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Torque Wrenches - which do you like?

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PatGalvin

PatGalvin

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Hi Guys

Need to tear down the engine to replace the rear seal and am in the position to purchase a couple torque wrenches.
I am done with HF wrenches and want to upgrade a bit (anything would be an upgrade). I can borrow from FLAPS but those wrenches always seem beat up.
Has anyone found torque wrenches they like (3/8, 1/2 inch drive) for a reasonable cost? There is lots of low priced junk out there. Snap On is a bit rich for my blood.

Thanks for any and all opinions.

Pat
 
Nothing wrong with craftsman's click type torque wrenches. The drive size depends on the maximum amount of torque you plan on achieving.
 
I have had poor luck with Westward and Cobalt. Craftsman may be a good choice.
 
One of the few tools I spent $ on. Snap-on 20-100 ft lb. CDI 2502, a Snap-on company, less than Snap-on but still expensive, 30-250 inch lb. This lower range seems to get a lot of use. Both 3/8" drive. As I recall when shopping many were heavier than needed.

When you get one remember to back off the spring after use.
 
I reviewed Craftsman reviews. For 3/8 inch drive, were OK. For half inch, most considered the wrench junk. Either on sale for $49 right now.
Just as info.
 
Craftsman has sold a lot of torque wrenches. When I had problems with mine, they wouldn't stand behind it. I bought a K/D at a local Parts-A-Rama that has been much nicer than the Craftsman piece.
 
Believe it or not, I use a 1/2 inch drive Storm Torque wrench from northern tool. I take it to NAPA and check the calibration every spring. It works great. The last thing I used it on was the aluminum wheels on my Ford truck; 150 ft/lbs. $70.00....FWIW Spend more if you like...
 
I have a home depot "Husky" brand thats cheap and seems to work fine. I swore off anything with the crapsman name on it years ago.
 
DougF said:
Craftsman has sold a lot of torque wrenches. When I had problems with mine, they wouldn't stand behind it. I bought a K/D at a local Parts-A-Rama that has been much nicer than the Craftsman piece.
Click to expand...
Craftsman is 90 day warranty now, for torque wrenches. Not lifetime. As info.
 
I picked up a CDI 2502 for $114 on Ebay with free shipping. New in box. Will be one of my nicer tools.
Still need a half inch drive wrench. The Storm wrench by Northern has good reviews.
 
Maybe they have gotten worse (many things have), but I've been quite happy with the big 250 ft-lb Craftsman 1/2" drive "clicker" type that I picked up used from eBay. I've also got a 1/4" drive beam type that I think is Craftsman (but no longer on their web site). Offhand, I don't recall what brand the other two are.

BTW, if you trust the scale, it isn't hard to check torque wrench calibration with a digital fish scale. Measure the distance from the center of the drive to the end of the handle, then clamp the drive in the bench vise and use the scale to pull on the handle. Multiply the scale reading by the handle length to get torque. All the manufacturers (even Snap-On) seem to agree that the clicker type should be periodically calibrated.
 
 
PatGalvin said:
Craftsman is 90 day warranty now, for torque wrenches. Not lifetime. As info.
Click to expand...

My problem occurred probably 15 years or more ago. Lifetime warranties weren't a lifetime when they had them. I don't buy Craftsman anymore.
 
I use Snap-on 1/2" and 3/8" clik type torque wrenches. Have had them since 1986
 
Pat,

You're welcome to use my 1/2 inch drive. Remind me to bring it along to lunch on Wednesday.
 
Didn't see it mentioned but click type torque wrenches must be stored at the zero setting to prevent the spring from being stretched, and affecting the "calibration". If not set to zero, overtime the accuracy will be affected. Along those lines, for critical settings, I use a calibrated split beam torque wrench https://www.tooltopia.com/precision-instruments-c2fr100f.aspx and leave the Craftsman for lug nuts. It's worth the extra in my opinion. Precision Instruments are made in Illinois https://www.torqwrench.com/ .
 
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