bbjohn

Oh, I thought it was back off a 1/4 turn.

(I have a 1/2" and 3/8" clicker type and a 1/4" beam type for the little stuff)

allred

A torque wrench is a tool that the average person doesn't need very often, but it is an essential tool and worth every penny to have sitting in your garage toolbox.

Personally I wouldn't buy a beam type, I have a click type, and use it relatively often, haven't tried a digital one, and can't see anything being an improvement over an audible "click".

I take my wheels off to clean them, so that's about once or twice a month, plus there always seems to be a job on my motorcycle, or my wife's car, that needs a torque wrench.

They are not expensive, are simple to use, and give you peace of mind. Everyone should have one.

FortMorganAl

I have 2. Clicker type is the best. Beam type is probably second because it doesn't run through batteries and lose calibration like the digital type. But clicker can be used in more positions and you don't have to look at it.

I pretty much only use one for wheels. I did several experiments with the oil plug until I calibrated my arm so I don't bother with one for oil any more. That plug isn't really that tight and has a gasket to take up the slack. But I would always wonder because of a steel plug in an aluminum pan if I hadn't done the experiments.

Accuracy isn't really that important. Being off 10% isn't going to hurt anything. Consistency is more important. Without a torque wrench you can easily be 50% low or 100% high if you are in an odd position and haven't gotten experience with the right torque like that.

Don-Vette

HF 1/2" very nice,great for the lug nuts.

LFZ

If you work on your cars...not just rotating tires and changing oil, then invest in quality torque wrenches in both 3/8" and 1/2" drives. Otherwise, the Harbor Freight ones will suffice.

AimHigh

remember you get what you pay for too when it comes to accuracy and quality.

PittMD1

I have two also. When I had my hobby ranch and tractor with implements I used them quite often. Now I am not even sure where they are.

boraxman

I have 3 - 1/2, 3/8 and 1/4 all Snap-on

choprfgr

I have several - favorite is Sears Electric Transducer
It's a 3 inch socket shaft extension with a wire hanging off.
Then a hand held like a big Fluke meter.

rider9195

I have a 3/8 and 1/2 Matco, I got a student discount so I couldn't pass up the deal. FYI, the Matco torque wrenches are the same thing as Gearwrench.

http://www.tooltopia.com/gearwrench-...nch-85053.aspx

http://www.tooltopia.com/gearwrench-85052.aspx

truckplay

go to sears and buy one for $100

carpe dm

Use mine all the time.

CorvetteSparky

I wouldn't count on a $10.00 torque wrench being very accurate. I've also read that a torque wrench should only be used to tighten nuts/bolts. Using it to loosen things will reduce its accuracy over time. That was also a good tip earlier about resetting it to zero after use. That too will preserve its accuracy. Just through normal use they should be recallibrated every few years.

BigVette427

Coming from a military rotary winged maintenance background, very little was ever secured without the confirmation of a current and valid torque wrench. Safety wire and a torque spec for everything that can possibly become undone.

Red08

Thanks for all the input. I will probably get one of the less expensive ones, for tightening wheel lug nuts etc, and we have two Harelys in the garage too.

Mad*Max

No.

Gearhead Jim

Rogers 07

Actually the correct procedure is to tighten the bolt or nut until its tight, then keep going until it just starts to loosen up, Then...back off 1/4 of a turn, you have then achieved optimum torque on that fastener, because clearly it wont take much more than that !!!

VET4LES

Craftsman. I use it on the lug nuts and axle nuts on the C6 and any other project I'm working on.

rnelson11