 Torque Wrench
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,457
Learned Hand
|
OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,457 |
I need a 3/8 in torque wrench since I was putting in new plugs and found out my 1/4 in wrench didn't go up that high. Should I go for the quality of a Craftsman or buy the cheapy from Harbor freight? I rarely use it.
|
|
|
Re: Torque Wrench
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,172
Saddle Sore
|
|
Saddle Sore
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,172 |
Set your 1/4" wrench at 1/2 the torque, pull it till it clicks, then pull on it twice as hard...... 
More flags
More fun!
|
|
|
Re: Torque Wrench
|
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,099
Loquacious
|
|
Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,099 |
I don't bother with a torque wrench. I just tighten things up until they snap, or strip, and then back off a half a turn. Charlie
|
|
|
Re: Torque Wrench
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 664
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 664 |
|
|
|
Re: Torque Wrench
|
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 691
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 691 |
What were you putting plugs in to? The basic rule of thumb on putting plugs into a motor is hand tight and a quarter turn. I am no mechanic, but it's no big deal about putting spark plugs in. I mean, if they loosen up, just tighten them a little more the next time. TR
long grey beard
|
|
|
Re: Torque Wrench
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 655
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 655 |
And your one of the reasons heliarc welding was invented. Quote:
I don't bother with a torque wrench. I just tighten things up until they snap, or strip, and then back off a half a turn. Charlie
|
|
|
Re: Torque Wrench
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,954
Loquacious
|
|
Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,954 |
Matt, just go down and do the Craftsman. If Unclecharlie is gonna come fix your head (which is 100% Al-U-Minimum!!!), then go cheap, but is a $8000 bike not worth $95? Plus, the 3/8" I got at Sears covers pretty much every nut and bolts torque range that is on our bike, so mine gets plenty o'use!
|
|
|
Re: Torque Wrench
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,457
Learned Hand
|
|
OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,457 |
Yeah, I think I will go visit sears tomorrow.
|
|
|
Re: Torque Wrench
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 999
3/4 Throttle
|
|
3/4 Throttle
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 999 |
heck i just dropped $110 on a chain riveter that'll get used every 18k miles or so. i did just 'adult-up' and buy a hand held cut off wheel/grinder too. felt good, manly. the resulting sparks duly impressed the son and the wife. confession time: i have no idea how to use a torque wrench or why after 4 decades (plus) i'd need one. are they really necessary?
|
|
|
Re: Torque Wrench
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821
Bar Shake
|
|
Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821 |
Quote:
I don't bother with a torque wrench. I just tighten things up until they snap, or strip, and then back off a half a turn. Charlie
No,No,NO. You tighten them until you feel the threads start to stretch, then 1/4 turn  .
Seriously, for the light torque that aluminum threads require, I prefer a flexible beam type torque wrench. Also, only change plugs on a cold engine.
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
|
|
|
Re: Torque Wrench
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 999
3/4 Throttle
|
|
3/4 Throttle
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 999 |
that's another question - beam or 'digital' - what's better?
"The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." - Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus
|
|
|
Re: Torque Wrench
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821
Bar Shake
|
|
Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821 |
Depends. I think the beam types are best for lower torques where you can watch the pointer. The reason I like them is that they start at zero, whereas the click type always start somewhere above that, ae my 1/2" click type starts at 40 ft. lbs. Rendering it useless for anything below that. I like the click type for the higher torques where you have use some serious muscle, and trying to watch a pointer or dial can be difficult. The beam type are accurate and cost much less than the clickers, not to mention electronic . When they start to show wear (the pointer doesn't rest on zero), they're cheap to replace, but for the casual torquer, they should last a very long time.
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
|
|
|
Re: Torque Wrench
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
|
|
Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
Quote:
I need a 3/8 in torque wrench since I was putting in new plugs and found out my 1/4 in wrench didn't go up that high. Should I go for the quality of a Craftsman or buy the cheapy from Harbor freight? I rarely use it.
Either will work equally well the first time. If you need it 50 years from know, the Craftsman will still be good, the harbor freight one will have been long forgotten.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
|
|
|
Re: Torque Wrench
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,537
Check Pants
|
|
Check Pants
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,537 |
learned the hard way, Harbor freight doesn't cut it. My 3/8" is HF, it never clicks on the low end of the setting, precisely where most of our fasteners are located. I have a "Gorilla" 1/2" from the Tire Rack and it is fine for larger fasteners. Go Craftsman (or better) and only buy once.
Al
|
|
|
Re: Torque Wrench
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,018
Learned Hand
|
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,018 |
If you really want to be accurate snap on has a torque wrench calibrator so you can check to see if your torque wrench is calibrated correctly. Its a little pricy though.
|
|
|
Re: Torque Wrench
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 125
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 125 |
I've got two torque wrenches that I've never used, don't even remember how I acquired them. If the need arises for their use, I'll call my neighbor.
I used to have a handle on life, but it broke .
|
|
|
Re: Torque Wrench
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,537
Check Pants
|
|
Check Pants
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,537 |
Quote:
If you really want to be accurate snap on has a torque wrench calibrator ...... Its a little pricy though.
Boy, you nailed that one. I always have a hard time justifying Snap-On or even MAC stuff because they are so expensive. Although nothing feels better in your hands than a Snap-On wrench, well, almost nothing.
I think Sears has a calibration program for their wrenches, you drop and they calibrate.
I've read the beam-type wrenches are actually the most accurate and hold their settings better than the "clicker style" that seem to be the most prevelant.
I always release my torque wrench by resetting to zero during storage. That's supposed to keep them in calibration longer.
Al
|
|
|
Re: Torque Wrench
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,457
Learned Hand
|
|
OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,457 |
I just got back from Sears. Got the 3/8 torque wrench. What's nice is it has ft-lbs and NM. Time to go torque those plugs!
|
|
|
Re: Torque Wrench
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
|
|
Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
I have that one. Nice wrench!
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
|
|
|
Re: Torque Wrench
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,457
Learned Hand
|
|
OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,457 |
I can use it as a replacement for my hammer, right?
Last edited by Matt; 04/01/2006 4:33 PM.
|
|
|
Re: Torque Wrench
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 323
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 323 |
That's right Maurice I always figured you for a pipe/Crescent wrench kind guy. I think Menards has a full set of metric Crescent wrenchs for $199.95. Send me a check and I'll go get em for you.
ModelMaker
Your not the boss of me!!
|
|
|
Re: Torque Wrench
|
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 52
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 52 |
This response is way late is the game, but I thought I should add my .02 cents of limited knowledge. Along with the good advice of not to change plugs on a hot engine, you also should back down from the recommended torque settings for plugs (20 Nm in our case), if you are using an "anti-sieze" compound on the plugs. Otherwise, you might over-tighten the plugs and crack 'em when you next go to change 'em. 
-CT
2003 Speedmaster - 125/42, 17T Sprocket, AI Removed, K&N
2006 Speed Triple 1050
|
|
|
Re: Torque Wrench
|
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 52
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 52 |
p.s. I have the same Craftsman 3/8" torque wrench - love it. Never used 'em before, because you rarely know what torque setting to use around the garage. But with the settings in the Triumph manual, I like the confidence of knowing I'm not over-tighetning something or risking something droping off my bike 200 miles from home. 
-CT
2003 Speedmaster - 125/42, 17T Sprocket, AI Removed, K&N
2006 Speed Triple 1050
|
|
|
|
|
