Torque wrench

Simon1963 · Nov 19, 2020

Can anybody recommend a decent mid range torque wrench. I bought a cheap Silverline one ages ago but the dial on it is a bleeder to read. Looking for 60 to 200nm range roughly.

jasst · Nov 19, 2020

Think mine is a Draper, black body with white letters, so much easier to read than all silver one.

Hawk13 · Nov 19, 2020

Torque Wrenches & Tools | Halfords UK

At Halfords, we’ve got tremendous torque wrenches at great prices. You’ll find our torque wrenches alongside our range of premium hand tools.

www.halfords.com

I've got 2 of these .... very happy with them and they have a lifetime guarantee

Simon1963 · Nov 19, 2020

Thanks guys. Going for the Halfords one. I’ve got their socket set and I’m happy with those.

StuartW · Apr 19, 2022

Thread revival

I have an old Clarke TW which probably needs recalibration and I have lost one of the grub screws by the ratchet, so could do with a replacement

Can anyone recommend me a decent half inch one which doesn't cost the earth? And does anyone have a digital one which they are happy with or would it best to stick to a manual twist grip?

Thanks all

Zep · Apr 19, 2022

I’ve been looking for a digital one lately, will probably end up with a Clarke Pro237. Less than £100 from Machine Mart.

Ryandoc · Apr 19, 2022

I bought a Halfords one years ago, lifetime guarantee I plonked the receipt in the tube. Still works great.
I remember posting a thread on another forum and feedback at the time was that it was just a good make rebranded for them?

conaero · Apr 19, 2022

I can, I have the complete set of these, utterly brilliant and used everyday.

Well priced and easy to pick up from your local branch and produced by a high end tool manufacturer

Teng Tools TTX1292 Torque Wrench 1/2" x 18 1/4" - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Built-in angular gauge for tightening stretch bolts. Supplied in a TTX tray with removable hinged click and lock lid and dovetail joints. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 1 minute.

www.screwfix.com

midlifecrisis · Apr 19, 2022

conaero said:
I can, I have the complete set of these, utterly brilliant and used everyday.

Well priced and easy to pick up from your local branch and produced by a high end tool manufacturer

Teng Tools TTX1292 Torque Wrench 1/2" x 18 1/4" - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Built-in angular gauge for tightening stretch bolts. Supplied in a TTX tray with removable hinged click and lock lid and dovetail joints. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 1 minute.

www.screwfix.com

Seem to remember getting mine from them. I can vouch for their quality,

StuartW · Apr 19, 2022

Thanks gents

So do you guys get yours regularly recalibrated, if just being used as a DIYer of course, or just trust that if you look after it, use it as directed and not throw it around, it should stay reasonably true?

MaserMike · Apr 19, 2022

conaero said:
I can, I have the complete set of these, utterly brilliant and used everyday.

Well priced and easy to pick up from your local branch and produced by a high end tool manufacturer

Teng Tools TTX1292 Torque Wrench 1/2" x 18 1/4" - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Built-in angular gauge for tightening stretch bolts. Supplied in a TTX tray with removable hinged click and lock lid and dovetail joints. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 1 minute.

www.screwfix.com

I second that Teng are very good, have a micro 1/4” low torque and also a Sealey premier black 1/2” also very good.

I personally haven’t recalibrated, just looked after them and they aren’t used everyday like in a garage workshop…

Sorry not to high jack the thread but I’ve also been after a large high torque reversible (push through type bar) for a while to do my Testarossa single lug nuts (325ftlbs / 440nm), 3/4” - previously bought a large Teng but it didn’t do a true reverse torque action for the reverse right hand side threaded wheel nuts, so took it back to Screwfix…. Now looking at Industrial Norbar or similar, but quite pricey around £400 for something which will rarely get used. Any recommendations without going too crazy on price?

Strad · Apr 19, 2022

Simon1963 said:
Thanks guys. Going for the Halfords one. I’ve got their socket set and I’m happy with those.

I also have the Halfords one and think it’s perfect for occasional use / DIY’er.

Zep · Apr 19, 2022

MaserMike said:
I second that Teng are very good, have a micro 1/4” low torque and also a Sealey premier black 1/2” also very good.

I personally haven’t recalibrated, just looked after them and they aren’t used everyday like in a garage workshop…

Sorry not to high jack the thread but I’ve also been after a large high torque reversible (push through type bar) for a while to do my Testarossa single lug nuts (325ftlbs / 440nm), 3/4” - previously bought a large Teng but it didn’t do a true reverse torque action for the reverse right hand side threaded wheel nuts, so took it back to Screwfix…. Now looking at Industrial Norbar or similar, but quite pricey around £400 for something which will rarely get used. Any recommendations without going too crazy on price?

Have you considered something like this? https://www.sealey.co.uk/product/5637202079/34sq-drive-digital-torque-adaptor-200-1000nm

You’d have to check it works in both directions, but being a transducer I’d imagine it does.

Then you can get a 3/4” cheater bar to lean on.

happydaze · Apr 19, 2022

MaserMike said:
I second that Teng are very good, have a micro 1/4” low torque and also a Sealey premier black 1/2” also very good.

I personally haven’t recalibrated, just looked after them and they aren’t used everyday like in a garage workshop…

Sorry not to high jack the thread but I’ve also been after a large high torque reversible (push through type bar) for a while to do my Testarossa single lug nuts (325ftlbs / 440nm), 3/4” - previously bought a large Teng but it didn’t do a true reverse torque action for the reverse right hand side threaded wheel nuts, so took it back to Screwfix…. Now looking at Industrial Norbar or similar, but quite pricey around £400 for something which will rarely get used. Any recommendations without going too crazy on price?

As the VW Beetle rear axle nuts don't need to be tightened (to 300ft/lbs) very often, I use an inexpensive method...

Check your body weight accurately, then calculate the required distance from the centre of the nut to a point on the (extended?) socket bar. Mark that point with a marking pen (next time you do this, your weight may have changed

). With the socket & bar, and one hand either side of the 'mark', tighten the nut until you can lift both feet off the floor! Will work for L/H threads also. Cheap as...

MaserMike · Apr 19, 2022

Zep said:
Have you considered something like this? https://www.sealey.co.uk/product/5637202079/34sq-drive-digital-torque-adaptor-200-1000nm

You’d have to check it works in both directions, but being a transducer I’d imagine it does.

Then you can get a 3/4” cheater bar to lean on.

Thanks for the suggestion. No I hadn’t…. But will look.

Have normally been been leaning towards old school mechanical for longevity, just in case they break/fail…

MaserMike · Apr 19, 2022

happydaze said:
As the VW Beetle rear axle nuts don't need to be tightened (to 300ft/lbs) very often, I use an inexpensive method...

Check your body weight accurately, then calculate the required distance from the centre of the nut to a point on the (extended?) socket bar. Mark that point with a marking pen (next time you do this, your weight may have changed). With the socket & bar, and one hand either side of the 'mark', tighten the nut until you can lift both feet off the floor! Will work for L/H threads also. Cheap as...

Ha… good shout and thanks for the tip as well. Just need to scare myself and dig out the scales!

MarkMas · Apr 20, 2022

midlifecrisis · Apr 20, 2022

Top tips when using a torque wrench.

Tighten all fasteners in two steps—first to half torque and then to final torque.

Clean dirty or rusted threads before tightening. Do not use lubricant unless it's stipulated.

Always unwind the wrench back to zero but not below zero when you’re done with it. This eases pressure on the spring mechanism.

Never use your torque wrench as a pry bar—that’ll damage the torque mechanism.

Take care of your tool (fnarr). If you do drop it, get it recalibrated before using it again.

StuartW · Apr 22, 2022

Thanks everyone - I have ended up going for the Clarke Pro237 digital as Zep mentioned above. Machine Mart are very low on stock and they don't sell it online but it's only a gnats over £100 with Power Tools Direct if anyone is after one, it's usually a little over £200 so it's a decent saving

Clarke 1700637 Pro237 Drive Digital Electronic Torque Wrench

High accuracy digital torque wrench great for tightening bolts and nuts to a desired torque value. Reversible ratchet head allows for both forward ...

www.powertoolsdirect.com

Torque wrench

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