Torque Wrench in my Future

MFL · Oct 7, 2005

Gents,

I'm replacing a no-name bar style torque wrench I bought about seven years ago at Pep Boys. I don't use it much, so I'm looking for something with 'fair' accuracy in 1/2" and in the $100-150 range.

HD sells the Husky brand for about $70 and Northern Tool has an SK model for about $110.

Anyone have any experience with either of these? Any other wrenches I should look at in this price range?

Thanks in advance.

Jarrett · Oct 7, 2005

I'm planning to get this Craftsman 1/2" drive 25-250 ft-lb one in the near future. I have the 3/8" drive 10-75 ft-lb one and it's worked out well.

timb · Oct 7, 2005

I've got the S-K 1/2 25-250 and it seems to me to be just a little better made/finished than the Craftsman's I had, came with a cert test paper (and an address in WV to re-cert) and a blow molded case for about what Sears wanted for just their similar wrench. So far so good.

ejtaylor822 · Oct 7, 2005

I'm with Jarrett on this one. I am a huge Craftsman fan. I have the 3/8" 10-75 lb as well. It's well made and is holding up well. If I were to have to get another one, or, 1/2", it would definitely be Craftsman.

My next tool choice is Kobalt. It's sold around here at Lowe's. I have a couple of their 1/2" sockets, screwdrivers and large wrenches that I leave on the tractor. I have beat the wrenches (mechanic's hammer /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) pretty good at times (out in the field removing busted shear pins, etc) and they are holding up great - well made, have a lifetime warranty and half the price of Craftsman. They use to have torque wrenches, but, have not noticed any lately.

MFL · Oct 7, 2005

Thanks guys. Hadn't thought about Craftsman. We don't have a Sears close, so out of sight out of mind. I may make the trip up to Sears this weekend and take a look. I remember going with my Dad to the tool dept. at Sears. He still has all his Craftsman gear!

SK makes some mean stuff too! I've ordered some single impact sockets from their site when I 've needed an odd size, and I really like the finish on their stuff.

You'd think it be easier to buy a torque wrench!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

slowrev · Oct 7, 2005

Something that works for me:
I just buy 2 el cheapos and compare them every now and then to check the torque. I have 2 1/4", 2 3/8", and 2 1/2 " torque wrenches . All for a little over $100.
The main thing is to run the adjustments back to zero when not using the torque wrench. If you leave them set up while stored their accuracy will rapidly decrease.
As I said , works for me, but perhaps not for everyone.
Ben

KAB · Oct 7, 2005

I found a "broken" Snap-On on E-bay, sent it out to a Snap-On man to be repaired/calibrated. have about $140 total in it.

Most used Snap-On were running about $150.

Kurt

ejtaylor822 · Oct 7, 2005

( I remember going with my Dad to the tool dept. at Sears. He still has all his Craftsman gear! )

That's what sold me on Craftsman. My dad was a mechanic (oldsmobile & GM) from the time he got out of the Navy until his late 40's, then became a machinist. He's now getting ready to retire - can't believe how time flies. He still has all of his Craftsman tools. Most of them are now 30 to 40 years old, and they are still as durable and reliable as the day he bought them. They are expensive, but hard to beat - back then as well as today.

If you don't have a sears nearby, you can still check out the Craftsman gear on-line.

Good luck and let us know how your search goes.

-Eddie

_RaT_ · Oct 7, 2005

They are expensive, but hard to beat - back then as well as today. 

You don't want to know how much Snap-On cost. While much, much , much more costly then Craftsman, it is also superior in build quality of not just Craftsman, but most anything else. Almost all my tools are Craftsman. I have some Snap-On hand me downs from my dad. They are indeed, superb.
I'm not good enough for Snap On. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

HonourMe · Oct 7, 2005

Back in the 1960's the Craftsman and the Snap-On torque wrenches were made by the same manufacturer. Back then the Craftsman came with a lifetime warranty and the Snap-On came with a one year warranty. If you bring your lifetime warranty torque wrench into Sears today, the will tell you that the lifetime warranty has expired. If you are able to cajole them into giving you a replacement, the replacement comes with a 3 month warranty. I have both and they are both as accurate today as they were 45 years ago. No matter what the brand, if you take proper care of your tools, they will last your lifetime and more.

ejtaylor822 · Oct 7, 2005

( I'm not good enough for Snap On )

Hey, I'm not good enough for Crafsman!!! I'm just fortunate enough to catch the sales and discounts for the Craftman club - heck, I barely qualify for the stuff they sell at the flea market. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Haven't priced any Snap-on. I have heard what you said though - they are about the best you can buy (I just said Craftsman was hard to beat - not unbeatable). I have noticed when I take the car to the dealer to have the checkup & oil change there are quite a few Snap On decals on the tool chests - assume they use them. My Dad use to like and use "MAC" tools as well. I think they use to drive around in delivery trucks to all the dealers selling to the mechanics. I believe that is who he got his air tools from.

(BTW, good to see you again RAT - hey, I never got that tractor for the bee question /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif)

Roscoe · Oct 8, 2005

Having used torque wrenches in my trade for over 30 years, I can vouch for SK, Snap on are just too expensive here for most people

My only other advise is to get one that has a pop up button on it when the torque is reached. I have found these to be very accurate and consistent.

If you have never used them before, its important never to jerk a torque wrench, A firm, even pull is very important.
Make sure the bolt threads are clean and whatever its screwing into.
Follow the manufacturers torque steps carefully and also the sequence of order.
Its not uncommon now to see "Torque Turning" This is where you torque up to a set amount then turn the bolt 90degrees.
This stretches the bolt (They are a special bolt) During the stretching action it feels just like the threads are stripping and every instinct is telling you to stop but thats how many head studs (and crank mains)are now on larger engines.

Good luck
Roscoe

Boomerang1 · Oct 8, 2005

Also, be sure and set the wrench to "0" when you are done using it , this will take the stress off the spring and it will keep its calibration longer.

EddieWalker · Oct 8, 2005

( Also, be sure and set the wrench to "0" when you are done using it , this will take the stress off the spring and it will keep its calibration longer. )

I never thought of this, thanks.

I have a half inch Craftsman that's worked great for me over the years. I've sort of soured on Craftsman and Sears over the years, but thats more about dealing with the people at the stores.

Eddie

botaman2 · Oct 8, 2005

I also replaced my old beam style wrench. I bought the Husky 1/2" drive (25-250 ft. lb.) clicker style wrench for around $65.00 . I use it quite often,and really like! It also has the ratchetting feature ,just a good quality wrench. Good luck with your search.

MFL · Oct 8, 2005

Guys, Just got back from Sears, and let me tell you...I would rather use my old bar style from Pep Boys before I'd buy ANYTHING from Sears again!!! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

That was about the most miserable shopping experience I've ever had!! Nevermind that there were tools thrown all over and the dept. was generally disorganized. The sales people...actually the NO sales people, were worthless. No knowledge of the products, completely uninterested in helping ANYBODY, and about as surly as possible!! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Soon as I finish this note, I'm dialing up Northern Tool and ordering the SK!! What a difference from when I was a kid in the midwest!!

MotorSeven · Oct 8, 2005

Don't forget your local pawn shop. I bought a Snap On in a case for $50. Ckecked it against another TR and it was dead- on.

RD

ctc1111 · Oct 12, 2005

I have a Snap on interchangable head TechWrench. Its a digital torque wrench and i love it. You can put a 3/8, 1/4, or 1/2 ratchet on it.

jgh · Oct 14, 2005

20051014

2 comments--

1- I had a similar Sears/KMart experience last week. The retired guys who used to work the tools area were gone, replaced by near-teens with no indication of anything other than contempt for the merger.

2- Northern Tool still pays commissions to at least some of its salespeople. Let your chosen person know you know that, find out their sales# and tell them you'll be sure they get credit for what you buy on their advice, etc. I've found some dodos there and several great folks (male and female) as well. My favorite guy looks and sounds just like Carl Sagan, #14 in the Richmond store.

Might also add NT has probably the best www site I have seen for searching. TSC's site is a joke and a manager at the C-ville store told me they were oblivious to complaints on it /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif!

/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif, lots of emotions these days!

Jim

mikim · Oct 14, 2005

The Autozone store in town here has a set of torque wrench testers......... procedure for calib. is:
1. set wrench about 25% of it's max rating(not critical) and break it several times to lub the bearing
2. start at a setting near the bottom - say 10% (10ftlbs on a 100ftlb wrench) then check the wrench at 4 or 5 settings along it's range. The longer the range on the wrench the more settings should be checked.
3. set the wrench at "0" for storage. NOT AT THE BOTTOM ! a lot of wrenches will turn below 0 _ DO NOT leave it there.
4. put a sticker on it with the date you checked it so the next time you use it and wonder "how long has it been?" - you'll know. (we cal'd wrenches every 90 days in the A.F. or whenever one was dropped) The worst thing you can do is bang one by dropping it or whatever. If the wrench comes in a box - I'd sure leave it in the box for storage.