its a 3/8" click style torque wrench. Do you think it will be ok for most of the work one would do on an S2000?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Disp...?itemnumber=807

or what about this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...item=2068206832

Which would you choose?

 

Most inexpensive torque wrenches are adequate for all fasteners outside if engine internals. Although they may be off by 10%, especially after many uses, it makes little difference on lug nuts or other fasteners. But when tightening bearing caps, etc. during engine work it is better to use a tool that has been calibrated.

(for critical military work not only is each tool calibrated on a schedule, but a full set of documentation is maintained showing when the calibrating unit was checked for accuracy, going all the way back to the bureau of standards),

 

Where can you get a torque wrench calibrated? Can a no-name brand wrench be calibrated?

 

Yes, usually about twenty bucks.

You can use a service that require shipping like:

http://www.torquerepair.com/index.htm

Or hunt one down locally, but I think there are few and they specialize in commercial service (http://www.inotek.com/ics.html). The one I was aware of is no longer open.

 

I agree completely.

I have a 3/8" Snap-on and 1/2" Craftsman digitorque wrench which are great for work requiring high accuracy, which doesn't get done often. They mostly stay in their cases set to zero.

I have a few cheapo 1/2" wrenches that get used for tires and miscellaneous high torque fasteners. One stays in the race bag with a 19mm socket preset to the correct wheel torque (technically, you should reset them to zero after use to maintain maximum accuracy).

Bottom line, for most stuff that the average owner will be doing, the Harbor Freight $20 specials are fine.

I'd go with 1/2" over 3/8", though. Or just get both, their cheap enough!

 

It seems like it wouldn't be too dificult to CHECK the calibration on a torque wrench yourself using a known weight, a ruler, and some twine.

 

The 'known weight', 'ruler', and jig geometry all need to be tested and calibrated in theory. I know nothing we do requires much precision but it is interesting to realize in this day of exact specifications I don't own a single tool that I trust to be dead on accurate.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by cdelena
[B]

The 'known weight', 'ruler', and jig geometry all need to be tested and calibrated in theory.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by gernby
[B]

Are you referring to the accuracy of the ruler, weight, etc?

 

The most accurate torque wrenches are the beam style. Try to get one of those if you can (depending on if you are torquing spark plugs or lug nuts). We have tested the "click style" at work, and they have much more variation than the beam style, regardless of brand.

But, as was said, the only way to know what you torque you are applying is to have the wrench calibrated.