Which torque wrench?

Stupid question guys but I have been looking at buying a torque wrench so I can start learning some basic maintenance and it is a must have by the looks of things.

All torque wrenches don't come with sockets so my question is is that do you just use a normal socket that you find in tool kits,do these fit a torque wrench and are all torque wrenches heads the same fitting.

I know nothing about this stuff,thanks

[timwilky]

Torque wrenches come in the standard square drive used by sockets so 1/4", 3/8",1/2", 3/4" ,1" etc.

However of more importance is the toque range they cover, for a bike I would suggest you need two, a 1/4" drive for those little sensitive fasteners and a 1/2" for back wheel axle.

don't use a torque wrench as a breaker bar, always unwind it after use.

Never trust it even when calibrated.

I tend to use impact sockets with mine rather than ones out the set, don't know why, probably because they are that bit beefier and drive off the fastener wall

most will fit but they come in different sizes like 1/2, 3/8 just make sure you get the right size sockets for the torque wrench or a set of adapters

i prefer to use 1/2 stuf but have adapters so i can use my 3/8 sockets on my 1/2 torque wrench and visa versa as i havea 3/8 wrench but want to use 1/2 sockets on them

id go for chrome vanadium sockets as well, halfords pro stuf is quite good and you can get the adapters from them for about £2

EDIT TIM beat me to it

[Steve]

yes. my wrench has a half intch drive and a 3/8 addaptor

So does that mean i shouldnt go for 3/8 drive

[timwilky]

The issue is what will you be doing with it, I don't know what bike you have but my gixxer requires 120Nm on the rear axle though a 36mm socket, you are not going to do that with a 3/8 drive

[fastdruid]

I'd actually say you want 3, one small (1/4) for fiddly, one medium ( 3/8 ) for all round and one BFO (1/2) for beefy.

If you only get one though get something like a 8-60Nm 3/8, covers most of the fasteners you'll need on the bike. I've got one of these: http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_165469

Which has seen a *lot* of use.

Then I have the bigger 60-300Nm one which hasn't seen half as much use http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_165469

Druid

Dunno when I will need it but at the mo I need to fit some crash bungs,could I do that with a normal socket spanner does it need to be torqued,I have an sv so what range torque wrench is a must so I can get looking

get a 1/2 drive to start and then a 3/8th later on, my 1/2 cost £19 (draper) you can get the smaller one for £17 worth getting in my opinion

PS 1/2 mine does 30nm - 200nm the 3/8th is 10nm to 80nm

EDIT you will need a torque wrench for the crash bungs

[fastdruid]

Originally Posted by Paul1984

Dunno when I will need it but at the mo I need to fit some crash bungs,could I do that with a normal socket spanner does it need to be torqued,I have an sv so what range torque wrench is a must so I can get looking

8-60Nm for most things. Sure you'll need bigger (eg for the front sprocket nut) but should do everything else.

Druid