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Looking for GOOD Torque wrench

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<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>
I am glad for this thread, my Dad and Grandad have always been Craftsman fans, I had my doubts, and now have more.

MattP[/QB]<hr></blockquote>

I have always been happy with the Craftsman tools I've owned. In fact, over the years (25 or more), I have only had one Craftsman tool break and it was a itsy bitsy little wrench and it broke. I got a free replacement. Unfortunately, their lifetime free replacement doesn't apply to torque wrenches.

Speaking of tools, I bought by oldest son a Husky Tool set from Home Depot (for Christmas) and I must say, they seem like very nice tools!

Basil
 
I've broken my share of tools, and my prefered tool to break is a craftsman (the guy at the service desk recognizes me.
rolleyes.gif
I've never owned a craftsman torque wrench, but conveniently, I've never broken one either.

My understanding from all the "experts" that I've talked to, is that the click type wrenches are more acurate. However, considering the condition of most of the bolts and threaded orifices that I force them into, a beam type would most likely do me just as well. I use click types, because that is what I've found.

Tony
 
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by youngsmith:
I've broken my share of tools, and my prefered tool to break is a craftsman (the guy at the service desk recognizes me.
rolleyes.gif
I've never owned a craftsman torque wrench, but conveniently, I've never broken one either.

My understanding from all the "experts" that I've talked to, is that the click type wrenches are more acurate. However, considering the condition of most of the bolts and threaded orifices that I force them into, a beam type would most likely do me just as well. I use click types, because that is what I've found.

Tony<hr></blockquote>

I like to have both on hand. I prefer the click type for head bolts, for example. If they just would have put a decent handle on the thing, my Craftsman would have been fine, but on both of them, the rubber handle with the little window for the readings just broke loose very soon after buying it and after that, you could not be sure the window was lined up properly, hence you could not trust the readings.
 
i would definitely complain to sears. ask to speak to the store manager. i can understand if the calibration was not guaranteed
for life but it was workmanship/cosmetics that was faulty. its not like you were using it as a hammer. the torque wrench has a specific job.
to determine the amount of torque/foot lbs/inch lbs applied to the fastener. once that is determined it is put away. how many times can you possibly use it? less than 500 i'm guessing.
it should be guaranteed simply because of faulty cosmetics, not function. i have an S&K torque wrench. 10-150 ft. lbs. + or - 1/2lb. error. cost me 160bucks. guaranteed for life.
i do own alot of craftsman tools though. some snap-on wrenches. i love the design of the snap-on wrenchs. i like snap-on. expensive though.
proto is another excellent brand. i own some of them. got them at a garage sale for a song.
 
I received a Husky 1/2" click type torque wrench from my brother-in-law for Christmas. I have yet to use it (other than to torque some bolts on my mom's washing machine to try it out
smile.gif
) He has had one for a while and it comes with a lifetime guarantee (on workmansheip not calibration) We'll see how it works out.
 
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by 80spitlizzy:
I received a Husky 1/2" click type torque wrench from my brother-in-law for Christmas. I have yet to use it (other than to torque some bolts on my mom's washing machine to try it out
smile.gif
) He has had one for a while and it comes with a lifetime guarantee (on workmansheip not calibration) We'll see how it works out.<hr></blockquote>

I just bought my oldest son a 100 piece Husky tool set and I must say they seem like very well made tools!
 
AS I understand it, Husky, which is sold through Home Depot, is actually made by the company that used to make Craftsman for Sears . I have a husky 1/2 drive click type and it works great though it's sometimes hard to read the engraved numbers to set the torque amounts. I guess as it gets greaser it will be easier to read.
 
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by XJRpilot:
...... how many times can you possibly use it? less than 500 i'm guessing.
.....<hr></blockquote>

Man, I wish... I've used mine at least 1,000 times in the last 4 years!

Tony
 
whatever brand you buy, get a beam type. The problem with click types is no one unloads the spring while in storage. MM has stories about click type wrenches that were off by over 40%. Wreck an engine fast like that. -Josh
 
Since the bulk of my tools would fit in a lunch box its time for a torque wrench. I dug up this old thread which was helpful but still have questions. Attached are K-D beam options. Seems like the 0-150# would be the better option however all my sockets are 3/8". If an extension is used on a 1/2" to 3/8" I would think the addition would skew the measurment? If I go to snap on or other clicker what would my ideal range and size be ? Any thoughts appreciated
 

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The extension won't upset the measurements, but can be awkward in some cases as you'll need to support the head of the torque wrench while pulling the handle and watching the pointer all at once. My suggestion would be to pick up a set of 1/2" sockets to match.

Used a beam type for many years; but having tried a clicker, I like it much better for most things. Not as accurate perhaps (especially since I don't calibrate it) but lots more convenient and accurate enough IMO.
 
thanks, I am not opposed to spending the money on a clicker and would like to have a nice tool. If a clicker only one good one. New sockets not a show stopper so what pound range, I'm thinking 30-150 or so since most of the stuff is in the smaller range. Lots of ranges available. If the top end is larger wouldn't I expect the small range to be less accurate? If neccessary I could then get a beam for big measurments.
 
If you can hunt down a Snappy truck, that'd be my first choice. Proto second. 30~150 ft/lb.
 
sail said:
If the top end is larger wouldn't I expect the small range to be less accurate?
Click to expand...
Yup, works that way for both beam and clicker types. Which is why I've got 4 or 5 of them
grin.gif
But the baby is only good for adjusting automatic transmissions & such; while the 200 ftlb wrench is only used for the rear axle nuts on a TR (tho it had lots of applications on the motor home). ISTR the one I use most is 20-120 ftlb.
 
I know that I am late to this party, but here is my 7 cents(2cents won't get much anymore). I bought a Snap on digital 3/8 drive torque wrench in the last year or so. It is great, and extremely accurate. I also have an older 1/2 inch Snap on click type for torques that exceed the range of the 3/8 drive unit. The digital one does inch pounds, foot pounds and kPA. I use it all the time, and have only replaced the batteries once. I am sold on the concept, and if I ever wear out the other one, I will replace it with another digital unit. It was not cheap, but..... not having it might be more expensive yet.
 
Interesting, Jesse. I'm still not excited over the digital read-out tools thing. Digital mic's scare the heck outta me and a torque wrench would too.

I know, iknow... "super accurate" an' all that. I just have a phobia about trusting mechanical devices controlled with solid-state circuitry. "Fly-by-wire" aircraft fall into the same category, IMO. And banking on-line. And electronic slot machines...

...I'll just go back to the corner an' try 'n choke down th' Kool-Aide now. :smirk:
 
Amen.

My tools do NOT get "loaned". Especially protective of the precision ones.
 
Yeah, I am not wild about lendin any tools, but never ever the good ones!!. I bought the digi wrench when I needed to accurately torque some lo torque fasteners. I was not wild about buying it, but after using it a while, I find, much to my surprise, I really like it. It beeps and makes a weird little vibration when the torque is reached, but the digital readout gives "right now" readings as you tighten it up.It sounds stupid, but it works nicely. I did an Alfa engine last fall, (great fun) , and I know that every fastener is just right. Just satisfying to me. Mind you, I still keep my "dial gauge "inch pound wrench, my big Snap on, and a beam type, just in case. I am most assuredly an analog person in an increasingly digital world, so I was surprised that some new fangled tool like that would fit in so well.
 
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