elwood13

I have a twenty something year old craftsman torque wrench that you twist the handle for setting pounds and then it clicks when you hit the selected torque. The handle will not lock in position anymore and I am not sure of the overall accuracy. If you were buying a new wrench today, what do you recommend?
Thanks in advance.

mexicruiser

I strongly recommend an analog dial type wrench, these do not require as much maintenance and are more accurate. I also suggest getting two, a 3/8” with a lower torque range and a 1/2” with higher range.

GTOguy

Depends on how often you use it. IMO, Snap-On has the best, bar none. $$$$ though. If you use it a lot, justified. If only occasionally, you may want to spend less or borrow a good one.

Robert61

The ratchet type click style wrench will get you in trouble. They don't always click when they should. After I ruined the second block torquing the torque plate on I bought a Snap On dial type torqueometer. Never had another issue. Used the click style for a ratcheting breaker bar after that. Also have a friend with a machine shop who had the same results.

Powershift

Consider a good used Snap-On and then have it calibrated if you want the extra assurance. Ebay and used tool stores on the internet.

My Craftsman 1/2 torque is very old but in good shape and I periodically check it against a 3/8 beam type wrench that I also have. At least I can evaluate them below about 60 ft-lbs or so when the 3/8 becomes out-of-range.

Also have 1/4 inch beam type that comes in handy MANY times during a project.

Larry

Powershift

My old Craftsman 1/2 ratchet torque wrench was purchased by my girlfriend (later wife) for me back in 1969. It is made by Utica Tools USA .......and has been factory recalibrated a few times in its life.

Never abused it and it has never failed me. But I would buy and use the Snap-On dial type in a heartbeat. Now I just don't need it much anymore, so what I have is good enough. I do check it against a beam wrench occasionally.

Larry

AZDoug

If you only use it occasionally, get beam type wrench, it is the most accurate for the least amount of money and won't go out of adjustment like a click type wrench can. You have to look straight down on the pointer to get an accurate reading.

A dial type is probably more accurate, and easier to read but costs more.

A GOOD click wrench is very helpful when torquing stuff and you can't see the dial or beam due to position.

I probably only use a Tq wrench 1-3 times per year any more, so the beam type Craftsman that has served me well for the last 40 years will continue to be what I use.

Doug

bfit

If you decide to buy a snap-on torque wrench , check you local caterpillar dealer their prices are normally competitive

boxster99t

I concur--and you can pick up used Snap On tools on Ebay (which is what I have and purchased about 12 years or so ago when my Craftsman's handle broke). Do I need a really good torque wrench for what I use it for (which is mainly wheel bolts and lug nuts, plus when I pull calipers, to retorque those)? No probably not, but I use it enough that it's nice to know I probably won't be buying another any time soon.

dmaxx3500

google ''snapon torque wrenchs'',,the company is in the Chicago area[elk grove] I thought,,snapon has a red handle,,this company sell blue handle ones,they are about 1/2-1/3rd the price for the same thing

and if your not going to use it every day/week,''DONT'' buy a digital one,,ive got one and didn't use it for 1 year and the batterys leaked and -its junk now

Kerrmudgeon

.....I'm still using one like this, bought about 45 years ago. I've been looking to "modernize" with a clik or dial type but I don't trust the less expensive ones.....seen friend's fail to clik a few times, and for as much as I use it I'm sticking with tried and true. I may check out used Snaps or other top makes.

bfit

I have four snap-on torque wrenches mine are micrometer adjustment type
3/8 5/100 lb/ft
1/2 20/120 lb/ft
1/2 50/250 lb/ft
3/4 600 lb/ft
I works in the diesel industry and use these daily

Never use them above 75% of it maximum
The two 1/2’’ wrenches, I have been using for over 30 years.
Both were tested two years ago and were with in 5% across the range.
Note I alway torque to the maximum spec of the range .
Ie if spec is 32 to 36 I’ll go 36 lb/ft
Remember to check torque spec to see if lubricated or not.
Look after your tools and they will last a life time.

Robert61

There are several snap on torqometers available on eBay at the I'm not gona use this very often price.

Frankie the Fink

I have that one -- and its good enough for putting on steering wheel nuts and such...
Also have the click type and it works well. I used the click type a lot working in a Navy Depot but they were regularly calibrated and maintained by the test equipment division..

MikeM

If you don't have, whatever you have, calibrated, you're wasting your time buying a torque wrench.

Powershift

The beam type (pictured) should never go out of calibration unless you bend the beam or pointer.

However, all the others are subject to degradation of accuracy if not calibrated as you say.



Larry

sabastian458

I have a hand full of different torque wrenches. The “best” one that I have is an old, 12ish years, advanced auto parts 1/2 one. I periodically have it checked for acuracy. The last time I checked it was on a snap on truck, only because the drive and I had a bit of a discussion about the new wrenches and how they require less ambiance and recalibrations of the life. So I brought in my ol’ faithful and tested it. It was 100% dead on all the way from it’s lowest rating to its highest. I didn’t buy a new one that day....

New ones are nice but if you have a good old one, I wouldn’t worry much about it. That is if you took care of it.

MikeM

.............and, hopefully they are accurate out of the box before they get bent, dropped, reefed and not subject to temperature swings.

We used clicker wrenches in the assembly plant. They had to be calibrated every month.

And then, there are those that have gotten by for decades without using a torque wrench. Just "feel it".

Powershift

Mike: That's what manufacturing Quality Assurance Departments are for.

I never knew what a torque wrench was until Dad brought his home from the Ford Dealership when we rebuilt my Ford 332. Put a LOT of car stuff together before that time including water pumps, clutches, etc.

But once I found out about this new gadget I liked it. Had my girlfriend buy me one as a present as I had little money to do so on my own. Kept the girl and the torque wrench.

Larry

dmaxx3500

all snapon are ''PI'' or ''CDI''

http://www.cditorque.com/