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

Re: Torque wrench
 

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

Re: Torque wrench
 

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

Re: Torque wrench
 

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

Re: Torque wrench
 

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

Re: Torque wrench
 

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

Re: Torque wrench
 

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

Re: Torque wrench
 

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

Re: Torque wrench
 

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

Re: Torque wrench
 

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

Druid