If you're concerned about torque wrenches going out of calibration, purchase Precision Instruments split beam torque wrench. Make sure to buy the wrench with your working area that falls in the mid point of the rated scale. This torque wrench does not use a loaded spring, so storing it at the last used value does not throw the wrench out of calibration. If you really want to get tricky, do what i did, purchase a Snap-On Techwrench. I wanted a torquewrench that would work clockwise & counter-clockwise with a flexhead, only good one i could find. This unit is digital and can be used like a beam type, showing you the torque value as used, and clicker type, audible beep and vibration when hitting pre-set value. By the way, you can change scale between ft/lb, in/lb and n/m on the fly.

 

Sorry to awake this thread from the dead but I need a torque wrench and have a simple question, do I want one that does ft. lbs or one that does inch pounds, reason I ask is I want one that matches the factory service manual specifications and it appears to be in inch pounds can someone please shine some light on this?

 

12 inch pounds = 1 foot pound. That should answer your question ... you want to consider whether the torque of interest is in the middle of the torque wrench's range, not what units it happens to be marked in.

 

i use beam for lower reading stuff, clicker for the heavier stuff.

i think mine goes up to 150lb/ft

 

hi all, i'm looking for a good torque wrench. i found this article on the web (http://www.webbikeworld.com/r3/torque-wrench/) and they highly recommend a Split Beam wrench by Precision Instruments. A little pricey but they say the quality is superb. also, i've never heard any talk here about these split beam torque wrenches, and the article says it's a relatively style new to the market (no date on the article, but seems very recent). any takes or personal experience with this type of wrench or, even better, this exact wrench?

 

^^ Me too. And just remember that when using a click wrench, the bolt or nut must turn BEFORE the wrench clicks. Otherwise, its menaingless, and probably means you have over-torqued. Just watch the guys in a tire shop merrily clicking away at your lugnuts after they over-torque them with an impact wrench.

 

the split beam are great. no need to dail the tq setting back down after use. i have the Snap on 50-250 ft lb model. IIRC the Snap On split beam is made by Precision. check out toolsource.com for prices on the precision.

 

i have to agree wiht the gentleman above, using the tq wrench to take things off is not good practice. friend and i use to use it as a breaker bar as it was has great leverage. wellllll, this was stupid, since now its ****ed up. i will only use the new one for tightening things, and have learned the hard way to invest in a real breaker bar......or just take the jack pole off and sleeve it over the half inch drive

 

So is the factory service manual settings in foot or inch pounds?

 

Anyone?