stevie_b Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 I'm in the market for a decent torque wrench for the occasional DIYer. I was looking at the Halfords Professional range (they get good reviews): I'm considering the 60-300NM or the 40-200NM. I can't think what would need more than 200NM of torque, so do you think the 40-200NM would suffice? As a start, I'd like it to handle wheel nuts (103NM on the supra) and odd jobs like the oil sump nut (?? NM), which I'm always worried about over-tightening. Any thoughts, or other recommendations? The Halfords range is about the top end of what I'd like to spend, so although Snap-On etc stuff is nice I couldn't justify the extra expense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbloodyturbo Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 I bought a teng tools 15-190 (i think) lbs torque wrench as it could do the smallest thing I needed (cam caps I believe where like 14 or 15ft/lbs) and the biggest thing that was the head bolts at 175lbs. Has been quite good and repeatable and certainly feels very well made. I have a 3/8th" socket set by teng and a few other things and have always liked them, hence I will keep buying their stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan_Turism0 Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 i've got one of the Halfords pro ones and i'm very impressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted March 19, 2012 Author Share Posted March 19, 2012 i've got one of the Halfords pro ones and i'm very impressed. What's the most useful one in term of torque range? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjy Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 Whatever you do, do not get a Snap~On Blue Print digital one!! Halfords Pro are ok or an old fashioned snap on one like i got. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fastcar Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 I bought a teng tools 15-190 (i think) lbs torque wrench as it could do the smallest thing I needed (cam caps I believe where like 14 or 15ft/lbs) and the biggest thing that was the head bolts at 175lbs. Has been quite good and repeatable and certainly feels very well made. I have a 3/8th" socket set by teng and a few other things and have always liked them, hence I will keep buying their stuff. Plus 1 for the teng tools have lots of there stuff including the torque wrenches they are a good price aswell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh42 Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 Don't get a Halfords one! Work paid for me to get one so I bought one from Halfords, took it back to work and used our UCAS approved torque tester to check it was within calibration. It was way out. I checked the "calibration certificate" that came with it and their readings were way out from the readings I got. I asked another lad who had brought one to check his an his pulled way out of calibration throughout the range. It was then I noticed that the calibration certificate for his wrench was IDENTICAL! I reported this to UKAS and Halfords customer service who denied all knowledge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlmhtt Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 You might need over 240 lb/ft if you need to tighten the crank pulley bolt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digsy Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 Unless you are going to be doing suspension bolts and other large non-yield tightened fasteners every day I would get a low range one for doing stuff up to about 50Nm and then if you find you really need it get a second one for doing the bigger stuff. I can't see how a wrench can be accurate throughout such a big range. If you want to do head bolts. big ends and main bearings properly you will need one with an angle gauge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjy Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 Don't get a Halfords one! Work paid for me to get one so I bought one from Halfords, took it back to work and used our UCAS approved torque tester to check it was within calibration. It was way out. I checked the "calibration certificate" that came with it and their readings were way out from the readings I got. I asked another lad who had brought one to check his an his pulled way out of calibration throughout the range. It was then I noticed that the calibration certificate for his wrench was IDENTICAL! I reported this to UKAS and Halfords customer service who denied all knowledge I got the 8 - 60nm one and the 50 - 200nm one from halfords, and a snap on 80 - 350nm one. All have been calibrated by the guys that come round, the only one I've ever had a problem with was the Snap On one, which I made the dealer replace. Didn't want it fixed, it wasn't right, I wanted a new one. Had that calibrated and all is good at the mo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supra Kong Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 I bought a cheapy Laser one today!! Up to 210NM, and i gotta say, its really good!!!! Only £30.00 new. Does what i need it to do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbloodyturbo Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 If you want to do head bolts. big ends and main bearings properly you will need one with an angle gauge. The teng tools wrench's have an angle gauge for doing up the stock head bolts(although I used arp's). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 I bought 2 of the Halfords pro ones. I would recommend getting both of them as there are a LOT of 20lbs nuts & bolts as well as the tighter suspension bolts, wheel nuts etc. I know it seems like a hit in the pocket but they are fantastic items to have in the toolbox for all manor of jobs. I also checked mine in work and mine were pretty good as far as calibration goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 I bought a cheapy Laser one today!! Up to 210NM, and i gotta say, its really good!!!! Only £30.00 new. Does what i need it to do! Cheap dross, absolutely useless other than letting you think you are actually checking anything properly. You would be as well with someone standing behind you with a clicker guessing when the bolt is tight enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjy Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 Cheap dross, absolutely useless other than letting you think you are actually checking anything properly. You would be as well with someone standing behind you with a clicker guessing when the bolt is tight enough. Is that not how you do it?? Now I know why I keep snapping head bolts... lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 Is that not how you do it?? Now I know why I keep snapping head bolts... lol I found a better way, to save snapping & shearing bolts I now just finger tighten everything. Saved me a fortune in new ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjy Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 Awesome. I'll try that. Will it work on wheels too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 Awesome. I'll try that. Will it work on wheels too? I've not found anything it doesn't work on yet. I honestly couldn't tell you the last time I snapped a bolt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjy Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 When was the last time your wheels overtook you on the motorway though? lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 When was the last time your wheels overtook you on the motorway though? lol Not had her out yet http://www.mkivsuprastar.com/Pics/Single/IMG_7319-1200.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supra Kong Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 Cheap dross, absolutely useless other than letting you think you are actually checking anything properly. You would be as well with someone standing behind you with a clicker guessing when the bolt is tight enough. Well, its easy to use, tightens up my wheel nuts and calibration seems ok too! This is pretty much all i use it for, so why would i wanna spend more? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 Well, its easy to use, tightens up my wheel nuts and calibration seems ok too! This is pretty much all i use it for, so why would i wanna spend more? What did you check the calibration against? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supra Kong Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 Well, it has a test sheet included, and though not perfect it wasnt that far out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 Well, it has a test sheet included, and though not perfect it wasnt that far out! Test sheets aren't worth the paper they are written on. If you intend on using it for properly torquing things up I would suggest getting it properly calibrated, otherwise it's just a gimmick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supra Kong Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 Test sheets aren't worth the paper they are written on. If you intend on using it for properly torquing things up I would suggest getting it properly calibrated, otherwise it's just a gimmick. Well, once i start getting into that, i'll splash out on a proper unit! As for now, am just using it as part of my wheel change kit in the boot of my car! Seems ok for that so far!! (-; Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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