Want a GREAT Deal on Torque Wrenches?

[Dallara]

Okay, Fellow Peckerheads...

Every now and then I run across some sort of really good deal, and this is one of those times. Believe me, deals like this one rarely come along, and when they do you need to act quick!

Now this is going to be kind of a long post, but that's because I want you each to know what a great deal this is, and how I determined just how great it is...

Do you do your own maintenance on your motorcycle, or other vehicles around your house? Well, if you do then one type of tool you need are good torque wrenches. Most fasteners on bikes (and cars) rely on critical torque values when tightening them up, and the more accurate and better quality the torque wrenches you use are the less likely you are to twist off a fastener... with disasterous results.

Well, my ancient (as in early 1960's) old Snap-On Torqometer torque wrench kind of gave up the ghost recently, and even though I could probably get it repaired I decided I really wanted to score something new in that area. So the search began...

Man, torque wrenches have come a long, long way since I had looked at 'em before. The trusted old beam-type is still around, and lots of dial-types like my old Snap-On... Click-type (which I hate), split-beam-type, and even fancy (and expensive) new digital types. Well, I did a ton of research, and I kept coming back to dial-types and the new split-beam types. Here's a couple of great articles on both:

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r3/torque-wrench/dial-torque-wrench.htm

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r3/torque-wrench/

Now you need to make close note of both those articles... You will see they will be important in a minute.

Precision Instruments, who make both of the torque wrenches in the articles, are one of the most respected manufacturers of torque wrenches on the planet. I have seen their stuff before and it rivals anybody's tools for quality, fit, finish, and reliability. If you want to learn a bit more about 'em take a look here:

http://www.torqwrench.com/

As you can see torque products are all they make, and accuracy is something they are known for.

Okay, I know you're getting bored, but stay with me for a minute. Take a very close look at this page from the MAC tools web site:

http://mactools.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ItemNum=JJMACKIT


Notice any similarities?

Well, I did... and in a minute you will see why I flagged down our MAC tools truck guy at the dealership yesterday. I wanted to ask him if Precision Instruments made MAC's torque wrenches... And guess what? They do! I also asked him about the weird Jesse James torque wrench kit, and though he didn't remember it directly he did recall MAC's Jesse James tool line... Which didn't sell worth a damn. Wanting to be absolutely sure I called MAC tools. Well, I got a bit of a run-around, and had to talk to about six people, but finally I had my answer... Yes, the Jesse James Torque Wrench Kit uses wrenches made by Precision Instruments!

Okay, now you are going to learn why I was plenty excited about this...

First, Look back at the Web Bike World articles and note the prices there.

$157.95 for the Split-Beam 20-100 ft/lb torque wrench
$179.95 for the Dial-Type 0-300 in/lb (0-25 ft/lb) torque wrench
__________________________________________________ ____

$337.90 Total for the two

Now with these two torque wrenches you can handle just about anything you will ever run across on a motorcycle. After all, you can handle from 0 to 100 ft/lbs with these two, taking care of larger fasteners from 20 to 100 ft/lbs. with the trick new split-beam-type, and handle small fasteners with great accuracy with the dial-type - critical on a motorcycle.

And remember, MAC tools wanted $425 for the weird Jesse James set, right?

Well, look at these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4436429087

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4436911612

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4417960239

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4416986340

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4421169758


Okay, granted... The friggin' tools look goofy as all get out dressed up in their Jesse James clothes, but DAMN! You can get both torque wrenches for less than one of the more normal ones, and they do carry the MAC tools logo. Oh, and they carry the MAC tools guarantee, too... :)

Anyway, I exchanged e-mails with one of the e-Bay sellers, and the sets come brand new with full calibration certificates, etc... So, hell, I bought a set. I can't remember the last time anyone actually SAW me using a torque wrench, so I really don't care if they look Jesse James-Gay! :102:

All I care about is I got some really good torque wrenches at a truly bargain price!

Just thought some of you might want to take advantage of the same opportunity.

Cheers!

Allan (Dallara)

[DJ Down Under]

Thanks Allan...that's a great tip...I've been thinking about getting one.....I guess you've torqued me into it at that price..:icon_mrgreen:

DJ

[fganger]

Allan,

I don't care what the Gay Mole says about you, way to go. My old Snap-on units have seen better days as well. These days the old "standards" of torque no longer hold, even for lug nuts. These are truly a great deal, thank you for letting us know about them.:eusa_clap:

Why is it that I'm not surprised that you are the one who dug them up? You are truly amazing, in spite of the comments from you know who.:028:

Frank

[bum-bull BMW]

Thank you for the tip! Just ordered a set.

[BobFV1]

Allan,

I don't care what the Gay Mole says about you, way to go. My old Snap-on units have seen better days as well. These days the old "standards" of torque no longer hold, even for lug nuts. These are truly a great deal, thank you for letting us know about them.:eusa_clap:

Why is it that I'm not surprised that you are the one who dug them up? You are truly amazing, in spite of the comments from you know who.:028:

Frank

Frank said his "old Snap-on units have seen better days..."

He he, he he.:teeth:

[Fossil Fred]

Allan,

Thanks from me too. I just ordered a set. :)

Fossil

[Boxerboy]

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Flatbeam-Interchangeable-Head-Torque-Wrench-CCM75_W0QQitemZ4437729379QQcategoryZ42265QQcmdZVie wItem

Bargain! Just needs the adaptors!

[Dallara]

Yep, Boxerboy, that's a bargain...

But it is a "click" style torque wrench, and personally I HATE those. Having to reset to zero and then dial back up the torque setting to reset the spring is a pain, and "click" types are the least accurate and most prone to get out of calibration. They can also continue to apply considerable torque to the fastener after the set torque is reached (and so can the dial type, BTW), whereas the split-beam cannot. It is also much harder to dial-up high torque value settings on "click" types, whereas when you dial-up a split-beam you are not fighting a spring so it is quite easy. Needless to say there is no spring pressure with dial types, either.

What's the warranty/guarantee on that wrench, too? Granted, at $10 bucks a copy you can buy a lot of if they fail versus $120 (which does get you two wrenches, and one that can go down below 10 ft/lbs, which is where a bunch of motorcycles fasteners fall...).

But it is a bragain, for sure...

Cheers!

Allan (Dallara)