tool needed

Martron

Where would i pick up a cheap torque wrench.

i need a range of at least 4 n to 100n

In dublin

Martron

preferably 1/2" drive on it

E39MSport

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_180255_langId_-1_categoryId_212616

They used to be stupid money.

I'm not sure you'll get a half inch one that goes as low as 4nm though

Martron

was not looking to spend that money on it to be honest.

its outside the range i need too.

they are on the net but i like give my money to bricks and mortar irish shops.

thanks though.

voxpop

I think you will need 2 for that range. the Normal ones generally start at 20nm. You need a small one if you want to go below that.

Martron

was thinking that alright.

i would be worried that if i went with one i would either over tighten the lower ones or not tighten the higher ones enough!!!

any hints or tips on this? or is a torque wrench the only solution?

E39MSport

afaik - you can get a torque measuring yoke that will sit on your standard wrench.

edit: torque angle gauge. Not quite the same.

voxpop

Lower than 20nm, I usually just do by feel - i.e. use a small ratchet and just tighten up. I have a big torque wrench then for suspension components, cylinder heads, etc where its more important.

4nm is just really snugging something up - its not much force at all. Anything under 20nm is usually 1/4" drive anyway, you wouldnt want to use a 1/2", too much levering power.

Martron

ah ok . i will look into that

E39MSport

voxpop wrote: »

Lower than 20nm, I usually just do by feel - i.e. use a small ratchet and just tighten up. I have a big torque wrench then for suspension components, cylinder heads, etc where its more important.

4nm is just really snugging something up - its not much force at all. Anything under 20nm is usually 1/4" drive anyway, you wouldnt want to use a 1/2", too much levering power.

With you on the snugging up but something that only requires 4nm is the type of thing that may snap if 10 is applied.

voxpop

E39MSport wrote: »

With you on the snugging up but something that only requires 4nm is the type of thing that may snap if 10 is applied.

stop when your hear a crack

Any examples of something that needs 4nm - oil filter housings are usually 15nm (i think) - thats hand tight

Martron

the job i need to do has a few torque settings.

4 n/mm
11 n/mm
24n/mm
then its like 88 and 100

the 88 and 100 seem like the crucial ones in the grand scheme of things as there is a bolting sequence involved also.

the way i was looking at it was that if i was going to do it at all i would be better doing it all properly.

but if i am careful you guys reckon i should be alright hand tightneing the lower settings and going with the higher range wrench for the larger settings?

the 4 n bolt is big enough as in you will be hard pushed snapping it . it only holds on a casing. so i would imagine it should be alright if i dont go mad on it.

voxpop

Martron wrote: »

the job i need to do has a few torque settings.

4 n/mm
11 n/mm
24n/mm
then its like 88 and 100

the 88 and 100 seem like the crucial ones in the grand scheme of things as there is a bolting sequence involved also.

the way i was looking at it was that if i was going to do it at all i would be better doing it all properly.

but if i am careful you guys reckon i should be alright hand tightneing the lower settings and going with the higher range wrench for the larger settings?

the 4 n bolt is big enough as in you will be hard pushed snapping it . it only holds on a casing. so i would imagine it should be alright if i dont go mad on it.

Yeah exactly. Its handy to have a torque wrench you can trust for the bigger torques. For the smaller stuff just take it easy - a little torque wrench might be handy but you'll hardly use it - unless your building a helicopter

Martron

how did you know i was building a helicopter.

voxpop

Martron wrote: »

how did you know i was building a helicopter.

with those torque settings - it could only be one thing :pac:

Martron

ha

i wish i was.

ok so anyone know of any cheapo wrenches then?

voxpop

Martron wrote: »

ha

i wish i was.

ok so anyone know of any cheapo wrenches then?

Aldi and lidl sometime sell cheapo ones - but tbh, Id get a decent one. It is supposed to be a precision tool.

Martron

i saw it . the range is too big

its like 80 - 250

dnme

some great bargains here, and if you were to add to the order to get iy over 50 quid, you'd qualify for free delivery.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_13?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=torque+wrench&x=0&y=0&sprefix=torque+wrench

Plug

dnme wrote: »

some great bargains here, and if you were to add to the order to get iy over 50 quid, you'd qualify for free delivery.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_13?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=torque+wrench&x=0&y=0&sprefix=torque+wrench

Good prices there man. A Pole in work got a deadly snap on one, does from 40nm I think to 300nm, 250 quid but she's quality.

DublinDilbert

Draper do a smallish one with a 3/8 inch drive. I think it goes from 20nm upwards. It's probably accurate enough for the diy-er. I know I checked mine against a calibration gauge and it wasn't bad.

Using torque isn't that accurate anyway, as approx 80% of the torque applied goes to overcoming friction, only 20% goes to applying force to the objects. The problem is that the amount of friction varies greatly.

For less than 20nm, just use a 1/4 " drive with a small handle...

Martron

dnme wrote: »

some great bargains here, and if you were to add to the order to get iy over 50 quid, you'd qualify for free delivery.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_13?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=torque+wrench&x=0&y=0&sprefix=torque+wrench

this is where i came across them alright.

they dont look half bad. and with my years of tinkering this is the first time i have really been concerned with torque settings so i cant imagine i will have much need for it again. but its handy to have and thats why i really dont want to spend mega bucks on it.

Piri

I bought one over Ebay
it is 3/8 and good for this job you mentioned above

http://cgi.ebay.de/3-8-mini-Drehmomentschlussel-Drehmoment-13-6-108-5Nm-/150550310817?pt=Kfz_Handwerkzeuge&hash=item230d7f6fa1

Martron

got one today in b&q
30 euro for 19 - 110 nm

not bad. looks fairly decent as in it heavy enough.

accuracy of +- 3% so its not too inaccurate.

thanks for all the replies.

DublinDilbert

Make sure to unwind the spring between uses if you want to keep it accurate....

Martron

yep, done thanks!