Torque Wrench Recommendations
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 97
Likes: 1
From: only town in PA
a beam type never needs calibrating...very inexpensive, relatively.
wikipedia is your friend...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torque_wrench
wikipedia is your friend...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torque_wrench
CF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,069
Likes: 2,752
From: Charlotte N.C.
I've had a 1/2 drive Sears Craftsman for 28 years and yes I check its calibration every couple years. Click type torque wrenchs are 4% C.W./ 6% C.C.W. accuracy and if you don't abuse it most will stay in tolerance. Don't throw it, drop it, or let it roll around in the bed of your pick up and you're pretty good...
There are other good wrenches but for the money and home use Sears puts out a good wrench.
There are other good wrenches but for the money and home use Sears puts out a good wrench.
CF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,069
Likes: 2,752
From: Charlotte N.C.
a beam type never needs calibrating...very inexpensive, relatively.
wikipedia is your friend...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torque_wrench
wikipedia is your friend...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torque_wrench
Bow-Tie Guy
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 30
From: Chesapeake VA
If you are planning on ocassional use.... mods and repairs then you can't beat Harbor Freight.
NO CORVETTE TAX ! and a Lifetime Warranty...
I have had mine for 4 years now and they still work perfectly and remain accurately calibrated.
www.Harborfreight.com
You can get 3 for $69
1/4'' SQUARE DRIVE TORQUE WRENCH
Click-stop type accurate within +/- 4%. Heavy duty cam & pawl mechanism. Reversible. Includes carrying case.
Manufacturer:Pittsburgh
Drive: 1/4''
Torque range: 20 to 200 in. lbs.
Length: 10''
Weight: 1 lb.
ITEM 2696-3VGA
$28.99
3/8'' DRIVE CLICKER TORQUE WRENCH
Click-stop type, accurate within +/- 4%. Heavy duty cam & pawl mechanism.
Drive: 3/8''
Torque range: 0 to 80 ft. lbs.
Length: 14-3/4''
Weight: 2 lbs.
ITEM 807-6VGA
$19.99
1/2" CLICKER TORQUE WRENCH
Click-stop type accurate within +/- 4%. Heavy duty cam & pawl mechanism.Reversible.
Carrying case. Lifetime Warranty.
Drive: 1/2''
Torque range: 10 to 150 ft. lbs
Length: 18"
Shipping weight: 4 lbs.
ITEM 239-1VGA
$19.99
NO CORVETTE TAX ! and a Lifetime Warranty...
I have had mine for 4 years now and they still work perfectly and remain accurately calibrated.
www.Harborfreight.com
You can get 3 for $69
1/4'' SQUARE DRIVE TORQUE WRENCH
Click-stop type accurate within +/- 4%. Heavy duty cam & pawl mechanism. Reversible. Includes carrying case.
Manufacturer:Pittsburgh
Drive: 1/4''
Torque range: 20 to 200 in. lbs.
Length: 10''
Weight: 1 lb.
ITEM 2696-3VGA
$28.99
3/8'' DRIVE CLICKER TORQUE WRENCH
Click-stop type, accurate within +/- 4%. Heavy duty cam & pawl mechanism.
Drive: 3/8''
Torque range: 0 to 80 ft. lbs.
Length: 14-3/4''
Weight: 2 lbs.
ITEM 807-6VGA
$19.99
1/2" CLICKER TORQUE WRENCH
Click-stop type accurate within +/- 4%. Heavy duty cam & pawl mechanism.Reversible.
Carrying case. Lifetime Warranty.
Drive: 1/2''
Torque range: 10 to 150 ft. lbs
Length: 18"
Shipping weight: 4 lbs.
ITEM 239-1VGA
$19.99
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,017
Likes: 2
I had a Craftsman torque wrench di on me 2x. The first time they replaced it, no problem, next time I was told torque wrenches are not lifetime warranty. I ordered a 1/4 and 3/8 SK wrenches from Tooltopia.com. Not too pricy, and seem well made. They have fast service and shipping.
http://www.tooltopia.com/index.asp?P...&Category=1595
http://www.tooltopia.com/index.asp?P...&Category=1595
Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 484
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, NY
I would if I could… but that's über-overkill for me and my lugs.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 97
Likes: 1
From: only town in PA
was the pointer off center or did you put them on a torque tester? the pointer beam can be recentered, just bend it, without detriment to the lever beam. keep in mind, the handle has to float on the pivot pin for accuracy.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 923
Likes: 37
From: Green Bay Wisconsin
Hello,
A craftsman 3/8 drive torque wrench is an excellent choice. I have repaired and tested older Craftsman torque wrenches and they maintain their calibration within a few percent but....
When your done using your torque wrench you must unload the internal spring and set the torque reading back to "0". If you don't do this the spring remains loaded and your calibration will become less accurate over time.
Douglas in Green Bay
A craftsman 3/8 drive torque wrench is an excellent choice. I have repaired and tested older Craftsman torque wrenches and they maintain their calibration within a few percent but....
When your done using your torque wrench you must unload the internal spring and set the torque reading back to "0". If you don't do this the spring remains loaded and your calibration will become less accurate over time.
Douglas in Green Bay
CF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,069
Likes: 2,752
From: Charlotte N.C.
Yes, we test them on torque testers.
PMEL trained, 30+ years in calibration.
For our use a clicker is much easier to use so you don't have to look at what it's reading while you use it.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 97
Likes: 1
From: only town in PA
definitely a clicker is easier to use, no need to look after setting. there are beam types with audible signals out of austria but, $200 is steep...
i have a mac(?-75#) clicker and will shortly buy a snap-on 50-250# clicker for $270+/-...some of my stuff needs torqueing to 150+#.
as to storing, yes, use the box, treat it like gold AND, you should store it with a load on the spring...about 20%. setting it to zero takes the pressure off the mechanism and this may cause internal parts to move out of place if jarred. it also keeps the spring from relaxing, losing your calibration.
i have a mac(?-75#) clicker and will shortly buy a snap-on 50-250# clicker for $270+/-...some of my stuff needs torqueing to 150+#.
as to storing, yes, use the box, treat it like gold AND, you should store it with a load on the spring...about 20%. setting it to zero takes the pressure off the mechanism and this may cause internal parts to move out of place if jarred. it also keeps the spring from relaxing, losing your calibration.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 5,894
Likes: 1
From: Farmingdale NY
St. Jude Donor '06
I've had my Craftsman from Sears for more years than I can remember. If it's still made decently, then it's a good choice for an occassional user. If you are going to be using it professinally, then you can't beat Snap-On products.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,008
Likes: 1,482
From: Ashland, OH
hmmmm the majority go for the 'chevette' of torque wrenches (crapsman,harbor freight,husky-WTF? 
) to work on a Corvette....or i like this one "Snap-ON" is to pricey but i have a 50k car. How GHETTO can you go? This one is my favorite..."I've had this torque wrench for 28yrs", please dont touch anything of mine. 
) to work on a Corvette....or i like this one "Snap-ON" is to pricey but i have a 50k car. How GHETTO can you go? This one is my favorite..."I've had this torque wrench for 28yrs", please dont touch anything of mine.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 538
Likes: 41
From: Alameda CA
I agree, but Snap-On is awfully pricey for home use. I recommend these:
http://www.torqwrench.com/
I've used these Precision Instruments torque wrenches for years now, and they are a good compromise between imported crap and Snap-On or MAC. US made, they don't need to be reset to zero torque for storage, reasonably priced, and each wrench comes with a calibration sheet.
http://www.torqwrench.com/
I've used these Precision Instruments torque wrenches for years now, and they are a good compromise between imported crap and Snap-On or MAC. US made, they don't need to be reset to zero torque for storage, reasonably priced, and each wrench comes with a calibration sheet.
After I got mine, I did a side-by side comparison with my buddies Snap-On versions and they were identical except info plates. The info plates were different: company names and color (Snap-On is red, Precision Instruments blue).
I don't know if this is still true but as far as I know, Precision Instruments makes Snap-On's torque wrenches.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,644
Likes: 13
From: South of Boston MA
Bought an S&K model several years ago. It's the 1/2 drive model and you twist the handle to dial in the torque setting you need. Just remember to return the setting to zero when you're done using it. It will stay accurate longer that way. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,482
Likes: 796
From: West coast CA
I have two Precision Instruments split beam torque wrenches and would never use anything else.
After I got mine, I did a side-by side comparison with my buddies Snap-On versions and they were identical except info plates. The info plates were different: company names and color (Snap-On is red, Precision Instruments blue).
I don't know if this is still true but as far as I know, Precision Instruments makes Snap-On's torque wrenches.
After I got mine, I did a side-by side comparison with my buddies Snap-On versions and they were identical except info plates. The info plates were different: company names and color (Snap-On is red, Precision Instruments blue).
I don't know if this is still true but as far as I know, Precision Instruments makes Snap-On's torque wrenches.
And, of course, when you inspect them side-by-side it's clear they are identical, except for the printing on the dial. It's a pity the Precision Instruments-branded dials don't have prettier graphic design, but they are a good deal cheaper than Snap-On.
I've heard that Snap-On has a new OEM for their new-look torque wrenches.