Torque Wrench

Before I place an order for a torque wrench could someone please advise how much (or little) use it is likely to get in the construction of an RV ? eg) how many (approx) bolts need tightening to a specified torque?
The good quality wrenches are quite expensive & if it is likely to get only very limited use maybe I will try harder to 'borrow' one.
Thanks

torque wrench

You will need one. That simple. Look for one in inch pounds, 3/8 drive. You will find that you will spend much more on tools than think. Look at http://harborfreight.com/ for your torque wrench and many other tools. The quality is not always the best but at 1/5 or less of the cost of the best quality tools its worth a look.

Hi Rowd,

Im in Brisbane, if you can have a look at glenfords.com.au you can get one from them. They have a sale on the Sidchrome 3/8 for $189 Very nice ! or you can get from them also a cheaper one called a Fragram for about $100.
Avery sell a cheap one for about $65 USD, so if your going to get some tools from them just get that also. You MUST get it in the 20 - 200 inch lbs, not foot lbs.

jamie

Torque wrench

Whatever wrench you buy, you should calibrate it.

To calibrate it, the best way is a known weight at a known distance.

For example, make a mark 10" from the drive point on the handle. Hang a 5 pound weight at this point... you wrench should 'break' at 50 in-lb.

At 5 inches it should break at 25 inch pounds and so-on.

To get a calibrated weight... use a plastic jug of water. 8.33 lbs per gallon (US). You can figure out how many ounces you need for 5 lbs. Hang the jug with a loop of wire.

Then, make up a table and/or formula for torque correction and mark it on your torque wrench.

You will be very suprised how inaccurate they are!

Vern Little
RV-9A

I was able to purchase a new Snap-On for less than $200.00 on E-Bay. E-Bay is my tool solution. If it is Snap-On or Mac they have a no questions asked warranty and you can have it calibrated. If it is deffective they replace it.

Check out this thread

There was another thread on Torque Wrenches not to long ago.