Torque wrench recommendations
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,322
Likes: 1,872
From: Oregon
There are a lot of them out there today that are good. I just look for user reviews and how much detail there is in the dial. Is it easy to read.
I have had some that were all chrome and were hard to see the graduations. I like a black dial with painted numbers.
I bought a real cheapie years ago and found out later it was 10 lbs off. Torqued my heads and they leaked water.
The real test: I have a 3/8 and 1/2 old school beam torque wrench I use to check calibration. There is no coil spring involved so it should stay accurate over time. No clicks, you have to read the scale.
I put the two torque wrenches on a big bolt and nut. Set my clicker torque wrench, pull one against the other, and watch the numbers on the old beam until I hear a click.
I have had some that were all chrome and were hard to see the graduations. I like a black dial with painted numbers.
I bought a real cheapie years ago and found out later it was 10 lbs off. Torqued my heads and they leaked water.
The real test: I have a 3/8 and 1/2 old school beam torque wrench I use to check calibration. There is no coil spring involved so it should stay accurate over time. No clicks, you have to read the scale.
I put the two torque wrenches on a big bolt and nut. Set my clicker torque wrench, pull one against the other, and watch the numbers on the old beam until I hear a click.
Last edited by C5racecar; Mar 23, 2024 at 03:58 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,329
Likes: 725
From: Marietta GA
HD sells a electronics inch pound torque wrench. I believe it has a good warranty. I purchased it, but there was not enough room to use it, too lazy to return it. Maybe one day I can find some to torque needing inch pounds?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 7,227
Likes: 1,546
From: Florida
One sanity check on quality which usually has a strong correlation to cost - Most of the highest quality tools and the most expensive are designed for constant use and meant to last years. If you're a layperson wrencher who works on your car occasionally and maybe need a torque wrench once a year or less, it is not a good value to purchase the most expensive torque wrench available. If you're in the business, maybe working as a tech and use a torque wrench every day, that's when it pays to buy the best.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,731
Likes: 496
From: Glenelg MD
There are a lot of them out there today that are good. I just look for user reviews and how much detail there is in the dial. Is it easy to read.
I have had some that were all chrome and were hard to see the graduations. I like a black dial with painted numbers.
I bought a real cheapie years ago and found out later it was 10 lbs off. Torqued my heads and they leaked water.
The real test: I have a 3/8 and 1/2 old school beam torque wrench I use to check calibration. There is no coil spring involved so it should stay accurate over time. No clicks, you have to read the scale.
I put the two torque wrenches on a big bolt and nut. Set my clicker torque wrench, pull one against the other, and watch the numbers on the old beam until I hear a click.
I have had some that were all chrome and were hard to see the graduations. I like a black dial with painted numbers.
I bought a real cheapie years ago and found out later it was 10 lbs off. Torqued my heads and they leaked water.
The real test: I have a 3/8 and 1/2 old school beam torque wrench I use to check calibration. There is no coil spring involved so it should stay accurate over time. No clicks, you have to read the scale.
I put the two torque wrenches on a big bolt and nut. Set my clicker torque wrench, pull one against the other, and watch the numbers on the old beam until I hear a click.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10,709
Likes: 7,102
From: Fulshear, TX
I just picked up this torque adapter from Harbor Freight this morning! Pretty neat little device...I'm excited to try it out. I figured it would be convenient to use on suspension components when installing my wife's Jeep lift.
https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-...ter-58706.html
https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-...ter-58706.html
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10,709
Likes: 7,102
From: Fulshear, TX
CAUTION! Do not press the Memory and Power buttons at the same time. This will calibrate the tool and alter the preset values.
I did buy the newest stock they had, based on checking the QC stamp dates on the back of the package. I'm going to check it vs. some lugs in my garage that I've personally torqued to 65, 100, & 140 ft/lbs. using my traditional torque wrench.
CF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,260
Likes: 2,893
From: Charlotte N.C.
Look up a local cal lab in your area and take it in and tell them nicely your story and you don’t care about a certificate but want to verify it’s accuracy for your car, stress not a business. When I was doing them I’d do it for free. Interesting how many new out of the box wrenches and gauges were off.
Even you have to pay it’s worth it to know.
Even you have to pay it’s worth it to know.