I bit the bullet....

[AcuraTech]

...and bought a Snap-On 3/8 clicker style flex head torque wrench. 5-75 ft/lbs. Works like a champ. I use it mostly for torquing oil drain plugs, trans drain plugs, etc. Cost was well over $200 dollars, but I figure it was well worth it. It's a lifetime type of tool. I like the clicker style best, IMO easiest to use and most reliable. Latest and greatest electronic buzzer type are nifty, but require batteries and complicated electronics prone to breakage.

Just for grins, I was comparing mine to a co-workers China Freight 15 dollar cheapie. May (that's a big may) do the same thing in the end, but the metallurgy, finish, and machining don't even come close.

Next question is do I want to drop almost 400 dollars on a similar style 1/2 inch version? Not sure yet, most large bolts aren't as torque critical as things like drain plugs and small bolts.

 

[Camu Mahubah]

Snap-On tools are made in America and will last you a lifetime. Good buy and investment for both you and America.

 

[evoboy]

I have that 3/8" drive 5-75 , it's superb !! Wish it only cost the equivalent of $200 here in the UK tho !! Closer to $400 !!
I also have the 1/2" version , my advice , go for it !!

 

[benjamming]

I would probably look around & see if you can find quality at a better price.

Precision Instruments
Sturtevant Richmont

 

[wavinwayne]

Personally, I would look for a less expensive similar 1/2" torque wrench, from one of the big name top-shelf tool companies. Snap-On is nice, but surely you can find one just as good for less.

 

[ChiTDI]

I never met a Snap-On tool I didn't like.

 

[Chris142]

I just sent my 20 yr old Snap-on 1/2 tq wrench in to be recalibrated. I have always taken great care of it, never let it sit with the torque turned up but a couple of weeks ago I dropped it.

Untill I dropped it I had no reason to think that it had lost it's calibration.

 

[kingrob]

Snap-On's pricey, but (dare I say) they make the best tools in the world.

The only problem is if I have a cheaper version of the same tool I tend to use it 'cause I hate getting my Snappers dirty.

 

[firemachine69]

Well, there aren't that many bolts on a car that are extremely torque-sensitive to begin with...

 

[ms21043]

Great stuff Snap On, I have 4 Snap On torque wrenches and drivers. In 3/8 inch I have a Snap On digital, I wish I bought a clicker instead of that, it eats batteries.

 

[AcuraTech]

Originally Posted By: ms21043
Great stuff Snap On, I have 4 Snap On torque wrenches and drivers. In 3/8 inch I have a Snap On digital, I wish I bought a clicker instead of that, it eats batteries.


Exactly. That's why I didn't get the digi. "Manual" version works great for me. Snap-On is cool, because I know it's gonna be reliable year after year. Hopefully someday I'll have a son (or daughter) interested in tools, because most of this Snap-On stuff is gonna last forever. Good stuff to pass down. Can't see myself ever wearing out my Snap-On wrenches or chrome sockets.

 

[evoboy]

I find the black industrial finish wrenches , sockets etc extremely durable and unlike chrome can't lose any shine !! Wiped with oil occasionally they never corrode and have a certain purposeful appearance !!

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted By: evoboy
I find the black industrial finish wrenches , sockets etc extremely durable and unlike chrome can't lose any shine !! Wiped with oil occasionally they never corrode and have a certain purposeful appearance !!
They are impossible to find when dropped into a engine compartment. I had a whole set and over the years they all have goten lost.

 

[1sttruck]

When I bought my set of Snap On metric sockets I asked the guy if the chrome was supposed to peel like one the ones that he just handed me. The replacements have held up ok.

 

[alreadygone]

Originally Posted By: Chris142
I just sent my 20 yr old Snap-on 1/2 tq wrench in to be recalibrated. I have always taken great care of it, never let it sit with the torque turned up but a couple of weeks ago I dropped it.

Untill I dropped it I had no reason to think that it had lost it's calibration.


Same here, 'cept it, they gets dropped 2-3 times weekly by the num-nutz working for me! One I sent in got towhere it wouldn't click at all. Cost was $75. (I think). Ratcheting head is on truck repairable at no charge.

Bob

 

[doitmyself]

Bob,

you need this indestructible torque wrench to solve your problems:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tork-grip.html

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: doitmyself
Bob,

you need this indestructible torque wrench to solve your problems:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tork-grip.html

 

[1sttruck]

"Same here, 'cept it, they gets dropped 2-3 times weekly by the num-nutz working for me! One I sent in got towhere it wouldn't click at all."

Use a beam type to check calibration. A flat beam type typically provides better accuracy anyway, even though they can be as expensive. Or just use a beam type as if you're sending clickers for cal when they stop clicking a lot of fasteners have probably been incorrectly torqued. In the military beam types had a lifetime cal as one just needed to make sure the pointer was centered and the wrench wasn't bent.

 

[NYEngineer]

I've got the Snap on click type wrenches, the flat ones with the little dial on the side, Had my 1/2" one for 23 years. Built countless engines, diesel stuff, wheels... Been calibrated twice.
Whatever I spent on it back then has surely paid me back.. Great tools.
I also have them in 3/8 drive, 3/4 drive, a dial type inch pound wrench and a really nice Snap on adjustable click type torque screwdriver. No complaints about any of it.