Torque wrench confusion

[wesmamyke]

Hi there. I need a little help with selecting a torque wrench that will almost always get used at one setting.

Now besides a small 1/4 torque wrench I am in need of, what I am looking for is a 1/2 wrench with a range about like this one here: http://www.toolsource.com/precision...ype-flex-head-torque-wrench-inlb-p-94163.html

I would almost always be using it at 30ft pounds, so about half way through the scale on that model. Some recommend this practice of finding one you can stay in the middle of the scale on...some call shenanigans on that old wives tale.

Now that Precision instrument model seems about perfect, can be left at the setting without damage and the scale seems about right. I would prefer 1/2 because I will have to use an adapter from 3/8 to 1/2 for my application.

So the questions are, can you really leave a split beam set without damage?

Any other models with similar scales or perhaps dual marking for ft/lbs and Nm I should look into? Working on bicycles, so metric is king.

Any 1/4 split beams exist? Can't seem to find any.

Old wives tales true about staying in the middle of the scale?

They have another model that starts at 20 ft/lbs I think, so I would only be 10% or so up the scale, below the 20% number that is thrown around.

Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

I promise I read all the other torque wrench threads first before posting!

 

[reptilezs]

just get the 3/8 split beam model from precision instruments and be done with it. note that split beam torque wrenches only go clockwise. i work on bicycles too for a living. no 1/4 split beams that i know of. i also keep another torque wrench around that can do counter clockwise for installing bottom brackets. at the high volume shop(200-250 bikes a week during season) that i work at we have snap on 3/8 tech wrenchs that are supplied by the company. these are used in the assembly dept for new bicycles to check crank torque. using a wrench in the middle of the scale allows torque to be applied more smoothly. when at the top range it gets harder/difficult to apply torque smoothly

 

[wesmamyke]

Good call on the clockwise thing, didn't think of that. Ideally I would have just one for cranks & bottom bracket. I guess the search continues...

 

[Stick Figure]

why not get a dial type then?

http://www.torqwrench.com/tools/item.php?StockCode=D2F50CFK

doesn't "click" when you reach the torque but you won't have to worry about leaving it in a certain setting, and they can be use in either direction.

 

[wesmamyke]

Just did a little research on the dial ones, might be the way to go.

 

[reptilezs]

i also have a open beam torque wrench and its too cumbersome to use. have to hold the crank with one hand to prevent it from spinning and wrench in other while trying to read the gauge. the crank is a pretty short lever arm so its a struggle and i am not weak either. a click or some other indicator is much faster