Torque wrench range

[D_o_S]

Hi,

I am looking to buy some torque wrenches.

I currently own a BMW 3 series E90 and this is the main/only car I will be doing maintenance on.

I plan to do things like oil changes, brakes, wheel changes (summer/winter), etc. myself.

I am looking at Beta torque wrenches, mainly because the local dealer has 35% off. If there is any brand I should look at at this price level, let me know.

I am considering getting two:
1) Model 606/6: range 8-60 Nm, 3/8 drive, price 127 USD
This one I will use for oil changes (25NM), brakes (35 Nm) etc.

2) A bigger one, for wheels (lug nuts) and other stuff.
Here, I am a bit stuck, with the following options:
a) 606/20 - 40-200 Nm, 1/2, price 141 USD
b) 606/30 - 60-330 Nm, 1/2, price 159 USD

Is there any reason NOT to get the bigger wrench? It is physically bigger too.

When tightening fasteners at 60 Nm, is it OK to use the small wrench? Will the big one work from 65 Nm, or even 60 Nm? Apparently, the graduation on both is the same.

I need 120Nm for the wheels, suspension work seems to be like max. 180 Nm?

Price diff between 606/20 and 606/30 is like 15 USD.

I prefer to buy locally, so I'm not interested in buying at discounted prices online.

Any input welcome.

 

[DoubleA]

Torque wrenches work best in the middle of there range. They are less accurate at the Ends of there range. Usually on cars/trucks I only need to go above 150ft lbs for axle nuts. I would get the 3/8 and 1/2 that overlap a little in there range.

 

[marlinspike]

Where in the US have you found a local dealer for Beta?

 

[D_o_S]

Hi,

I am in Europe

I've also stumbled upon an offer from Hazet.

Their torque wrenches are like $25 more than the Beta ones.

Which is better? I do not like the fact that Hazet has a micrometer-type readout, the Beta wrenches are much easier to read.

Accuracy, etc. seems to be the same.

It's the 5000 series wrenches, these:

http://www.conrad.com/Hazet-Torque-wrench-–-System-5000-2-CT.htm?websale7=conrad-int&pi=826597

 

[D_o_S]

Bump...

actually, I just stumbled upon Gedore, they also have a sale...

I can get 10-100Nm and 20-200 Nm... is the 10-100 OK for tightening 25 Nm?

 

[D_o_S]

Ended up buying the two Betas with overlap.

It looks like the Beta torque wrenches are made by Norbar, however, the calibration certificate says they are calibrated in Italy.

The Halfords Pro torque wrenches look exactly the same and are apparently made by Norbar too.

I was lucky enough to get the Beta at the price of Halford's wrenches, so it was a no brainer.

They seemed easier to adjust than the Hazet. I liked the fact that the small one 8-60 is accurate from 12Nm, whereas the Gedore 10-100 would be accurate from 20.

Graduations on the big wrench are in 2Nm, however, you can lock the wrench wherever you want (i.e. inbetween the graduations).