Torque Wrench Recommendations
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,303
Likes: 151
From: Las Vegas Nevada
I have three Craftsmen torque wrenches (1/2, 3/8, and a short 3/8). They are OK, but DO NOT HAVE A LIFETIME warranty. You can read the warranty info right on the packaging - 90 days. I've had two fail. Its the ratchet mechanism that breaks. Repairable, but costs and takes time.
Got tired of problems with Craftsmen and purchased a Snap-on for about $300. Great tool. Use it for many things, but most often for lug-nuts before and during track days.
Cheers - Jim
Got tired of problems with Craftsmen and purchased a Snap-on for about $300. Great tool. Use it for many things, but most often for lug-nuts before and during track days.
Cheers - Jim
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 703
Likes: 1
From: Berwyn IL
You will need a 1/2-inch torque wrench for the lug nuts. While the 3/8-inch pictured goes to 100 foot/lbs that is the upper limit of the wrench, and torque wrenches are less accurate at the upper and lower 10% of their range. Also, the 1/2-inch torque wrench is longer and will be easier to use at the 100 foot/lbs level.
On the negative side, the Snap-on electronic torque wrenches (at least the ones I have) eat batteries. I often have to replace the batteries when I grab them from the drawer. That might not be an issue if I used them more often -- like a professional would.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,753
Likes: 210
From: North Western Connecticut
OK... I have a 1/2" SK clicker type. One poster said to store UNLOADED while another said to store 20% LOADED? Anyone know for sure the best way to store one of these wrenches? 
CF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,261
Likes: 2,893
From: Charlotte N.C.
CF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,261
Likes: 2,893
From: Charlotte N.C.
All manufacturers and calibration procedures say to store clickers at their lowest setting. This is around 10% of the max reading on most wrenches. This takes most of the pressure off the spring while keeping all the parts in place.
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 456
Likes: 1
These responses crack me up. All these 70+ thousand dollar cars and when ever anyone asks for advice on purchasing something for it, there is always a majority of answers that are how and where you can get the cheepest one.
A torque wrench for example, Why would you buy a cheep one? Of all the tools you could cut corners on Why this one? The beam type with the pointer
total junk, might as well just guess!!
How many of you would think twice about it if you took your car in for repair and you saw the mechanic using one of those on your car???
I guess it is JUST a chevy
Not a Ferrari!!
A torque wrench for example, Why would you buy a cheep one? Of all the tools you could cut corners on Why this one? The beam type with the pointer
total junk, might as well just guess!! How many of you would think twice about it if you took your car in for repair and you saw the mechanic using one of those on your car???
I guess it is JUST a chevy
Not a Ferrari!!
CF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,261
Likes: 2,893
From: Charlotte N.C.
I ask two questions at a tire shop, do you have a road force balancer and do your guys have torque wrenches AND KNOW HOW TO USE THEM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,285
Likes: 0
From: Denver PA
St. Jude Donor '07
I have Craftsman 1/2" Digital 25-250 ft/lb and 3/8" digital 5-80 ft/lb.
Last edited by sscamaro; Sep 15, 2008 at 11:35 AM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,753
Likes: 210
From: North Western Connecticut
thanks for the tip because I had no idea keeping it set for say 100 ft lbs was not good for it........ 
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: Port Charlotte Fl
I found the Precision Instrument part #C2FR100F, which is the 3/8ths drive, flex-ratchet at tooldiscounter.com for $124 including shipping. A great deal from a manufacturer that has been making torques wrenches in the USA since 1938. It comes with certification papers and the manufacturer stands behind the product. Repairs are made by them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,493
Likes: 809
From: West coast CA
Exactly wrong
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 983
Likes: 2
From: CT
Most consumer grade torque wrenches are junk.
S&K makes some decent torque wrenches; Snap-On makes better ones.
S&K on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/SK-8-Inch-Micr.../dp/B00061SNHK
Snap On Torque Wrenches:
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/catal...e=snapon-store
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 538
Likes: 41
From: Alameda CA
Really?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torque_..._between_types
Click type torque wrenches are precise when properly calibrated—however the more complex mechanism can result in them losing calibration far quicker than the beam type, where there is little to malfunction.
Click type torque wrenches are precise when properly calibrated—however the more complex mechanism can result in them losing calibration far quicker than the beam type, where there is little to malfunction.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,303
Likes: 151
From: Las Vegas Nevada
From the Sears Craftsman tool page (bold and red added)(http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...orque+Wrenches)
-------------------------------------
Overview Specs Options Reviews(16) Q&A(--)
1/2 in. square drive Wrench with digital readout. Our easiest to set and most accurate. Measures 25 to 250 ft. lb. in 2 ft. lb. increments.
Superior internal mechanisms reduce friction and provide accurate and consistent measurements. Readout gives precise torque settings in both English and metric units. Accurate to ?3 percent on clockwise or right-handed reading greater than or equal to 20 percent of capacity. Handle designed for easy setting. Internal mechanisms reduce friction and provide accurate, consistent measurements.
Product Overview:
Torque Wrench Type: Torque wrench
Power Option: No power
Item Weight: 2.8 lbs.
General Warranty: 90 days
Wrench:
Specialty Wrench Type: Torque
Torque Drive Size: 1/2 in.
Torque Increments: 2.0 ft. lbs.
Torque Measure: 25 to 250 ft. lbs.
-------------------------------------
Cheers - Jim
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,493
Likes: 809
From: West coast CA
This is certainly the case with all "clickers" that feature a mechanism that relaxes the torque applied to the head once the preset value is reached.
Dial-type torque wrenches are essentially beams sealed in a case with a jeweled dial-indicator for a readout -- basically a visual amplifier for the beam pointer. And not coincidentally, they are the most accurate torque wrenches you can buy. 1% accuracy is easy to find, 2% is average. Almost all clickers are 4% - 6%.
The reason not to use a beam (or dial) type is convenience, not accuracy.
CF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,261
Likes: 2,893
From: Charlotte N.C.
A beam type torque wrench takes a direct reading from a torsion bar. It should be intuitively obvious that it will be difficult to better the accuracy of such an instrument with another spring-tension-based design that uses an indirect readout. With additional indirection, you get additional sources of error.
This is certainly the case with all "clickers" that feature a mechanism that relaxes the torque applied to the head once the preset value is reached.
Dial-type torque wrenches are essentially beams sealed in a case with a jeweled dial-indicator for a readout -- basically a visual amplifier for the beam pointer. And not coincidentally, they are the most accurate torque wrenches you can buy. 1% accuracy is easy to find, 2% is average. Almost all clickers are 4% - 6%.
The reason not to use a beam (or dial) type is convenience, not accuracy.
This is certainly the case with all "clickers" that feature a mechanism that relaxes the torque applied to the head once the preset value is reached.
Dial-type torque wrenches are essentially beams sealed in a case with a jeweled dial-indicator for a readout -- basically a visual amplifier for the beam pointer. And not coincidentally, they are the most accurate torque wrenches you can buy. 1% accuracy is easy to find, 2% is average. Almost all clickers are 4% - 6%.
The reason not to use a beam (or dial) type is convenience, not accuracy.
good post.The problem with torque wrenchs is usually they get damaged or treated in an improper way that causes incorrect torque to be applied. I've seen too many people that go another 1/4 turn after the click or will reapply the force until it clicks again. Torque accuracy is very loose and the best way to measure how much something should be tightened is to measure stud or bolt stretch.
Wrenches should be check periodically, for some people this is every month, for others every couple years. Your results may vary.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 983
Likes: 2
From: CT
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torque_..._between_types
"The scale on a beam type wrench is prone to parallax error, as a result of the large distance between indicator arm and scale (On some older designs). There is also the issue of increased user error with the beam type—the torque has to be read at every use and the operator must use caution to apply loads only at the floating handle's pivot point."
ALL things considered, preset "breakaway" torque wrenches provide the highest degree of confidence.
"The scale on a beam type wrench is prone to parallax error, as a result of the large distance between indicator arm and scale (On some older designs). There is also the issue of increased user error with the beam type—the torque has to be read at every use and the operator must use caution to apply loads only at the floating handle's pivot point."
ALL things considered, preset "breakaway" torque wrenches provide the highest degree of confidence.