Tools

[skyman_cbx]

Quick question...

Torque wrench seems mandatory for any serious work. I'm thinking a 3/8 with #5-100 is probably good enough considering they are not cheap.

Sears is having a 15% off sale thru Thursday so looking to buy

Any thoughts?

[NobleHops]

Dead on, good decision. I've had years of good service from my Craftsman torque wrench.

N.

[skyman_cbx]

Which type is it? 3/8 or 1/2". Digital or clicker? I notice most of the micro clickers start at 25 in/lbs which may be a bit high for some of the motorcycle parts. No?

[NobleHops]

My Craftsman is an old clicker, considered not as accurate as a beam by some. I also have two tasty SK clickers, one 1/4 for small work in inch-lbs, and another 3/8 that goes much higher than the old Craftsman.

I'll check the ranges tonight if you're interested, but you really want this advice from Jeff or Dave or one of the other guys that are way more knowledgeable than me.

N.

[daves79x]

I've used a Craftsman beam-type for 25 years. 1/2 drive only. Anything too small for that is just by feel - sorry to burst anyone's bubble. Never had an issue.

Dave

[EMS]

I tend to go with Dave. The first torque wrench I ever bought and used was for cylinder head bolts on a car. Then, one for the valve adjustment nuts on a SOHC Mercedes engine which fell out of the range of the large torque wrench on the low end. Smaller stuff I have always done by hand. With some feel applied.

[Larry Zimmer]

My experience:
First off -- Craftsman good stuff.
Nothing beats a beam for accuracy and repeatability
Clickers are particularly useful when it's difficult to see the scale of a beam arm head-on. Be careful using clickers down near the lower end of their range: they can be difficult to feel the 'click' at low torque values.
Feel is good if you have developed it. I've known guys who could set within 2 ft-lbs at 50 ft-lbs by feel. (Wasn't me) BUT, if your off by a little with a 6mm end bolt on a cylinder head (or whatever), you'll be pulling a head (or whatever) and THEN trying to remove a broken off bolt threaded tip from a blind hole.

Do get that Craftsman, though. It will serve you well.

[skyman_cbx]

Thanks guys,

They also have a Craftsman compression meter set that seems like a good deal for $50. May as well get it and see what my cylinders are like.

sky