torque wrenchs
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 167
Likes: 1
From: kenmore ny
torque wrenchs
Hi all,
Looking to buy my first torque wrench this weekend. What i need to know is for basic repairs what size should i get.
3/8 10 to 75 ft lbs
1/2 20 to 150 ft lbs
3/8 25 to 250 in pounds.
thank's for any advice
Looking to buy my first torque wrench this weekend. What i need to know is for basic repairs what size should i get.
3/8 10 to 75 ft lbs
1/2 20 to 150 ft lbs
3/8 25 to 250 in pounds.
thank's for any advice
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,647
Likes: 1
From: East Aurora N.Y.
St. Jude Donor '10
My Craftsman 1/2" 0-150 beam style torque wrench that I got on E-bay for $20.00 does pretty much everything that I need it to....No batteries needed, very accurate, and a lot less inexpensive than the rest of them...Calibration is not an issue either....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
The beam type are not very high tech, but they are inexpensive and accurate enough for most general automotive work. You can go to Sears and get a decent one or three. You could also search Ebay for a clicker type from Snap On or Matco, but I would want to calibrate it before I used it-you don't know if it was overloaded.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,713
Likes: 550
From: Seattle Washington
I would plan on a Quality Tool when it comes to Torque Wrench. Depending on where You live and what industrial supply house are near by or what Tool repair shops You have. If and when it breaks or needs to be calibraded your going to want to take it there to be done. Most of the US Brands can probably service them direct if You search the internet do it now as if You need service and find out before You buy. That being said I have Proto Wrenchs and they are easy for me to have calibrated Wright is to as well as the Big Name Automotive Brands. They are all avalable on e-bay.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,069
Likes: 2
From: Sherwood Park AB
If you are only buying one, get the 1/2". It will do most of the suspension and engine bolts. I have only needed less than 20 ftlbs a few times, for that I use my 3/8" in inch pounds and convert to ftlbs.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 28
From: Lutz Florida
If I was only going to have one torque wrench I'd go with a good quality beam type or dial type. Both are accurate and do not require periodic recalibration like a clicker type does.
You might want to consider getting an inch-pound torque wrench too. You may not use it much but it will be there when you need it.
You might want to consider getting an inch-pound torque wrench too. You may not use it much but it will be there when you need it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 3
From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
That's my vote. Why?
Remember, every torque wrench has a tolerance...perhaps something like 3% of full scale reading. That means they won't be especially accurate at below 20 ft\lbs. On the other end, how many fasteners need torqued over 150 ft\lbs? Those that do could be done using a torque stick on your impact. Although I have a 3\8th drive torque wrench, I don't use it very much.
Personal preference here...I started out using a deflecting beam style...bought from the Honest Charley speed shop, March '72.
They work good enough for torquing main bearings or head bolts. But pretty much suck if you're torquing something where you don't have a direct line-of-sight to the scale at the end of the handle. That center-pivot handle also sucks.
Not that clicker types don't have their quirks, too. My Snap-On instruction sheet says to clamp the square drive in a vise, set the torque at something easy to pull and then click it 10 times to loosen up the oil in the mechanism, if it's been in storage for a while...if not the readings are sure to be out of tolerance.
Remember, every torque wrench has a tolerance...perhaps something like 3% of full scale reading. That means they won't be especially accurate at below 20 ft\lbs. On the other end, how many fasteners need torqued over 150 ft\lbs? Those that do could be done using a torque stick on your impact. Although I have a 3\8th drive torque wrench, I don't use it very much.
Personal preference here...I started out using a deflecting beam style...bought from the Honest Charley speed shop, March '72.
They work good enough for torquing main bearings or head bolts. But pretty much suck if you're torquing something where you don't have a direct line-of-sight to the scale at the end of the handle. That center-pivot handle also sucks.
Not that clicker types don't have their quirks, too. My Snap-On instruction sheet says to clamp the square drive in a vise, set the torque at something easy to pull and then click it 10 times to loosen up the oil in the mechanism, if it's been in storage for a while...if not the readings are sure to be out of tolerance.
Last edited by 69 Chevy; Nov 28, 2009 at 08:03 AM.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
Beam-type wrenches are 'bullet-proof' and do not require calibration (if a quality brand name)...nothing to break or wear-out on them. A 3/8" inch-pound wrench (0-150) and a 1/2" ft-lb wrench (0-150 or so) will do almost everything you will ever need. Snap-On, Proto, Craftsman, etc. will all do the job. Stay away from the "discount" tool stores; the cheapo Chinese 'junk' will have a scale on its wrench...only it won't be accurate.
P.S. If you want to save money, shop a few pawn shops. You'll find some good quality "used" tools in there.
P.S. If you want to save money, shop a few pawn shops. You'll find some good quality "used" tools in there.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Finly IN
I go along with the folks here each has distinct advantages. Look for accuracy and how much your use it. If you are on a monthly or yearly calibration cycle go top end. Precision Tools makes the Snap On brand line and are half the cost. If not the Craftsman are good enough.
I have a dial dial In/lbs, a Snap On clicker 3/8, and the Craftsman Beam style. The Craftsman Microtorque 1/2 inch drive are on sale for $40 (40%) off today.
I have a dial dial In/lbs, a Snap On clicker 3/8, and the Craftsman Beam style. The Craftsman Microtorque 1/2 inch drive are on sale for $40 (40%) off today.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,879
Likes: 38
From: Los Gatos CA
I would buy the one you need now and get another when the need arises. On the other hand, there are a lot of discounts out there so maybe get a 3/8 and 1/2 drive... Personally I have a Craftsman beam, a Snap-On 3/8 flex head, a Mountz 150 1/2 and an old Bonnie 1/2 that goes to 600 (?) pound feet of torque... I use the Snap-On 3/8 drive all the time.
