Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: thundermax on December 04, 2012, 09:05:57 AM

Title: TORQUE
Post by: thundermax on December 04, 2012, 09:05:57 AM
I have worked on metric vehicles for a long time, never used a torque wrench. Finally tried one. Bought it at Harbor Freight. It was a clicker. Was not happy with it so took it back. Tried a Craftsman digital one. Worked great but took it back because I thought the price was too high, around $150.00.

So my request to the members is to post the name, make, price, and link of torque wrench you use and are happy with.

I really do want to get one, and one that is reasonably priced and dependable, and really lets you know when you get there. I am a little hard of hearing.

Thanks.
Title: Re: TORQUE
Post by: Conrad on December 04, 2012, 09:22:15 AM
I use these and they both work fine. Not the best, I'm sure, but they get the job done for me.

1/4" 20-200 inch-pounds   http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000H43VU0/ref=oh_details_o00_s01_i00 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000H43VU0/ref=oh_details_o00_s01_i00)

3/8" 10 to 80 foot-pounds  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000TDAGWU/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000TDAGWU/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00)

Title: Re: TORQUE
Post by: Pokey on December 04, 2012, 09:59:49 AM
Nothing wrong with the Harbor Freights at all, and clicker is the way to go IMHO.
Title: Re: TORQUE
Post by: VirginiaJim on December 04, 2012, 10:15:28 AM
I use a Snap-on click wrench 1/2 inch for the big stuff Ft-lbs and have a Sears click for the inch-lb stuff
Title: Re: TORQUE
Post by: mike-s4 on December 04, 2012, 12:42:32 PM
Craftsman tools are excellent. Watch the website for sales. They often have 50% off. And if anything goes wrong it's guaranteed. No questions asked.
Title: Re: TORQUE
Post by: VirginiaJim on December 04, 2012, 01:08:55 PM
As long as they are still in business...I have my doubts about that.
Title: Re: TORQUE
Post by: mike-s4 on December 04, 2012, 01:30:25 PM
Are we talking about "Sears Craftsman" tools? Going out of business?
Title: Re: TORQUE
Post by: thundermax on December 04, 2012, 01:40:45 PM

Craftsman 1/2-in. Dr. Digi-Click Torque Wrench, 25-250 ft. lbs.

Craftsman 3/8-in. Dr. Digi-Click Torque Wrench, 5-80 ft. lbs.

Both are $100, on sale from $120.

Is this a good deal or should I wait for a bigger discount. Also, which one should I get if I can only buy one? Was thinking the 1/2 inch, but the 3/8 inch may have a better setting. ?????
Title: Re: TORQUE
Post by: Pokey on December 04, 2012, 01:47:35 PM
Craftsman tools used to be excellent and made in the USA. Watch the website for sales. They often have 50% off. And if anything goes wrong it's guaranteed. No questions asked.




Fixed that for ya, they for sure are nothing like they used to be. I am a fan of Kobalt and Klein, they both are pretty good stuff.
Title: Re: TORQUE
Post by: Pokey on December 04, 2012, 01:49:07 PM
Craftsman 1/2-in. Dr. Digi-Click Torque Wrench, 25-250 ft. lbs.

Craftsman 3/8-in. Dr. Digi-Click Torque Wrench, 5-80 ft. lbs.

Both are $100, on sale from $120.

Is this a good deal or should I wait for a bigger discount. Also, which one should I get if I can only buy one? Was thinking the 1/2 inch, but the 3/8 inch may have a better setting. ??? ??


Go with a 3/8" drive, get a 1/2" adapter if needed....works great for me. My 3/8 5-80 lbs is a Craftsman, and my 1/2 is a Harbor freight 25-250lbs.
Title: Re: TORQUE
Post by: chap on December 04, 2012, 01:55:25 PM
Craftsman tools are excellent. Watch the website for sales. They often have 50% off. And if anything goes wrong it's guaranteed. No questions asked.

I had a craftsman Torque Wrench. It broke. Thats when Sears told me they are not covered under the lifetime warranty. Apparently they are not "hand Tools". So watch for that
Title: Re: TORQUE
Post by: VirginiaJim on December 04, 2012, 02:02:50 PM
Are we talking about "Sears Craftsman" tools? Going out of business?

Both Sears and JC Penney aren't doing well financially.  Both are closing stores.  Our Sears here has the least amount of cars near it than any other store in the local mall.  I like them and shop at both but the end, she's a coming for both of them in their present format.  I would hope that if Sears does go under it keeps it's hardware business as a separate entity.
Title: Re: TORQUE
Post by: Spanky on December 04, 2012, 03:18:42 PM
I had a craftsman Torque Wrench. It broke. Thats when Sears told me they are not covered under the lifetime warranty. Apparently they are not "hand Tools". So watch for that

Ditto
Title: Re: TORQUE
Post by: maxtog on December 04, 2012, 03:24:03 PM
I had a craftsman Torque Wrench. It broke. Thats when Sears told me they are not covered under the lifetime warranty. Apparently they are not "hand Tools". So watch for that

I would love to know how a torque wrench is NOT a hand tool yet a socket wrench is!
Title: Re: TORQUE
Post by: chap on December 06, 2012, 01:45:12 PM
I would love to know how a torque wrench is NOT a hand tool yet a socket wrench is!

Bottom line is I won't buy another Craftsman Torque Wrench.
Title: Re: TORQUE
Post by: Kinetic1 on December 10, 2012, 06:47:45 AM
I am a total tool snob and use snap-on / blue point pretty exclusively. I have 1/4" and 1/2" snap-on digital vibrating and beeping torque wrenches that I love....but you don't want to know what they cost. I like tools......my toybox is visible in the background..
(http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/165983_385098204859742_1281918739_n.jpg)
Title: Re: TORQUE
Post by: Conrad on December 20, 2012, 08:46:28 AM
Sears has some of their torque wrenches on sale right now for half price.

http://www.sears.com/search=torque%20wrench?storeId=10153&catalogId=12605&vName=Tools&cName=Wrenches&viewItems=25&usrKeyword=torque+wreach&autoRedirect=true&redirectType=CAT_REC_PRED (http://www.sears.com/search=torque%20wrench?storeId=10153&catalogId=12605&vName=Tools&cName=Wrenches&viewItems=25&usrKeyword=torque+wreach&autoRedirect=true&redirectType=CAT_REC_PRED)
Title: Re: TORQUE
Post by: 1 wheel peel on December 20, 2012, 09:10:18 AM
I would love to know how a torque wrench is NOT a hand tool yet a socket wrench is!
I got the same story as chap.  Had a 3/8 in/lb that the plastic collar broke on and 1/2" ft/lb that they srewed up puting the handle on in manufacturing and I didn't notice it till I got home.  They would do nothing about either one because "they have no way of knowing if they were used in a comercial setting".  Yeah I'm done with Craftsman torque wrenches.

I have a 3/8" ft/lb Snap On click type been going good for 25 yrs.  With one head rebuild that was covered under warrenty.
Title: Re: TORQUE
Post by: C14ger on December 24, 2012, 01:00:51 AM
I buy one every time I go to Sears and see one on sale. I got three now...if I would just learn how to use them I think I might impress my girlfriend...who always asks me: "whatta ya need that for?"
Title: Re: TORQUE
Post by: VirginiaJim on December 24, 2012, 04:03:48 AM
I got the same story as chap.  Had a 3/8 in/lb that the plastic collar broke on and 1/2" ft/lb that they srewed up puting the handle on in manufacturing and I didn't notice it till I got home.  They would do nothing about either one because "they have no way of knowing if they were used in a comercial setting".  Yeah I'm done with Craftsman torque wrenches.

I have a 3/8" ft/lb Snap On click type been going good for 25 yrs.  With one head rebuild that was covered under warrenty.

I've had my 1/2" ft/lb Snap On click torque wrench since the latter 70's.....
Title: Re: TORQUE
Post by: Conrad on December 24, 2012, 05:41:05 AM
I buy one every time I go to Sears and see one on sale. I got three now...if I would just learn how to use them I think I might impress my girlfriend...who always asks me: "whatta ya need that for?"

 :rotflmao:
Title: Re: TORQUE
Post by: thundermax on December 24, 2012, 09:04:13 AM
After reading all the posts, decided to try the Kobalt 3/8 inch. Was $79.99 and has a lifetime guarantee. No plastic collar or parts. If I don't like this one will take back and get another.

Now, what is torque spec on oil plug? Thanks.
Title: Re: TORQUE
Post by: Kinetic1 on December 24, 2012, 09:36:20 AM
Mine gets torqued to exactly "snug"   :rotflmao:
$500 worth of torque wrenches in the box and I rarely use either. Mostly only for engine and suspension work.