Wrench Monkeys - Recommend me a Torque Wrench

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UNC201

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Just looking for a 1/2 40-200lb torque wrench.

The clicker ones are the most useful when you're trying to put 110 lbs ft on a wheel bolt rather than trying to look square at the dial type. I am aware that the dial types (beam deflection) are the most accurate vs. the clickers which do get out of spec, and some say that they're only really good for the first & last 1/4 of the rated torque spec of the wrench.

What about this type - http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=hand&item_ID=68477&group_ID=958&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
 
The dial types are fine for bench type work...like a transmission rebuild shop or an engine builder. For everyday wrenching though, it's clickers all the way. Get a decent quality wrench, and if you use it a lot, have it calibrated yearly.
 
I needed the use of a torque wrench lately but my Snap-On was out getting calibrated. Neighbor wasn't home so I went to Sears and bought one of theirs. Nice piece. Solid build, easy to adjust and settings stay put. It is comfortable in the hands and the "click" with deflection is very defined. Best part is that it was on sale when I got it ($54, 3/8" 10-75lbft model). Their 1/2" one that went from 30-150(?) was still only about $100. No problems with it and while I thought about selling it to my brother-in-law when the Snap-On came back, I think I'll keep it around.
 
quote:
Originally posted by chefwong:
some say that they're only really good for the first & last 1/4 of the rated torque spec of the wrench.
Click to expand...
the last thing you want to do with a clicker is to try to use it on the bottom 1/3 of it's range. they are totally inaccurate and the click is usually so weak that it can be easy to miss it.
as far as the Snap-On wrench... I'm sure it's really nice, but for me, my $99 craftsman one suits me just fine.

-Bret
 
I have a Craftsman torquewrench also. It's over 10 years old with no issues.
cheers.gif
 
I ended up buying the OEM for that Snap On tool ! It was $170 but I'm looking forward to it. Based in the design, you can actually leave it at the preset torque rate also since designwise/mechanically, it won't affect the torque reading like traditional clickers.

I am fully aware the clickers go out of spec. 5lb here or there is not alot. But I remember talking to a engineer, and they used torque tools alot in the facilities. For production, *clickers* were used but they were ALSO constantly being tested, recalibrated, etc to maintain quality control FWIW.


ShortyB, how much does it run from Snap On to recalibrate/certify the torque wrench ? Around $40 ?
 
quote:
Originally posted by chefwong:


ShortyB, how much does it run from Snap On to recalibrate/certify the torque wrench ? Around $40 ?
Click to expand...
It is $25 but we get several done at one time for our shop. I just put mine in with the others and our Snap-On guy takes care of it. Before getting it done this way, I would have it calibrated at an independent lab close by for $35.
 
These are some very nice torque wrenches; in my opinion, well worth the money over the standard cliker types. Digital, but not expensive like the electronic ones from snapon.
 
I have been looking to get one for a while now. But unsure what size to get. Mostly for OC's and spark plugs...
Suggestions?
 
Those digital ones have been out for a couple of years now. I don't know of anyone personally that can attest to the reliability of it of not.

I can say my Longacre digital equipment is a nice +++++.


JMG - I think a 10-50nm 3/8 torque wrench would be best fit for what you need.
 
quote:
............Mostly for OC's and spark plugs...
Suggestions?
Click to expand...
Look for a "click" type with 3/8 drive and a range of 5-75 ftlb for that kind of work. Only disadvantage is you'll likely need a 20 - 150ftlb for the wheel nuts and other chassis and engine work if you do some of that. The larger wrench would be a 1/2" drive and the range to high for what you say you need it for.

Only two locations that you might find need for more than 150 ftlb torque is the pinion nut on a diff if you change the seal and the axle nuts on front wheel drive cars. Someone else might think of somemore but there can't be too many.

Working in the shop, I've accumulated 6 torque wrenches.

20-250 ftlb 1/2"drv for engine and general work
5-75 ftlb 3/8 drv
0-150ftlb deflecting beam
10-200 inlb click
0-200 inlb deflecting beam
0-60 inlb dial for rotating torque (diffs and steering gears etc)

I've wore out 1 each of the first two as they are my assembly "ratchets".

JD
 
Thank you for the suggestions. I am really just looking for OC and spark plugs now. When I get more brave, I will look into bigger wrenchs.
 
Dial type are great if you are working on a bench or horizontaly on the top of an engine. When you get into a tight space or have to work in a verticly arangment like a tire they do not work as well as a clicker! You also have to be looking dead on at the dial you get some error as well.

What are you useing it for? I would also agree that it is hard to go wrong with Snapon! One thing about Snapon is that you can just hand it to your Snapon guy and he will take care of getting it calibrated! With a Craftsman you would have to send it out to an independent shop for calibration!

Unless people are working on race cars, doing independent testing or in the aviation field few tech.'s get their equipment calibrated. The Army has an MOS just for calibration of equipment and it is a very small field!
 
JB-As small as a field it may be, I still entrust the folks to keep my TQs in spec. I've had my trusty Snap-On in for calibration every other year for the last 10 and each time it needs an adjustment. As small as .5% (clockwise) and as high as 4% with moderate use. It may seem somewhat insignificant, but its still worth it to me to have things right on the money.
 
Yes, When you are writeing reports you have to sate the test equipment used and when it was last calibrated etc..... Most tech.'s though do not have to write tech report. I agree it is important!! I was just stateing the obvious in my previous post!
 
For those on a tight budget and for occasional use, look at the Harbor Freight Tools catalog. They sell a 1/4", 3/8" and a 1/2" torque wrench in the clicker style. No, it isn't as good as the Snap On or the Craftsman, but you could buy all three for the price of the one Craftsman, and they click in Chinese.
 
I was at Autozone today and I saw that they had a Great Neck brand 3/8" drive clicker style wrench for $22 and some change.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Buzzsaw:
I was at Autozone today and I saw that they had a Great Neck brand 3/8" drive clicker style wrench for $22 and some change.
Click to expand...
Woops. I am an idiot. I just noticed that you said 1/2" drive.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Jim Spahr:
For those on a tight budget and for occasional use, look at the Harbor Freight Tools catalog. They sell a 1/4", 3/8" and a 1/2" torque wrench in the clicker style. No, it isn't as good as the Snap On or the Craftsman, but you could buy all three for the price of the one Craftsman, and they click in Chinese.
Click to expand...
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