Norbar Torque Wrench

[Cyberprog]

I recently bought myself a Norbar 3AR 3/4" Torque Wrench, as I wanted to be able to do a front wheel hub change in the future on my Discovery TD5, and this needs a 490Nm torque setting to do up.

So it arrived and was missing the slide through 3/4" piece, which finally arrived today (cost me another tenner!) but I had a query and wondered if anyone had used one previously.

My other torque wrenches "click" to indicate the torque setting has been reached, but this norbar monster separates on a pivot point. I can't tell 100% from the manual, but am I right in thinking it will *only* separate when the torque setting is reached?

Here's a pic of the model I bought, oh and the 3/4" Breaker bar I picked up too

 

[landyman1]

yes it is a breakaway type the handle pivots when torque is reached

 

[Spark plug]

You will probably find you need to adapt or buy a thin wall socket to get access to the hub nut as there isn't a lot of clearance around it.

I have a box spanner that I use, but I have only messed around with the proper taper roller bearing type, which only need a little nip.

490Nm sounds rather ott

 

[Cyberprog]

yes it is a breakaway type the handle pivots when torque is reached

Cheers!

You will probably find you need to adapt or buy a thin wall socket to get access to the hub nut as there isn't a lot of clearance around it.

I have a box spanner that I use, but I have only messed around with the proper taper roller bearing type, which only need a little nip.

490Nm sounds rather ott

It's a stake nut on the D2, 1-1/4" apparently does the job (officially a 32mm, but 1-1/4" is 31.7500mm). No *need* to do the job atm, but figured it was an excuse to get the tools for the job.

I also bought a 27mm socket for the wheel nuts. Figured I may as well...

 

[Spark plug]

Ahh the old I need a shinny new tool erm........ Because......... I do.

Know it well

 

[Cyberprog]

Ahh the old I need a shiny new tool erm........ Because......... I do.

Know it well

I call it the "Ooooh! Shiny!" Factor. It's also part of my ongoing man-cave upgrades, now I have a proper space I need to fit it out accordingly.



The top two boxes used to live in the back of the landie, as a mobile workshop, but now I have recovered the bottom blue box, it's found a place in the man cave. Next on the list is the workbench/welding bench, with the 10mm steel top on order atm

 

[Spark plug]

Looks like your getting your self nice setup there, don't forget you can never have too many shinny things.

 

[Cyberprog]

Oh, I know that only too well. I have some tools that I only use occasionally, for example I have a 1/2" Bosch Impact gun, that I rarely use, hadn't used it for over a year, got it out at the weekend, charged the batteries and was using it at work today. Spot on. Cost over £300 when I bought it, and it's paid me back many times over. Same with my Bosch 36V SDS, that's used nearly every week and is still going strong despite being dropped off a ladder and repaired!




This was what I assembled today, well, after I cut 220mm off the legs cos the Boss didn't check the depth. ****.

 

[Rocketman]

I think I'm the unluckiest person in the world with Norbar. I bought a Norbar torque wrench this year and the first one I got kept on locking and not clicking and now last week with the replacement I have found it doesn't work in reverse which it is supposed to.

 

[Cyberprog]

This one only works in one direction, but the head pushes through so it can be reversed IIRC

 

[gordon stephenson]

We always used Norbar wrenches, Our big ones were the breaker type and had double barrels with 2 springs, Needed 2 folks to use at the higher settings.

 

[Bill Edwards]

As a pretty reliable, and cheap approach, when you see that kind of torque figure published you can safely reach for the bar and scaffold pipe. Cheap and easy.

 

[Cyberprog]

As a pretty reliable, and cheap approach, when you see that kind of torque figure published you can safely reach for the bar and scaffold pipe. Cheap and easy.

This is what happens when I reach for scaffold pipe in my man cave

 

[norbarneil]

I think I'm the unluckiest person in the world with Norbar. I bought a Norbar torque wrench this year and the first one I got kept on locking and not clicking and now last week with the replacement I have found it doesn't work in reverse which it is supposed to.

Hi, sorry to hear that we have let you down twice. What model did you buy the first time? where did you buy it? is the replacement the same model? Have you now solved the issue or do you want us to call you and sort things out?
Thanks
Neill Brodey
MD Norbar Torque Tools Ltd.

 

[Rocketman]

Hi, sorry to hear that we have let you down twice. What model did you buy the first time? where did you buy it? is the replacement the same model? Have you now solved the issue or do you want us to call you and sort things out?
Thanks
Neill Brodey
MD Norbar Torque Tools Ltd.

Thanks for that Neil

I'm sorting it with the supplier now so all being well it will be sorted shortly.

 

[dannyp]

just noticed this thread and it reminded me i need to find a norbar service center or somewhere that can calibrate them , have a 1/2" that did good service for years but i'm sure it overtorques now so its just sat at the back of the box, made mistake of buying a halfords one to replace it and never really liked useing it

 

[Cyberprog]

Hi, sorry to hear that we have let you down twice. What model did you buy the first time? where did you buy it? is the replacement the same model? Have you now solved the issue or do you want us to call you and sort things out?
Thanks
Neill Brodey
MD Norbar Torque Tools Ltd.

Good to know that Norbar keep an eye out on these forums! I emailed Sue Brand with some questions and had some prompt answers, and she's even posted me out a replacement sticker for the 3AR I bought.

One thing that I would feedback is that spare parts (such as the sliding head) are not easily available and took a bit of tracking down - have you guys considered having a "spares" shop on your website for them?

 

[Cyberprog]

just noticed this thread and it reminded me i need to find a norbar service center or somewhere that can calibrate them , have a 1/2" that did good service for years but i'm sure it overtorques now so its just sat at the back of the box, made mistake of buying a halfords one to replace it and never really liked useing it

I found somewhere in Bristol that did it online, but they wanted £50 odd quid a wrench to calibrate. If it were £15 each then no problems, I don't need a cert or anything, but can't afford £150, and that's before I find a 1/4" Torque bar to complete my set!

 

[Robotstar5]

... have a 1/2" that did good service for years but i'm sure it overtorques now so its just sat at the back of the box...

Where I work now has a calibrated test rig so I took my 30+ year old Norbar in and checked it every 10 nM across it's range I was amazed the worst was 5 nM out and some were spot on!

 

[dannyp]

why i suspect mine is it allways used to feel right but it dosent anymore, can be leaning on it fairly hard thinking it should have clicked, let the strain off and go again and it'll click straight away, but it hasent had the nicest of lifes. hence why it wouldnt suprise me if its out so would like to get it tested and repaired at some point as it was nice to use