Do you own a torque wrench?
#2
Race Director
Yep. The ones at Harbor Freight are cheap, and work well enough. Good for your typical easy to do stuff (spark plugs, wheels, etc.)
If you think you're going to use them a lot, a nice Matco or Snap-On is always a good choice, but for just occasional use, the HF ones work and are $20 or less.
If you think you're going to use them a lot, a nice Matco or Snap-On is always a good choice, but for just occasional use, the HF ones work and are $20 or less.
#3
Le Mans Master
No, don't have one. Thought about it too but figured I'd never use it.
About the only thing I'd use if for is for tightening lug nuts to spec, and I rarely remove the wheels myself. If I do, I just snug them up. I don't really do any other mechanical work on the car.
About the only thing I'd use if for is for tightening lug nuts to spec, and I rarely remove the wheels myself. If I do, I just snug them up. I don't really do any other mechanical work on the car.
#5
Burning Brakes
If you're a tool guy than you probably own more than one torque wrench, I do anyway. Depending on what you're working on will determine what size and type you buy. By the way, if you watch the HF ads you can find their wrenches for $10 on sale.
Beam type are usually less expensive, followed by clicker type and then digital which seem to be the latest. If you work with small things requiring torqued screws/bolt or nuts 1/4" driver units are readily available. If you like turning wrenches you'll collect 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" torque wrenches. Maybe even some larger drives if you work on large trucks.
Beam type are usually less expensive, followed by clicker type and then digital which seem to be the latest. If you work with small things requiring torqued screws/bolt or nuts 1/4" driver units are readily available. If you like turning wrenches you'll collect 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" torque wrenches. Maybe even some larger drives if you work on large trucks.
#9
Drifting
Yep. The ones at Harbor Freight are cheap, and work well enough. Good for your typical easy to do stuff (spark plugs, wheels, etc.)
If you think you're going to use them a lot, a nice Matco or Snap-On is always a good choice, but for just occasional use, the HF ones work and are $20 or less.
If you think you're going to use them a lot, a nice Matco or Snap-On is always a good choice, but for just occasional use, the HF ones work and are $20 or less.
Cheap and they work well enough. I think I have 4 total. Honestly there's a lot of nuts and bolts that need to be torqued that many people don't. Some are ok not to torque but others I wouldn't go without torquing it.
Last time I had to use mine was on my Harley when I changed the front wheel and swapped the rotors. Definitely would not of done that without a torque wrench.
#10
Melting Slicks
Member Since: May 2012
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I have two also. Should have bought them years ago. I use them much more than I thought I would especially when rotating tires.
I got mine at Sears when they were running a half off special. Think I paid around $40 each for them.
I got mine at Sears when they were running a half off special. Think I paid around $40 each for them.
#15
Pro
3
Craftsman 1/2 inch drive.
Blackhawk 3/8 with memory.
Matco 1/2 inch drive.
A must have in any toolbox.
Craftsman 1/2 inch drive.
Blackhawk 3/8 with memory.
Matco 1/2 inch drive.
A must have in any toolbox.
#16
Team Owner
Member Since: May 2000
Location: Plantation Florida USAF(Retired) 1966-1990
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U.S. Air Force
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Have fun, comes in handy torque the wheels evenly, 1/2 drive.
#17
Melting Slicks
I've had two HF torque wrenches for at least 10 years--½"-drive ft-lb and ¼"-drive in-lb. Several years ago I tested these along with two others that I had, a 40-YO Torsen torsion-bar (non-clicker) and a $350 Snap-On, and the HF wrenches out-performed even the Snap-On by a long shot. When I approached Snap-On about that they offered to have mine adjusted for a $40, about double what the HF wrenches cost. I sold the Snap-On instead. In all fairness, the scale on the Snap-On was easier to read and it had a higher-quality finish, but it should.
What's more, the HF wrenches have a lifetime warranty. If it ever fails just return it for a replacement, but keep your receipt. I know of no other torque wrenches with that kind of warranty.
What's more, the HF wrenches have a lifetime warranty. If it ever fails just return it for a replacement, but keep your receipt. I know of no other torque wrenches with that kind of warranty.
Last edited by iclick; 08-24-2013 at 10:44 PM.
#18
#19
Safety Car
Yes a sears craftsman. Use it for checking torque on wheel nuts when I rotate tires. With 4 married kids that I do things on their cars, I need a lot of tools.