Very, very good advice.

Larry
code5coupe

 

Be sure the torque range is sufficient as well. Many of the clickers, including the Craftsman, only go to 150 ft Lbs. I would have to get out my FSM to be sure, but I think the lug nuts spec is 165 ft lb. Don't take that to the bank, my memory isn't what it used to be. Snap-On will probably be best, AND most expensive, but there is the lifetime warranty for breakage (usually the shaft/head connection is only thing that can/will break). Hope this helps.

 

Believe it or not, I bought a cheaper ATD "Clicker-type" 1/2" torque wrench roughly 10 years ago. My brother in law happens to work at a place that does calibrations for these, along with several other more sensitive items (all of the local Allison Transmission factory tooling is calibrated by them for instance). About 7 years ago, I had an issue where the handle actually came "loose" (read: came OFF) and asked him to repair it. He was skeptical, due to the ATD generic name. FWIW, I did always return it to ZERO after every use. He repaired and re-calibrated it for me as a favor.

Every year I have him take it in and check it and/or re-calibrate it and he said when he originally repaired it, and now, that it is just as nice of quality internally, and maintains it's calibration just as well as a much higher priced (read: OverPriced) Snap-On brand torque wrench. He was surprised, as was I, but this is a rare case in that sometimes you get MORE than you paid for. As with any tools of this type, regardless of brand, they'll last a long time if taken care of.

Mine is actually semi-retired now, since it is used strictly here at home for side jobs and my own personal stuff rather than at work where it used to get very regular (at least weekly) usage as a part of my job.

 

Definitely not that high for lugnut torque...probably half that for a 7/16" stud. Therefore a 0-150 lb/ft. torque wrench would work great for what the original poster needs.

 

Thanks all, this has been a really informative and most helpful discussion.

 

I own a Snap-On dial and a Craftsman Dial-a-torque, both have advantages but I would go with the Snap-On, as others have said you always have to return click style wrenches back to zero.

On a side note I was in Home Depot yesterday and they had a Husky torque wrench that had a lifetime warranty logo plastered all over it. I will have to take a closer look the next time I am in. It also appears that they (Husky & Rigid) are beating the crap out of other manufactures by offering a lifetime warranty, heck the 41" ball bearing roll around that I bought yesterday has a lifetime warranty, just have to keep the ticket.

Bob

 

Lug nut torque for us is 100 lb/ft.

Don't forget to retorque after 25 miles on aluminum wheels.

 

Thanks, I was going to go out to the garage later and check my books. The more I thought about it the more I felt that 165 was too high and I was thinking of something else. Another reason I need books, Thanks Again.

 

no idea why, but just ''fixed'' a bud's dodge caravan about a week ago that developed rear wheel vibes under braking when he did new (rear only) shoes and drums...loosened all the lugs and retightened in cross-pattern to 90 ft-lb--gremblims went away...didn't even jack it up to ''fix'' it.

btw, i stick a little chunk of black elect tape at desired set point on the beam's scale to make for ez reading

 

Do any of them offer a lifetime warranty?


Until I find a good warranty, I'll keep going with the $20 Harbor Frieight ones and replacing them often.

 

I picked up the same one when it was on sale for $11.
It is my race track wheel torque wrench. I figure if someone steals it, or I run it over, no big loss. It (at 100 ft lbs) is comparable to my Husky wrench.

 

You guys actually use a torque wrench on your lugnuts?

 

Snap on would be the first choice however for the last 20 years a company called Precision Instruments made Snap On's split beam torque wrenches for them. Snap On was their only customer. Snap On has since went a different route and now offers digital torque wrenches
that will also do angle as well. The Precision instrument torque wrenches are excellent quality and they do not have to be zeroed before being put away.

 

you'd be surprised. I've had lugnuts come loose after a few passes.

 

All of my torque wrenches which range from 1/4" drive inch pound to 1/2" drive up to 350 ft/lbs are all made by Snap On. Of which most of Snap On's wrenches are made by Precision Instruments:

http://www.torqwrench.com/

You can find them sold in many online discount tool sources on the internet. I have had the best luck so far in the 35 years that I have used them. My very first Snap On tool was a 1/2" drive click type torque wrench, I still own that very same wrench today. It has been calibrated on several occasions and have been found to be always within spec. I can't even come close to knowing how many bolts have been torqued with that old wrench.

 

Snap-on's are made by CDI, a very good product.

 

I agree. Don't price shop for a torque wrench. Buy a Snap-On.

 

Unfortunately this is one of those times where you actually get what you pay for.

I had two no name brands that lasted less than a year.

I'm on a third Craftsman(which only carry a one year warranty), and it's broke as well.

One Craftsman I bought and it was already broke. I brought that sucker right back.

I've heard that the S-K is the best for the money, but I may invest in a nice Snap On.[/QUOTE]

i'm pleased that this thread was started. i have had 4 craftsman 'clicker type' torque wrenches go south on me. guess i'm a slow learner. anyways, now i'm in the market for a new one and have been asking a few acquaintences which brand they prefer, thinking i can't go wrong with a snap-on, but can i justify the price for the amount of usage i do with it. maybe after 4 of the craftscraps, i can justify the snap-on.

 

Its odd everyone seems to have so many problems with the Craftsman Clicker Type torque wrenches. I have yet to have a single problem with mine.