Inexpensive Torque wrench...... any recommendations?

[AMGeed]

As above, I need to buy an inexpensive torque wrench for my wheel bolts, as in the past I have just used a long telescopic wheelnut brace and tightened the bolts until I farted, then gave them another quarter turn. No idea what torque there are but its not very accurate

So its time for a proper torque wrench, half inch drive, under £50 as it won't be used on much else.

I have these under consideration. I'm leaning towards one of the Sealey products. Which would you choose or are there others?

https://www.uktoolcentre.co.uk/products/draper-78642-btw-12-square-drive-torque-wrench-30-210nm.html?sku=944152&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7OP_jO2Z6AIVWeDtCh2IUg0ZEAQYFCABEgIkdvD_BwE

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/cht141-1-2in-drive-torque-wrench/?da=1&TC=GS-040212720&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7OP_jO2Z6AIVWeDtCh2IUg0ZEAQYASABEgJy7PD_BwE

https://www.screwfix.com/p/magnusson-torque-wrench-1-2-x-18-/6879V?tc=DA8&ds_kid=92700038933469738&ds_rl=1241687&ds_rl=1245250&ds_rl=1243318&ds_rl=1245250&ds_rl=1249481&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7OP_jO2Z6AIVWeDtCh2IUg0ZEAQYDyABEgLeHfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SEALEY-AK624B-Micrometer-Torque-Wrench-1-2-Sq-Drive-Calibrated-Black-Series/183951421696?epid=2302234234&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item2ad45bf100:g:CwoAAOSwuSxeYjaf&enc=AQAEAAACUBPxNw%2BVj6nta7CKEs3N0qXkdWqwZpzNz%2FvWFY5D9bWVgKs0xv0OnpE4YFmdkN2LDhbAjJoJU05JZnkR%2Fzf0O7tkq7mjkgkj6Khwoabt6AJcysQtZiamf4%2B6YVXbB%2FTLDVwxeSCvQVe0Hpdbd12NM7L5g1nf0WHZuk1MNEpsazz4Fb5aKI7NI9r5AiiCP1rzIgY%2BnQXIopi%2B0GgaqZKXZjhryOtnzqE4FLIfRf%2BsASAatH0O8r8PWBImfcC4wPpaspRkT3uFfKCMnVdDz%2FsZQ2p4mRkp8DvDhHQSPco5U6RfbUKSiG9RNc%2FqPpGWyvIUrRmRHrtmXf9wJo9Nlz9HAFeuRwl18wc9JcJrAhoE3BYUptmSSNzLL5DXYQFJO%2FPUeh9SqNJwPU88%2BV4ONcRHyBGYkMsNgrenZKtnNP%2BambSshuFEx1TJzujC6BfGNx28KYW%2BWp%2BFahRE5yr%2FfjreSk0GHP88nVSJPdi6csaXl7H0whjwTpWkpP7VP%2BXzj9oAlJAUkVbX8%2FGMBHBlbnSELFKetIJvCoAWJly491PmkHtKIwxLZLUnk1pzCn05pYm%2FQEBOnRFqALvDqxduFAcRfqVeJc7QjWno5PH4%2FnKkHvqunM9mmVXw5QbQttc3s4VK3n%2FHalSNJZAp1b%2BnXGGXKPIbXBshbgfqMFPGv9zJtJkiRmMexGMkBLvtUaA%2F0OtA%2F6A8HCnP9o7SWyRZzoadtPngmLJ54%2BEttzUZl5EdHm7I%2FFDk1XbdmGQmvxq3AVc8JwDjG9asraVFCVy%2FQjq%2BXvM%3D&checksum=18395142169694e9f5f60df645168a81df42bc5620fc

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SEALEY-AK224P-1-2-Sq-Drive-Micrometer-Reversible-Ratchet-Torque-Wrench-42-210Nm/390614708629?hash=item5af2737195:g:AAwAAOSw1NRbqgAA

 

[Atavus]

Any of those will do. Buy the one you find the most pretty.

Get the plastic covered socket, to protect the wheels. Buy a breaker bar for getting them off.

 

[GLK]

Just to illustrate the above post:

 

[BTB 500]

I would probably go for the Clarke one from Machine Mart as it already has the short extension which you will need for alloys. It's handy having it there in the case, with the wrench.

 

[John]

I've got a "Halfords" TW and it is quite literally identical to the one below except the case is red but the wrench itself is identical to the Draper one below in the blue case.

Lasted me for years and I use it a fair amount where I can't be sure the car wheel bolts were torque'd up right.

 

[GLK]

These all come from the same manufacturer, I'm sure - the branding is not even engraved or embossed - it's a plastic sticker and a paper insert on the top of the case.
Works well, and I gotten into habit of always checking the wheels are torqued correctly, after any garage visit.

 

[mersum1es]

Finnish tech magazine tested 'cheapo' (20-100€) wrences about 10 years ago... They also used Stahwille tool as a reference. Result was that even cheap toll can produce almost same accuracy, there is no way of knowing. They stated that tool should have calibration document with but my personal thought is that certificate is just copy and piece of paper... However differences were found how you set the target torque, most of cheap tool had variation depending did you set target upwards or downwards. Stahlwille was immune to this.

Edit: There was two identical looking tool in the test, bbut their performance was very different, another was one of the best, another 2nd worst. Perhaps it only tells quality variation inside that manufacturer...

 

[AMGeed]

Thanks for your thoughts all.
Have ordered the Draper torque wrench and a Sealey Alloys wheel impact socket to protect the barrels of the wheels when the tyre monkeys get to change tyres.
£37 for both delivered.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000RO67R4/?tag=amazon0e9db-21

.

 

[ChrisHGTV]

Thanks for your thoughts all.
Have ordered the Draper torque wrench and a Sealey Alloys wheel impact socket to protect the barrels of the wheels when the tyre monkeys get to change tyres.
£37 for both delivered.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000RO67R4/?tag=amazon0e9db-21

.

that’s basically the one I have, though mine is branded as Clarke. Still going strong. I got it for my 18th birthday. I’m now 47!

 

[John]

These all come from the same manufacturer, I'm sure - the branding is not even engraved or embossed - it's a plastic sticker and a paper insert on the top of the case.
Works well, and I gotten into habit of always checking the wheels are torqued correctly, after any garage visit.

Yes, I think you are right there.

Looking at the one Roger is buying looks the same too.

It's very well made and feels good quality.

Do all of you with one of these "release" the torque after use as per the instructions?

I always have but not sure if necessary...

I find I can't get enough purchase on the tightening-bolt at the base and use the end of one half of a pair of long-nose pliers to tighten.

 

[BTB 500]

Do all of you with one of these "release" the torque after use as per the instructions?

Yup.

 

[GLK]

Yes, same here - I do it automatically now: wind down to zero, release the locking nut, into the case.

 

[ChrisHGTV]

Most of the time I do but admit not always. I always do though if it’s set at a relatively high torque.

 

[R129mine]

I have the draper one. Works great.

I also had a extending breaking bar but it is now a little bit broken

It was a cheap one from amazon.

Bought a more expensive one which is not prone to bending [emoji3]


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[GLK]

I also had a extending breaking bar but it is now a little bit broken

Are you sure you were trying to turn the wheel nut, not to pop a particularly stubborn cork?
The angle of the bend got me a bit suspicious

 

[Petrol Pete]

I always release the tension on any spring/tool before storing it - if the option is available - from Hacksaw blade to Beretta, I even have a single cylinder motorcycle that is mothballed with the piston at TDC on the compression stroke so the valves are closed and the springs are under minimum tension.

The lawn mower, generators and petrol jet wash , nah. Not so much I just cycle their motors now and again via the starter lanyard.

Whether any of it helps is a moot point, but I haven't bent a hacksaw bow since I was an apprentice, That has probably saved about £12.37p over the years .

 

[MrGreedy]

I have the draper one. Works great.

I also had a extending breaking bar but it is now a little bit broken

It was a cheap one from amazon.

Bought a more expensive one which is not prone to bending [emoji3]


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Which one did you buy if you don't mind saying?

I read reviews stating as such on the cheapest ones, so I went for a Rolson one for about £9 on Amazon. It looked very similar; I'm just wondering if I should expect to be let down when crouching in the gutter on a rainy evening on the way back from my commute?

 

[R129mine]

I now have this one

Sealey AK7302 Breaker Bar 750mm 1/2"Sq Drive https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002PMJ2LE/?tag=amazon0e9db-21

I had a look thru my emails and amazon purchase history but could not find the one I broke Sorry.


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[AMGeed]

Draper torque wrench and Sealey wheel bolt socket arrived.

 

[pmcgsmurf]

Nice, I really must get some of those sockets, I have deep sockets with gaffer tape around them.