Torque Wrench Recommendations

[Pete C]

It's time to retire my current torque wrench as it is at least 25 years old, and doesn't go high enough for T6 wheel bolts.

Any recommendation from the resident mechanical experts ? It's for home use only, needs to go to 180 Nm, and I have a smaller torque wrench for low values (up to 25 Nm).

Not too expensive, but not a cheapie that will go out of calibration in 12 months.

Thanks,

Pete

 

[BennyboyT32]

Snap on is always up there, get them cheap on ebay sometimes. Fail that halfords advance isn't too bad at all. If you have a trade card they're pretty cheap!

 

[Fish]

I would imagine the amount @Tourershine takes his wheels off..

 

[Tourershine]

I would imagine the amount @Tourershine takes his wheels off..

I use Air Tools mate. Too much like hard work using those 'wrench' whojehmehflips.

 

[Pete C]

Thanks. The Halfords own brand ones get good reviews. What are their criteria for getting a trade card ?

Pete

 

[BennyboyT32]

Thanks. The Halfords own brand ones get good reviews. What are their criteria for getting a trade card ?

Pete

I had a friend who worked there, so blagged one.
Im sure anyone can set it up though, just ask for paperwork

 

[Pete C]

Thanks. The Halfords own brand ones get good reviews. What are their criteria for getting a trade card ?

Pete

I'll answer my own question - from the Halfords website:

Who is eligible to apply for Halfords Trade Card?
Halfords Trade Card is exclusively available to those who work in eligible trades, such as:
Qualified mechanic
Self-employed mechanic
Mobile mechanic
Small independent garage mechanic
Fast Fit Centre mechanic
Commercial vehicle mechanic
Police, fire or ambulance mechanic
Bus mechanic
Local authority mechanic
Recovery mechanic
College motor vehicle staff
College apprentice mechanic
Army mechanic
RAF or aviation engineer
Railway engineer / mechanic
Naval Engineer
Marine Engineer/Mechanic
Carpenter
Electrician
Plumber
Glazier
Landscaper / Fencer
Welder / Metal worker
Utilities worker
Taxi companies & drivers
Courier companies & drivers

I can't quite match with any of these unfortunately. I've got my own limited company, so I may be able to blag it somehow.

Failing that, I could use my British Cycling 10% discount - now what needs 200 Nm torque on a bicycle ......

Pete

 

[Keith_75]

I've been meaning get a trade card for years. I'm quite well tooled up for diy type mechanic jobs but there's always consumables to be bought.

 

[Loz]

I have one of these Calibrated Torque Wrench Certificate 50-258 ft lbs 1/2" High Range 70-350Nm 5055553942135 | eBay it is excellent.

 

[Nick Fox]

im sure that is a quality torque wrench but I can't help thinking its identical to the £15 ones Ratchet Drive Torque Wrench 1/2" Square Drive 28 - 210Nm Tool Socke UK ME 714131852383 | eBay ?

 

[Martinf]

I recently looked for one and bought this Norbar 300; very happy with it. It is certificated to very much better than the specified +/-3%. Available from my usual supplier of almost everything!
NorTorque 300

 

[Loz]

im sure that is a quality torque wrench but I can't help thinking its identical to the £15 ones Ratchet Drive Torque Wrench 1/2" Square Drive 28 - 210Nm Tool Socke UK ME 714131852383 | eBay ?

Different torque range and not certified, but other than that identical when is a copy a copy...

 

[Spookybear]

I was looking at a couple of these in different sizes, get good reviews but havent bought one yet!! - AC Delco Digital torque adaptor - ARM602 | eBay

 

[Loz]

I was looking at a couple of these in different sizes, get good reviews but havent bought one yet!! - AC Delco Digital torque adaptor - ARM602 | eBay

I have one of those as well but the Clarke brand from Machine mart.

 

[andys]

I have two Halfords ones covering all the range I need between them. Can't remember how much I paid for them cos it was a long time ago, but the quality's good enough to probably see me out.

 

[Dellmassive]

weve got these:

Draper Expert (DYNAMIC): 10-80Nm & 30-210Nm



.

 

[Dellmassive]

I'll answer my own question - from the Halfords website:

Who is eligible to apply for Halfords Trade Card?
Halfords Trade Card is exclusively available to those who work in eligible trades, such as:
Qualified mechanic
Self-employed mechanic
Mobile mechanic
Small independent garage mechanic
Fast Fit Centre mechanic
Commercial vehicle mechanic
Police, fire or ambulance mechanic
Bus mechanic
Local authority mechanic
Recovery mechanic
College motor vehicle staff
College apprentice mechanic
Army mechanic
RAF or aviation engineer
Railway engineer / mechanic
Naval Engineer
Marine Engineer/Mechanic
Carpenter
Electrician
Plumber
Glazier
Landscaper / Fencer
Welder / Metal worker
Utilities worker
Taxi companies & drivers
Courier companies & drivers

I can't quite match with any of these unfortunately. I've got my own limited company, so I may be able to blag it somehow.

Failing that, I could use my British Cycling 10% discount - now what needs 200 Nm torque on a bicycle ......

Pete

i just signed up myself..

many trade options apart from mechanical . . . ie: electrician & commercial construction

benefits:

What discounts can I get with a Halfords Trade Card?
The Halfords Trade Card gives you access to loads of great discounts, such as:
30% off Fuses & Fixings
25% off Wipers, Ignition and Filtration
20% off Oils, Additives, Brake Pads/Shoes & Batteries
20% off Tools & Workshop
20% off Motorcycle Parts and Accs
10% off Car Cleaning and Body Repair
10% off Bulbs
10% off Car Accessories & Styling
10% off Special Order Parts


weve been using the AA members card for 10% off - but this looks better discounts =]

 

[Dellmassive]

just picked this up yesterday in store, easy to get.

just apply online, take a bit of proof into store . . . . . get card issued. easy.

 

[Pete C]

Just to follow this up, I ended up buying a Norbar torque wrench from a reputable supplier on eBay - cost me £85.

Norbar make Halfords torque wrenches, which come out well in reviews. Interestingly the cheaper torque wrenches on Amazon, Ebay etc don't appear to come out well in proper calibrated tests, so I avoided them.

Pete

 

[Roadrunner]

Never taken my wheels off but use a Norbar and if itneeds more that 120 Nm its click and then Grunt. The flywheel bold on the mini I had was around 160 and never came off