buying suggestions torque wrenches

[sbrguy]

so what brands and styles of torque wrenches would people here suggest for working on the bike?

for the record i am not professional mechanic (if i was i would not be asking this question) and also i figure this is the type of tool that you use on occassion and more often than not its something that is used at times by otehr people that need to "borrow" yours at times.  of course you will make sure you get your tools back from people.

i have looked online a bit and have noticed that the name brands, ie, mac, craftsman, snap-on are all around 200 or more for a torque wrench, wow is that stuff really that expensive?   also the snap on seems to be the mercedes of the group with their stuff being literally hundreds more, what is the reason for that?

[Spidey]

so what brands and styles of torque wrenches would people here suggest for working on the bike?

Craftsman is not $200 unless you get the *really* expensive ones.  I have Craftsman torque wrenches and have no complaints.  I've used Craftman torque wrenches to rebuilt an engine.  That said, I wouldn't know what I was looking for in a good torque wrench or not.  Craftsman is a brand I trust and was recommended (by DML/DMF folk), so I bought them.   I didn't want to go with a Harbor Freight cheapie, but didn't see a point in getting a Snap-ON or SK. 

Snap On is a more because for those people that use tools all the time, high quality tools like Snap On are a must (same will be true of torque wrenches).  People will tell you stories about other brands snapping off bolts or rounding them off or the tools breaking after a year or two.  That said, there's a lot of argument (and brand loyalty) about what tools to use.  I'm not a daily mechanic and so don't buy Snap-On.  I buy craftman for things like sockets or wrenches and cheaper tools for things like hammers or punches or pliers. 

[Fresh Pants]

I have (2) Craftsman torque wrenches, and haven't had anything fall of the bike yet. (fingers crossed)

[erkishhorde]

I got a $90-something analog twist-handle to tension craftsman torque wrench and it's served me well. It's cheap enough that I don't mind lending it out to friends and with the craftsman lifetime warranty I don't mind if they break it (which one of them actually did). The decision between digital or analogue was relatively easy for me because the Sears at school only had one of each and the price difference was something like $50. Poor college student - $50 price difference... There's your answer. Whatever you get, as long as you take care of it and use it properly I'm sure it'll treat you well. Remember to always reset to 0 when you're done and you'll be fine. 

The sword-looking torque wrenches are a pain the ass to use. It'll get you close enough most of the time but I wouldn't count on it for accuracy.

[gage]

I'm gonna buck the trend here and recomend that you take a look at CDI Torque Products.

I have three and can telll you that they are exceptionally well made and very accurate.  They come with NIST traceable certifications, a nice case, and cost about $120 for the one that spans 5 ftlbs to 75 ftlbs. Less for the inch pound version and slightly more for the 50 to 250 ftlb version.

I think I'll have these tools for a lifetime and they are fully rebuildable and can be calibrated as needed.

Add to that the fact they are built by Snap-On (I actually think that this company builds all the Snap On torque wrenches) I can notice virtually no difference in a side by side comparison with the exception of the laser etching.

Awesome product - Higly recomended

Here is where I bought mine:
http://www.emaxaction.com/cdiclickwrenchatemax.aspx

http://www.cditorque.com/

[Roscoe]

Snap-On 

[Monsterlover]

I have the $10 1/2 drive Pittsburgh torque wrench that, I think, Harbor Freight sells now.

This has worked well for me for years.  I've built a few engines with it with no issues after the fact.

While my wrench may not really be giving me 60 foot pounds like the CDI wrenches definitely would, I can say that it's not off by 20 ft/lbs or anything like that.

Torque was accurate when I used a different wrench to double check it.

YMMV

[Roscoe]

I can't help it, I'm a tool snob. The same as the guy that spends $30k in mods on a $10k STREET bike. Do we really need $2500 forks on a machine that will get you A to B just fine on cheap, production stock ones? Obviously it all depends on your point of view.

I'll admit my Snap-On tourque wrench was just shy of 4 bills, but it's a precision digital instrument that reads in Nm, in/lbs, and ft/lbs. I liken it to the Ohlins of tourque wrenches. Do I really need it? Probably not. Will a $50 craftsman get the job done? Most likely.
But when that tool truck comes to my shop, I get weak in the knees. Just like I do when I see a full Ohlins with billet radial Brembos and ceramic composite rotors.

And yes, you do get what you pay for.

[ducatiz]

I have a Snap-On

one tip:

Torque wrenches last a lot longer if you keep them indoors and let them acclimate to the outside temp before using.

[monster monkey]

I own a Snap-On beam type torque wrench, but this is because I am a tech and need high quality tools for the long run. If it's only for occasional use, I think a craftsman would work just fine. Now if your looking for something to use regularly, definitely go with a Snap-On, Mac, or even Matco.

I will say, by no means, use a Harbor Freight type because the calibration may off. Just because it clicks doesn't mean its accurate.....my .02 

[Monsterlover]

Hey!

I checked against the $100 craftsman one and it was right there. . .

[gage]

I still say that for just a little bit more than the 'civilian rated" craftsmen you can get the same thing as the Snap-ON.

I don't have anything against Craftsmen and have a box full of it but the CDI wrenches are a better value in my opinion than craftsmen or snap on.

[billg69gmc]

I went with the craftsman for the foot pound, but was extremely disappointed when it came time to find a decent inch pound torque wrench... until I found that ca-cycleworks has one.
http://www.ca-cycleworks.com/shop/catalog/ducati/tools.html]
[url]http://www.ca-cycleworks.com/shop/catalog/ducati/tools.html[/url]

Scroll down to the Measuring/Precision Tool section.

It's compact and good for all the small stuff, afterall it is the small stuff that breaks easier.

[Porsche Monkey]

I am a professional Porsche tech.  I have a $300 dollar 1/4  Matco torque wrench, a 3/8 snap on at 400 bucks, and a 1/2 snap on at around 500 bucks.  I wouldn't  consider buying a harbor freight torque wrench even for home use because the quality of any of their house brands is shit. Home Depot has husky brand which is about even with the craftsman stuff and you may want to check them out.  Porsche sends us special application tools that are required for a specific job. This past week they sent us this fancy $2500 torque wrench that will be used on the upcoming Panamera sedan. It is for tightening aluminum bolts and calibrated only for that.  Apparently the newest thing is to use aluminum fasteners instead of steel to shave weight. 

[BK_856er]

I'm gonna buck the trend here and recomend that you take a look at CDI Torque Products.

I have three and can telll you that they are exceptionally well made and very accurate.  They come with NIST traceable certifications, a nice case, and cost about $120 for the one that spans 5 ftlbs to 75 ftlbs. Less for the inch pound version and slightly more for the 50 to 250 ftlb version.

I think I'll have these tools for a lifetime and they are fully rebuildable and can be calibrated as needed.

Add to that the fact they are built by Snap-On (I actually think that this company builds all the Snap On torque wrenches) I can notice virtually no difference in a side by side comparison with the exception of the laser etching.

Awesome product - Higly recomended

Here is where I bought mine:
http://www.emaxaction.com/cdiclickwrenchatemax.aspx

http://www.cditorque.com/

+1 on the CDI wrenches and also emaxaction.  I have two to cover the typical ranges on the Monster.

BK