Torque Wrench

[Auswallaby]

Looking to pick up a Warren and Brown Torque wrench. What range of torque should I be looking for?

[Cobrakiller]

Most common size is around 200-250Nm. max. This should cover all torque settings for a build.

[Dominik]

A torque wrench, like most measuring tools, is most accurate at the end of their scale.
I have three different ones to cover small readings, then up to 75 lbft, and one up to (and above) 110 lbft.

If you need even higher values, i.e. for wheel bearings/hubs, borrow one for the day.
Ask them for the calibration record!

[boxhead]

I know a few people who have this as there torque wrench set.

[Rog246]

Ahh yes, I see you have most of the range there Dave.
Starting with the small/medium engineer's adjustment model, and moving upwards in regular increments.
I actually have one, complete with 40mm gal pipe handle (so it doesn't splinter)
for large to medium/big adjustments.
I got it from a kind fellow who left in my shop (when I had one-shop that is) after he/they broke in for the 3rd time in 6 months.
I did actually put it on display above the counter, with a note attached asking for the owner to come and claim it.
Strangely no-one took up the offer, so I kept it...........as a memento of our fun together

[xb-60]

You have to have a 30ft-lb to 150ft-lb (40Nm to 210Nm) with 1/2" square drive, and then if you think you really need to cover of the range below that, then buy a 0-25ft-lb as well.
I went through this just recently myself.
Cheers,
Glen

[Auswallaby]

Awesome, thanks Glen (and everyone else...)

[xb-60]

I like your avatar

[deano59]

cant go wrong with the warren and brown i just had my 25 yr old plus one checked for accuracy and it did not need tweaking it was well within specs . this is a tool that was used everyday for nearly 18 yrs and still gets used a few times a month . mines goes from 10 to 150 pound . altho i use my inch pound one for stuff under 20 pound pound .

the tension wrench is the one tool i wont lend out to anyone im more than happy to come around and help tension what needs doing but ive seen to many idiots use them wrong or drop them ect ect .

[Aussie Mike]

Quote from the Ducati workshop manual
"Tighten the bolt till it strips and then back it off half a turn"

I picked up a digital torque wrench a couple of years back. It just clips on to your favorite 1/2" drive ratchet handle or breaker bar. It works well but can be a bit bulky to get into tight spots.

It's also been great for checking the calibration on my other regular torque wrenches.

Cheers

[Russell9318]

A rule of thumb when selecting a torque wrench is to generally aim for a tool that will have most use in 70% of the scale, that is above the lower 20% and below the upper 10%. The reason for this is the lower 20% is not calibrated as the weight of the wrench can over ride the sensitivity. It is always good to work below the upper 10% to avoid working the tool at full capacity and work the tool in it's optimum range.

Micrometer Adjustable or click type wrenches lose sensitivity in the coil springs at the lower end of the scale however, with good quality wrenches you rarely have problems in the upper scale range as long as the micrometer is wound back to zero after completing the job, these coil springs lose their memory if left too long under compression.

For most automotive work a 1/2" drive wrench between 10-140ft.lbs / 10-185Nm will do the job and also be very manageable. Things like diff pinions and hub nuts can get a lot higher but for the main, look for a wrench where you will be working in the 70% scale range.

[Auswallaby]

Originally Posted by xb-60

I like your avatar

Zoom in to see the full effect....

[Auswallaby]

Ebay has 20% off selected tool companies ATM. Saved $57 off my purchase of a Warren & Brown 322500 10-185nm deflecting beam one.