I've had a bit of a search and seen that Kinchrome and Sidchrome have been mentioned a couple of times. Is there any other brands that I should look at or stay away from (other than no-name cheapo brands)?

Just need one for a bit of home spanner swinging - nothing special. Just after some thoughts.

Cheers guys.

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"In two years time your car will be like a lady's clothes, out of date, my car will still be in fashion when I am dead" - Sir Alec speaking to Pininfarina

I've got a Warren and Brown bendy bar - and I love it.... some people prefer the clicky ones, but not me - it's all personal preference

you're best off getting one that goes to over 150lb/ft (IE 180 or 200), as there are nuts/bolts on our little cars that get done up that tight, and you're better off with too much than too little

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

Thanks Simon. I was thinking 0 - 150ft/lbs in a 1/2" drive. I thought a hub nut would be as tight as anything would need to go! Thanks for the tip. I'll wait for a few more people to chime in and then I'll start doing some running around.

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"In two years time your car will be like a lady's clothes, out of date, my car will still be in fashion when I am dead" - Sir Alec speaking to Pininfarina

I've got a couple of Teng Tools ones of various ranges. Good sturdy units in their own plastic case. They also have an angle indicator on the head for those jobs that specify angles instead of torques,

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1983 Peugeot 505GR - My 'Rolling Restoration' and the one I love.
2005 Subaru Liberty 2.5i - Does the job
1998 V6 Magna Executive - Latest addition to the stable

But I really want a Mini - anyone got a spare???

I bought one from trade tools which was their own brand, I have found it pretty good, but that siad I have never used any other brand so I can't really compary it...
The one I got has a 1/2" drive and I think its 15 to 150ft/lbs but they come in three different sizes (mine is the middle one) and for $99 you can afford to buy two of them...

I like the bendy bars, their accuracy is inherent to their simplicity. Everything is on show and not much can go wrong to throw them out of calibration.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

I have two Warren & Brown tension wrenches. One is half inch drive and goes up to 160ft/lb. The other is a three quarter inch drive and goes up to about 400ft/lb (or maybe more?)

Warren & Brown was the quality toolmaking division of Repco back in the days when was a very important major componant manufacturer.
Nowdays Repco is just a chain of parts stores with clueless staff.

weve had 2 t&e tools ones
and one stopped working wen i was building engine

I have a Warren & Brown (made in Oz) 180 in/lb one, and a Craftsman (USA) 150ft/lb one. Both are bendy bars. I trust them well before the clicky ones, where you do get what you pay for.
One member here had one of those (a cheapie) which needed 72lb/ft on the dial to achieve 40lb/ft. He was wondering before we tested it why head gaskets blew...

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

I got a sidchrome 1/2" drive 200ftlb bendy bar wrench.

I really like it. It makes you want to go toque up bolts you probably wouldn't otherwise worry about.

FYI its made in Aus by Stanley Australia!

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-James.

Toyota 4EFTE Powered Minivan.
102 Kw @ The Front Wheels....Oh What a Feeling!

What prices should we be expecting to pay for a new one and also a secondhand one?

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Respect mine and I'll respect yours.

I think the general rule is you buy new.
And when you do, you don't lend it to anyone

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1967 Cooper S - new front bearings to do.
1965 Cooper S shell - Slow progress. No time or money!
1966 Deluxe- next rustoration!
Mk 2 & XJ6 Jags. Less said the better.

Lots!! ~$280 I think mine was (cant remember).... it was a few years ago now.

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-James.

Toyota 4EFTE Powered Minivan.
102 Kw @ The Front Wheels....Oh What a Feeling!

Mine were about $100 each from memory from the local parts man - don;t think Repco etc, but someone who knows what they're talking about.

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1983 Peugeot 505GR - My 'Rolling Restoration' and the one I love.
2005 Subaru Liberty 2.5i - Does the job
1998 V6 Magna Executive - Latest addition to the stable

But I really want a Mini - anyone got a spare???

I have a sidchrome (150ftlb) clicky one and has been great! Have checked against a W&B recently and found to be correct.
Never lend your torque wrench to anyone or let someone else use it, i lent my 1st one to a person in one piece and it came back rather worse for wear.........they found it just long enough to hit a starter motor on a V8 from the top so they didnt get dirty Needless to say I went with the person so they could buy me a new one, about an hour after they tried to return the original one.
very expensive starter motor

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDMkVq1jRGU