RyanPerrella

Seems everyone uses the click type torque wrenches. I like those but the thing i really trust is the Snap-On Torq o meter wrenches with the analog dial that looks like a clock face and lights up when your at the desired setting. Curiously I dont see to many other people using these. Ive heard from old school Ferrari engine builders that they use these and only these on engine assembly.

Curious if anyone else uses these wrenches?

the flyin' scotsman

I have 2 Snap On torque wrenches...........click type. Had them since '83-'84............calibrated every year when I was managing a quality lab.......perfect every time.

The analog type, I've heard, are supposed to be more repeatebly accurate..........I just find the click type easier to work.

Imo000

They are probably really expensive and thats the reason noone has it. The click type are more than sufficinet, so thereis no real need for anything more advanced.

Fogey1

I like the beam and pointer wrenches. Very old school and if they get out of adjustment you can see it.

JHowell37

Snap-on torque wrench: probably $800. Craftsman torque wrench: about $60. I'll be the first to admit that Snap-on is some great stuff but their prices are unrealistic for the average shade-tree.

ZEUS+

I started out using the beam also, thats all we had. I've been using the same mac click for over 20 yrs with no problems just periodic calibration. I have a 1/4" beam for trans and diff work.

SharkSkin

I can't even begin to count the number of times I've had to torque something down and it would have been much harder if I had to watch a dial. A dial that lights up at the set torque is a good way to mitigate that issue I suppose, but also standing around in a white coat working on engines on stands is a lot different than laying on your back trying to torque crossmember or CV joint bolts. A torque wrench in a DIY shop has to be able to withstand getting kicked around a bit on the floor with other tools, and I prefer the click-type for this.

RyanPerrella

OK OK so none of you can appreciate the Torq o meter wrench! LOL

I thought they were somethign crazy like $800 but they are actually reasonable in the Snap On world. One like mine without a light is $260 or so and with the light feature is $330. I think i paid $100 a couple years ago off Ebay. They are a nice too to show off in the tool box though, not many people have ever seen them.

I agree i typically use the cheap click torque wrench i got at harbor freight for $12 or something crazy, i used that for most the bolts on the underside of the car. But i like this Snap on on for all my engine fasteners which are right in front of me obviously when your working with an engine on a stand.

SharkSkin

Well, I for one didn't like the look or feel of the HF torque wrenches. Mine are all Snap-On, ebay cheap but checked out by the Snap-On guy. If you don't need the certificate and are OK with just having him tell you how close it is, the price can be quite reasonable -- I got away with getting all three wrenches checked in return for grabbing the guy lunch while he did it.

1slo928

I don't like the Snap On the calibration on Protos is much better. Proto is owned by stanley who also owns Mac. Alot of tools are not that good from snap on and there are better ones avalible there chisles and punches suck. Snap on does make alot of good stuff but not all the best. The best Snap on tool out there is there tool box drawer removal tool(thin piece of metal used to unlock there tool box drawer of its track) it's cheep and works great for installing trans clutch pack seals. this is a little trick of the trade.

Chris

blown 87

I use one like that for things like valve bodys and such, goes up to 25 inch/pounds.
I have three types of Snap-On torque wrenches, the dial type, the click type and the digital, they all have there uses.
They are not as hard to use as some have said.

Mike Frye

Snap-on is great if someone wants to get it for me as a gift . I think they're the best, but I can't afford to buy them for myself.
I buy Craftsman or SK for the lifetime warranty, but can't justify the fancy Snap-on logo.

928FIXER

I have 4 of the old torq o meters that I use all the time and 1 newer style snap on that has a digital readout and vibrates when you get to the desired setting.I like the way that you can watch the needle and slowly creep up to the desired tork setting that you want especially on the inch pound units.

1slo928

Trying to find a snap on man in the middle of a goob when your tool breaks stinks I like Craftsman just for the fact I can take them back at any time be careful though I have had them try to slip me a sears tool instead they arn't garunteed and they wont replace them when they break. Harrbor freight torque wrenches are great for breaking stuff loose I wouldn't trust them for engine assembly. If you rarely use your torque wrench calibration is not much of an issue but if you use it alot it's best to get it calibrated. the cicking ones are nice but the beam and pointer ones are better because when the clickers go bad you might not realize how far you are off.

Dave H.

more like $180-300. i've never seen an $800 Snap-on torque wrench.

i have 3 Snap-ons, 50-200 in-lbs, 200-1000 in-lbs, 50-250 ft-lbs. i wouldn't give them up.

besides, Craftsman doesn't warranty their torque wrenches...