How good are the cheapish torque wrenches?

[5v3d3b0]

I've seen some for like 30 quid, eg. Draper, but I'm wondering how accurate are they really? And how much off can you be say on a bolt right at the heart of an engine?
I'm guessing if you need 100 Nm, and you put 95 or 105 its quite ok. But when you put 8 instead of 7 maybe the significance is higher?

[Dom_]

It will do the job.

Many people don't use torque wrenches for building anything.

[calum17]

i have bought a cheap one off ebay and i cant say how accurate it is, cos i dont know how to test it. but it does the job and gives me satisfaction knowing it is done to some accuracy instead of 'tight-ish' or 'so tight its gunna be a fuxxer to get off!' which is what i did on my RS50. you could always spend more, but i dont think you'll really need to get the extra accuracy as they cant be far out because of rules and regulations regarding those sort of tools.

[5v3d3b0]

I'm just worried cause I have to do a complete bottom end rebuild, and if I don't tighten shit up properly like the output shaft etc, then I might fubar the whole thing

[calum17]

you should be ok with a cheap one, i did a complete rebuild on my RS50 without any torque wrench so with a torque wrench of some description you should be fine. torque' are ideal values and you can go above/under them, so the little bit a cheap wrench may be out wont be too bad anyway

[kawakid]

I'm no mechanic and i'm only doing basic stuff.

So i've got a cheap torque wrench, cost about £20 from Argos.

Seems to work okay, changed the pads tonight and set it to 34nm , clicked okay.

Saying that its smallest number is about 26nm, so perhaps I could do with another one for slacker stuff.
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I've a twin and a 4.

[djr]

Personally... Buy decent ones (halfords professional are only 50 quid and lifetime guarantee) My draper one broke after fuck all use...

Now i just need to find someone that sells them cheapish locally to buy one from... then i can take the old one back a couple of weeks later and say it broke and get a refund Shame motorworld put the prices back up on them .

[thx1138]

the cheap Argos one did the job on a basket case CG-125


when I rebuilt the engine. Allright it didn't fucking work, but the bolts were all tightened correctly.

[stinkwheel]

If you're going to spend £30, spend the extra £20 to get the Halford Pro. one with a lifetime garauntee.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[nrml76]

Get a Lazer torque wrench off E-bay. It's cheap and you get a free re-calibration 6 months later. Don't be tempted to get a one size does it all version. Get a large one and a small one. I've used a large Argos one for close to 3 years now. They are relatively well built and do the job. The small Lazer one I got off ebay is a bit more delicate, but it is meant for more precise applications. It also comes with a calibration certificate, and free re-calibration after 6 months.
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Everyone who lives dies, yet not everyone who dies has lived. We take these risks not to escape life, but to prevent life from escaping us.

[mr.z]

[superslick]

we get people round at work who come and check the calibration, if your friendly with any mechanics, buy the cheap torque wrench and give it to him for the calibration guy to check.
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aprillia rs125 gp-1 2004