Torque Wrench Recommendations
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: Camas, WA
Torque Wrench Recommendations
I own a lot of tools but have never had a torque wrench. I know there are many torque wrenches for specific tasks, but if I were to buy just one for general use on the Corvette do you have any recommendations. I have 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 drive socket sets. I would be interested in suggestions regarding size, brand and where to buy. Thanks.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,531
Likes: 152
From: Western WA
I've had my Sears Torque wrench for many years (35?). It takes 1/2" sockets (and I have a converter to 3/8") with a scale of 20' to 150'. I also have a smaller torque wrench which is in torque inches for much lower torque settings.
Whatever you do, get a good one (s), and treat it with kid gloves to preserve the accuracy of it.
Whatever you do, get a good one (s), and treat it with kid gloves to preserve the accuracy of it.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,775
Likes: 19
From: Santa Clara, CA
I've had my Sears Torque wrench for many years (35?). It takes 1/2" sockets (and I have a converter to 3/8") with a scale of 20' to 150'. I also have a smaller torque wrench which is in torque inches for much lower torque settings.
Whatever you do, get a good one (s), and treat it with kid gloves to preserve the accuracy of it.
Whatever you do, get a good one (s), and treat it with kid gloves to preserve the accuracy of it.
Have same wrench and converter - 20-150 pretty much covers most situations.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,670
Likes: 134
From: merritt island fl
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I have a Sears 1/2" drive that is a POS. The locking ring broke and it cost more to repair than it is worth. Snap-On is the premier wrench and worth every penney. Do you see many pro mechanics using Sears?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
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
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,492
Likes: 808
From: West coast CA
Snap-On dial-types are accurate (1% is available) and relatively inexpensive. Their OEM for dial-types is (or was) Precision Instruments. You can buy the Precision Instruments-branded models online for less.
Clickers are more convenient, but always less accurate and they tend to be flakier.
Of course, 1% accuracy is huge overkill outside of a lab environment, because what you're really trying to achieve is a certain amount of fastener elongation (and therefore clamping pressure) to which torque doesn't correlate especially well when the condition of the threads and clamping surfaces is uncontrolled. I've heard error figures on the order of 25% -- so don't sweat the torque readings too much.
Clickers are more convenient, but always less accurate and they tend to be flakier.
Of course, 1% accuracy is huge overkill outside of a lab environment, because what you're really trying to achieve is a certain amount of fastener elongation (and therefore clamping pressure) to which torque doesn't correlate especially well when the condition of the threads and clamping surfaces is uncontrolled. I've heard error figures on the order of 25% -- so don't sweat the torque readings too much.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 1
From: CA
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.
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,277
Likes: 199
From: Oakhurst Ca
I have 2 torque wrenches, one where you spin the setting and it clicks when the torque hits the setting and the other a dial type that doesn't click. The second is best for finding out what a bolt was torqued at the first is best for setting the torque.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 11,142
Likes: 1,913
From: Missouri City, TX
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,531
Likes: 152
From: Western WA
I had exactly the opposite experience with the Sears click-stop torque wrench.
I bought it in 1973 and last year the ratchet part finally broke. I took it to a local Sears store and one of the sales people searched for and found replacement parts. He then took 45 minutes rebuilding it, all for no charge, as it has a lifetime warranty. I could have exchanged it for a new one, but we both agreed the the old one I had was better.
Then, for one penny each, I bought a couple more ratchet replacement kits. Now that is service. I expect to pass that torque wrench down to one of my grandsons someday.
I bought it in 1973 and last year the ratchet part finally broke. I took it to a local Sears store and one of the sales people searched for and found replacement parts. He then took 45 minutes rebuilding it, all for no charge, as it has a lifetime warranty. I could have exchanged it for a new one, but we both agreed the the old one I had was better.
Then, for one penny each, I bought a couple more ratchet replacement kits. Now that is service. I expect to pass that torque wrench down to one of my grandsons someday.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 25,455
Likes: 3
From: Damn Connecticut Yankee
I've owned and used the same Craftsman 3/8" drive torque wrench for about 20 years. Never a problem.
Last year I bought a Home Depot Husky 1/2" drive torque wrench. Seems to be a quality tool as well.
I'm not sure what causes reasonably well made torque wrenches to fail after a short period of time, but I suspect some owners confuse them with breaker bars.
Last year I bought a Home Depot Husky 1/2" drive torque wrench. Seems to be a quality tool as well.
I'm not sure what causes reasonably well made torque wrenches to fail after a short period of time, but I suspect some owners confuse them with breaker bars.
Last edited by ProfMoriarty; Nov 6, 2007 at 09:01 AM.
bosco
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 25,455
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From: Damn Connecticut Yankee
Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 484
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, NY
Seems like a quality product to me and it performed nicely torquing my lug nuts. I loosened one lug nut at a time and then tightened them using the torque wrench set to 100 lbs for my C6... it clicked letting me know when to stop which seemed straightforward enough. Don't know how perfectly accurate it is (+-/4% ?), but it seems to have performed as advertised and I'm happy.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: New Castle Del.
St. Jude Donor '09
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: panama city beach florida USA
St. Jude Donor '09
Le Mans Master
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From: Haymarket Virginia
Snap On for me
