Anyone recommend a decent value low range torque wrench?

M

Mudrider

New Member
Joined
Jan 11, 2024
Messages
34
Reaction score
22
Location
oxford
Can anyone recommend a good value low range torque wrench something in the 2-24nm range or somewhere around that.

Spotted this one on planet x, reviews well but put off by the fact that it says silent operation, thought being able to hear a click when hitting the torque makes sense?

www.planetx.co.uk

Jobsworth Pro Torque Wrench Set

The Jobsworth Pro Torque Wrench Set helps you to tighten bolts to the correct torque. Quick swap head Super accurate torque tube design Silent action 2-24NM range Quick swap head Super accurate torque tube design Silent action High quality Torque Wrench set for professional level applications...
www.planetx.co.uk www.planetx.co.uk
 
⚡ EMTB Pro Go Pro — exclusive discounts & ad-free Peaty's 25% off & more · Ad-free browsing · Pro badge See the deals →
Check out Lexivon, their stuff is pretty well regarded in the “not overpriced professional but not bottom dollar Amazon junk” category. They make a 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2” version and you can even get the 1/4” one in a day with hex and Torx bits with a case. There are some reviews that show them being surprisingly well calibrated. I have the 1/4” and 3/8” and really like them.
 
I bought one of those jobsworth wrenches and had to return it as it was faulty, I wasn't overly impressed with the quality of it.

I then got another similarly priced one from Amazon which has been great.
I'll check later but I'm sure it's called lytool 1/4 torque wrench.
Quality of the wrench is good and it seems accurate. The bits are okay but not amazing, they will do but I have better ones from another set I use.

Link
 
RickBullotta said:
Get the Wera. "Value" also means tools that work reliably and last a lifetime.


Don't let a cheap tool ruin an expensive bike.
Click to expand...
Pretty sure a $270 wrench you’ll use a handful of times per year is squarely out of the “value” area of the market for most home users. I agree in not using cheap junk, because you’re probably better off going by feel than using some of the cheapest options out there, but there are plenty of options that cost about 25% of that one that will get you 90% of the way there in terms of accuracy.
 
Last edited:
RickBullotta said:
Get the Wera. "Value" also means tools that work reliably and last a lifetime.


Don't let a cheap tool ruin an expensive bike.
Click to expand...
A love wera tools and their torque wrench can be had for £140 on its own, i'm just not sure i want to spend that much on something that does make my bike better and one at least half the price can do the same job.
 
If I was a Pro, and I’m not, I would get the best tools I could afford.

I service my bike(s), and family and friends. I don’t have the best tools (Snap-On, Wera) but I decide where I need good quality tools. Some of the Park Tools are decent and are sometimes specific to bikes.


IMG_7934.jpeg

These aren’t the best, but they’re not the worst. They get by in my little bike-cave. A good set of Allen wrenches are important though.

You should see my Rock-Hammer 😉😳


IMG_6481.jpeg
 
Last edited:
xtraman122 said:
Pretty sure a $270 wrench you’ll use a handful of times per year is squarely out of the “value” area of the market for most home users. I agree in not using cheap junk, because you’re probably better off going by feel than using some of the cheapest options out there, but there are plenty of options that cover about 25% of that one that will get you 90% of the way there in terms of accuracy.
Click to expand...

Don't disagree, but I use mine at least weekly. Most people probably should be too. ;-)
 
Use Sealey Sts104 Torque Screwdriver Digital 0-20Nm 1/4In Hex Drive for 90% of work on our bikes. For higher torques use Park Tool TW-6.2 (such as for pedals and cranks).
 
Mudrider said:
Can anyone recommend a good value low range torque wrench something in the 2-24nm range or somewhere around that.
Click to expand...

What is "value" to you? Something that is inexpensive, or something that will last the rest of your life? If you're really looking to spend the least amount of cash, get yourself a beam-style torque wrench. They're the most accurate, and there's not much to go wrong. My first torque wrench was an imported beam-style because that's what I could afford. Eventually I got rid of it because I had better tools and I don't really like using a beam style wrench.

Most folks want a click-style ratcheting torque wrench because they're easy to use and reasonably accurate. That's my favorite style, as well. If you want something that will last you many decades, make sure it's made it a country known for making tools of reasonable quality: USA, Europe, Taiwan are the first that come to mind.
 
You could do a lot worse than this - I bought this set after all my nice tools that I spent 30 odd years adding to, were stolen last year and I had to start from scratch, with no budget either.

This has served me well and has caused no damage - LifeLine Essential Torque Wrench set

torque wrench copy.jpg
 
  • Agree
Reactions: Dax
Astro66 said:
It for Torquing bolts. Which it does well.

Not sure what that's got to do with Mongolian word meanings ? Must be a cultural thing.
Click to expand...

It might torque them once or twice. Maybe. And slightly accurately. Or you might snap off a pivot bolt and face a $350 repair. Not a tool I'd go cheap on. Do what make you happy though!
 
RickBullotta said:
It might torque them once or twice. Maybe. And slightly accurately. Or you might snap off a pivot bolt and face a $350 repair. Not a tool I'd go cheap on. Do what make you happy though!
Click to expand...
I've built 3 ebikes with it. I've torqued hundreds of times with it. My friends bring their bikes over for me to work on. It has been fine.

Thought I'd share my personal experience with the item. If you have actual experience with the wrench. Please share it. :)
 
RickBullotta said:
It might torque them once or twice. Maybe. And slightly accurately. Or you might snap off a pivot bolt and face a $350 repair. Not a tool I'd go cheap on. Do what make you happy though!
Click to expand...
Can you please tell me how do you know which is the right torque to be applied to each bolt? Do you find it on a maintenance manual or you apply a sort of thumb rule based on your experience?
 
Astro66 said:
I've built 3 ebikes with it. I've torqued hundreds of times with it. My friends bring their bikes over for me to work on. It has been fine.

Thought I'd share my personal experience with the item. If you have actual experience with the wrench. Please share it. :)
Click to expand...
Great. Glad it works. I'm not buying tools on Temu.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: Dax
Mudrider said:
Can anyone recommend a good value low range torque wrench something in the 2-24nm range or somewhere around that.

Spotted this one on planet x, reviews well but put off by the fact that it says silent operation, thought being able to hear a click when hitting the torque makes sense?

www.planetx.co.uk

Jobsworth Pro Torque Wrench Set

The Jobsworth Pro Torque Wrench Set helps you to tighten bolts to the correct torque. Quick swap head Super accurate torque tube design Silent action 2-24NM range Quick swap head Super accurate torque tube design Silent action High quality Torque Wrench set for professional level applications...
www.planetx.co.uk www.planetx.co.uk
Click to expand...
I've had one for a while now and yes, it clicks. Been reliable for me. no stripped bolts.
 
pagheca said:
neither I, specially out of very well known privacy concerns: Shop on the Temu app? Why class-action lawsuits have been proposed over privacy - National | Globalnews.ca
Click to expand...
I use a spam email whenever I buy anything online. I only use paypal online so I don't have to give CC details. I don't even use my real name to create an account. The paypal account sets the mailing details.

Many sites sell your data. So only ever put in your address. The postman might get angry. But my data is safe.

RickBullotta said:
Great. Glad it works. I'm not buying tools on Temu
Click to expand...

I buy lots of tools on Temu. Sure you need to check them carefully. But I have been very happy with them.

When I find decent tools for a good price. I share that information. You can do whatever you wish with that data.
 
Astro66 said:
I use a spam email whenever I buy anything online. I only use paypal online so I don't have to give CC details. I don't even use my real name to create an account. The paypal account sets the mailing details.

Many sites sell your data. So only ever put in your address. The postman might get angry. But my data is safe.
Click to expand...
I fully appreciate your point of view but the issue with Temu was different:
The Consumer Law Group’s class-action complaint alleges that Temu’s app can access data via your phone’s camera, photos, messages, contacts and other apps. “Some of the things that were picked up that the app is looking at are things that really have nothing to do with the functionality of the app,”.
Click to expand...

(from previous link). So, you can use VPN, anonimize your data, use Paypal, and still there is a risk to your privacy involved.

Up to every user to decide what to do about that.
 
pagheca said:
I fully appreciate your point of view but the issue with Temu was different:


(from previous link). So, you can use VPN, anonimize your data, use Paypal, and still there is a risk to your privacy involved.

Up to every user to decide what to do about that.
Click to expand...
I am aware of Temu's practices. Many online retailers collect data to sell, as an income stream.

I work in IT. I never use any retailers App. Retailer Apps are purely to collect data.

I use the website on a PC VM incognito. But any PC should be fine to make purchases from Retailers. Only give them enough data to deliver the item.
 
pagheca said:
I knew a guy that collects anvils.

He beats you... :D
Click to expand...
Yeah…my collection of hammers is kinda embarrassing …but 15 years ago it was impressive. I’ve since purged many tools and only kept the ones I think I might use. But I know a few things about Stihl Chain Saws.

I’m glad I read the review on torque wrenches. I was pleasantly surprised that the ones I chose (Pro Bike Tools) are fairly decent. There’s good stuff out there and not-so-good stuff. However, I do believe “you get what you pay for”.

Cheap is fine …expensive is fine. It all depends doesn’t it?

Ps; you should see my Milwaukee drill collection. Why I need so many now… I don’t know?🤷‍♂️
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Dax
pagheca said:
Can you please tell me how do you know which is the right torque to be applied to each bolt? Do you find it on a maintenance manual
Click to expand...

Yes, indeed. There are books, charts, and formulae for the torque values you're seeking. Mechanical engineering isn't something that was just made up by the pimply faced kid behind the counter at the bike store, or the skinny-jeans fanboy doing Tik-Tok videos for the bike manufacturer. The charts are made up by generations of experts with fancy slide rules using empirical data. The rules apply to everything from Falcon 9 rockets, to steam locomotives, to Rolex watches.

The best place to go for any particular torque value would be the manufacturer. Check their manuals or their web page. If you're lazy and in a hurry, just google on torque tables. If you really want to learn, break out your copy of Machinery's Handbook. It's been published since the beginning of time, and old ones will probably have more information than you ever wanted to know about machines. eBay has old editions for under twenty bucks.

The table will provide torque values for different materials, fastener sizes, thread pitches, etc.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Keep reading
    Browse all

    Community Stats

    Since 2018
    669K
    Messages
    40,961
    Members
    Join 30,000+ Riders, it's free!
    Back
    Top