanners.

edit –

qualifying trades

The following trades are applicable for a Halfords Trade Card:

Vehicle Mechanics/Technicians
Public Transport Mechanics, Rail, Bus
Engineers & Mechanical Engineers
Electrical Engineers
Aviation Engineers
MOD – REME, RAF Engineers, Naval Engineers
Marine Technicians
Welders
Mechanical Apprentices and Students

I got one based on who I worked for rather than my job title, might be worth checking.

@rustynissanprairie Gedore, formerly Torqueleader?

I have a very nice 1-8Nm 1/4″ one for bike screws.

@squirrelking

Yes I think it was torqueleader, I think they are the only company that make them and then rebranded them for everyone else. My two are branded Britool and Roebuck

I have two both from wera – I would recommend them in a heartbeat

Any recommendations for one in the £40-50 range ?

That Roebuck is exactly the same as my Torqueleader. Must be like Halfords Advance and Norbar.

@coconut

So my conclusion from this thread

£50ish – Park beam type

£100ish – Halfords advanced (rebranded norbar but much cheaper).

in between various bike co tools. Avoid cheap eBay stuff