Which Torque Wrench

[Igurisu]

I've never owned a torque wrench, time for me to buy one. Mainly for use on wheel nuts and maintenance on the MX5.

What forces do I need to cover for general car work?

What can the collective recommend please?

 

[wemorgan]

My Sealey 3/8" 27-108Nm copes with all the basic maintenance I do, including wheel nuts @ 105Nm. You might want to consider a 1/2" if you do suspension and sub-frame work.

 

[ringway]

The HalfordS professional range are very good and come with a lifetime guarantee. I have the two torque wrenches listed below.

This 60-300nm wrench is excellent value. LINK.
Add this 8-60nm wrench and you have pretty much all you will need. LINK.

If you don't have a Halfords trade card (-10%) you can use mine if you wish.

 

[StevenN]

Your choice should be made using a few factors.
Torque range required, Frequency of use and cost.
I bet if you are planning a few tasks both big and small you will find you need two wrenches.
If you are going to do a lot of work and need to be precise torque wrenches need re calibrating
The likes of Norbar offer this service.
Some are also a pain to adjust so I hope someone posts an opinion on ease of use ?

 

[Igurisu]

Quite like the idea of having two wrenches so I have everything covered. Not planning any major projects, just want to get back into car maintenance on the MX5 as its a simple car.

Might take you up on your offer Paul

 

[coupe deville]

I bought a Silverline half inch from ebay ( to help keep Jason Plato in the manner to which he has become accustomed ), £20, good enough for home use, no need to spend any more.

 

[markjay]

I bought a Silverline half inch from ebay ( to help keep Jason Plato in the manner to which he has become accustomed ), £20, good enough for home use, no need to spend any more.

Torque wrenches range in prices quite a bit... but if the main use is wheel nuts where only reasonable accuracy is required and which by definition will only be infrequent use, I would vote of a cheap unit as above.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000LFTSG6/?tag=amazon0e9db-21

The main downside of such a general-purpose tool with a very wide torque range of 28-210Nm is that the settings are bound to inaccurate to some extent. The plus side is that you obviously need only one tool for most of the work. But again I would think twice before using such a tool on bolts or nuts where accuracy is important, e.g. head bolts.

Incidentally, I have a whole range of torque wrenches dating back to my Omega DIY days, from the 1/4" unit required for securing the camcovers to 8NM, and up to this mammoth torque wrench required for the 320NM for the front wheel bearing...

 

[ringway]

Might take you up on your offer Paul

You are welcome, Peter.

For what it is worth, the Halfords wrenches are easy to read and come in a handy tubular plastic protecting case that can be hung up if desired. The case is a good idea for protection if the wrench is dropped (some say dropping means recalibration is necessary).

I did try a cheaper make before getting the Halfords wrenches, but took it back because I could barely make out the numbers.

 

[Dieselman]

Torque wrenches tested | Products | Auto Express

 

[C43AMG]

I have the Halfords Professional. Good feel and easy to use .

 

[Igurisu]

The AUto Express also rates the Halfords professional as number 1, thats what I'll go for.

Thanks to everybody for your assistance.

 

[markjay]

The AUto Express also rates the Halfords professional as number 1, thats what I'll go for.

Thanks to everybody for your assistance.

...which torque range are you opting for then? 1/2" 40-200Nm or 1/2" 60-300Nm? Both cover the MB wheel bolts torque of 110NM, but it will be a good idea to also get a 1/2" to 3/8" adapter if not included with the wrench.

 

[Igurisu]

I'm going to get the 1/2" 60-300Nm initially, and may buy a smaller one as linked by Ringway. Good point about the adapter.

 

[mr. shr]

I bought mine from a company renowned for distributing professional/specialist tools:

ARGOS

Here it is.

Seems ok to me. No idea how accurate it is, but I'm happy enough with it.

Not sure how the price of this compares with the other recommendations here, but thougt I'd mention it anyway.