looking for a good 3/8" torque wrench 20-150 InchLb

[Walter1982]

No it is fine at that setting. 20+20% = 24 in lb is the minimum. Which bolts are not torquing properly?

I have a feeling this TW is over torquing. I'm trying to torque valve cover bolts on the 1st pass of about 44 inch lbs.

I have read when the TW spread is really large, like 20 in lbs to 250 inch lbs, that the lower ranges may be inaccurate, or the spring may not be engaging at all.

I think I need a TW that is 0 to 100 inch lbs, or 10 to 150 inch lbs. I think my 1st pass torque setting may be too low to be accurate on this wrench. This wrench had a number of bad review in this regard, and 1 or 2 reviews mentioning someone over torqued and snapped valve cover bolts.

As I was practicing on this one bolt I think I caused a crack in the plastic molding on the front of the hole where the bolt goes thru.

 

[doitmyself]

I have read when the TW spread is really large, like 20 in lbs to 250 inch lbs, that the lower ranges may be inaccurate, or the spring may not be engaging at all.

Goodness, I have not kept up with torque wrench data, especially the electronic ones.

What you are talking about is the "20% rule". Most torque wrenches will state that they lose accuracy below 20% of full scale. So a 100 inch lb. wrench will lose accuracy below 20 inch lbs.. 150 inch lb. below 30 inch lbs.

To update myself about electronic wrenches, Snap On Tech Angle states this:
"Working range of 5 to 125 ft. lb. Accuracy: 20–100% Full Scale is ±2%CW and ±3CCW; 4–19% Full Scale is ±4%CW and CCW"

The Techangle has sufficient accuracy (4%) below 20% full scale. I always remind everyone that other factors cause real world torque wrench accuracy of about +/- 28% per engineering data.

 

[Trav]

I have a feeling this TW is over torquing. I'm trying to torque valve cover bolts on the 1st pass of about 44 inch lbs.

I have read when the TW spread is really large, like 20 in lbs to 250 inch lbs, that the lower ranges may be inaccurate, or the spring may not be engaging at all.

I think I need a TW that is 0 to 100 inch lbs, or 10 to 150 inch lbs. I think my 1st pass torque setting may be too low to be accurate on this wrench. This wrench had a number of bad review in this regard, and 1 or 2 reviews mentioning someone over torqued and snapped valve cover bolts.

As I was practicing on this one bolt I think I caused a crack in the plastic molding on the front of the hole where the bolt goes thru.

Practicing on a plastic part is not the best idea, the part is is likely already weakened from heat cycles. I don't think that will leak, the best thing you can do if it is dry is leave it alone.

 

[iCurious]

I have a feeling this TW is over torquing. I'm trying to torque valve cover bolts on the 1st pass of about 44 inch lbs.

I have read when the TW spread is really large, like 20 in lbs to 250 inch lbs, that the lower ranges may be inaccurate, or the spring may not be engaging at all.

I think I need a TW that is 0 to 100 inch lbs, or 10 to 150 inch lbs. I think my 1st pass torque setting may be too low to be accurate on this wrench. This wrench had a number of bad review in this regard, and 1 or 2 reviews mentioning someone over torqued and snapped valve cover bolts.

As I was practicing on this one bolt I think I caused a crack in the plastic molding on the front of the hole where the bolt goes thru.

Probably not what you want to hear but I never use a torque wrench to torque anything under 10 ft lbs. I just use 2 fingers to snug it up and that's it. YMMV.

 

[scrllock]

Goodness, I have not kept up with torque wrench data, especially the electronic ones.

What you are talking about is the "20% rule". Most torque wrenches will state that they lose accuracy below 20% of full scale. So a 100 inch lb. wrench will lose accuracy below 20 inch lbs.. 150 inch lb. below 30 inch lbs.

To update myself about electronic wrenches, Snap On Tech Angle states this:

He's not using an electric torque wrench though. You just can't set his wrench to anything meaningful below the usable scale.

I have a feeling this TW is over torquing. I'm trying to torque valve cover bolts on the 1st pass of about 44 inch lbs.

I have read when the TW spread is really large, like 20 in lbs to 250 inch lbs, that the lower ranges may be inaccurate, or the spring may not be engaging at all.

I think I need a TW that is 0 to 100 inch lbs, or 10 to 150 inch lbs. I think my 1st pass torque setting may be too low to be accurate on this wrench. This wrench had a number of bad review in this regard, and 1 or 2 reviews mentioning someone over torqued and snapped valve cover bolts.

As I was practicing on this one bolt I think I caused a crack in the plastic molding on the front of the hole where the bolt goes thru.

This is a good indication that your wrench either needs calibration or you're not using a steady motion, a quick jerk on the wrench will over-torque the fastener.

In the budget tier, I've had good luck with the tekton and husky 1/4" torque wrenches. Tekton makes at least a couple, I assume you'd want the 10-150 in-lb one.

 

[Walter1982]

I found a website with a great selection of low torque range wrenches.

https://www.protorquetools.com/torque-wrenches/micro-adjustable-torque-wrenches/?_bc_fsnf=1

 

[D1dad]

I had to helicoil the 1st bolt hole on my 18rogue Friday because I trusted a cheap torque wrench to be accurate @72 in lbs! As I was tightening the bolt I was thinking this seems pretty….,,,,oh crap!!!! I pulled out my 1/4” drive and 10mm and finished the next 15 bolts by feel. Exactly what I should have done with the 1st.

 

[Walter1982]

I had to helicoil the 1st bolt hole on my 18rogue Friday because I trusted a cheap torque wrench to be accurate @72 in lbs! As I was tightening the bolt I was thinking this seems pretty….,,,,oh crap!!!! I pulled out my 1/4” drive and 10mm and finished the next 15 bolts by feel. Exactly what I should have done with the 1st.

It was my first time ever doing a valve cover, and it was my first time ever torquing to such low torque numbers. Typically I use the TWs for wheel lugs, and brake parts, which generally require high torques. But with the valve cover, I have never torqued against a rubber gasket, nor have I ever torqued such thin bolts, while also pressing against plastic. I find it to be such a sensitive and delicate operation.

I realized I have to move the torque wrench very slowly, and I found that as I was tightening the bolt, the closer I got to my specified torque range, the more force I had to apply to move the handle of the TW. So just as I was approaching 69 inch lbs, the force needed to keep moving the TW increased substantially, and that's when I knew I was getting very close to the click. For me this whole job was a terrific class on the nuances of torque wrenches. I will now use them far smarter than I ever have before.