Park Tool Adjustable Torque Driver - Review
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Shop-grade torque wrenches are often bulky items that can cost more than the component that you just stripped out because you weren't using one. There are, however, plenty of choices when it comes to smaller, less expensive torque wrenches with pre-set values, but these often don't allow you to change the tool bit, and also force you to have a selection of different torque wrenches depending on your requirements. Park Tool has all of the former in their catalog, but they've also just added the ATD-1 Adjustable Torque Driver that, thanks to its adjustable values and interchangeable bits, could make those other choices obsolete when it comes to day-to-day repair jobs that don't call for extremely high torque numbers.
The 1/4'' driver is magnetized to keep the bits in place.
The ATD-1 comes with 3, 4, and 5mm hex bits, as well as a T25 torx, three of which can be stored inside of the handle.
The bright blue (what other color would it be?) ATD-1 features a steel dial on one end of the handle that allows you to choose between 4, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, or 6.0 Nm, which translates to approximately 35, 40, 44, 48, or 53 in lb, meaning that it's very useful when it comes to things like stem, handlebar clamp or disc rotor bolts. This is especially true when talking about lightweight aluminum and carbon components as well. Internally, it uses opposing metal gears with slanted teeth that fit into each other but will also slip when the desired torque is reached, which is when it makes a loud clicking noise. Park Tool says that there are very few parts inside of the ATD-1, and that it should be quite reliable and go a long time before it ever needs to be recalibrated, which is a service that they offer.
All of the above is jammed into a relatively small package, and there are also three other tool bits hidden behind a screw-off cap. The ATD-1 comes with 3mm, 4mm, and 5mm hex tools, as well as a T25 bit, and the 1/4'' driver is magnetized in order to keep the bits from running away. MSRP $72.95 USD www.parktool.com
The steel dial on the end of the handle lets you choose between 4, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, or 6.0 Nm of torque.
A 6mm hex key can be used to easily rotate the dial, but it's hard to turn by hand.
Pinkbike’s Take:
 | Unlike many others who have spent a decade or more working as a shop mechanic, I'm not one of those guys who talks down his nose to anyone who doesn't use a torque wrench. That said, I know from experience (meaning that I've damaged my share of threads when I started) that there's a time and a place for a proper torque wrench, and my so-called calibrated elbow isn't going to cut it when working with expensive carbon components. This includes ENVE's carbon stem and handlebar that I put on my bike awhile back, with the stem calling for 5.5 Nm of torque to be applied to the steerer and handlebar clamp bolts. The ATD-1 is perfect for this kind of job, and the different bits tucked away inside of the handle makes it easy to adapt the tool to work on whatever it is needs to get tightened. The ATD-1 makes properly tightening bolts a convenient task, but it's how its ratcheting internals function that sets it apart from some other torque wrenches on the market: you literally can't over-tighten a bolt due to the ratchet letting go at whatever value you've set it to. Many compact torque tools will emit a loud click when you've hit that number, just like the ATD-1 does, but they'll still allow you to tighten the bolt further, should you decide to do so for whatever reason. This isn't possible with the ATD-1, which makes it pretty much idiot proof so long as you've set it to the proper torque value. My only real gripe with the ATD-1 is that the steel dial that adjusts the torque value is very difficult to turn by hand, and I usually resorted to using a 6mm hex key to change it. Reaching for another tool isn't that big of a deal, and if you're using a torque wrench I'm betting that you'll also have other hex keys nearby, but I can't help but wonder why Park Tool didn't go with a larger diameter dial with a knurled surface that could be turned by hand. The ATD-1 is sturdy enough for day to day use in a busy shop, but it's small and relatively inexpensive, so it also makes sense in the garage of anyone who regularly works on their bike. No, you may not reach for it all the time, but those with high-end bikes and gear should consider using the ATD-1 Adjustable Torque Driver. - Mike Levy |
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1. Keep it short. One pun per comment.
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Following these rules should result in mad props from your fellow pun chain partakers!(I just broke 1 and 3)
CDI Torque tool >> Park.
www.industrialsupplydenver.com/cditosc28nm1.html - $45
That is rare and admirable.
I apologize for my previous comment.
How much of your product is made in America?
Is my tool deffective?.... needs something to be done before using?
This is not much more than a glorified commercial for the company who makes it.
edit: grammar
Best part? It's available for $60 right now on the big south american river. Sorry Park, too little, too expensive!
We didn't notice any difference; after one wrench tightened the bolt, the next wrench with the same setting wouldn't tighten it further.
But now that I've said that, it's going to fall to pieces the next time I take it out of the box.
Static torque is significantly higher than dynamic torque (It takes more torque to get a bolt turning than to keep one turning that is already in motion)
But yeah, @cuban-b has it right. The HF wrenches probably read fine, you just can't be rough with it. For an occasional torque wrench user it's probably fine. It'll break eventually, but there's no reason for an average joe to need park/snap-on for home mechanic work. I've had reasonably good luck with HF stuff, even with moving parts, as long as it doesn't have to handle high loads. Wrenches, sockets, cheap-ass power tools, all fine for their intended uses. But the bar clamps I got there were f*cking horrible.
I know its not "Bike" or Enduro specific and its all "harbor frieght" but I bought a torque wrench on sale for 11 bucks.
Its accurate within 4 percent. And at 11 bucks you cant go wrong. Check the review for it.
Better than no torque wrench for SURE!
www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-drive-click-type-torque-wrench-239.html
www.evanscycles.com/products/fwe/5nm-torque-wrench-ec053191