[cramsnik]

Afternoon all, whilst swapping my wheels over earlier I managed to destroy my torque wrench. I’m surprised it lasted as long as it did to be honest, but, now it needs replacing im after recommendations for something a bit more robust whilst not breaking the bank.

TIA

[danb1979]

Originally Posted by cramsnik

Afternoon all, whilst swapping my wheels over earlier I managed to destroy my torque wrench. I’m surprised it lasted as long as it did to be honest, but, now it needs replacing im after recommendations for something a bit more robust whilst not breaking the bank.

TIA

I've got this and it's never let me down/never had any issues:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-Micr...17&sr=8-5&th=1

Same with the micrometer torque wrench:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-7863...s%2C117&sr=8-6

Solid in the hands with a very satisfying click when up to spec etc

[saltyamigo]

https://www.zoro.co.uk/shop/tools-an...waAohOEALw_wcB

[bishbosh]

I usually go for the Halfords Advanced stuff, got a toolset + torque wrench from 25 years ago and still going strong.

[bishbosh]

Originally Posted by danb1979

I've got this and it's never let me down/never had any issues:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-Micr...17&sr=8-5&th=1

Same with the micrometer torque wrench:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-7863...s%2C117&sr=8-6

Solid in the hands with a very satisfying click when up to spec etc

I have the same 5-25 Nm wrench, really handy for the motorbike!

[White435]

Hazet. Buy once, cry once.

[Pentland]

Originally Posted by bishbosh

I usually go for the Halfords Advanced stuff, got a toolset + torque wrench from 25 years ago and still going strong.

I second this. Lifetime guarantee too.

[TurboWeasel]

Originally Posted by bishbosh

I usually go for the Halfords Advanced stuff, got a toolset + torque wrench from 25 years ago and still going strong.

+1

I find all Halfords Advanced stuff to be pretty decent tbh. Also got a HA 20+ year old socket set that's rebuilt numerous cars and still going strong

I never get my torque wrenches calibrated though

[TurboWeasel]

Originally Posted by White435

Hazet. Buy once, cry once.

Yes indeed, very naughty, but very nice. The larger Hazet digital wrench M539 Restorations uses is well over a grand

[saltyamigo]

The Halford's Advanced are made by Norbar and rebranded.

https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand-...00-488711.html

[cramsnik]

Thanks for this, plenty to go on.

It seem the rebranded Norbar at Halfords is approx double the price of buying from Zoro. Unless I'm missing something the specs seem to be the same?

[Allworth]

Originally Posted by danb1979

I've got this and it's never let me down/never had any issues:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-Micr...17&sr=8-5&th=1

Same with the micrometer torque wrench:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-7863...s%2C117&sr=8-6

Solid in the hands with a very satisfying click when up to spec etc

I've got a big one exactly the same but coated black by Sealey. It came with calibration certificate, but I suspect the head is being recycled after calibration, Two of them had slight signs of wear when bought new for ebay from a big seller. Nevertheless, I think is perfect for automotive purposes for its price, feels very robust, clicks are very pronounced. A little minus was to get used to reading the scale, but more I have this tool - more I like it.

PS: Btw I have two of them, any thoughts how to calibrate them against each other?

[Pond]

Originally Posted by cramsnik

Thanks for this, plenty to go on.

It seem the rebranded Norbar at Halfords is approx double the price of buying from Zoro. Unless I'm missing something the specs seem to be the same?

Halfords seem to do that. Brand other makes then charge a lot more for them.

I am a fan of Halfrauds (as I have one literally around the corner) but a lot of their stuff is not cheap.

Machine Mart are worth a look too. Lots of choice. And of course Screwfix. The dewalt one looks good for the money. I need a new one as mine is shite.

[Danny Fireblade]

Halfords have a 25% off torque wrenches deal at the moment with a trade card.
If you need to borrow a card let me know.

[TurboWeasel]

Originally Posted by cramsnik

Thanks for this, plenty to go on.

It seem the rebranded Norbar at Halfords is approx double the price of buying from Zoro. Unless I'm missing something the specs seem to be the same?

I have the previous generation ones to the orange one. If the same thing is cheaper, get that instead, but bear in mind Halfords do lifetime replacement warranties on their Advanced stuff. Or they certainly used to at least.

My only complaint of the Norbar/Halfords ones is the ratchets. Very few clicks, which can be a pain in the back side in tight access areas. Hopefully the latest generation ones have more clicks.

[TodmordenLad]

Another vote for Halfords. Mine's a "Professional", whatever that means these days. I've had it for years and have hardly used it on my cars other than for retorquing wheel nuts. It has had a fair amount of use on our numerous bikes however - bottom bracket tightening and the like.

[cramsnik]

Thanks for all the help with this, everyone. Went with the one below in the end. Compared to the old one (which I think was an Aldi middle aisle special), I think the Norbar will outlast me given the amount of use it's going to get. Appreciate the Halfords lifetime warranty, but at double the price, all things considered, it's hard to justify.

Originally Posted by saltyamigo

https://www.zoro.co.uk/shop/tools-an...waAohOEALw_wcB

[Pond]

That's not much more than the cheap crap one I bought from Screwfix TBH.
I think I will look at it. Thanks.
Note to self: don't hit this one with a club hammer when a bolt won't undo.

[TurboWeasel]

Originally Posted by cramsnik

Thanks for all the help with this, everyone. Went with the one below in the end. Compared to the old one (which I think was an Aldi middle aisle special), I think the Norbar will outlast me given the amount of use it's going to get. Appreciate the Halfords lifetime warranty, but at double the price, all things considered, it's hard to justify.

Given I've never had to use that warranty on mine (I have 3 of them for different torque ranges) in all those years, I think you made the right choice.

[330DW]

the Norbar is a good choice. Old colleagues of mine used these in poor conditions for years and years and they held up brilliantly. The scale is nice and easy to read out compared to the cheap ones with the twisty scale at the bottom.

when my cheap one gives up I'm going for that exact model from Zoro.

[blau3er]

I've got a full set of Wera torque wrenches, 1/4, 3/8 & 1/2 - would recommend!

[TurboWeasel]

I recently bought an AC Delco digital one for the in-lb and < 15 nm range for my bikes and smaller car bolts as the clicky Norbar/Halfords ones I have can't go that low.

Still can't get used to digital ones. I much prefer the reassuring click of mechanical ones! Digital ones do hold their calibration for longer though, or pretty much indefinitely for occasional DIY use.