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Message started by mscepu101 on 05/11/13 at 15:52:31

Title: Torque wrench?
Post by mscepu101 on 05/11/13 at 15:52:31

Can anyone recommend which torque wrench they use when working on their Savage.

I do not want to break the bank and buy a 200 dollar wrench but I am very tempted to but the craftsman beam torque wrench (3/8" drive) or should I go for a 1/4 " drive?

Title: Re: Torque wrench?
Post by Gyrobob on 05/11/13 at 15:59:32

I use a beam wrench when convenient because they stay in calibration more reliably than a clicker. Sometimes, though, it's hard to get your eyes on the scale of a beam wrench in tight places.

I don't calibrate my clickers professionally, but every year or so, I test them against the beam wrenches and against each other. I had to toss a clicker a few years ago because it was clicking way too soon, and it was too cheap to bother with recalibrating it.

Title: Re: Torque wrench?
Post by mscepu101 on 05/11/13 at 16:24:23

Thanks for the info! Do you use a 3/8"?

As for seeing the scale I have used a piece of tape to help me out in odd positions.

Title: Re: Torque wrench?
Post by Serowbot on 05/11/13 at 16:39:00

You'll want a 3/8" ... I don't think 1/4" can handle head bolts, and wheels...

Title: Re: Torque wrench?
Post by Digger on 05/11/13 at 20:16:31

I, too, prefer the beam-type torque wrenches.

Like gy said above, sometimes it is tough to see when you've achieved the target torque. Sometimes I use a piece of masking tape to help:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee201/Digger109/TapeonTorqueWrenchScaleE.jpg (http://s235.photobucket.com/user/Digger109/media/TapeonTorqueWrenchScaleE.jpg.html)

Also, I don't categorize torque wrenches according their to drive square sizes, I categorize them according to range. For instance, I've got two different 3/8" drive torque wrenches that have widely different ranges. One goes from 0-200 in-lb, the other goes from 0-600 in-lb.

IMO, you really can't get away with only one torque wrench if you want to use it in its most accurate range (usually the middle 60% of its total range, I believe).

I've got four beam-type torque wrenches. A 0-60 in-lb one, a 0-200 in-lb one, a 0-600 in-lb one, and a 0-150 ft-lb one. Each one gets called into service for work on the Savage.

Trying to save $$$ on tools is a false economy, penny wise and pound foolish, that will always come back to bite you in the ass......I'm just sayin'.

Title: Re: Torque wrench?
Post by mscepu101 on 05/11/13 at 20:22:48

Good information! I am feeling better about getting a beam torque wrench that will not break the bank. It looks like sears has one under 30 dollars that would be a nice gift for father's day!

Title: Re: Torque wrench?
Post by clearush on 05/11/13 at 20:26:38

This is what I picked up to use. Not sure how long it will last but its a nice set.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00811WQT8/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Title: Re: Torque wrench?
Post by Gyrobob on 05/12/13 at 00:39:08

clearush said "This is what I picked up to use. Not sure how long it will last but its a nice set.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00811WQT8/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1 "

That only goes up to about 210 ft-lb. You may need more than that sometime.

How will you calibrate it, say, a year from now or 5 years from now? Staying in calibration scares me a bit with the clickers because of the one I had to throw out. Delta has quite a calibration effort for all their torque wrenches (clickers) so apparently they don't stay accurate forever.

Title: Re: Torque wrench?
Post by Gyrobob on 05/12/13 at 00:46:42

Digger said, "Also, I don't categorize torque wrenches according their to drive square sizes, I categorize them according to range. For instance, I've got two different 3/8" drive torque wrenches that have widely different ranges. One goes from 0-200 in-lb, the other goes from 0-600 in-lb.

IMO, you really can't get away with only one torque wrench if you want to use it in its most accurate range (usually the middle 60% of its total range, I believe).

I've got four beam-type torque wrenches. A 0-60 in-lb one, a 0-200 in-lb one, a 0-600 in-lb one, and a 0-150 ft-lb one. Each one gets called into service for work on the Savage.

Trying to save $$$ on tools is a false economy, penny wise and pound foolish, that will always come back to bite you in the ass......I'm just sayin'. "

Agree completely.

I use the tape trick, too. Occasionally, when another body is handy, I'll them read while I torque.

I have 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2. Like Digger said, though, the important part is to have the torque ranges covered,... low medium high.

I also concur with not getting cheapo tools. I try to get really good tools, but get them on sale. Often, for example, Sears will have some impressive sales on some pretty good stuff. Anyone who does any wrenching at all will eventually need a torque wrench. Keep your eyes peeled for when a good sale pops up, buy the wrench, and then it'll be there 6 months from now when you need it.

Title: Re: Torque wrench?
Post by arteacher on 05/12/13 at 04:03:32

The secret to keeping a clicker accurate longer is to zero it right away after you use it.

Title: Re: Torque wrench?
Post by ToesNose on 05/12/13 at 04:17:57

Buy quality tools and you'll have the majority of them for a lifetime ;)

Funny at 42 I'm getting to the age where I typically have the tool I need for any given job, the issue is usually trying to figure out where I have it ;D

Title: Re: Torque wrench?
Post by Routy on 05/12/13 at 07:38:00

Believe this or not, a few 1nch lbs one way or the other is not nearly as important as all the bolts being the same on say a cyl head or valve body for instance. And a clicker will usually do that better than you can eyeball a beam wrench.

The valve body on many transmissions is the only place that I know of where a couple inch lbs can make the difference between working or not.

Title: Re: Torque wrench?
Post by Steve H on 05/12/13 at 07:48:59

I will concur with several others. Get good quality tools. The hassle, aggrivation, and possibly busted engine parts you save will be your own. Buy them on sale as said above and you'll have them when you need them.

I find myself more and more like ToesNose...I have the tool but where is it? Organization is a BIG + for the tools as well.