I want to buy a Torque Wrench.............

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SuperEd73

Joined
Aug 14, 2007
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Patchogue, NY
Hi BITOGers,

I'm going to be changing the intake manifold pretty soon on my old Dodge. I would like to buy a decent torque wrench but with all of the various models out there, I'm really not sure what to look for or what should be avoided. I'm trying not to completely drain my wallet either. I just want something that I can add to my tool box that will last a while. Any advice would be appreciated
grin2.gif
!!

Thanks,
Ed B.
 
I use a Sears (Craftsmans), torque wrench, and it has been working great for the past 2+ years, was, 69.99 on sale from 99
 
Reviews on the Sears website, in the past, has always shown negative reviews on the Craftsman torque wrenches at least for the ratcheting type. I've been wanting one myself for over a year now for torquing wheels. I have a cheapo swinging bar type that can be difficult to read when tightening a wheel.

I'll be interested in the responses here as well.
Do you have a budget in mind with your new torque wrench purchase? <$100 would be nice for my usage.
 
I will 2nd or 3rd the Craftsman recommendation. I have one that is about 15 years old and working fine. It has held up fine for a hobbyist level tool. I mainly use it for torquing lugnuts and for assembling approx. a dozen engines over its lifespan.
You would obviously want something a little nicer if you are going to be using it daily but it's good for 95% of the people looking for a torque wrench.
 
I haven't been impressed with craftsman torque wrenches- especially the 1/2" ones. I bought one years ago (the 250 ft-lb model), and it kept breaking. Of course, at the time, I was routinely torquing Cummins N14 head bolts to 220 ft-lbs... 36 of them per engine. I eventually bought a Mac that's worked great for the past 11 years or so. Kinda pricey, though.

I also had a 3/8" craftsman that held up pretty well. After 12 years, the adjustment threads finally galled. I went to buy a replacement, and just didn't like how the current 3/8" model was set up. Too big, too pricey... just didn't like it. And didn't feel like dropping $200+ for a mac or snap-on.

I ended up buying a $20 clicker from Harbor Freight like Critic mentioned, and I've been really impressed with it. It's small, sturdy, with just the torque-range that I wanted (5-80 ft-lbs). I've used it pretty much every day for about a year now- no complaints. I checked it against a co-worker's recently calibrated snap-on... and it's dead-on. Those Chinamen are getting better at making tools lately.

I haven't used or even looked at the 1/2" Harbor Freight model... but based on my 3/8" HF, I think it's probably a great deal for $20.
 
I use a Craftsman that I bought almost 2 years ago, it's worked fine, but I only use it for lower torque applications, such as valve cover nuts, etc. It's only rated up to 75ft.lbs. if I remember right, so I won't be using it for lug nuts or anything like that. I don't remember paying all that much for it, I think it was $25 but I could be wrong.
 
Onion,

I see no need to express the "men" of a certain origin in that manner. Please call it made in China. A $20 dollar clicker is a $20 dollar clicker. Regardless of origin I would not purchase a cheap tool required for precision. Measuring rotor thickness with the cheapy digital calipers is adequate but torque specs for other automotive components I would be reluctant.

SnapOn recently changed over to new revisions of their torque wrenches. I guess the copyright or whatever contract they had with the manufacturer ends when they go to a new style unit.

I swear I saw the old style larger versions of the snapon torque wrenches at Napa with a different brand name to it.

I wonder what people define as "works great"??? I get my SnapOn torque wrenches calibrated depending on useage. I'm 100% confident that they are within spec. I would never use any other brand due to the convenience of my SnapOn truck coming by every week. The internal construction is what insures accuracy/longevity.

I'd say borrow a good wrench rather than buy an "unknown" unit.

SuperED I'd suggest going on craigslist and buy an old ratty SnapOn torque wrench for cheap. Locate a SnapOn truck and then spend some money to get it calibrated "flat rate". This will include any replaceable components internally at one price. Then you'll have the real deal with 100% confidence that it'll last virtually a lifetime.
 
Things to ask yourself:

1. Do you want to support American or Chinese workers?

2. Do you plan on using this wrench for more than a couple years?

3. Do you plan on using this wrench often enough to justify spending big dollars?

A Snap-On torque wrench is something you'll have for life. A China Freight torque wrench is going in the garbage can in a couple years. It's like a Dixie cup vs. a pint glass. Sure, it's gonna work fine for awhile, but I wouldn't trust an old China torque wrench to be accurate at all.

However, if it's only going to be used a couple times, then by all means get the cheap-o.

I personally find it disturbing how the younger techs I work with (I'm only 27) will buy this [censored] en masse. Chinese wrenches, Chinese work boots, etc. They think the good stuff costs too much. But they'll readily pay for disposable junk like flat screen TV's that will be in the dump in 5 years.

Personal opinion, but only Snap-On tools and Red Wing boots for me!

The way I see it is that I'll have this stuff forever. I have a 10 piece snap on wrench set that I got just out of school and use and abuse heavily everyday and still haven't broken one yet.
 
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Been using a 600 in lb Craftsman 3/8in beam type for over 15 years and a Craftsman 150 ft lb 1/2in beam type for over 5 years. If it's getting hard to see just put a strip of masking tape on the value you need. I've looked at the click type but just never got around to buying one yet.
 
I thought about the harbor freight items but I'm worried they may not last very long. I'm actually patrolling ebay to see what kind of 2nd hand Snap-on, S-K, MAC models I can find at a reasonable price. Reasonable to me means 8" Snap-On models is around $230 - $250.
 
Originally Posted By: The Critic
Buy a $20 clicker one from Harbor Freight. They come with a lifetime warranty.


I've got a 1/2" and 3/8" from them - mostly just use the 1/2" for lugs and it works great. Seem to tighten most things by "feel" now.
 
I agree on both counts here. If you are not going to use it all the time, the Harbor Freight torque wrench will do fine. Even if it did break in a few years, you will have gotten your money's worth out of it. Plus they are supposed to have a lifetime warranty.

Snap-On makes the finest tools you can buy. Period. I have Snap-On, Mac, and Matco tools I have owned for over 25 years. I am not in the automotive service business any more, and I hope to be able to pass my tools down to my grandson one day, if my daughter ever has a son of her own. I also have a full set of Harbor Freight long wrenches that are fully polished like Snap-On and have worked perfectly with no problems. I got them 3 years ago and paid about $20 per set.

As long as it's in good shape a torque wrench off of ebay or craigslist should do fine as well. It's all about getting the best value for the money and if you are not going to be making a living with the tool every day, expensive pro-quality tools may not be the best idea, IMHO.
 
Originally Posted By: alanu
Onion,

I see no need to express the "men" of a certain origin in that manner. Please call it made in China.


I'm sorry that my rather archaic verbiage bothers you- but there's nothing in this situation that's derogatory... except maybe your imagination. I'd suggest that you clean it up.

Originally Posted By: AcuraTech
Things to ask yourself:

1. Do you want to support American or Chinese workers?


This from a guy who works on Acuras?

And quite frankly I don't care. I've no problem with [Pejorative name for Chinese Men removed].


I've been a heavy equipment mechanic for quite a few years, and I'm in the business to make a living. Some people are in it to buy tools. Some folks have a $15,000 snap-on toolbox and fill it with the most expensive tools money can buy- all financed at 18% APR straight off the tool truck. I learned early in my mechanic career to avoid the tool trucks.

Every tool I've needed (and I have ten$ of thousand$ worth) over the past decade has been available elsewhere for between 10% and 50% of tool-truck price. If it's a tool that I'll use hard and often, I go for Craftsman, Proto, Armstrong, Wright, Ingersoll-Rand, S-K, etc. But if we're talking about a tool that will only be used on rare occasions and will cost and arm and a leg from 'acuratech approved' sources... I'll gladly buy me some Chinamen tools. Or, in the case of my recently purchased 3/8" torque wrench- the only one that I could find in a configuration that I liked (other than $200+ on a tool truck) was a Chinaman torque wrench.

It ratchets just like a snap-on. It tightens a bolt just like a snap-on (I just confirmed this today.). It can be re-calibrated just like a snap-on. It fits in my toolbox just like a snap-on. But it didn't cost me $200 at 18% APR like a snap-on.

But I agree with you on the Redwing boots.
 
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OK so for what it's worth, I stopped by my Harbor Freight store today after work. I was picking up a set of jack stands they have on sale. $13.99 on sale, regular price is $19.99. A comparable set of stands at AAP is $39.99. These are very heavy duty built solid and seem to be great quality 3-ton jack stands. Yes, the box says "Made in China", but for the amount of time I will use them, it was a very good deal.

And right there in front of me when I walked in the store they had a digital 3/8" torque wrench. I wasn't even looking for it when I saw it on the shelf below the socket sets. I took it out of its box and it also had a heavy quality feel to it. It appeared to me to be a very well built wrench and the price was only $59.99. Not sure if it was on sale, I think that was the regular price. I didn't notice whether it was made in China, either. It just looked and felt like a good quality tool. The brand name is Pittsburgh. Maybe the OP could check one out and see whether he likes it too. FWIW.
 
Quote:
Personal opinion, but only Snap-On tools and Red Wing boots for me!


Quote:
But I agree with you on the Redwing boots.


Be careful guys, on my last purchase of Redwings about 1 year ago, the salesman said that Redwing was moving production of some of it's "U.S." line to China. They already have the "Worx" line made in China.

Disclaimer....I haven't confirmed the salesman's comment.


On torque wrench's, don't overlook the CDI brand (now owned by Snap-on) and Precision Instruments, who makes a few models of Snap-on(I think they made most of SO pre CDI buyout). Look for good internet values on these makes ($100 to $130)....a Snappy wrench (almost) without the Snappy price.
 
Snap-On tools, whilst not in everybody's budget, are definitely the best, hands-down.

I have a variety of them that I inherited from my Grandfather, who bought them new in the 1950's and 60's. They are all made in Canada.

I could not afford to replace them even if I had to. Exceptional quality. But the price is insane.
 
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