Torque wrench
10-05-2018, 05:44 PM
#1
Team Owner
Thread Starter
Member Since: Mar 2001
Location: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
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Torque wrench
Ok time for a new one
The one I've been using for 20years ratchet finally broke
What's everyone using?
I want to take it to the track so.no high $$$ certificated
The one I've been using for 20years ratchet finally broke
What's everyone using?
I want to take it to the track so.no high $$$ certificated
10-05-2018, 06:11 PM
#2
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Jun 2005
Location: Rochester NY
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2018 C6 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10, '17
If you can swing it, grab this one:
It is a split beam, has a flexible head and doesn't need to be turned down after use like standard click style. It's also made in the USA and has excellent range of torque capabilities (40-250 ft-lb).
If not, just go to Harbor Freight or buy a Tekton on Amazon for $35. Lowes has a Kobalt for around $50-$60 that is pretty good also.
It is a split beam, has a flexible head and doesn't need to be turned down after use like standard click style. It's also made in the USA and has excellent range of torque capabilities (40-250 ft-lb).
If not, just go to Harbor Freight or buy a Tekton on Amazon for $35. Lowes has a Kobalt for around $50-$60 that is pretty good also.
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BrianCunningham (10-10-2018)
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BrianCunningham (10-10-2018)
10-06-2018, 07:59 AM
#4
DON'T buy a Sears, they've gone to crap. After returning three and getting replacements that promptly broke, the fourth is lying apart on my workbench, getting ready to go to the metal recycler. Husky makes one that is modestly priced and so far so good--I bought a huge one at Home Depot, but the one Anthony mentions above sounds great for the normal sized one that gets the most use.
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BrianCunningham (10-10-2018)
10-06-2018, 08:50 AM
#5
Racer
Brian:
I just purchased a CDI torque wrench (http://www.cditorque.com/) from Amazon. CDI is owned by Snap-On and manufactures Sanp-On's torque wrenches with about a 40% price premium for the Snap-On name.
I bought this one:
Hope this helps.
Feff
I just purchased a CDI torque wrench (http://www.cditorque.com/) from Amazon. CDI is owned by Snap-On and manufactures Sanp-On's torque wrenches with about a 40% price premium for the Snap-On name.
I bought this one:
Hope this helps.
Feff
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BrianCunningham (10-10-2018)
10-06-2018, 04:08 PM
#6
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Oct 2001
Location: Louisville KY
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2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C6 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
If you can swing it, grab this one: https://www.amazon.com/Precision-Ins.../dp/B002XMSFIM
It is a split beam, has a flexible head and doesn't need to be turned down after use like standard click style. It's also made in the USA and has excellent range of torque capabilities (40-250 ft-lb).
It is a split beam, has a flexible head and doesn't need to be turned down after use like standard click style. It's also made in the USA and has excellent range of torque capabilities (40-250 ft-lb).
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BrianCunningham (10-10-2018)
10-06-2018, 11:02 PM
#7
Racer
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BrianCunningham (10-10-2018)
10-07-2018, 03:46 PM
#8
Team Owner
If the use of the torque wrench is primarily for lug nuts when changing tires, then the Kobalt 1/2" drive torque wrench will work well. Just remember to loosen up the dial to the lowest setting when not in use. The Tekton wrench will work fine too. I have a Craftsman 1/2" drive torque wrench that I have had for about 12 years and it still works. IIRC, most of these brands are accurate to about +/- 4% Not sure I would trust a HF torque wrench for anything other than lug nuts and even then maybe just for street vehicles.
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BrianCunningham (10-10-2018)
10-07-2018, 06:18 PM
#9
Le Mans Master
Pawn shops and second hand stores. Craigslist possibly. A professional level tool for 50% or less
i rarely look for substandard tool unless time becomes the deciding factor. Just my opinion.
i rarely look for substandard tool unless time becomes the deciding factor. Just my opinion.
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BrianCunningham (10-10-2018)
10-08-2018, 10:44 AM
#10
Safety Car
I bought one of the $100 1/2" Brownlee ones they selling on here a couple of years ago to repl my $13 HF. I am sure it is more accurate, but not that different from my HF. The longer handle does work better for wheels, but makes it almost useless for anywhere else without a lot of space. The beep is cool but switching batteries out before using is cumbersome. For wheels and checking my suspension parts, the HF is good enough for me. If I was doing a motor, maybe not. HTH.
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BrianCunningham (10-10-2018)
10-08-2018, 03:22 PM
#11
Instructor
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I pick up a new Harbor Freight one every year or so to take to the track. With the coupon it's $10. I've compared it with a better one I keep in the garage and it's always very close to the same torque. I never have a problem loaning it out to someone that may be new to the track and didn't know about having one.
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BrianCunningham (10-10-2018)
10-13-2018, 01:02 PM
#12
Safety Car
If you're mainly using it for lug nuts, an old fashioned "beam" type torque wrench is the way to go. Amazon has several choices under $20.
Also from Amazon, I recently picked up one of these 1/2 inch drive "digital torque adapters." http://amzn.com/B009GLISI0
It works with any 1/2" drive ratchet or breaker bar (or any other drive tool), and it seems to be quite accurate. It takes a bit of getting used to, but for the price, I really like it.
Also from Amazon, I recently picked up one of these 1/2 inch drive "digital torque adapters." http://amzn.com/B009GLISI0
It works with any 1/2" drive ratchet or breaker bar (or any other drive tool), and it seems to be quite accurate. It takes a bit of getting used to, but for the price, I really like it.
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BrianCunningham (10-14-2018)
10-14-2018, 02:33 AM
#13
Race Director
For everything except motor work the HF works for me. Testing I have come across stated they all ($10 to $250) are accurate +/- 4%. So I guess if you think about that even the HF for motor although it doesn't seem right?
I wouldn't mind if it were about 6 inch longer.
I wouldn't mind if it were about 6 inch longer.
Last edited by froggy47; 10-14-2018 at 02:34 AM.
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BrianCunningham (10-14-2018)
It won't disappoint.