Torque wrench

XAlp · 12-31-2015, 08:05 AM

Hi. You may know from another post I have a B&Q voucher to use - having been put off their sheds by forum members I wondered about this Laser torque wrench - any thoughts?

http://www.diy.com/hand-tools/laser-.../259938_BQ.prd

mm0wax · 12-31-2015, 10:04 AM

Its only 1/4 inch drive, what were you planning on using it for?

PaulT_M5 · 12-31-2015, 11:42 AM

I know you're looking to spend your voucher, but seriously, please don't waste your money on that.

I had a "cheap" Laser 1/4" wrench just like that for doing up a few lower torqued items during an engine rebuild I was doing. I was fitting a ball joint (about M3 or M4 thread) to an aluminium cylinder head and it felt like I was using more torque than needed so I bench tested the wrench and it "clicked", so I carried on and the thread snapped on the ball joint leaving just some thread stuck in the cylinder head just below the surface. After much colourful language and about 3 or 4 hours later of very careful drilling into the broken thread, I managed to remove the thread from the hole without damaging the cylinder head.

I then tested the torque wrench using a torque gauge and the torque was about 3 times what the wrench was set to. It went straight in the bin to be replaced by a Teng Tools branded one which is very good quality. Not as good as Snap-On, but then again, nowhere near the price either!

k44ENT · 12-31-2015, 11:57 AM

If you want a torque wrench Halfords Professional take some beating for quality and price. I carry one in my boot for my wheel bolts.

XAlp · 12-31-2015, 12:39 PM

Thanks again! Looks like my B&Q voucher will go unused for a while!

PaulT_M5 · 01-01-2016, 02:02 AM

I second the Halfords Professional kit. I bought a socket set in the sales a couple of years ago and with a voucher I found online I got a £250 kit for £80, but had a few oddments I've bought previously over the years. It also comes with a lifetime warranty.

The only problem I've had with any of it, is that I did manage to twist a T45 torx bit whilst unbolting some XR4x4 driveshafts. Then again, I was hanging onto the end of a 4ft breaker bar to get them undone, so guess the torque I was applying was significant and probably way above what it was designed for. When I'd finished the job and undone all 24 bolts, I took the twisted bit back to Halfords and they swapped it, no questions asked and without the recepit as they are branded on the bits.

Danny Fireblade · 01-01-2016, 04:55 PM

If anyone is near me, then I have a halfords trade card that can save you a few quid too.

It gets tools and certain things like wipers, oil, batteries at trade prices.

12-31-2015, 08:05 AM	#1
XAlp Major 483 Rep 1,352 Posts Drives: Volvo XC90 T6 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Cambridge iTrader: (0)	Torque wrench Hi. You may know from another post I have a B&Q voucher to use - having been put off their sheds by forum members I wondered about this Laser torque wrench - any thoughts? http://www.diy.com/hand-tools/laser-.../259938_BQ.prd __________________ Previously: 2007 Alpina D3 Saloon, 2010 Alpina D3 Biturbo Saloon, 2014 335d XDrive M Sport+ Touring. Now: 2018 Volvo XC90 T6 Inscription Pro 2003 Honda S2000
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12-31-2015, 10:04 AM	#2
mm0wax Private First Class 87 Rep 153 Posts Drives: X3 M4.0i Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Argyll Scotland iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 bmw [0.00]	Its only 1/4 inch drive, what were you planning on using it for? __________________ Current 2020 F40 M135i Misano blue Previous2017 F32 420d xdrive M sport [COLOR="Gray"]Previous 2014 F30 320d M sport[/COLOR] [FONT="Verdana"]Previous 2009 E60 520d M sport[/FONT]
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12-31-2015, 11:42 AM	#3
PaulT_M5 Captain 288 Rep 637 Posts Drives: San Marino Blue F90 Join Date: May 2014 Location: Midlands, England iTrader: (0)	I know you're looking to spend your voucher, but seriously, please don't waste your money on that. I had a "cheap" Laser 1/4" wrench just like that for doing up a few lower torqued items during an engine rebuild I was doing. I was fitting a ball joint (about M3 or M4 thread) to an aluminium cylinder head and it felt like I was using more torque than needed so I bench tested the wrench and it "clicked", so I carried on and the thread snapped on the ball joint leaving just some thread stuck in the cylinder head just below the surface. After much colourful language and about 3 or 4 hours later of very careful drilling into the broken thread, I managed to remove the thread from the hole without damaging the cylinder head. I then tested the torque wrench using a torque gauge and the torque was about 3 times what the wrench was set to. It went straight in the bin to be replaced by a Teng Tools branded one which is very good quality. Not as good as Snap-On, but then again, nowhere near the price either!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-31-2015, 11:57 AM	#4
k44ENT Lieutenant Colonel 492 Rep 1,503 Posts Drives: M2 LCI DCT Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	If you want a torque wrench Halfords Professional take some beating for quality and price. I carry one in my boot for my wheel bolts.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-31-2015, 12:39 PM	#5
XAlp Major 483 Rep 1,352 Posts Drives: Volvo XC90 T6 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Cambridge iTrader: (0)	Thanks again! Looks like my B&Q voucher will go unused for a while! __________________ Previously: 2007 Alpina D3 Saloon, 2010 Alpina D3 Biturbo Saloon, 2014 335d XDrive M Sport+ Touring. Now: 2018 Volvo XC90 T6 Inscription Pro 2003 Honda S2000
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-01-2016, 02:02 AM	#6
PaulT_M5 Captain 288 Rep 637 Posts Drives: San Marino Blue F90 Join Date: May 2014 Location: Midlands, England iTrader: (0)	I second the Halfords Professional kit. I bought a socket set in the sales a couple of years ago and with a voucher I found online I got a £250 kit for £80, but had a few oddments I've bought previously over the years. It also comes with a lifetime warranty. The only problem I've had with any of it, is that I did manage to twist a T45 torx bit whilst unbolting some XR4x4 driveshafts. Then again, I was hanging onto the end of a 4ft breaker bar to get them undone, so guess the torque I was applying was significant and probably way above what it was designed for. When I'd finished the job and undone all 24 bolts, I took the twisted bit back to Halfords and they swapped it, no questions asked and without the recepit as they are branded on the bits.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-01-2016, 04:55 PM	#7
Danny Fireblade Village idiot 748 Rep 1,237 Posts Drives: Myself crazy Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	If anyone is near me, then I have a halfords trade card that can save you a few quid too. It gets tools and certain things like wipers, oil, batteries at trade prices.
	Appreciate 0 Quote