Which Torque Wrenches for Xmas?
12-07-2002, 02:47 PM
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Which Torque Wrenches for Xmas?
As I delve into more maintenance items on my car, it appears that I'll be needing 2 torque wrenches to tighten bolts properly, etc.
Collective wisdom in the archives calls for:
1) a 3/8" drive wrench with 5-75 ft/lb range
2) a 1/2" drive wrench with 25-140 ft/lb range
I'm lost as to which brand and type, though. Apparently, the Craftsman microtorque are problematic and Sears doesn't honor the warranty on these like on its other tools.
Snap-on and Fracom are better but how more expensive?
TIA
Collective wisdom in the archives calls for:
1) a 3/8" drive wrench with 5-75 ft/lb range
2) a 1/2" drive wrench with 25-140 ft/lb range
I'm lost as to which brand and type, though. Apparently, the Craftsman microtorque are problematic and Sears doesn't honor the warranty on these like on its other tools.
Snap-on and Fracom are better but how more expensive?
TIA
12-07-2002, 04:19 PM
#3
Intermediate
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For torque wrenches snap-on is the way to go. You can pick up on ebay for decent money, otherwise they can be quite expensive. For all my other tools I use craftsman professional (snap-on clone for half the price). Working in a shop while I was in college I used snap-on and I like the smooth polished surface and the torque wrenches are well-built and robust
12-07-2002, 04:19 PM
#4
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,956
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I haven't done much work on cars... but as a motorcycle/small engine mechanic I've never had need for a 1/2" torque wrench. I did buy a 1/4" torqu wrench though (and it's possible that a 1/2" is needed, I've yet to get into anything serious with my P-car).
Also, remember that the top and bottom 10% of the range will not be accurate or useable. So a 5-75 ft/lb range torque wrench is really only good for ~6-66 ft/lbs while retaining any accuracy.
As for what to buy, I have $nap-on and love that they'll recalibrate them for free anytime I need (of corse, now that I'm not a professional wrench, I have to track down someone with a service truck). I started with a Craftsman and had that recalibrated a couple times through Sears (no warentee, but they're good with parts/service). This is one of those rare times where spending the extra coin will gain substantial benefits.
<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />
Also, remember that the top and bottom 10% of the range will not be accurate or useable. So a 5-75 ft/lb range torque wrench is really only good for ~6-66 ft/lbs while retaining any accuracy.
As for what to buy, I have $nap-on and love that they'll recalibrate them for free anytime I need (of corse, now that I'm not a professional wrench, I have to track down someone with a service truck). I started with a Craftsman and had that recalibrated a couple times through Sears (no warentee, but they're good with parts/service). This is one of those rare times where spending the extra coin will gain substantial benefits.
<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />
12-07-2002, 07:56 PM
#5
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Gloucester, Virginia
Posts: 1,488
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
I had my Craftsman torque wrench break recently, after about 3 years of use. I was surprised and disappointed that it doesn't have the "lifetime" warranty that other Craftsman tools are supposed to have, in fact it only had a 90 day warranty! <img src="graemlins/cussing.gif" border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" /> Even the "professional" grade Craftsman wrenches, which are about $200 for the 1/2 inch drive ones, only have a two year warranty IIRC.
I ended up getting a 1/2" drive, 30-150 ft-lb wrench from Griots Garage (www.griotsgarage.com). It cost $175, is guaranteed for life, and they have a free lifetime testing service for calibration.
I ended up getting a 1/2" drive, 30-150 ft-lb wrench from Griots Garage (www.griotsgarage.com). It cost $175, is guaranteed for life, and they have a free lifetime testing service for calibration.
12-08-2002, 12:39 AM
#6
Rennlist Member
Went through 3 Uncraftsmans and then bought a Mac. It's a decent wrench and they can be found on Ebay. There's another German wrench, name escapes me, that has an unusual feature. You take the head piece out and reverse sides to use for opposite torque.
Alan
Alan
Trending Topics
12-08-2002, 08:12 AM
#8
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
<a href="http://www.snapon.com" target="_blank">www.snapon.com</a> allows direct ordering.
Stahlwille is the German wrench, kind of expensive.
I have a 3/8, 1/2 and 3/4 Snap-on and have apppreciated them since purchase. The big one is for the centerlock nuts on the rear suspension.
Stahlwille is the German wrench, kind of expensive.
I have a 3/8, 1/2 and 3/4 Snap-on and have apppreciated them since purchase. The big one is for the centerlock nuts on the rear suspension.
12-08-2002, 02:56 PM
#12
Drifting
I have several, which range from 30 inch pounds to 250 foot pounds. The brands mentioned are all good but they cost a lot new. Get a 3/8" drive that goes to 75/100 foot pounds, and a 1/2" drive that goes to 150 foot pounds.
For a DIYer Craftsman or Huskey are fine. I like Huskey better as it has a metal sleeve you pull down to adjust the torque. Sears on the microtork has a ring that you twist to lock the torque - just like an old snap-on - but on the Sears it is made a plastic and it breaks.
Jeff
For a DIYer Craftsman or Huskey are fine. I like Huskey better as it has a metal sleeve you pull down to adjust the torque. Sears on the microtork has a ring that you twist to lock the torque - just like an old snap-on - but on the Sears it is made a plastic and it breaks.
Jeff
