HF torque wrench

[KC-Steve]

Hey all,

Some of you might not be aware that I'm somewhat of a tool freak and that means I probably have more tools than I will ever use. But it is always better to have a tool when needed than to run to the tool store every few minutes.

That said, I was in Harbor Freight the other day and picked up a Pittsburgh 1/4" drive torque wrench that measures 20 to 200 inch-pounds for around $20 on sale.

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-4-quarter-inch-drive-click-stop-torque-wrench-2696.html

I was wondering if anyone has used this tool. Does it work okay? Seems that the 200 inch-pound capacity might be on the low side when it comes to bicycles. That is only a little over 16 foot-pounds, which is really too small for my foot-pound torque wrench to measure accurately, so my initial thinking was it would be a good tool to have for a wide range of uses.

But since I don't currently have any carbon-fiber bicycles, I don't really know if this tool would work with those or not.

Thanks for your input,
Steve

[RobAR]

Hi Steve,
I, too, am a tool freak. Even to the point of redundancy at times. :-)
A torque wrench is a very good, almost necessary, tool to have working on newer bicycles; carbon parts or not. You wouldn't believe the use that my Park TW-1 and 2 see. The TW-1, 0-60 inch pounds, is used heavily. So many parts these days - stems, bars, seatpost clamps, etc - have every possible gram removed without sacrificing safety that the only way to maintain that safety is to carefully follow the mfr's specs when installing.

I have an idea! If your sockets don't sell, buy another toolbox and make it a dedicated torque wrench box! LOL

Rob

[KC-Steve]

Ha-ha-ha, Well this is embarrassing, I just checked how many 1/4" drive socket sets I have and there are 10 FULL SETS in my toolbox ranging from 6-pt shallow SAE to 12-pt deep metric style. So selling one of the two 6-pt deep metric socket sets won't hamper my ability to perform maintenance.

I'm not in any hurry to sell them but thanks for the suggestion.

But I was just looking at Park's torque wrench TW-1, it is up to 60-inch pounds and the TW-2 reaches up to 600-inch pounds. It seems to me that if you are up around 400 or 500-inch pounds then it would be better to just use a foot-pound torque wrench. 480-inch pounds would be 40-foot pounds. So I am still wondering what sort of torque specifications are 'typical' on a bicycle?

Thanks,
Steve

[RobAR]

(11-22-2010, 02:51 AM)KC-Steve Wrote:  Ha-ha-ha, Well this is embarrassing,

Well, Steve, it shouldn't be. You're among friends here!

Dig on this, bro http://bikeride.com/torque-specifications/
You'll notice that the majority of torque specs are under 100 In lbs until you hit drivetrain stuff. If you'll do a search for 'bicycle torque specs', you'll find an almost infinite amount of info, some even from the Mfr's themselves.

Two very important rules to remember when playing with a TW... (1) a wrench is most accurate within the middle 70% of its range. (2) always be sure to properly lubricate (not too much, not too little and with the proper lube) the fasteners that you are torquing. A dry bolt can give a false reading higher than what is actually being applied, due to friction.

I hope you feel better soon!

Rob

[KC-Steve]

Thanks Rob, Yup, it looks like that Harbor Freight torque wrench might be a perfect mid-size with a range of 20 to 200 inch pounds. Accurate usable range of roughly 40 to 180.

That means I'll have to buy the Park TW-1, so I have an excuse for more tools!

Thanks again,
Steve

[RobAR]

(11-22-2010, 09:29 PM)KC-Steve Wrote:  That means I'll have to buy the Park TW-1, so I have an excuse for more tools!

Oh crap. Man. Honestly. I was Trying to help. Really.

[KC-Steve]

No problem, we're just feeding our tool collecting addictions.

Steve

[RobAR]

(11-23-2010, 10:21 PM)KC-Steve Wrote:  ...just feeding our tool collecting addictions...

Huh? What tools? This old wrench in my new boot? I didn't buy that. I have had it for years. I took it out of the package and put it in my boot so that... it would smell old, I guess. I hope no ladies read that! I really do.
Happy Thanksgiving to Kansas City, MO (and that other side over by Mission)

[RobAR]

Steve, hey Steve.... did you torque something, Steve? Torque something, Steve! What are you going to torque, Steve? Will you torque it right now, Steve?

Seriously! Have ya?? Reviews are cool.

[X-RAY]

good to know im not the only one with a tool fetish. wait a minute, that didnt sound good at all! my wife just gave me heck today for buying tools so close to christmas. "you take away all my ideas".

[KC-Steve]

He-he, well THIS thread went to the dogs fast. Speaking of Christmas gifts, did anyone buy any tools on Black Friday? I bought not one, but TWO, Cen-Tech infrared thermometers for $19.99, marked down from $60 at Harbor Freight. I figured if it's good enough to check a welded object's temp in the garage then it will also be good for verifying a gas griddle's temp in the kitchen, therefore I needed two.

RobAR, I'll get back with you on a "review" of the torque wrench. Right now I am getting some Monday morning things accomplished.

I did go ahead and put a bug in a family member's ear about the Park TW-1 for Christmas, since our recent discussion.

Thanks,
Steve

[Surly LHT]

I have both the TW-1 and TW-2 nice to have them too.

[Bill]

Agreed I love tools!

[EvieRusconi]

yes agreed....good maintain on your cycle...I would suggest a company who supplies extensive range of welding equipment, welding helmets, plasma welding machines, mig tig welders, stick & spot welders, multi-process welders in Taizhou, Zhejiang, China.