I'm rebuilding a type 4 2l and Tom Wilson (How to rebuild your VW air-cooled engine) suggests I need 2. One with a range of 5-50ftlb and one that can measure 80ftlb for the flywheel. Any recommendations/thoughts?
Yes, that's what Tom Wilson is saying in effect. Any recommendations on makes/models/ranges given that it will only be for occasional use?
I have one I'd trust from 15-80 ft/lbs and one from 60-300. Anything less I guestimate from experience but I rarely do serious engine stuff anyway. 10 means pretty blummin loose, 5 is almost falling off. Hard to tighten things so loosely but they won't actually fall off.
Can the cheapies be trusted though? I don't fancy spending all my time rebuilding to find I've over or under tightened. Do the cheapies come with a calibration cert would you know?
Halfords stuff is pretty good - personally I like the BETA brand. As for how accurate they are - I would imagine most are affected by the ambient temperature whatever make they are - though I do suspect the really cheap stuff can't be that accurate given the quality of materials etc.
If you used an ordinary wrench and attached a spring balance to the handle, you could calculate the torque as tension reading on balance times length of handle. You could use an extension rod to give higher torques. This probably wouldn't work in the confines of an engine compartment!
Mine here at work is twenty plus years old and going well..for saying its Draper, even the blue blow moulded box is a good un!!
Halfords pro stuff is good - good quality and lifetime warranty. If you were local, I could've loaned you my trade card for halfords.
Tell them you're a self employed / just starting out mechanic and want to start a trade account / apply for a trade card.
Halfords pro will be fine, they should come with a calibration cert. I have 4 very expensive snap-on ones which my firm pay to have calibrated every year, my apprentice has a cheapo draper one supplied in a "tool kit" and that gets the same calibration as mine, and passes. I would say the lower budget ones may not last as long as the higher end ones.
If you get a cheaper one, just remember to loosen off the torque setting each time you finish. It'll set the calibration out if you don't.