[Colonel Angus]

And more importantly, what kind is it and do you like it.

I need to pick one up, looking for recommendations.

TIA

 

[IH8Rice]

craftsman torque wrench here. 3/8" and 1/2"
cant go wrong with their tools

its always a good idea to torque critical parts like pinch bolts on triple clamps...over torquing can break a part very easily

 

[Quo Fan]

I use a Craftsman 3/8" indicating type torque wrench. The breakaway type should be calibrated annually.

 

[4xBoy]

Snap-on 3/8 I need to get a couple more, but I don't see the rep. anymore.

 

[dirtygirlmagnet]

We have a Craftsman breakaway style in our garage that's older than I am. (21) We've had it calibrated 3-4 times and it's always been spot on. I would definitely recommend this tool.

 

[Jim Mac]

Craftsman as well. I have come to rely on torque wrenches, as my magical monkey power has ruined many things from over tightening.

 

[johnbryanpeters]

I have four, for different torque ranges. Two Craftsman, one Snap-on, one [I forget]. Two are bending beam and two are breakaway.

 

[lugnuts]

i was gonna say are you talking foot pounds or inch pounds? I have a craftsman for big stuff and a park for little stuff.

 

[burly50]

I have 2 Craftsman, 3/8 and 1/4. The 1/4 only goes down to 6 Nm and the handle is pretty long for small jobs. I need one that torques to a lighter spec w/ a shorter hande but all the bike specific t-wrenches I look at cost 3x what I paid for the big t-wrench. Looking for a good, accurate product at a reasonable price, $50ish or so. Any sugestions?

P.S. Sorry for the hi-jack

 

[-dustin]

stopped using torque wrenches unless a customer is standing over me.

 

[BikeMike]

I own two torque wrenches, the large and small bending beam style Park tools. The Park Tool wrenches are easy to source. For a small torque wrench, the bending beam style is the most economical and practical choice. Plus, beam style wrenches do not need to be sent in for calibration, while click style wrenches need to be sent in for calibration every year or so.

 

[ultraNoob]

Just bought a 1/4" drive torque wrench from harbor freight for $15. It goes from 20-200 in.lbs. Also bought a set of 1/4" drive metric allen head sockets. Now I am content.

 

[jonKranked]

Craftsman 3/8". Like rice said, crown pinch bolts are a key place for this. I do it on stems and bars too because I find it helps keep creaks from developing. Also, I use it when carbon bits are involved. For hub cones, I go by feel. Otherwise, everything gets hamfisted.

 

[syadasti]

Beam is the best low cost option.

There are some newer electronic strain gauge based torque wrenches from Danaher Tool Group sold under various labels (KD/Gearwrench, Craftsman, etc) and they retail for around $200 but can be had for around $100. Those should be better as far as staying calibrated as long as the electronics don't die. Some measure breakaway torque too.

Here is one of them:

http://www.gearwrench.com/catalog/torque_wrenches/electronic_torque_wrench/