Ahsai

That's exactly why I said the snapon is optimized on all aspects. The one I have is QD2FR75 , 15-3/4" long

https://store.snapon.com/US-Torque-Instruments-ft-lb--Torque-Wrench-Adj-Click-Type-U-S-Flex-Ratchet-5-75-ft-lb-3-8-drive-P640959.aspx

Hula

That may be the coolest thing I've ever seen.

sweet victory

It even says Stahlwille.

Stahlwille makes great tools. If you've ever held their tools and compared them to others, they are noticeably lighter. Makes a difference if you're wrenching all day long!

the_bg

@sweet victory - That's funny, I didn't even have my cheaters on so I couldn't see it. I just recognized the shape.

Yes, I like the shorter German torque wrenches. Especially the models with interchangeable heads. They are nice for tight places. ie. Hazet 6290-1CT (5nm-60nm) 13-3/16 long including 1" long head/ratchet insert tool and Hazet 6291-2CT (20nm-120nm)16-1/4" long with 1" head. Both of these have the 9mmx12mm square receiver for the head/insert tool. The Hazet 6291-1CT (20nm-120nm) has a 14mmx18mm square receiver for insert tools and is 16-3/4" with 1" insert tool. you can find them on eBay from time to time.

dporto

That Hazet set is very cool, but at $1800 and change, its way out of reach for the "casual mechanic"... Stahlwhile has a similar set for around $1600... still way out of my league... I love the idea of the open attachments for the torque body...

Ahsai

$1800 is a bargain considering how much one regular wrench is Lol Are they made of platinum or something? $240 5-1/2" long

http://m.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Early-Porsche-356-Hazet-450-Tool-Kit-WRENCH-9mm-X-8mm-/112327500248?nav=SEARCH

For home mechanics, I found a crowfoot wrench placed 90 degree to the handle of the torque wrench is more than enough.

dporto

"For home mechanics, I found a crowfoot wrench placed 90 degree to the handle of the torque wrench is more than enough."

^this^ is my workaround as well... It can get kind of clunky though especially in tight spaces That German set is very elegant

5CHN3LL

Rather than just being a brand loyalist, I check the docs when I buy stuff. If X-brand torque wrench is accurate +/- 4% and Y-brand is +/- 3% but costs 5x more...I buy X. If I someday have such an amazing car - or such a carefully calibrated one - that mandates the extra 1% accuracy, I'll shell out for Y-brand at that time.

If I ran a shop or used the tools on customer vehicles, I'd purchase a better tool and have it calibrated. But I don't.

Slakker

@schnelly - how bad is the HF Mig welder?

m3driver

I'll answer it for him...it's a absolute piece of crap

5CHN3LL

I have a few of their welders; the one I use most is a rosin-core (so, essentially, like sticks-on-a-spool but a lot less messy) that runs at 110 or 220. Even at 110, it sticks crap together; it also has a habit of burning through mild steel instead of welding it (it doesn't help that I'm cheap and insist on using thin stock or scrap). I welded 4 cast-iron brake rotors together with it about 10 years ago and they're still in the garden. I'm CERTAIN that if I whacked it with a hammer, the welds would break and it would fall apart.

I would not use it to build my own roll cage. I _might_ use it to build Johnny Irish's roll cage.

But if Face, The Colonel, BA, and Murdock show up and need to weld some plate onto the side of the van so they can drive through a "Mexican" cartel town and rescue a chesty damsel, I can hook them UP.

Hah. SEE?

Slakker

Lol, very nice schnelly! By the way, look what I finally unboxed! The most well wrapped harness bar ever prepared in the history of man.

M3, how many HF tools have you actually used? Is your supreme disgust and hatred due to multiple failures or just an opinion you feel very certain about?

extanker

if you can afford it get a linclon or hobart mig 220 volt ....look for a duty cycle better than 20 % if you are serious about welding .

5CHN3LL

^ Exactly. Regardless of whether it's a winch or a welder, it's all about the duty cycle.

As far as welders and similar tools go, my crappy HF models are perfect until the right old guy comes along selling his GOOD crap (well, more accurately, when the old guy's family sells off his good crap at fire-sale prices). I picked up a vintage Hioki clamp tester at an estate sale for $2.50 on Sunday, and another tool is checked off the "wishIhadda" list. Now, where to find a plasma cutter for next to nothin'...

Heh. I figured I was safe from any PayPal claims about the finish being damaged after that packing job.

m3driver

ive used a few and with the exception of my dead blow hammer I bought from HF, they have all failed miserably. The most notable example would be the slide hammer my buddy bought. I was helping him with some axle work (4wd wheel bearing), anywho brand new out of the box slide hammer, took one slide and the hammer part split in half right at the casting mark. I've tried/used various other tools from them and have had similar results. So either two things are happening. I have either extremely bad luck or their tools really are garbage. I tend to lean towards both