Torque wrench - Yamaha FZ6R Forums - International FZ6R / XJ6 Motorcycle Community Forum

gearhead · 11-04-2009, 09:26 PM

I need to buy a torque wrench. What size do you all recommend? 3/8", 1/2" etc. I have sockets for both sizes of ratches so it doesn't matter, just wondering what works best. Are there opinions on digital or click-type? What about manufacturer? This is probably where I will shy away from Harbor Freight tools. Anybody with experience using Sears Craftsman torque wrenches?

Comiha22 · 11-04-2009, 09:30 PM

I'd say you'd find many more uses for a 3/8" over a 1/2", regardless of adapters. 1/2 is for pretty big jobs; I wouldn't say you'd need that much power for anything on your bike, or any car smaller than a full-size truck.

I've personally never been a fan of digital tools, but I'd say to each his own. My Dad has had all Craftsman for 35+ years and swears by it. That said, Husky, Dewalt, and a few others provide similar lifetime guarantees.

FitZ6R · 11-05-2009, 04:29 AM

Yup, 3/8" will be the most useful size.

Most of my tools are Craftsman, but I have a Husky 3/8" clicker torque wrench. IIRC, it covers a broader torque range than the Craftsman equivalent.

Another factor is that Craftsman considers torque wrenches to be a "precision tool," rather than a "hand tool," so they're not covered by lifetime warranty.

**99vengeur** · 11-05-2009, 07:35 AM

I also use a 3/8" clicker-style torque wrench, although I don't recall the manufacturer.

**dart1963** · 11-05-2009, 07:55 AM

Go with a 3/8", no need for 1/2".
Other than that, get whatever is available at your local auto store, don't bother buying a high dollar one, I think the one I bought was around $30, but that's all they had, harbor freight/northern tools/etc. may have others. Just make sure it covers the needed torque range.

Torque is a funny thing.... When I was in calibration in the military, I spent a couple of months on torque wrench calibrations. They are all horrible... move your hand one way or the other and it's off, push v. pull and it's off.
It's really more to make sure you don't break bolts than anything and most torque wrench brands/models are going to be accurate enough for that.

**Heineken** · 11-18-2009, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearhead

I need to buy a torque wrench. What size do you all recommend? 3/8", 1/2" etc. I have sockets for both sizes of ratches so it doesn't matter, just wondering what works best. Are there opinions on digital or click-type? What about manufacturer? This is probably where I will shy away from Harbor Freight tools. Anybody with experience using Sears Craftsman torque wrenches?

When installing my center stand I went to Sears and bought a Craftsman Torque Wrench. The one I chose was the 3/8 drive 10-75 ft.lb . Most of the chassis bolts on our bike are located in that range. It was on sale, got it for $77 bucks. I already had a nice collection of hand and power tools but a torque wrench I did not have.

Craftsman Microtork® Torque Wrench, 10-75 ft. lbs., 3/8 in. Drive

xplodnstar · 11-20-2009, 01:26 PM

In my experience, you can never go wrong with a Craftsman hand tool.

The only problem I've ever had with one was a broken handle on a screwdriver (which I was not using properly) and Sears swapped it right out for me.

Torque wrench specific, try to find a click wrench. The standard ones work, but they are hard to read while your using it. I have trouble stopping at only 12 ft/lbs with those, or getting all the way up to 80 when needed. Of course, being this small, it may be an user issue.

TOMIK · 05-04-2010, 01:32 PM

I just picked up a 3/8" torque rench frome local hardware store for $19.99 great buy, its not sears, but will do the job. 1/4" looks too big for my use.

MikeN02 · 05-05-2010, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TOMIK

I just picked up a 3/8" torque rench frome local hardware store for $19.99 great buy, its not sears, but will do the job. 1/4" looks too big for my use.

I picked up a Click type 1/2 for 27.99 from my local discount auto store. Works great.

**dart1963** · 05-05-2010, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TOMIK

I just picked up a 3/8" torque rench frome local hardware store for $19.99 great buy, its not sears, but will do the job. 1/4" looks too big for my use.

3/8 > 1/4

think you were looking at the 1/2" and yes, too big for most jobs on our bike.

11-04-2009, 09:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
gearhead Senior Member Bike: 2009 FZ6R Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Redding, CA Posts: 203 Thanks: 49 Thanked 34 Times in 22 Posts	Torque wrench I need to buy a torque wrench. What size do you all recommend? 3/8", 1/2" etc. I have sockets for both sizes of ratches so it doesn't matter, just wondering what works best. Are there opinions on digital or click-type? What about manufacturer? This is probably where I will shy away from Harbor Freight tools. Anybody with experience using Sears Craftsman torque wrenches? __________________ 2009 FZ6R Raven: Faster than the speed of dark. Cortech soft-bags, T-Rex frame sliders, Pro-grip tank protector, Red reflective rim stripes, FZ6R clear double-bubble windscreen. This message was sent with 100% recycled electrons.

11-04-2009, 09:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
Comiha22 Member Bike: 2009 Yamaha FZ6R Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Vienna, VA Posts: 62 Thanks: 3 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	I'd say you'd find many more uses for a 3/8" over a 1/2", regardless of adapters. 1/2 is for pretty big jobs; I wouldn't say you'd need that much power for anything on your bike, or any car smaller than a full-size truck. I've personally never been a fan of digital tools, but I'd say to each his own. My Dad has had all Craftsman for 35+ years and swears by it. That said, Husky, Dewalt, and a few others provide similar lifetime guarantees. __________________ 2009 Team Yamaha Blue FZ6R Intuitive Racing Sliders \| Phillips Lockhart Flushies \| Targa FE \| K&N Filter \| Yamaha Tinted Windscreen \| Carbon Fiber Tank Pad/Fuel Cap \| FZ6R Grips

11-05-2009, 04:29 AM	#3 (permalink)
FitZ6R Senior Member Bike: 2009 Yamaha FZ6R Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 425 Thanks: 72 Thanked 132 Times in 93 Posts	Yup, 3/8" will be the most useful size. Most of my tools are Craftsman, but I have a Husky 3/8" clicker torque wrench. IIRC, it covers a broader torque range than the Craftsman equivalent. Another factor is that Craftsman considers torque wrenches to be a "precision tool," rather than a "hand tool," so they're not covered by lifetime warranty. __________________ Kent 2009 Raven FZ6R // Yamaha Raised Bubble Windscreen // T-Rex Racing Frame Sliders // Joe Rocket & Cortech Luggage Last edited by FitZ6R; 11-18-2009 at 06:06 PM.

11-05-2009, 07:35 AM	#4 (permalink)
99vengeur Administrator Bike: 2009 Yamaha FZ6R Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Shreveport, LA Posts: 2,655 Thanks: 715 Thanked 752 Times in 476 Posts	I also use a 3/8" clicker-style torque wrench, although I don't recall the manufacturer. __________________ Robert 2009 Cadmium Yellow FZ6R//Intuitive Racing No-Cut Frame Sliders//Evotech Swingarm Spools//Two Brothers Racing V.A.L.E. Complete Carbon Fiber Exhaust//Two Brothers Racing JuiceBox//Driven AIS Blockoff Plates//Uscgduncan Fender Eliminator//Custom Garage Door Opener//Custom Painted Windscreen//Bi-xenon Projector Retrofit with Blue Angel Eye//More in the making...

11-20-2009, 01:26 PM	#7 (permalink)
xplodnstar Moderator Bike: FZ6R - White Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Corona, CA Posts: 423 Thanks: 81 Thanked 100 Times in 62 Posts	In my experience, you can never go wrong with a Craftsman hand tool. The only problem I've ever had with one was a broken handle on a screwdriver (which I was not using properly) and Sears swapped it right out for me. Torque wrench specific, try to find a click wrench. The standard ones work, but they are hard to read while your using it. I have trouble stopping at only 12 ft/lbs with those, or getting all the way up to 80 when needed. Of course, being this small, it may be an user issue. __________________ FZ6R White - FE, Wheel Stripes, Flush Blinkers, Heated Grips, Handlebar Helmet Lock, Custom Garage Door Opener, Tank Pad, Corbin Seat, Pink Running Light over Headlight, White LEDs in Headlight, IRC Sliders, LED taillight bulb, Scorpio Alarm, HID Headlight, RT Lowering Link, Pilot Road 2 Tires. (On the way - FZ6 Headers & slip-on, Glowing Windscreen Picture, Stealth Radar Detector, Pink Accent LEDs) Do stickers count?

11-05-2009, 07:55 AM	#5 (permalink)
dart1963 Super Moderator Bike: '09 FZ6R Raven Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bluemont, Virginia Posts: 3,284 Thanks: 1,200 Thanked 1,116 Times in 724 Posts Blog Entries: 2	Go with a 3/8", no need for 1/2". Other than that, get whatever is available at your local auto store, don't bother buying a high dollar one, I think the one I bought was around $30, but that's all they had, harbor freight/northern tools/etc. may have others. Just make sure it covers the needed torque range. Torque is a funny thing.... When I was in calibration in the military, I spent a couple of months on torque wrench calibrations. They are all horrible... move your hand one way or the other and it's off, push v. pull and it's off. It's really more to make sure you don't break bolts than anything and most torque wrench brands/models are going to be accurate enough for that.

05-04-2010, 01:32 PM	#8 (permalink)
TOMIK Member Bike: 2009 YAMAHA FZ6R Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Portland,OR Posts: 98 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	I just picked up a 3/8" torque rench frome local hardware store for $19.99 great buy, its not sears, but will do the job. 1/4" looks too big for my use.

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