Wrench set help

[Bobab]

I would be grateful if you could give me some help finding a good wrench set that I can use for my bike. I have been reading and looking for a while, but I have to admit that I don't really know much about tools so not sure exactly what I need and how different tools fit into each other.

What I am sure I need is a 1/4 torque wrench. After quite a bit of searching I have decided on a Hazet. Probably one from there +-4% line. The problem is that I can seem to find a set containing the heads that I need to go with it. Most of the sets seem to come with a non-torque wrench. Now I am not sure whether I still need one of those if I already have a torque wrench, but I am going to leave that to your expertise.

If you have any suggestions other than Hazet, I am all ears. However, I would be grateful if you could recommend a specific set (Hazet or otherwise), as I understand that different brands have different lines with varying qualities, and it is very hard to navigate my way through all of that.

I suppose I also need a screw driver set to with with, and again, please let me know what are my best options.

Thank you in advance.

 

[Rico.]

Hi Bob...

Tell us where you're from then we can all pile on and give you
25 different options to pick from that are available in your locale.

Hazet is a great choice for hand tools... Quality wise one of the best there is.

 

[2oolhound]

Hi Bob, Welcome to the forum! Also tell us what your ride is. There's mostly metric but then also lots of SAE (Harley) and even a good number of old British bikes on the road which are whitworth.

Because of how tightly packed the parts of bikes are, shorter wrenches are nice for clearance issues. Also flex sockets and every bike owner needs a hand impact driver.

 

[Bobab]

Thanks for the quick replies. I live in London.

As for the bike, it is actually a pushbike (3 of them to be exact), through I will probably get a motorbike in the near future when I can afford one. What motorbike I still don't know.

Thanks.

 

[Airframer]

Jens has some good Stahlwille deals in the hot deals section right now.

 

[Rico.]

Ahh... I know absolutely nothing about Bicycles...

I've heard they have to do with something called exercise...


Hopefully a more knowlegable member can advise you.... I can tell you
top quality brands to look out for, but these are geared towards automotive.
Hazet
Snap-On
Facom
Stahlwille
Ko-Ken
Beta

Honourable mentions go to
Halfords Professional
Sealey Premier
Draper Expert
Teng Tools
These offer excellent value... good quality and at a very good price.

Maybe there are Bicycle tool manufacturers that I don't know about.
Good luck..

 

[Bobab]

Thank you for the recommendations. I don't think I need bike specific tools. This is why I was looking at Hazet. The only bike brand I know is Park, and from what I understand it is overpriced.

My problem at the moment is that:
1) I am not sure which line is good and which is lower quality;
2) Can't seem to get just the socket set anywhere. They all come with the wrench. But I also need to a torque wrench. Will I have any use for the standard wrench if I get a torque wrench?

Would be good if I could be directed to a specific set, as the choice is rather confusing.

I will check out the Stahlwille as you recommend.

Thanks.

 

[Bobab]

Jens seems to be in US. Am I wrong?

 

[dutchgray]

Jens is in Germany, his website is aimed at outside Europe, if you want something Email him, like I did for the set of Stahlwille 20 series I just got.
Norbar for a British torque wrench, I have a fixed head 1/4" one, your probably not going to get a set that comes with a torque wrench in 1/4" drive, and you will still want a separate ratchet.

 

[sberry]

I got a friend that has bikes. She has a car, some old motorcycle and passion for bikes of all kinds, sport and transport. She has a quite a few widgits that really pertain to bikes and about 75 pc Sears socket in a blow molded case and gets along pretty good.
4 pcs set of adjustable wrenches, the one from ATD (and other lables) is my fave on super sale. Get a pair of 6R and 10R vice grips. I would get a master bit set on the cheap from HF and a few bin pulls on the common sizes and go from there.

 

[altersaddle]

For a bicycle, what tools you need will really depend on the job you are doing. Some jobs require specialty tools, most jobs just need a few simple wrenches to remove the parts.

This set: http://www.mec.ca/product/5007-727/filzer-bftb-tool-box-ii/ has almost everything you would ever need to maintain a bike.

I wouldn't suggest rushing out to buy that, but it gives a good idea of what is available.

For wheel work you should have cone wrenches (very narrow open end wrenches) and a spoke tool.

For drivetrain work you should have a chain breaker, hex key wrenches (allen wrenches), a pedal wrench or 15mm wrench, and possibly a crank tool to remove your cranks.

For brake work you should have a few small sockets, hex keys, some pliers, and lots of hand cleaner.

I can't remember the last time I used a torque wrench on my bikes. What are you fastening that needs precise torque?

 

[cevans7]

The torque wrench is only to be used for tightening fasteners, so you will also need a normal ratchet for loosening the fasteners during disassembly, and putting things back on until you get to the point that you need to start using the torque wrench.

It has been a while since I've done any work on bikes, and I never did a whole lot of work with them, but from what I recall there are only a few places where a torque wrench is necessary: disc brake rotors if you have disks on your bike, and anywhere where the fastener is holding a bearing. To be honest, the torque wrench is probably not entirely necessary, but most of the serious cyclists I know have one.

Pushbikes will require a number of specialized tools for a lot of work, as mentioned above. To be honest, the mechanic at your local bike shop is probably one of the best sources for where to buy and what brands to consider when it comes to buying cycle-specific tools.

I don't know anything about European tool choices, so I'll have to defer on that.

 

[PelicanPines]

Park tools is the tool brand used at most pro bicycle shops. Their cone wrenches are great. They also make all the one off specialty tools.

 

[ernie2525]

Park tools is the tool brand used at most pro bicycle shops. Their cone wrenches are great. They also make all the one off specialty tools.

Yes. Park tool. The big set is about $70. Nice stuff.

 

[PelicanPines]

Yes. Park tool. The big set is about $70. Nice stuff.

Many kits are a bit more. Link

 

[Koolmoose]

+ 1 on the Parks line for bikes! Also, if you can afford it do yourself a favor and purchase a bicycle vise. It makes repairs a whole lot easier. In the USA Performance Bike has a good site with lots of tools! I don't know how to paste an address (tried) but they come right up on a search. Good luck!

 

[ernie2525]

Many kits are a bit more. Link

Sorry. Correct. I meant the open end wrench set.I have it....14 pieces, but seldom use it(or much else) any more.It's about 10 to 28 mm or so.Many skips.Covers most. An X thin(bigass) adjustable and ingenuity cover the rest.

 

[colin39]

Bobob if you are talking london in the Y-uk then find a local eurocarparts the have some very good sets in there shops. Socket sets torque wrenches and loose stuff. Also halfords pro tools are quite good. After that you are either flagging down a tool van or buying on the bay of E.
Also if its london y-uk then what part of london? Im about 15mins from londons outskirts of 35-40 mins from londons centre.
Oh and welcome along buddy.

 

[Sprintman]

Toptul from Vantage Tool Co U.K, huge range

 

[Coventry]

Y-uk

y-uk

You do realise not everyone loathes their own country, right?
Some actually consider it a nice place to live, all things considered!

Bob probably lives in London, UK, not London, y-uk.

 

[Dave455]

Good advice so far!

If I had to add anything all I'd say is that very few of the major mechanics tool manufacturers actually make their own torque wrenches. Snap On and Stahlwille certainly do, not sure about Hazet!

If you want to get a decent deal, you're probably best advised to get a Torque wrench by a firm that actually makes them! In Europe, this effectively means Norbar, (in the U.K) Torqueleader (also in the U.K.) or Rahsol in Germany. I would say that the majority of Torque wrenches originate with one of these 3 firms!

Norbar are fine, and well priced. I would personally pay the extra and get one of the other two, but I sense you are fairly new to this and that may not be worth it for you!

The torque wrench will just have a 'square drive' at the end, so you will have to get some 1/4 inch socket spanners in the sizes you need too!

If you are likely to be torquing more screws than nuts and bolts, consider a torq screwdriver with a 1/4 inch hex for standard bits!

For screwdrivers, Hazet are fine, especially if you can get some sort of deal! Alternatively, just get some of the C.K. 'Classic' yellow handled drivers from any decent hardware shop! Good steel, superbly made, and not too costly! Just get the bike sizes you need rather than a mega set!

 

[gooseadrian]

Park tools but high price. In high school I work in a cycle shop and that's all we used. When I worked on my personal cycles at home I modified tools to fit. The only ones you would need to buy is a crank puller and a spoke wrench other than that you can make tools work unless you are gonna tear down hubs and all that.

 

[jensputzier]

I would be grateful if you could give me some help finding a good wrench set that I can use for my bike. I have been reading and looking for a while, but I have to admit that I don't really know much about tools so not sure exactly what I need and how different tools fit into each other.

What I am sure I need is a 1/4 torque wrench. After quite a bit of searching I have decided on a Hazet. Probably one from there +-4% line. The problem is that I can seem to find a set containing the heads that I need to go with it. Most of the sets seem to come with a non-torque wrench. Now I am not sure whether I still need one of those if I already have a torque wrench, but I am going to leave that to your expertise.

If you have any suggestions other than Hazet, I am all ears. However, I would be grateful if you could recommend a specific set (Hazet or otherwise), as I understand that different brands have different lines with varying qualities, and it is very hard to navigate my way through all of that.

I suppose I also need a screw driver set to with with, and again, please let me know what are my best options.

Thank you in advance.

I think that you need a socket set with your torque wrench.

For the torque wrench I'd take this one: http://www.jensputzier.com/Hazet/To...08-2CT-Torque-Wrench-1-4-drive-2-5-25-Nm.html

As a socket set I'd take this one:
http://www.jensputzier.com/Hazet-To...t-Case.html?listtype=search&searchparam=856-1

And then if you need some metric combination wrenches from Hazet this is a great deal:
http://www.jensputzier.com/Hazet/Ha...exagon.html?listtype=search&searchparam=600n/

 

[Bobab]

Thanks you all for your very helpful comments. Can't say I am entirely unconfused, but the knowledge is going to help me make the choice.