Torque wrench do i need it?

[JTQ]

Professionals do, "cowboys", don't.

You found one in that Halfords.

 

[Buckman]

I have just been to Halfords and the guy at Halfords told me not to buy a torque wrench! He said nobody uses one not even the professionals and it's fine just to use the wrench provided with the caravan.

I'm not sure about that but since Halfords wanted to charge £125 for one, I gave it a miss for now and if I still want to get one I'll get a cheaper one online.

Guy at Halfords talking a load of twaddle! I was selling ours for £15!

 

[Hutch]

The Draper 1/2" drive is perfect for the torqueing and check torqeing of the wheel bolts.

 

[Martin_E]

Lidl and aldi used to have them in regularly, no idea if they still do but but they were ok.

Main thing to remember is make sure you wind the tension off each use.

 

[Hutch]

Lidl and aldi used to have them in regularly, no idea if they still do but but they were ok.

Main thing to remember is make sure you wind the tension off each use.

Lidll, had one about 6 weeks ago, It could be worth asking the manager of the store if they have any left.

 

[JTQ]

Then there is that well known online auction site, has many on offer,
eg LINK. Even comes with a 19mm socket, the preferred 6 cornered type.

How accurate, is anybody's guess but actually checking, using water and tape measure is easy if you have a strong enough bench mounted vice.
[An apprentice tool maker exercise back in the fifties, make and calibrate a bendy bar torque wrench]

However, I would wager that out of the box it will still be nearer "right" and consistent than your adviser in Halfords would be likely to be.

 

[Hutch]

Then there is that well known online auction site, has many on offer,
eg LINK.
How accurate is anybody's guess but actually checking, using water and tape measure is easy if you have a strong enough bench mounted vice.

However, I would wager that out of the box it will still be nearer "right" than your adviser in Halfords would be likely to be.

That wrench, is looking the same as the Lidl, Parkside branded torque wrench, Austrian made.

 

[JTQ]

Main thing to remember is make sure you wind the tension off each use.

And in use, just the single one off click!

 

[Hutch]

And in use, just the single one off click!

You can "click" it several times, just don't tighten it after the click,

 

[JTQ]

You can "click" it several times, just don't tighten it after the click,

Not good practice if accurate precision is required, slow steady continuous torque build up and to the single click on that occasion.

Personally I am a way bigger fan of the bending bar type for accurate work and there the progress approaching the desired torque is evident and there is no element of percussion involved. Academic here though with the quality and varying condition of the bolt threads involved, new plated, used so burnished, and later rusty!