OK so forgetting the freaky big stuff like the NC30's wheel nut / yolk nut and thinking more on the day to day stuff like engine cover bolts and more normal stuff - what range torque wrench would you go for.

I am hoping I am on Santas good list this year (I never got caught) so I might get lucky but might need to nudge someone in the right direction. I don't have my Haynes to hand so can't look through for the "majority" of torque settings - so looking for your advice.

the torque wrenches available are:
6-30Nm (1/4" drive)
20-100Nm (5/8" drive)
40-200nm (1/2" drive)

I already have a couple of fairly beefy torque wrenches for the big stuff but would appreciate some idea of what range the majority the smaller stuff comes within.

Cheers

NGneer

I use a 5-25Nm 1/4" for nearly everything.

I have a 10-60Nm halfords one that does everything bar a few random nuts and bolts on the 30, if i ever need to do anything higher my old man has a 60-250Nm one that i borrow.

you have basically specced the 3 ideal torque wrenches

rule of thumb is you dont want to be using a torque wrench at its high or low limits for accuracy

eg dont use a 20-200 for 20 or 200


there isnt a lot of bolts that its essential for

side cases or rocker covers for example, small loads just dont be a gorilla and you will be fine

for cam caps or head bolts then its essential imho

brake caliper bolts and wheel nuts then its nice to use a torque wrench but again not essential

i just bought an older quality brand torque wrench $300 new for $30 on ebay

if you google torque wrenches you will find how to check their accuracy and it would be worthwhile doing for any torque wrench you get new or old , cheap or expensive

basically work out what you need it for and decide if its needed and then buy according to that requirement

Cheers guys.

As I suspected, it looks like the 6-30Nm (1/4" drive) may be the puppy for me. As I say I already have a couple of fairly beefy items but cannot remember what range they are (they are also in storage along with the bikes).

johnnie5 wrote: if you google torque wrenches you will find how to check their accuracy and it would be worthwhile doing for any torque wrench you get new or old , cheap or expensive

.

Johnnie - I am lucky and have access to bench mounted Torque analysers at work, so every now and then can take the wrenches I have into work and just check they are still callibrated.

johnnie5 wrote:basically work out what you need it for and decide if its needed and then buy according to that requirement

Exactly my point. I know that between the torque wrenches I already have I can cope with the bigger (higher torque) stuff up to and including the wheel nut / yolk nut etc. However the smaller of my two wrenches is still fairly substantial and hence I am pretty sure I have nothing that will coverthe lower torque requirements. My problem is/was I just wasn't sure what sort of range the majority of the "lower" torques on the NC30 covered (eg 5Nm-20NM or 20Nm-50Nm etc) as I have no Haynes manual to hand to peruse. I have done pretty well in the past working on the old principle of "two white knuckles" is about the right torque for most things, but want to do a 100% proper job my next couple of planned projects, plus new additions to the toy box, sorry tool box, collection are always welcome - lol.

VFRkieran wrote:I have a 10-60Nm halfords one that does everything bar a few random nuts and bolts on the 30, if i ever need to do anything higher my old man has a 60-250Nm one that i borrow.

Most people on other forums seem to rate Halfrauds torque wrenches quite highly. I'm fortunate to have access to a trade card which means the tool and parts prices plummet (how about under 20p for a car oil drain bolt and washer that should be over three quid? ) and I'm very seriously considering getting the two smaller ones they do (8-60 and 40-200). I can't recall a huge amount on the NCs being over 60, but some parts on the missus' car are, in fact the alternator pulley is 205!

Have you had any issues with yours, or would you recommend it?

Oh you jammy bugger id love to have a trade card for halfords! I would definatly recommend it, mine has been in use for around 20 months and ive had no trouble, my only issue is the clicks on the ratchet seem to be quite spaced out if that makes sense, meaning that if space is an issue and you can only swing the wrench back an inch or so then you will struggle to tighten the bolt,nut,whatever. I hope that makes sense its hard for me to explain in writing what i mean

Other than the above its fine, the adjuster is very clear and easy to use, locking mechanism works well too so you dont accidentally increase/decrease the torque setting while using it. All in all it seems like a well made bit of kit, but bear in mind i only use it a few times a month.

I used my dads trade card and bought the halfords 8-60 and 60-300 ones , they are spot on think i payed around £85-90 for the pair