I've never owned a torque wrench and want to get one (the click-type as opposed to the beam or electronic kind.) I want a good one but don't want to spend an arm and a leg Snap-On wants $250 for their 3/8" one.) What I have in mind is about $75.
Any brands I should stay away from? I once heard somebody say that Craftsman recycles some of their tools. I've gotten tools at Lowe's and have been happy with their Kobalt line. This is the Kobalt torque wrench: http://www.lowes.com...2805&lpage=none
Is it true that click-type torque wrenches have to be calibrated every couple years? What does that cost? All I want the torque wrench for is basic motorcycle stuff. I don't need it right away, either.
I find that the quality at Northern Tool is generally better than Harbor Freight. I got my torque wrench from Northern Tool and it was a reasonable price and does not have any plastic components like some of the other torque wrenches I've seen.
[image: View Post]EmeraldVFR, on 09 November 2009 - 06:43 PM, said:
I've never owned a torque wrench and want to get one (the click-type as opposed to the beam or electronic kind.) I want a good one but don't want to spend an arm and a leg Snap-On wants $250 for their 3/8" one.) What I have in mind is about $75.
Any brands I should stay away from? I once heard somebody say that Craftsman recycles some of their tools. I've gotten tools at Lowe's and have been happy with their Kobalt line. This is the Kobalt torque wrench: http://www.lowes.com...2805&lpage=none
Is it true that click-type torque wrenches have to be calibrated every couple years? What does that cost? All I want the torque wrench for is basic motorcycle stuff. I don't need it right away, either.
Thanks.
I have that torque wrench. I took it to the lab on base that does calibrations and it was surprisingly accurate.
Depends on what you are doing, and how much it's being used. I was an auto tech for many years, and tried several brands that ALL failed after a couple years of continuous use. I have had SK, Craftsman, MAC, and Snap-On. I am usually not an advocate of spending the extra money for their tools, but my Snap-On torque wrench is the best one I've had by a long shot. The digital 3/8" I have does ft lbs, NM, in lbs, and has a torque angle setting which is great for tight spaces. If you are tightening drainplugs, the cheapies are fine. But I highly reccomend getting the Snap-On for precision work.....
I am a M/C mechanic, and my Snap-on has been on duty since 1995 without any problems at all. It is still one of my favorite tools http://www.vfrdiscus...tyle_emoticons/default/smile.gif
[image: View Post]troyce, on 09 November 2009 - 08:30 PM, said:
Depends on what you are doing, and how much it's being used. I was an auto tech for many years, and tried several brands that ALL failed after a couple years of continuous use. I have had SK, Craftsman, MAC, and Snap-On. I am usually not an advocate of spending the extra money for their tools, but my Snap-On torque wrench is the best one I've had by a long shot. The digital 3/8" I have does ft lbs, NM, in lbs, and has a torque angle setting which is great for tight spaces. If you are tightening drainplugs, the cheapies are fine. But I highly reccomend getting the Snap-On for precision work.....
YEP....my Snap-on is as good as it gets....VERY Pricey, but worth every penny if You want TRUE ACCURACY, and Precision...... :fing02: :beer:
If your a professional mechanic or you have the money to spend on items you will not use everyday, sure snapon, or a high end tool go for it. I have 3 HF torque wrenches and the 3 times a month or so I use them they work fine, accurate enough as long as you store them properly - unloaded at zero. HF is not the best but its certainly much better than eyeball goodandtight method, 1/4 turn past stop!
[image: View Post]skuuter trash, on 10 November 2009 - 03:38 AM, said:
[image: View Post]troyce, on 09 November 2009 - 08:30 PM, said:
Depends on what you are doing, and how much it's being used. I was an auto tech for many years, and tried several brands that ALL failed after a couple years of continuous use. I have had SK, Craftsman, MAC, and Snap-On. I am usually not an advocate of spending the extra money for their tools, but my Snap-On torque wrench is the best one I've had by a long shot. The digital 3/8" I have does ft lbs, NM, in lbs, and has a torque angle setting which is great for tight spaces. If you are tightening drainplugs, the cheapies are fine. But I highly reccomend getting the Snap-On for precision work.....
YEP....my Snap-on is as good as it gets....VERY Pricey, but worth every penny if You want TRUE ACCURACY, and Precision...... :fing02: :beer:
I had both of my HF wrenches checked in the lab here at work, and they are both plenty accurate. Which reminds me, I haven't had them checked in about a year. Time to bring them back in for a checkup! :beer:
[image: View Post]EmeraldVFR, on 09 November 2009 - 06:43 PM, said:
Any brands I should stay away from? I once heard somebody say that Craftsman recycles some of their tools.
I have 4 craftsman of varying sizes ( a small in/lb 3/8", normal 3/8", and two 1/2", plus a long 1/2" Harbor Freight than I use basically for torquring hub center nuts on cars (goes to 300ft-lb or something like that).
Craftsman doesn't consider them hand tools, so you can't exchange them.
+1 for storing at zero.
OK for those who recalibrate, where can I do this, and how much $$? I've tried a home cal check by tying two of them together or using an old dial one to check, and with this method they all 'seem' accurate.
[image: View Post]AndyJ, on 10 November 2009 - 10:37 AM, said:
[image: View Post]EmeraldVFR, on 09 November 2009 - 06:43 PM, said:
Any brands I should stay away from? I once heard somebody say that Craftsman recycles some of their tools.
I have 4 craftsman of varying sizes ( a small in/lb 3/8", normal 3/8", and two 1/2", plus a long 1/2" Harbor Freight than I use basically for torquring hub center nuts on cars (goes to 300ft-lb or something like that).
Craftsman doesn't consider them hand tools, so you can't exchange them.
+1 for storing at zero.
OK for those who recalibrate, where can I do this, and how much $$? I've tried a home cal check by tying two of them together or using an old dial one to check, and with this method they all 'seem' accurate.
I'd like to know the answers as well, also would like to ask another.... Heard tell it's not good to use the TQ-W to untighten anything, any truth to this?
[image: View Post]Monk, on 10 November 2009 - 11:17 AM, said:
Heard tell it's not good to use the TQ-W to untighten anything, any truth to this?
It's unnecessary wear & tear, so unless you want to know what the object in question was previously torqued to, or you are lacking a proper wrench, there's no point.
I would go with Harbor freight, for your application it would work well & you can't beat the price :fing02: , for the price I would get one of each, 1/4, 3/8, & 1/2" sizes.
I admit I've never heard of Harbor Freight, but a new 3/8" click-type torque wrench for $14.99???? That's like somebody trying to sell me an 1198 for $3,000. It would certainly make me wonder what's wrong with it.
I highly recommend spending the big bucks and getting a good quarter inch drive torque wrench. A good quarter inch drive torque wrench is going to run you $125 or so. I'm a tad over muscled, and I am working on my bikes more and more with quarter inch drive rachets and sockets. I just get the 3/8 out for 8 mm and larger. The half inch for things like the lug nuts, really big stuff, etc.
Craftsman has an unbeatable guarantee on their hand tools. They will even replace a tool if you lose one. Just take the tool back to them that you lost, and they will replace it with a new one.
[image: View Post]EmeraldVFR, on 10 November 2009 - 10:52 PM, said:
I admit I've never heard of Harbor Freight, but a new 3/8" click-type torque wrench for $14.99???? That's like somebody trying to sell me an 1198 for $3,000. It would certainly make me wonder what's wrong with it.
You have GOT to get to Harbor Freight! There are quite a few in the Metro-Plex, well worth the time just to browse.
For a tool you use a few times a year, the HF or Craftsman or even Autozone tools work perfectly fine.
Or, www.harborfreight.com. Sign up for their weekly specials email, big savings there.
I brought both of my HF wrenches to work today and dropped them off in the lab. My 1/2" drive has been in service for about 2 years, and I use it quite a bit. The 3/8" drive is relatively new, only used it once or twice so far. I always store them a hair over unloaded(2-3ft-lbs for the big one), in their cases, in a drawer in one of my toolboxes. Never been dropped or completely unloaded(the manual says not to unwind all the way or past zero).
I will post the results when I get them back. :fing02:
I have Snap On (1/2" and 3/8") and HF (1/4"). The I'm not a pro (far from it), but the Snap Ons are two of my favorite tools. I'll loan out most anything, not those. The HF has been erratic. Got it super cheap, so I'm not out much, but I don't trust it. I'm holding out for a quality 1/4" for Xmas.
Given your parameters, Craftsman seems like a very suitable choice.
[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on 11 November 2009 - 06:11 AM, said:
I brought both of my HF wrenches to work today and dropped them off in the lab. My 1/2" drive has been in service for about 2 years, and I use it quite a bit. The 3/8" drive is relatively new, only used it once or twice so far. I always store them a hair over unloaded(2-3ft-lbs for the big one), in their cases, in a drawer in one of my toolboxes. Never been dropped or completely unloaded(the manual says not to unwind all the way or past zero).
I will post the results when I get them back. :fing02:
Results for the Harbor Freight 1/4" drive in-lbs wrench:
[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on 11 November 2009 - 01:38 PM, said:
[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on 11 November 2009 - 06:11 AM, said:
I brought both of my HF wrenches to work today and dropped them off in the lab. My 1/2" drive has been in service for about 2 years, and I use it quite a bit. The 3/8" drive is relatively new, only used it once or twice sop far. I always store them a hair over unloaded(2-3ft-lbs for the big one), in their cases, in a drawer in one of my toolboxes. Never been dropped or completely unloaded(the manual says not to unwind all the way or past zero).
I will post the results when I get them back. :fing02:
Results for the Harbor Freight 1/4" drive in-lbs wrench:
....Good results there SEB... :beer: ....HF, and some of the other discount companies produce great stuff at great prices now-a-days. Only reason I own Snap-on Tools is because years ago we did Auto Repair, and built Race Cars includin' Race Engines, Quick Change, and 9" Ford Rearends, etc. ....also in the "OLD DAYS"... :+1: , the Chinese/Japanese stuff was total junk. Most, by far, Folks do not need Snap-on quality for most Sport and Hobby work..... :blush:
Another possibility: I was tired of the lock-rings on my Craftsman Torque Wrenches (which actually worked fine, and had a nice, distinct click) coming loose. Drove me nuts. So, I sold them. I picked up a couple of Proto torque wrenches on eBay. Each cost me about $60 - $75.Nicely built. Good purchases -- I'm gladI went that way. Of course, you have to be willing to buy used.
[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on 11 November 2009 - 01:38 PM, said:
[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on 11 November 2009 - 06:11 AM, said:
I brought both of my HF wrenches to work today and dropped them off in the lab. My 1/2" drive has been in service for about 2 years, and I use it quite a bit. The 3/8" drive is relatively new, only used it once or twice so far. I always store them a hair over unloaded(2-3ft-lbs for the big one), in their cases, in a drawer in one of my toolboxes. Never been dropped or completely unloaded(the manual says not to unwind all the way or past zero).
I will post the results when I get them back. :fing02:
Results for the Harbor Freight 1/4" drive in-lbs wrench:
[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on 10 November 2009 - 11:21 AM, said:
[image: View Post]Monk, on 10 November 2009 - 11:17 AM, said:
Heard tell it's not good to use the TQ-W to untighten anything, any truth to this?
It's unnecessary wear & tear, so unless you want to know what the object in question was previously torqued to, or you are lacking a proper wrench, there's no point.
I broke my cheap 1/2" torque wrench using it to undo wheelnuts (no, I didn't have a decent wrench - only a 10" bar). So now I have no torque wrench.
Kind of off-topic, but I visited Harbor Freight for the 1st time last weekend. Didn't really need anything but wanted to check out their store (in south Akron, OH). Some good finds, and at decent prices of course.
I ended up buying a set of 6 small pliers for $5. I know they're not terrific quality, but for occasional use at home they'll be fine. Tough to beat for $5 anyway. http://www.vfrdiscus...tyle_emoticons/default/wink.gif
[image: View Post]enzed_viffer, on 18 November 2009 - 02:35 PM, said:
[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on 10 November 2009 - 11:21 AM, said:
[image: View Post]Monk, on 10 November 2009 - 11:17 AM, said:
Heard tell it's not good to use the TQ-W to untighten anything, any truth to this?
It's unnecessary wear & tear, so unless you want to know what the object in question was previously torqued to, or you are lacking a proper wrench, there's no point.
I broke my cheap 1/2" torque wrench using it to undo wheelnuts (no, I didn't have a decent wrench - only a 10" bar). So now I have no torque wrench.
if you MUST use a torque wrench to undo fasteners, always turn up the torque to exceed the breakaway torque of the fastener you are undoing. that way you are just adding wear to the wrench, not overloading it to failure.
[image: View Post]dirtbag, on 18 November 2009 - 03:11 PM, said:
if you MUST use a torque wrench to undo fasteners, always turn up the torque to exceed the breakaway torque of the fastener you are undoing. that way you are just adding wear to the wrench, not overloading it to failure.
It probably sounds more worserer than it was - the torque wrench was cheap, inaccurate, and kinda useless except for leverage, and the fact it had a ratchet. Now I have to use my 10" bar with a two-foot piece of steel waterpipe over the end.
End of thread · 30 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 30 Jul 2012