I'm getting braver with working on Vette and now need to buy a torque wrench. Looked on Sears site and prices are all over. How much do I need to spend to get a "good enough" wrench?? Recommendations?

 

 

I have two of their 'digital' window wrenches; had them about 7 years. They both have the problem of having had the rubber handles come loose and then you have to double check the 'window' is in the correct place before being able to trust the torque reading. I'd steer clear of that style... or if you get one I'd mark the metal shaft with an engraver so you know where the end of the rubber handle should be.

 

For some tools I go by price, especially if it's infrequently used. Not torque wrenches, though. if it's important enough to be torqued correctly, it's important to do it right. Stick with Craftsman, Snap-On or another name brand. Look for a sale. I got my 3/8" drive for about $45.00 from Sears.

I bought a 1/2 drive "Oriental-special" ($12.00) for larger applications from Harbor Freight and it crapped out in less than a year. They replaced it for free with another probably junk unit. I should check it against the Craftsman unit and see how close they are.

 

I have had my torque wrench since 1992. Its made by Central Tool. Its a click type, not a dial type. Back then it was right around $120. It came in a nice hard case & I have built 6 engines using it. Dont skimp here no matter how many times you think you'll use it. Even if you build only one engine, you'll still want to get the torque values dead on. I'd read up on it.

 

I bought Snap-On torque wrench's back in the 70's when I was using them everyday.
Each year the Snap-On guy would calibrate them for free, I left the business a number of years ago but in 2003 the place I worked had to meet QS9001 standard's so I asked if I could have them checked.
After all these years they passed with flying colors.
You get what you pay for!

 

I have the Craftsman digi-torque torque wrench and have been VERY happy with it. It ranges from 30ft/lbs - 250ft/lbs and has been a real help.

 

get one from harbor freight for like 15 or 20 bucks. check out their website. it gets the job done although probably not most effectively.

 

Harbor Freight stuff is garbage.Save your money for something decent. Cheap price= cheaply made. I considered getting some things from them, but after seeing the things in person, I was out the door in a minute. ScotPurlee is right. If you need to get the proper torque numbers, use a tool which will give you what you want, or don't bother at all. By the way, I have a Craftsman.

 

Agree with the Snap-On. In torque wrenches you get what you pay for!! Watch E-bay for the model you want, can usually get it for 1/2 of retail. The electronic ones are pretty popular, so I would guess you could get a pretty good deal on a "clicker" on E-bay.

 

depends what your are doing with them building engines buy a real good one. General use get a Sears I bought three sizes of which one is in lb.

 

I now have 3 torque wrenches!!

A sears 50-150 ft-lb which I use for most things...especially the lug nuts after taking off and cleaning the wheels.

A sears 25-250 inch-pounds which I used for my tunnel plate upgrade.

Then bought a Snap-On off ebay, brand new in the box ( ), QD3R250, from 50-250 ft-lbs which I will use to torque up the shock bolts when I swap in some new shocks.

Sears torque wrenches seem fine...typically under $100.

The Snap-On was $265 list, from ebay I paid about $200, shipped.

I say, get the best tool you can afford...they will last.

 

I bought three just in the past year. Look for the flexible head digital TECH series wrenches on eBay every so often. About half the price listed at their web site. Excellent product.

 

I like the "click" type best. You don't have to torque and get in position to read the dial at the same time. Frank

 

I bought a 1/2" Digitorq from Sears a couple weeks back on sale. Regular price was $110 on sale for $89. I needed the 250 ft/lbs for the balancer installs. Haven't had a chance to use it yet, so my opinion is doesn't count yet.

 

I've calibrated and repaired several types (dial, micrometer click, flexible beam) of torque wrenches for many years in a calibration laboratory. The quality of some leave much to be dsired. As many or you have said, you get what you pay for, and it doesn't pay to buy cheap. There are just of few torque wrench manufacturers out there and many companys just paste their name on them. The torque wrenches I have are Snap-On, Armstrong, SK, Sturtevant Richmont. These can be repaired with an available parts supply. Stay away from the Asian imports, they are nothing but knock-offs of the better ones with very poor quality control. Though the Craftsman line of hand tools will do for 99% of all work, their torque wrenches are on the bottom of the quality scale. With proper use and care, a good torque wrench will last a long time. Contrary to what many believe, they do require calibration on a routine basis. This will depend on usage. With the micrometer click type, they must be turned back down after usage to relax the torque spring inside. If this isn't done, the spring developes a memory and does not yield a true reading. The dial and split beam type are most accurate but can't often be seen when doing work on differen angles. That's why most use the micromter click type.

 

i have gone through 4 craftsman torque wrenches. my next one will be a snap-on.

 

Don't you just return Craftman tools for a replacement when they break?

 

doesn't work for the torque wrenches

Tho I've replaced about 3 rachets and one breaker bar that way

BTW, I should also say I own a craftsman 'micrometer style' in-lb torque wrench and I've had no problems with it.

 

Bought a Snap-on in 1972 - did not use it for 30 years. Just sent it in last year for calibration - good to go again.