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Author Topic:   In search of a decent torque wrench

Frank O posted 12-01-2014 11:29 PM ET (US)
After struggling with some cheap and undependable torque wrenches, I've come to the conclusion that I should invest in a decent pair (covering the low and moderate torque ranges) that I can depend on.
I noticed this discussion seven years ago:
http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/015283.html
It's not clear to me that a clear consensus emerged.
Is anything new on this topic in the past seven years? For example, are the digital torque wrenches that have appeared in recent years dependable? Without going to either extreme of the price spectrum, is there something decent in the middle?

Jeff posted 12-01-2014 11:53 PM ET (US)
I still prefer the old style handle dial setting in stead of the digital ones..
For any precision tool your best bet is going to be getting a Snap-On or MAC torque wrench. However, I bet you are not torquing to "aircraft type" precision specs and I doubt you would see the value in paying top dollar for these as great as they are.
Craftsman makes a darn good do-it-yourself'r tool at a reasonable price. I have also had great luck with my Husky Torque Wrenches.
Jefecinco posted 12-02-2014 09:26 AM ET (US)
I've had a Craftsman "snap over" torque wrench for about 40 years. I seldom use it but it has always served me well. I prefer the old dial style mentioned by Jeff for large scale jobs involving moving from bolt to bolt as is required for an engine rebuild. This allows for easy and fast torquing of head bolts, etc. in the proper order and in steps with minimum effort. But for the odd single or hand full of bolt torquing jobs my snap over works very well and it is less bulky.
Butch
Frank O posted 12-02-2014 10:12 AM ET (US)
Thanks. Jeff, yes Snap-On tools are the best, but in this case it's hard to justify spending that much. So I was looking for something mid-range.
Butch, when you say snap-over Craftsman would that mean a click-type torque wrench?
Whalrman posted 12-02-2014 10:20 AM ET (US)
Craftsman click type in 3/8"- inch lbs. and a 1/2" in lbs. ft. would be a most welcome Christmas present!!
Jefecinco posted 12-02-2014 07:08 PM ET (US)
Yes, it's the "click" type. Sorry for the terminology.
Butch
Frank O posted 12-02-2014 09:53 PM ET (US)
Sounds like a good idea, Whalrman. I'm not seeing anything advertised as being in inch-pounds on the Craftsman website, but there are the following two:
3/8" drive, 10-75 ft-lb
http://www.craftsman.com/ craftsman-micro-clicker-torque-wrench-3-8inch-drive/p-00931424000P
1/2" drive, 20-150 ft-lb
http://www.craftsman.com/ craftsman-micro-clicker-torque-wrench-1-2inch-drive/p-00931425000P
That will probably cover the waterfront for me.

contender posted 12-04-2014 11:37 PM ET (US)
1st you get what you pay for, 2nd The problem is getting them calibrated to make sure they are correct....
Whalrman posted 12-05-2014 09:55 AM ET (US)
Contender's statement is very true to a point. For the weekend DIY, the craftsman wrenches are the ticket, now IF using tools professionally, then only the best will do. That said, the Snap-on tool guy in my area tests torque wrenches in his truck and has no problem testing mine, a craftsman, from time to time, of which has kept its accuracy.
Treypescatorie posted 12-05-2014 06:21 PM ET (US)
Harbor Freight, surprisingly good quality with unbeatable price!
Jefecinco posted 12-06-2014 09:45 AM ET (US)
Calibration for general purpose use is easy. For nuclear weapons use a little less so.
Use a lever and weight of a known value approximating the mid-range capacity of the wrench to check. Plus or minus 10% of the reading should be sufficient for confident day to day results.
Dial wrenches are easy to adjust/calibrate by moving the dial face. I've never attempted to adjust a "click" type wrench.
For my purposes I am not concerned with calibration and never worry about it. I base my opinion on 35 years of experience with maintenance and repair of many types of equipment.
Before using a torque wrench do a little research on proper methods. Generally the threads should be dry and in good condition. Use a thread chaser if needed. When tightening first approach the desired value then remove the pressure. Finally follow through to the desired value in one continuous application of pressure. Some situations require "retorquing" after X hours of use.
Butch
EJO posted 12-06-2014 10:19 PM ET (US)
Butch is right but in answer to the OP a Craftsman click dial wrench will do the job and is less bulky than 3 to 4" wide half circle old indicator ones.
You can rebuild your engine and torque your transom bolts perfectly good with the afore mentioned craftsman link torque wrenches.
weekendwarrior posted 12-09-2014 02:01 PM ET (US)
I've had good luck with craftsman clicker wrenches, and there are several shops that will calibrate them for you. I think the one I used was called team torque or something like that.

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Author	Topic: In search of a decent torque wrench
Frank O	posted 12-01-2014 11:29 PM ET (US) After struggling with some cheap and undependable torque wrenches, I've come to the conclusion that I should invest in a decent pair (covering the low and moderate torque ranges) that I can depend on. I noticed this discussion seven years ago: http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/015283.html It's not clear to me that a clear consensus emerged. Is anything new on this topic in the past seven years? For example, are the digital torque wrenches that have appeared in recent years dependable? Without going to either extreme of the price spectrum, is there something decent in the middle?
Jeff	posted 12-01-2014 11:53 PM ET (US) I still prefer the old style handle dial setting in stead of the digital ones.. For any precision tool your best bet is going to be getting a Snap-On or MAC torque wrench. However, I bet you are not torquing to "aircraft type" precision specs and I doubt you would see the value in paying top dollar for these as great as they are. Craftsman makes a darn good do-it-yourself'r tool at a reasonable price. I have also had great luck with my Husky Torque Wrenches.
Jefecinco	posted 12-02-2014 09:26 AM ET (US) I've had a Craftsman "snap over" torque wrench for about 40 years. I seldom use it but it has always served me well. I prefer the old dial style mentioned by Jeff for large scale jobs involving moving from bolt to bolt as is required for an engine rebuild. This allows for easy and fast torquing of head bolts, etc. in the proper order and in steps with minimum effort. But for the odd single or hand full of bolt torquing jobs my snap over works very well and it is less bulky. Butch
Frank O	posted 12-02-2014 10:12 AM ET (US) Thanks. Jeff, yes Snap-On tools are the best, but in this case it's hard to justify spending that much. So I was looking for something mid-range. Butch, when you say snap-over Craftsman would that mean a click-type torque wrench?
Whalrman	posted 12-02-2014 10:20 AM ET (US) Craftsman click type in 3/8"- inch lbs. and a 1/2" in lbs. ft. would be a most welcome Christmas present!!
Jefecinco	posted 12-02-2014 07:08 PM ET (US) Yes, it's the "click" type. Sorry for the terminology. Butch
Frank O	posted 12-02-2014 09:53 PM ET (US) Sounds like a good idea, Whalrman. I'm not seeing anything advertised as being in inch-pounds on the Craftsman website, but there are the following two: 3/8" drive, 10-75 ft-lb http://www.craftsman.com/ craftsman-micro-clicker-torque-wrench-3-8inch-drive/p-00931424000P 1/2" drive, 20-150 ft-lb http://www.craftsman.com/ craftsman-micro-clicker-torque-wrench-1-2inch-drive/p-00931425000P That will probably cover the waterfront for me.
contender	posted 12-04-2014 11:37 PM ET (US) 1st you get what you pay for, 2nd The problem is getting them calibrated to make sure they are correct....
Whalrman	posted 12-05-2014 09:55 AM ET (US) Contender's statement is very true to a point. For the weekend DIY, the craftsman wrenches are the ticket, now IF using tools professionally, then only the best will do. That said, the Snap-on tool guy in my area tests torque wrenches in his truck and has no problem testing mine, a craftsman, from time to time, of which has kept its accuracy.
Treypescatorie	posted 12-05-2014 06:21 PM ET (US) Harbor Freight, surprisingly good quality with unbeatable price!
Jefecinco	posted 12-06-2014 09:45 AM ET (US) Calibration for general purpose use is easy. For nuclear weapons use a little less so. Use a lever and weight of a known value approximating the mid-range capacity of the wrench to check. Plus or minus 10% of the reading should be sufficient for confident day to day results. Dial wrenches are easy to adjust/calibrate by moving the dial face. I've never attempted to adjust a "click" type wrench. For my purposes I am not concerned with calibration and never worry about it. I base my opinion on 35 years of experience with maintenance and repair of many types of equipment. Before using a torque wrench do a little research on proper methods. Generally the threads should be dry and in good condition. Use a thread chaser if needed. When tightening first approach the desired value then remove the pressure. Finally follow through to the desired value in one continuous application of pressure. Some situations require "retorquing" after X hours of use. Butch
EJO	posted 12-06-2014 10:19 PM ET (US) Butch is right but in answer to the OP a Craftsman click dial wrench will do the job and is less bulky than 3 to 4" wide half circle old indicator ones. You can rebuild your engine and torque your transom bolts perfectly good with the afore mentioned craftsman link torque wrenches.
weekendwarrior	posted 12-09-2014 02:01 PM ET (US) I've had good luck with craftsman clicker wrenches, and there are several shops that will calibrate them for you. I think the one I used was called team torque or something like that.