Best Torque Wrench

[TobyB]

I'd go with SK

I loved SK. Even the surly, Chicago- style 'service'. Sadly, they went out of business a few years back.

Cornwell?

t

[AndrewBird]

I have a Craftsman as well. Seems to work fine except the plastic handle has a plastic lock ring, which broke after little use. I wrapped some electrical tape around the ring to hold it together and it mostly works. I tried to return it for a new one and was told I couldn't. Their answer as to why? "Because it torques" and is therefore not considered a hand tool. Had I know it was not considered a hand tool and available for free replacement if it broke, I would not have bought it.

[willworkfore30s]

I have 2 craftsman torque wrenches, both owned for over 10 years. The 3/8 one only just recently started to be notably out. 1/2 inch is still going strong.

A lot of things can change quality wise in 10 years. There is no guaranty that the craftsman you bought back then was made the same as the one's that crapped out on me. I didn't even get a chance to store them improperly. They were crap straight out of the box and just never clicked.

[SubDad]

brand i can trust like snap, Mac and I like sk

I have a 3/8 and a 1/4 drive click-type Snap-ons, because I used to be a paid mechanic. The 3/8 is a recent replacement for the previous one that failed yearly calibration after 15 years of service. They're for torquing stuff to a real value. If I had to replace them, now that I'm an amateur mechanic I'd go with SK or Mac.

Don't send your Snap-On to Snap-On for calibration, it'll fail every time and they have to send it away to tribe of special elves for an expensive and lengthy repair. Strangely, if you send it to your local calibration shop it'll pass.

For installing alloy wheels I have a bending beam No-Name from a pawn shop. A bending beam can't go out of calibration, and alloy wheel torque isn't wildly critical.

Never use a torque wrench for breaking fasteners loose, and store them at the lowest setting, not as far down as they will go. I've discovered to my (boss's) cost that it's good idea to make sure the click head in a Snap-On will actually click if it hasn't been used in a while. :eeek:

Don't send your Snap-On to Snap-On for calibration, it'll fail every time and they'll insist on sending it away to tribe of special elves in a mountain cave somewhere for an expensive and lengthy repair.
Strangely, if you send it to your local calibration shop it'll pass.

[Exodus_2pt0]

Store at lowest setting meaning all the way down, or at 0 ft-lbs?

I always store mine with no tension - all the way down.

Store at zero foot pounds. You don't want to go too far with it.

That said, I wonder how many people have a failed torque wrench due to improper storage, then blame the tool.

I have 2 craftsman torque wrenches, both owned for over 10 years. The 3/8 one only just recently started to be notably out. 1/2 inch is still going strong.

That said, you want the best? Go snappy.... Coming from a guy who only buys a few select Snap-On tools.

[Cephas]

Store at lowest setting meaning all the way down, or at 0 ft-lbs?

I always store mine with no tension - all the way down.

Thanks for the tips, I think I'm good with my trusty HF wrench!

[nomansland92]

As far as torque wrenches go, I never feel safe unless it's a brand i can trust like snap, Mac and I like sk a lot also. If you watch eBay you can find some great deans on some nice ones.

[10Toes]

Probably made in the factory across the street. The 3/8" looks a little different but the 1/2" is the same.

http://www.pepboys.com/product/detai...56/?quantity=1

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-hal...rench-239.html

[lolcantturn]

I think that one is the same as the HF torque wrench.

Nope, the Pep Boys one is made by Great Neck while the HF one is Pittsburgh Pro.

[10Toes]

I bought a Pep Boys TW for $39.99 to do my pressure plate bolts. I had to drop the transmission 3 times before I realized it was my torque wrench that was way under torquing the bolts sigh.

I think that one is the same as the HF torque wrench.

[lolcantturn]

I bought a Pep Boys TW for $39.99 to do my pressure plate bolts. I had to drop the transmission 3 times before I realized it was my torque wrench that was way under torquing the bolts sigh.

[10Toes]

I've had mine since 2003. I suppose my wheels should have fallen off by now and on all of my families cars. :p

and my brakes.. and suspension.. and engine.. etc. etc.

Maybe I just got a bad one because my wheel did almost fall off. Maybe the quality control sucks on a $15 torque wrench:o

I guess if you do buy a HF torque wrench you should test it and make sure it is working right before you trust it to torque your wheels. I would rather spend more money then to have a wheel fall off.

[dnguyen1963]

Common guys...I bought my HF for $9.99. How can you beat that? And, yes just like Nando, my wheels have not fallen off. The key thing is to set set your wrench to the lowest torque setting when not in use if you want to keep its accuracy.

[nando]

I've had mine since 2003. I suppose my wheels should have fallen off by now and on all of my families cars. :p

and my brakes.. and suspension.. and engine.. etc. etc.

[StereoInstaller1]

There was an impressive article in Grassroots Motorsports saying the HF torque wrench was the most accurate "click style" available.

Of course, people who really have no idea what they are talking about will always talk trash about them, but the fact is the Harbor Freight really is about the best of that type.

You can find the whole article from December 2009, this is all I could find. The article blew my mind and saved my wallet. I am sure a better copy of the article is out there.



I think I am going to get mine calibrated even though it is more expensive than a new wrench, I am curious now. If I do, I will post the results.

Luke