what torque wrench would you recommend that won't break you wallet? maybe looking for something around 10-150 lbs. Sears craftman just won't do, their review says it all.
For all you Mechanics or DIYers
- Thread starter dorkiedoode
- Start date
- Status
JHZR2
Staff member
it might break your wallet a bit, but the snap-on cannot be beat... problem is, I doubt you will find a wrench that can ACCURATELY do that whole range. 5-75, perhaps, 50-150 perhaps.
JMH
JMH
The one you show looks like mine, purchased for the same from AAP. It was made by AMPro. I took it to work and had the calibration tech looked at it. It was accurate w/i 10% in the entire range.
My smaller AMPro, I think it is 10-80 ftlb with 3/8 drive, did worse. It was over torque by more than 10% at the lower half.
He just made me a table for setting vs. actual for it. He did not adjust it since it was non-linear.
My smaller AMPro, I think it is 10-80 ftlb with 3/8 drive, did worse. It was over torque by more than 10% at the lower half.
He just made me a table for setting vs. actual for it. He did not adjust it since it was non-linear.
Unless you are making a living out of doing mech work (which calls for high quality torque wrench and bi-annual re-calibration),IMHO if you are just an occasional user/DIYer, any properly calibrated torque wrench should do the job fine.
If you want to be able to cover such wide range of torque (10~150ft/lbs) you shall seriously consider getting 2 torque wrenches: 1 for the lower range and 1 for the upper range.
If you want to be able to cover such wide range of torque (10~150ft/lbs) you shall seriously consider getting 2 torque wrenches: 1 for the lower range and 1 for the upper range.
Yes; two torque wrenches for the range requested. Wheel lugs for instance only require a simple beam type since wheel lug torques is usually +/- 10 ft/lbs. The smaller stuff like spark plugs, manifold and other need more accuracy and I would use a 5-75 ft/lb adjustable like a craftsman. JMO. Ed
When I worked at Enron the Snap-on guy would come out every few months and encourage us to bring our own torque wrenches for testing. My Craftsman was off by 15lbs over it's range as were most other brands. If you're looking for something basic like tightening lug nuts a cheap one might do. For something like engine assembly I wouldn't use anything but Snap-on.
Watch the sales at harbor freight, got a 3/8 clicker type one time and a 1/2 drive another, both for $10.
They will only put one on sale at a time. But sales are perpetually reoccuring so you can build your toolkit over time.
I put together a couple engines with a $6 stretch beam torque wrench from a surplus store, and they're still running.
They will only put one on sale at a time. But sales are perpetually reoccuring so you can build your toolkit over time.
I put together a couple engines with a $6 stretch beam torque wrench from a surplus store, and they're still running.
Bending beam wrenches are usually accurate and don't need to be calibrated. They don't wear out. If you can get a tool vendor to test your's it would be a good idea. The bending beam take more skill and car in using. We have a device in our shop for calibrating torque wrenches and we use Snap-on clickers and calibrate them at least once or twice a month and before any engine rebuild. When we calibrate them we mark the date and calibrate them for a small range and use different wrenches for different ranges and use stretch gauges were needed and a clean room with controlled temperature and humidity. Everything for a build goes in the day before for assembly. Correct torque, clean parts and care are important in a build.
Originally Posted By: Jeff70
What are you using the torque wrench for? just general stuff or are you building an engine, is so, if it were me I would use a stretch gauge to tighten the rod bolts.
hey jeff i'm just looking for general stuff.
Originally Posted By: eljefino
I put together a couple engines with a $6 stretch beam torque wrench from a surplus store, and they're still running.
thats crazy! i wish i can do that.
Originally Posted By: speedyswede
How `bout THIS one?
how is that working out for you?
Maybe i will get 2 torque for lower and upper range. should i wait for the sale at harbor freight or get some at sears? they have horrible ratings! Snap-on seems like something i would invest in but it is out of my league for doing maintenance and such.
What are you using the torque wrench for? just general stuff or are you building an engine, is so, if it were me I would use a stretch gauge to tighten the rod bolts.
hey jeff i'm just looking for general stuff.
Originally Posted By: eljefino
I put together a couple engines with a $6 stretch beam torque wrench from a surplus store, and they're still running.
thats crazy! i wish i can do that.
Originally Posted By: speedyswede
How `bout THIS one?
how is that working out for you?
Maybe i will get 2 torque for lower and upper range. should i wait for the sale at harbor freight or get some at sears? they have horrible ratings! Snap-on seems like something i would invest in but it is out of my league for doing maintenance and such.
Last edited:
- Status
Similar threads
