INEXPENSIVE Torque Wrench suggestions

[Poodles]

Yep, you can buy the tools to recalibrate it yourself, or find someone that does it (sears used to do it)

[J_kennington]

I use the snapon tech wrench. its electronic 1/2" drive. works perfectly for me and I got it for 80 bucks brand new...

[fooddude]

Anyone using those new electric Craftsman ones? I read that those little black square Powerbuilt(HF?) electric torque wrench adapters are pretty accurate/good(even for using as a tool to calibrate your mechanical wrenches)...so I bet the electric craftsman might be even better..? It sure looks decent quality in the packaging.

Do electric wrenches stay in calibration longer, than the standard twist handle mechanical ones?

I am curious about the electric wrenches ...as I've read they are much more accurate. But, I'm unsure of their reliability and durability.

[ExxelDistributions]

Originally Posted by fooddude

Anyone using those new electric Craftsman ones? I read that those little black square Powerbuilt(HF?) electric torque wrench adapters are pretty accurate/good(even for using as a tool to calibrate your mechanical wrenches)...so I bet the electric craftsman might be even better..? It sure looks decent quality in the packaging.

Do electric wrenches stay in calibration longer, than the standard twist handle mechanical ones?

I am curious about the electric wrenches ...as I've read they are much more accurate. But, I'm unsure of their reliability and durability.

I have a electric Snap-On torque wrench and owned it for about 4 months now they are great but as far as staying in calibration i had to get mine recalibrated about 2 weeks ago.

[J_kennington]

Originally Posted by revolutioN21

I have a electric Snap-On torque wrench and owned it for about 4 months now they are great but as far as staying in calibration i had to get mine recalibrated about 2 weeks ago.

did you ever drop it? ive had mine for 4 years now, and never recalibrated.

[J_kennington]

Originally Posted by fooddude

I've had a Husky from Home Depot that's maybe 18'ish years old. It seems like it works, but I am unsure if it is accurate and in-calibration anymore, nor do I know how to check and adjust it. It's like new, always in the plastic case and always stored at the lowest setting, very well maintained. I haven't really used it for 6+ years (been outta the car game a long time); but I checked it on lugs and other random supension bolts and it seems to work very well still. Idk if I should get a new one.

Recommendations welcome.

I notice there's all these new electronic ones, like Craftsman, etc. Those electronic ones any good, and do those always stay in-calibration?

fyi, just noticed HF has a coupon for torque wrenches right now. 12 dollars each for any mechanical one. limit up to 8. could pick up a whole set for cheaper than you can buy one from other places.


coupon code is: 39674432

[FirestormFRS]

Originally Posted by Monogram

Everyone talks about calibrating your torque wrench, but fail to mention how to tell if your torque wrench is out of calibration. Most good engine builders will tell you to check the calibration of your click or electronic torque wrenches with a beam type torque wrench, because the beam style never go out of calibration.

By Craftsman 1/2" and 3/8" beam style torque wrenches from Sears, and you'll never have to worry about calibration.

The typical home user will never need the speed afforded by a click or electronic torque wrench.

That's entirely untrue. All torque wrenches can lose calibration. With high daily use ours are mostly beam are calibrated every 6 months.
80% is a very good number for the max accuracy. I have beam style. I've broken more than one bolt due to a clicker failing.

[Black Tire]

This one:

http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDi...up=PREC3FR250F

Split beam mechanism does not need to be "turned down" during storage, click type feedback when torque is reached makes it quick. This also makes for a very durable design that will keep working accurately for a long time. Maybe more than you wanted to spend, but worth it in the long run IMHO.

[ExxelDistributions]

Originally Posted by J_kennington

did you ever drop it? ive had mine for 4 years now, and never recalibrated.

nope never dropped it but its the newest model of the electric ones that came out couple months ago

[fooddude]

Originally Posted by Black Tire

This one:

http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDi...up=PREC3FR250F

Split beam mechanism does not need to be "turned down" during storage, click type feedback when torque is reached makes it quick. This also makes for a very durable design that will keep working accurately for a long time. Maybe more than you wanted to spend, but worth it in the long run IMHO.

Nice..but, 40-250? That's a bit high for most of this car's needs lol ..20-130 is much more useful.

[choi0706]

craftsman was on sale recently.. 50% off.. works good and if you take care of it , they will stay true for a long time..

[FirestormFRS]

Originally Posted by Monogram

You are incorrect. Beam style torque wrenches NEVER lose their calibration. If the pointer is off of zero, you simply bend the pointer back to zero and you are good to go.

You can do a bit of research on the elasticity of steel, stress cycles, etc., and you will find that a 50 year old beam style torque wrench is every bit as accurate today as it was 50 years ago.

As long as the pointer is at zero and not rubbing, a beam style torque wrench never needs to be calibrated.

I'll take the high road on this one. I know that all torque wrenches beam/click/electronic are calibrated every six months for a reason and leave it at that.

[Black Tire]

Originally Posted by fooddude

Nice..but, 40-250? That's a bit high for most of this car's needs lol ..20-130 is much more useful.

True perhaps, I also have its little brother for when I need a lower torque setting:

http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDi...up=PREC2FR100F

I use the larger one for wheel lug nuts, and the smaller one for most of the other fasteners.

[mines13]

CDI instruments can be had on eBay NIB for reasonable money considering their quality. They are owned by Snap-On and manufacture the torque arms for the beam, click and digital Snap On torque wrenches. The only difference aside from the Snap On ratcheting head design is the cost. I bought mine brand new with warranty for less then half the cost of the equivalent Snap On which would have no accuracy advantage being essentially the same tool.