Low cost micro torque wrench?

[Innovate1]

Have a desktop milling machine with a 7/16 hex on drawbar with max torque of 25 in-lb. Looking for a simple torque wrench for this torque range. Or maybe a torque screwdriver with a socket on it. It wouldn't be hard to make one like the simple spring bar type where the torque is how much the handle flexes. I have a couple bigger Craftsman ones like that. But if I could find a low cost one that would be better.

 

[vjquan]

Doubt you'll find low cost in that range as they are not very common. Look at bicycle tools from Park Tool, they have one that starts at 18 in-lb.

 

[cvairwerks]

Here's a fairly inexpensive one:
Just need to add a 1/4 bit to socket adapter.

Adjustable T Torque Wrench

Accurate torque measurement up to 6 Nm. Quickly adjust torque for home repair, tools stored in handle. Eight interchangeable bits for accurate torque measurement. Easy adjustment system for quickly tightening nuts and bolts. Quality guarantee: refund or replace. PRO BIKE TOOL's Adjustable Torque...

probiketool.com

 

[slowtwitch73]

Yeah check the bike stuff... Shimano etc etc. There are lots of offerings in that range with the deluge of carbon components.

 

[Innovate1]

Might try something like this on a smaller scale...

 

[GeoBruin]

Not sure what low cost means to you but the Wheeler fat wrench is pretty ubiquitous for gun related fasteners.

https://www.amazon.com/Wheeler-Accurizing-Measurement-Gunsmithing-Maintenance/dp/B0012AXR4S/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[MarcSeattle]

CDI has a pistol grip screwdriver that is reasonably priced. It feels plastic-y but works well.

https://www.amazon.com/Products-TorqControl-TLA28NM-Screwdriver-Magnetic/dp/B01DIRD5CG?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[rct]

For low torque in-lb use I bought an inexpensive Neiko beam style 1/4" torque wrench. 0-80 in lb range. Works well enough for my purposes. Available in several brands from amazon. Not a screwdriver but would take a hex socket for your use.

 

[Innovate1]

For low torque in-lb use I bought an inexpensive Neiko beam style 1/4" torque wrench. 0-80 in lb range. Works well enough for my purposes. Available in several brands from amazon. Not a screwdriver but would take a hex socket for your use.

That looks like it will work well for this. Thanks!

 

[Toold_up]

Im sure you can find this cheaper or the whole kit for not much more:

Fix It Sticks 25 in/lbs Torque Limiter FISTL25 | eBay

Torque Limiter prevents over-tightening of fasteners. Limiter "spins" preventing further torque from being applied.Features. Integrates perfectly with Fix It Sticks Replaceable Edition for field / travel use.

www.ebay.com

I keep a fix-it-sticks kit in my range bag. Hard to beat!

 

[AdAstra]

A fixed production torque tool could work and would be simpler than an adjustable.

Vintage SKYWAY PRECISION Tool Aircraft 25 Torque Wrench INV-AD13-B | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vintage SKYWAY PRECISION Tool Aircraft 25 Torque Wrench INV-AD13-B at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

This is kinda just the ticket if open ended wrench works for you:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2343904611...WV_47OtS_-&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY


Another option:

Speedplay Cleat Fastening Screw Torque Wrench 2.5 Nm For M4 Screw Black | eBay

The Speedplay Cleat Fastening Screw Torque Wrench provides the proper torque of 2.5Nm / 22 in-lbs. required when installing the 4mm Cleat Fastening Screws (8) used with all Speedplay road cleats. Includes a removable #2 Philips bit.

www.ebay.com

 

[Innovate1]

Lots of good options! Thanks! I ordered a Neiko style beam wrench for Amazon. The Speedplay would be really easy with a socket adapter with it's fixed set point but the beam wrench may be useful for other things.

 

[Jerrysends]

Lots of good options! Thanks! I ordered a Neiko style beam wrench for Amazon. The Speedplay would be really easy with a socket adapter with it's fixed set point but the beam wrench may be useful for other things.

INNOVATE1,
how do you like the Neiko torque wrench?

 

[Innovate1]

INNOVATE1,
how do you like the Neiko torque wrench?

Works great! BTW, it's a Neiko knock off not the real thing. The quality is fine for my use. I was having trouble with cutters slowly pulling out of the collet during milling. Turns out I wasn't tightening them up to spec. I also had to reduce my depth of cut to eliminate the issue.

 

[ETJ]

Not cheap, but I like my cNm torque screwdrivers from Tohnichi https://www.tohnichi.com/product/ltd40i/

 

[dnschmidt]

Another example of what I've know for ages. Most people fear over torqueing far more than under torqueing. Most of the time once they get a torque wrench they will find that the fasteners they were working on were considerably under torqued rather than over torqued. I have a friend who is a motorcycle maniac and he was shitting his pants when he used the torque wrench I had given him for the first time as he was certain that the aluminum heads on his bike would strip out. Could be simple human nature but I've seen it time and again.

 

[four.cycle]

beam: find a decent price on an Indestro (or Duro) 8099-1/4 (ebay / used) don't pay over $25
clicker: I only paid about $30 bucks for a JS Technologies model, but it only goes down to 30 inch pounds. (ebay / used)

 

[Toold_up]

Another example of what I've know for ages. Most people fear over torqueing far more than under torqueing. Most of the time once they get a torque wrench they will find that the fasteners they were working on were considerably under torqued rather than over torqued. I have a friend who is a motorcycle maniac and he was shitting his pants when he used the torque wrench I had given him for the first time as he was certain that the aluminum heads on his bike would strip out. Could be simple human nature but I've seen it time and again.

Rightfully so! Have you ever stripped out something on an aluminum motorcycle engine? Not something you want to do twice...

 

[Steve_P]

Another example of what I've know for ages. Most people fear over torqueing far more than under torqueing. Most of the time once they get a torque wrench they will find that the fasteners they were working on were considerably under torqued rather than over torqued. I have a friend who is a motorcycle maniac and he was shitting his pants when he used the torque wrench I had given him for the first time as he was certain that the aluminum heads on his bike would strip out. Could be simple human nature but I've seen it time and again.

Dunno, I've torque audited myself and found that I consistently over torque by at least 20%; I'd bet most people here are the same if they go by feel. I've never stripped a fastener...

 

[LopezBart]

I use a Tekton 1/4" drive "click" type to torque the spokes on my Super Tenere... no complaints.

 

[Grimm_the_Grey]

Another example of what I've know for ages. Most people fear over torqueing far more than under torqueing. Most of the time once they get a torque wrench they will find that the fasteners they were working on were considerably under torqued rather than over torqued. I have a friend who is a motorcycle maniac and he was shitting his pants when he used the torque wrench I had given him for the first time as he was certain that the aluminum heads on his bike would strip out. Could be simple human nature but I've seen it time and again.

I've pulled the threads out of enough holes and stretched enough bolts to learn my lesson. I WILL over tighten if I do it by feel. If it's something important I try to use a calibrated tool or, if it's not so important, sometimes I can get away with just using a tiny ratchet.

 

[2oolhound]

On a lot of old bikes it's next to impossible to get a torque wrench into some places. Crank cheeks to flywheel when assembling the crankshafts comes to mind. We always did them by hand with a wrench. If you wrench on the same stuff consistently and use torque wrenches where possible you get a feel for the torque. Big end caps for sure, put a torque wrench on them, they have easy access and stretch is a precise thing but I never grenaded a crank back then from using wrenches on the crank. If you're not doing it everyday put a bolt in a vise, add a spacer and any required fixings and torque, then remove with a wrench to get the feel. Then do the opposite, tighten with a wrench and remove with a torque or try tightening more to check the reading. Eventually you get pretty good. If you do it all day every day you get real good.