In-lb Torque Wrench Question

[04rkryder]

About to do some motor work and manual calls for some in-lb torque specs. Would it be better to get 1/4 in drive or 3/8 in drive torque wrench. I already have ft-lb torque wrenches in 3/8 and 1/2 in drive.

[Coyote]

200in-lbs and below 1/4 IMO

[digga25]

1/4" might be too small for what we need on these bikes, there is not too much that you cant torque with a 3/8 drive wrench.

[Powerglides]

Torque wrenches are less accurate at the extremes of their range. 1/4 drive is perfect for the critical 1/4" fasteners on the TC camplate and oil pump.

[FXDBI]

Torque wrenches are less accurate at the extremes of their range. 1/4 drive is perfect for the critical 1/4" fasteners on the TC camplate and oil pump.

+1    Good advice lots of places to use it on a bike!  Bob

[FSG]

+ 2   

[04rkryder]

Thanks for the replies. I guess it's 1/4 then, now to decide between the CDI-1501MRMH 20-150 in-lb or Precision Instruments-M1R200HX 30-200 in-lb. Both claim 3% accuracy from 20%-full scale. Don't really need anything more expensive for garage work. 

[Dogbone45ACP]

I bought the M2R200HX same as the one you listed but 3/8" drive. All my Allen sockets are 3/8". I also have a bigger assortment of Metric and standard sockets in 3/8" drive. 

[mrmike]

My inch/lb  torque wrench is 3/8" drive a simple 3/8" to 1/4" adapter makes it a 1/4" drive. All things being equal I don't see any difference in the drive being used other than personal preference.

The wrench certainly doesn't know what's connected to it, or care.


Mike

[Dogbone45ACP]

Nope the wrench doesn't care. 3/8" drive just worked better for me.

[IronMike113]

All of my TQ Wrench's are from SnapOn,I have had good luck with them a bit more money,but they show up every week for great Customer,I also send them in yearly to get them calibrated,most are SnapOn brand,some are Precision instrument,but is handled by them... 

One of my old Inch pound Wrench's came with two Adapters,A 1/4x3/8 and a strait Blade Adapter for Cummins Injectors and Over head Vavle Adjustment For the NTC or Big Cam Cummins.......... Dam I miss those days Talk about Simple.......... 

[Hilly13]

I have a few that are good for different jobs, gone away from snap on, had 3 fail now and don't trust the band anymore, I use Warren and Brown and Norbar these days, my inch pound Warren and Brown has two drive bits, one 1/4 and one 3/8, it's better than having an adapter in some instances as it is more compact that way.

[Latrobedyna]

I use a 3/8 drive in/lb as well it is the only in/lb unit i have and done every thing i ever asked it to do. Now Ft/lb i have 3/8 -1/2 and 3/4

[mkd]

The 3/8 drive is what's worked well for my home use.  I also have more 3/8 stuff that fits it than I do 1/4" .

[Scooterfish]

CDI & Precision Instruments have both made Snap On torque wrenches.  Curious where & what prices are you finding?

I will research warren & brown.

[No Cents]

A 1/4" drive torque wrench comes in handy for me when I'm torqueing something like the springs in the clutch basket @ 7in pounds.

Ray

[FSG]

I have a drawer full of Tension Wrenches and Torque Drivers, some came as Specialist Tools for dedicated uses in the industry I'm in.

This one is set to 3.5 Inch Pounds, it's a well made item.

[ΚĜΗΟŜΤ]

CDI & Precision Instruments have both made Snap On torque wrenches.  Curious where & what prices are you finding?

I will research warren & brown.

I agree I believe that snap on is CDI brand, Snap on use to have a life time warrantee on torque wrenches now it is I think only 90 days........

I have an older snap on 1/2 click type that was way out of calibration (snap on would not replace free of charge). Needed one asap and purchased a CDI "snap on industrial" 1/2 click type for 1/2 the price of a new snap on. It works great.
Sent the older snap on out and got it calibrated and it came back only able to torque now in standard rotation....it was capable of both directions when new...Well used over the years and it took a beating I guess.

I also have a 1/4 drive and 3/8 drive dial inch/lb torque wrenches One snap on and one CDI. The CDI is 1/4 inch drive as it is lower (0-30) The snap on is 3/8 drive. One is 0 -200 and the other is a 0 -30 (for setting rolling torque on bearing set ups on outdrives)

For reference:   http://www.protorquetools.com/cat-28-1-94/cdi-dual-scale-torque-wrenches.htm

[Templar2]

I went with 3/8, most everything I have is either 3/8 or 1/2, made sense at the time.  And it is a Snap On, good wrench.

[06roadglide]

My inch pound torque wrench is a 3/8 drive but it also has a small ratchet head on it, the same size of a 1/4 drive.  It's the most frequently used torque wrench when working on these H-D's

[sharkoilfield]

I have a drawer full of Tension Wrenches and Torque Drivers, some came as Specialist Tools for dedicated uses in the industry I'm in.

This one is set to 3.5 Inch Pounds, it's a well made item.

Arrrgh! More tools! Gonna need another cabinet...that would be great for primary covers; etc...heading for their site...

[Joker65]

CDI & Precision Instruments have both made Snap On torque wrenches.  Curious where & what prices are you finding?

I will research warren & brown.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KL2J7G/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001VXRYG8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


I just ordered these two from Amazon recently... I feel I got a very good deal. 

[Scooterfish]

Thanks, thinking about upgrading my Cman 3/8 inch pounds. 

[Lakerat]

Not that it would happen to anyone else, but I am now in the habit of making sure my torque wrenches, especially inch pound,  actually operate correctly before putting it on a fastener. Nothing says "I need to puke" like a brass throttle blade shaft on a brand new S&S Super E stripping with no click while installing the cruise control lever. Wrench was stored in the case with spring backed off for over a year since used. Now, before each use, I clamp a bolt in my vise and give it a bit of a test to make sure it clicks before moving on. Not gonna say what brand they are but lifetime warranty doesn't count on their torque wrenches.

[FSG]

This one was hiding on my electronic shelf, don't know why, I've never mistreated it.