Dosu

Thanks for the offer but I'm not close to Chicago

gsa103

What do you want a torque wrench for?

For small carbon parts, a ~5 N*m torque key will cover basically everything and its infinitely easier to use. This one tool basically covers everything you need for most bike items.

The only things that need higher torque values are pedals and bottom-brackets. BB replacement is rare unless you're regularly over-hauling bikes. Pedals aren't particularly sensitive to torque, unless you're a gorilla, have carbon cranks, or use pedal based power meters.

Alternatively, if you're planning on doing lots of wrenching or fixing cars its valuable.

Dosu

I have a few bikes and currently going to build a new one so yeah I want to get some decent tools and do everything myself, and I'm a little OCD so I'd like to get the same(or close) to the the proper torques for the parts I get. So yep planning do do a lot of wrenching soon and less trips to the LBS

easyupbug 

There is a lot of advise here but the above is a very good idea as calibration is important especially with the lower cost option clickers.

Dosu

Did search torque wrenches on here found 1 thread from Dec and didn't really help.
But this thread did so I'm ordering the 2 Harbor Freights

Wanderer

Good Choice - did you get them for 10 bucks apiece?

Amesja

Even a cheap torque wrench that has gotten 10 or even 15% out of calibration is still TONS better than "doing it by feel."

Torque wrenches, even the ones from Harbor Freight, are not that complex of machines. Really, not that complex...

People are scared of what they don't understand. Their design is pretty straight-forward and short of being dropped, abused, or left sitting at higher torque settings other than the lowest one they will stay pretty darn close. Close enough for bicycle use...

Dosu

No I didn't get around to ordering yet, is there some coupon for that or something?
Edit: found a few coupons online but none of them wanted to apply in my cart(I'm buying online, no Harbor Freight stores close to me)

Wanderer

Feb 4-17, supposed to b good on line too. item 61277, quarter, item 61276 three eights. $11.99 ea, coupon #18338298

you can also call their toll free number if problems ordering

It's in their monhtly add I get in the mail

Dosu

Worked fine, thanks.

nymtber

I've got the 1/4" and 3/8" from HF. They work fine on my bicycles, I have not found a need for any higher than 80ft-lb, thants 960 in-lb, nothing on MY bike needs more than that. My car lugnuts, however, get all 80ft-lb

Are they perfect? who knows. Maybe they are, maybe they aren't. I don't drop or abuse mine, and keep them set to no tension when I'm not using them. Better than cranking down on them.

I don't have carbon fiber on my bikes. well I have a CF fork but, it has an aluminum steerer, so nothing that I have to use real light torque with. 20in-lbs is low enough for me!

JTGraphics

I have several torque wrench's of all sizes but for the small stuff on bikes I love this Wiha 28554 TorqueVario-S Handle, Newton Meter Scale 2.0- 8.0Nm not cheap but worth every penny, you also want to get these 2 adapters for a full range of uses Wiha 28582 Square Drive Adapter For 1/4-Inch Sockets and Wiha 28581 Bit Holder Adapter For 1/4-Inch Drive Bits adapters can be found for only $8 each.

Wiha 28554 TorqueVario-S Handle, Newton Meter Scale 2.0- 8.0Nm


Get at least the Wiha 28581 Bit Holder Adapter For 1/4-Inch Drive Bits and you can use any 1/4" bits with it.


and if you want to be able to use sockets also get the Wiha 28582 Square Drive Adapter For 1/4-Inch Sockets

Dosu

Kind of a silly question I guess but with the click wrenches if I'm doing a few bolts that need the same torque like the stem can I do each one and they will click properly each time or after one bolt I have to reset the wrench and get it to the same torque then do the next bolt then set it again etc? Or as soon as I set the proper torque setting I can do as much as I want and each time it will click when hitting the desired nm/lbs?

Amesja

You don't have to reset the clicker -just don't leave the wrench set on anything but the lowest setting when it is stored. An hour or so isn't going to hurt it. When you are done using it just make sure it is set to the lowest number on the scale when you put it back in the plastic storage box and put it away with the rest of of your specialty tools.

I wrote the torque value ranges with masking tape on the outside of each wrench box so I can easily choose the wrench I want from the torque wrench drawer. When I'm done using one (or more) of them I put them back.

I'm a tool geek.

Dosu

Ah makes sense, thanks

Wanderer

Also, I was "taught" that it is better to work up to the proper torque... If you are trying to get to25 in lbs, first tighten them to 15-20, then finally tighten them to the end result.

Amesja

It's not necessary unless you are installing multiple fasteners to one assembly like the disc brake. Also be sure to use a criss-cross pattern when you do this as well. On a motorcycle disc I might ease into it and recycle the star-pattern of jumping each fastener 3-4 times before I'm ready to even use the torque wrench. This keeps down the chance of warping the disc.

When torqueing any fastener be sure to approach the torque slowly and ease into the amount of force you are using on the wrench.

Don't tighten too quickly as you might over-shoot the torque target before the wrench has a chance to click. This might be why your teacher had you phase the torque targets. I try and never to use the torque wrench until I get to approximately half the final torque required. I've done a lot of wrenching and have a good "feel" so that I don't ever over-shoot with the regular ratchet.