Need a good torque wrench

[CN Spots]

Any of yoose guys have any suggestions as to where I can pick up a good torque wrench for under $100? I've seen them in Harbor Freight for less then that but I'm a little aprehensive about buying precision measurement tools from them. Mac and SnapOn's are outreageous so I'm hoping Craftsman, Kobalt, Husky or one of the other "handyman" brands sells a decent one the casual weekend mechanic can afford. Thanks.

spots

 

[Bondo]

Re: Need a good torque wrench

You can't go Wrong at Sears,...........
Craftsman Tools are pretty Good Quality........

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Need a good torque wrench

I have a craftsman and it has served my needs very well..... quite a few rebuilds.

 

[llfish]

Re: Need a good torque wrench

Check out ebay they have some name brand torque wrenches for a good price.

 

[Drrockter]

Re: Need a good torque wrench

Another Craftsman vote here. Besides if it breaks, they will replace it.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Need a good torque wrench

I believe you will find that the torque wrenches are not covered by the lifetime warranty.
Take it with a grain of salt, but I've noticed a lot of bad reviews for the < $100 craftsman (non-"professional") torque wrenches. Perhaps it's just the current crop as normally they've got a great reputation.

If you do go down the cheapy route you'll have to calibrate it before you use it. It's not unusual for even good ones to be somewhat off brand new.

 

[levittownnick]

Re: Need a good torque wrench

CN, this is slightly off topic but I find it helpful. On 15 Sept 06 Dallin posted (in this post) Looking for a good "Bolts 101", and one reply was from BJCS sugesting that he look at www.gizmology.net/nutsbolts.htm . This article is about 5& 1/2 pages of easy & informative reading and includes pictures and diagrams. On page 5, read the section titled Preload to get some valuable information on Torque.

In my limited involvemet with torque, I have found that even the best available torque wrenches have a loose accuracy specification. They do not have the kind of tolerances that are found on other measuring instruments such as electrical meters or micrometers.

I have some Craftsman torque wrenches that serve me well.

 

[CN Spots]

Re: Need a good torque wrench

Thanks for all the responses! Craftsman seems to get the nod.
I know what you mean about the inaccuracy of the wrenches due to the variables involved (debris in the hole or on the bolt, temp, material the bolt is made of, etc). It's a wonder they work at all.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Need a good torque wrench

Bucking the trend here...I have a 3/8" craftsman torque wrench which I feel has very poor quality. To me, the Harbor Freight ones seem better!

Not sure of what the accuracy between the two brands are.

 

[moeMC]

Re: Need a good torque wrench

they are mostly made in china ...the cheaper ones the Macs and snap ons (I have a mac) need to be looked at as an investment . depends on how much use , and the accuracy you need , whether you'll spend that much , I was a prof. diesel mech when I bought mine , my Mac (spring type )is approx. 25 yrs old . it's a 250 lb'er . and what ever type you buy just remember the spring type ...adj. by twisting handle , should be stored with 50 lbs setting to keep a preload on the spring to keep it accurate.

 

[Gone]

Re: Need a good torque wrench

I have 2 Craftsman arm type. My son has the Snap On clicker. The Craftsman is very close in readings to the S-O.
Works for me!

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Need a good torque wrench

But when did you buy it? I think the new ones are different from the old ones. Could be wrong though.

EDIT: Sorry, I misread you. I was looking at the Craftsman clickers. The arm ones are usually very good, just a little more difficult to use.

 

[moeMC]

Re: Need a good torque wrench

beam types are more prone to wrong readings just because they are easier to damage . the working parts are exposed . but HEY... craftsman are fine for the backyard mechanic , but when you do it for a living (I don't anymore ) lifetime guaranty don't mean much when you're standing there at work ,with a broken tool in your hand ...and the customer is on the way. I'm a firm believer even now , buy quality , buy it once .