High End Torque Wrench, does it matter?

[ron_roco]

I'm sure this has been discussed before, but I'd love to hear your thoughts: when comparing basic torque wrenches like Lifeline to high-end ones like Park Tool, is there a significant difference in terms of durability and accuracy, or is it not that crucial?

I recently bought a pair of grips that require 3Nm to secure, so I’m considering getting a torque wrench for my bike setup. I prefer durable tools, but I'm curious whether the price difference is mainly due to durability or accuracy, or even brand premium..

Thanks!

 

[alicat]

Welcome to the forum

What do you mean by 'grips'? Handlebar grips? If so nothing will get harmed by a little over-tightening except possibly the grip itself. For that use, it would be better to develop some mechanical sensitivity.

Sorry can't help about torque wrenches. I do have two but only use the basic one that is set to 5Nm.

 

[Pedropete]

Park’s torque wrenches are rebadged versions of a generic product, so really not high end. Nothing wrong with them but you can get comparable quality for less money without big blue’s branding. A genuinely high-end brand would be Norbar or Britool, maybe Wera or ACDelco. I use Norbar for work in 20-50 and 4-26 Nm ranges, plus a 1.5-6 Nm torque driver for cleat-bolts and small carbon parts.

Cheaper wrenches may be hard to get recalibrated and suffer from repeatability issues. I’ve also checked a few for friends where setting the torque value was difficult due to parallax errors when reading the scale, leading to settings +/- 2-3 Nm. Some of the beam type wrenches can be pretty good for basic bike use, bit cheaper than clickers too.

General stuff to consider regarding torque wrenches:

• Most are more accurate nearer the middle of their ranges and less so at the extremes
• Always back them off to the lowest marked torque setting when you’re finished using them
• Don’t drop them!
• They lose accuracy over time so will need checking and recalibrating occasionally if your use requires high accuracy or auditability

 

[Punkawallah]

I use a ‘beam’ type torque wrench from my days of car maintenance; it fits the half inch sockets I have. For the few torque fastenings I use, it does fine.

 

[rydabent]

I use a ‘beam’ type torque wrench from my days of car maintenance; it fits the half inch sockets I have. For the few torque fastenings I use, it does fine.

I agree. They do not go "out of adjustment".

 

[Gillstay]

I have a small Teng one for bike use. Its nice and it works well and easily.

 

[Drago]

I've got a Mac one. I don't abuse it, I'm sure it's fine.

 

[keithmac]

I bought a Snap-on Techangle digital torque wrench for work. For me using it on engine critical parts it was a great investment.

I wouldn't use a torque wrench on a pair of grips but I suppose if the are clamped to pair of carbon handle bars better safe than sorry!.

Norbar are supposed to be a good make but I'm now sold on the digital kit. Does Torque and angle tightening.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Don’t bother