Reiny Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 It's high time that I buy myself a torque wrench. I have been putting this off for a number of years and this has mostly been done due to lack of trust. The thing is that I have absolutely no trust at all in anyone who is trying to sell something. Furthermore, the problem in my neck of the woods is the fact that we get two types of tools. Either top brands like Beta, Usag, Matador, Elora, etc etc etc (which break the bank) or absolute carp. During the past years, brands like Rolson, Am Tech, Cutman, Blackspur etc have been hitting the market. They're better quality than the absolute carp I mentioned before but I believe that they are still more suited to the home-DIY enthusiast than DIY mechanic. Therefore, I have decided to start looking at UK websites and ebay because I believe the British sellers are much more trustworthy and have better customer-care. Would you recommend any of the torque wrenches depicted in the links below? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/250717762345?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300812838396?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110800338062?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290372151181?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/130765649644?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649 I would also like to buy a beam type torque wrench (for tensioning timing belts, etc). is the one shown below recommendable? 13 sterling seems to be way too cheap for something that's supposed to be accurate. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Draper-1-2-Square-Drive-Beam-Type-Torque-Wrench-0-21Kg-M-150Lb-Ft-Sq-Dv-/400293179210?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item5d33552f4a any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I really don't know where to start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris200100 Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 I got a few halfords pro ones I find them great and they have lasted a while. Even better if you got a trade card Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zardos Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 Must say I have one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/snap-on-torque-wrench-/221152778502?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item337dbb9906 and it is great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulcan bomber Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 I've got a teng torque wrench. Hasnt caused me any worries, has a angle guage on top for head bolts as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Brock Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 I got a few halfords pro ones I find them great and they have lasted a while. Even better if you got a trade card And me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UdderlyOffroad Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 I think he might struggle to get to a branch of Halfords chaps, but Halfords.com do international mail order I think? I have a perfectly serviceable ‘Mannesmann’ branded one – which looks very similar to the ‘Alca’ one, so that would be my choice. At the end of the day, a torque wrench is only vaguely accurate if it’s regularly calibrated, lives in relatively controlled environment (temperature+humidity) and wound off after use. Something that isn’t available to the average DIY mechanic. But even an in-accurate torque wrench will at least ensure you do all the bolts on a given fixing up to the same torque. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zardos Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 and wound off after use. Not true for my Snap on one (it's digital) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike080381 Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 Must say I have one of these http://www.ebay.co.u...=item337dbb9906 and it is great I second that, not at all cheap new tough, and does seem to chew through batteries pretty quickly, not a spare part you expect when embarking on a land rover related task. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lyron Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 the sealyones are pretty good. but must say i rather like the pro range from halfords ron. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cynic-al Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 I have one of these somewhere Think the one I use most often is a kennedy and its been fine although I never calibrate it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickMc Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 I would maybe try and pick up a second hand snap on one, they do degrees which is pretty essential for tdi head gaskets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TFC Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 I think the simple 'bendy pointer' type of torque wrench is ideal. They are cheap and work very well. This is not a case of the more expensive the better. We have a torque wrench testing machine here at work and my Draper http://www.ebay.co.u...=item5d33552f4a is accurate right across the scale. In comparison, I checked a 'break back' type belonging to a friend of mine and we had to compomise its across the range accuracy to make it accurate withing the range he wanted to use. Cheers, Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuddyWinny Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 Hello, I understand where you are coming from as I would rather pay a bit more for a good quality DIY tool but ir can be difficult to be confident that is what you are getting. A while ago I was recommended Norbar; not as cheap as some but not as expensive as others. One point to note was that they specify and accuracy of +-3% where as cheaper ones tend to be higher. I have never had them calibrated so I can't confirm if they have are still within tolerance though. I'll not be offended if others think they are poor but I have been happy with them. I think Cromwell Tools sell them (if not you can contact Norbar for a retailer). Personally I have never liked the type in your last link. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cynic-al Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 Norbar! thats the make of my kennedy one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christophers1247 Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 norbar or britool are the ones i would go for. i dont trust the tengtools torque wrenchs as we never tested an accurate one even brand new. the company i worked for always used britool then bought a load of tengtools tested them and sent them back everyone was out some more than others but all more than 3% Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ash.Witty Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 Norbar are very good quality, we use them at work and get used a lot. I have had mine for 5 years and has passed it's calibration test every time. Also the bottom four of the five torque wrenches you listed appear to be identical apart from the brand etched on, I have one for general home use from machine mart, but for cyl. heads, mains and big ends etc. I only use Norbar because I know it's reliable. Ash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boris113 Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 I had a half inch Teng one and it has done a few years of good service, however something in the head has broken recently, causing it to slip sometimes. I think it does have a guarantee on it so hopefully it will be replaced under that. As VulcanBomber said, the degree measurement on the top is ideal for head bolts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoss1720 Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 try and get a 2nd hand snap on one,you can pick them up for between £50 - £100. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoss1720 Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 try and get a 2nd hand snap on one,you can pick them up for between £50 - £100. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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