Dropped $120 on a fancy torque wrench and it stripped my first bolt

Bought one of those click-type Park Tool wrenches thinking it would make my life easier. First use on a crank bolt and it clicked way too late, ruined the threads. Anybody had better luck with beam-style for everyday shop work?

4 comments

4 Comments

elizabethg182mo ago

The 3/8" drive beam-style from CDI is what I've used for years now after a similar click-type incident on a pedal thread. Way more consistent feel and you can see the deflection before you go too far.

derekward2mo ago

Preloading the fastener is the whole trick with those.

loganthompson1mo ago

Yeah click-types can be finicky, especially when you're not used to the way they feel. Once they go, they go hard and by then the damage is done. Beam-style is way more forgiving because you can literally watch the needle as you tighten. They're also easier to calibrate yourself if you ever drop one. So yeah, ditch the clicker for day to day stuff.

park.robin1mo ago

Honestly, I used to be a die-hard click-type guy. Thought beam-style was old school and kinda clunky. But after reading this and thinking back on my own experience, you're totally right. The way a clicker just lets go with no warning is sketchy, especially on something like a pedal thread where you're already stressing. I never really thought about how a beam-style gives you that visual feedback to ease off before it's too late. Tbh this has me reconsidering my whole setup now, might have to grab one just for the peace of mind.