Tom M'Guinn

My 10 year old Snap-On digital torque wrench seems to have died. It turns on, and has new batteries, but goes haywire when torque is applied.

I may see about getting it repaired, but in the meantime I'd like to get an accurate (longer-lasting) torque wrench for "daily driver" use. I have old craftsmen click and beam style wrenches that are filling in for now, but looking for a quality new digital one... What's good these days?

gpr8er

FWIW I bought a Craftsman 1/2 drive digital and right out of the box it was haywire. Probably got a lemon. Readout would scroll around and I would have no idea what was what. Took it right back for a refund.
Bought a Harbor Freight cheapo and had my machine shop check it and it was within 2 lbs. Not bad..
Not claiming that it's the best option, just sayin.

refresh951

+1

Had the exact same experience with the Craftsman. Went to HF and have built a few motors with it

Tom - Is not the SnapOn a lifetime warranty?

xtaC

It's funny you should mention it, but my techwrenches have been doing the same thing lately.

URG8RB8

You can borrow mine if you wish, be home Friday night.

Voith

http://www.uniortools.com/cgi-bin/cm...10790&cat=2451

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUtlFNPPlVU#t=36

harveyf

The "best" torque wrench is a personal decision. I do remember one of the car magazines (probably Hot Rod if I recall) did a comparison test on accuracy. You might be able to find it. I tend to steer clear of the digital stuff just because of the fear of random failures with the electronics. And I like clickers because I don't have to have my eyes on the readout.

My 15 year old Craftsman clicker also failed recently. I considered that good service but after some looking I went with a Proto clicker. 250# 1/2" drive. It is a very solid item. Heavy. My only beef is that the numbering is etched but not contrasting so hard for old eyes to read. I plan to fix that with some judicious application of paint. I bought it from Enco (www-use-enco.com). Retail is a little pricey but if you get on their email list they have 20% off and free shipping offers all the time and occasionally 30% off.

Voith

+1 on clickers.

But, there is huge difference between good quality items (that cost in the $200+ range) and generic multi brand chinese wrenches which are extremely inaccurate at low torque settings and often strip small bolts.

Chinese ones look and are packed like this:

fiily

TEKTON 24340 25" Long Dual Range 1/2" Drive 25-250 Ft.-Lbs. Torque Wrench

Nice quality clicker, and works great to torque the crank bolt @ 155#'s with plenty of headroom to spare

V2Rocket

I have Harbor freight 3/8 and 1/2 drive torque wrenches.
About $10/ea with the coupon

They have not let me down on countless 944 belt/water pump/head gasket/etc jobs.
And, on the occasion I forget to bring one to a job, I can afford to buy another one on the spot

black944 turbo

I have a husky that I bought recently and really like. It is not digital, but does have a locking collar and goes up to 250 ft/lbs.

porschedog

Ok, if you guys can admit it. so can I. My name is Bill; I have a Harbor Freight Torque Wrench. It works and is 99% as accurate as my neighbor's foo-foo Snap On.

Gofishracing

Stahlwille = love
http://stahlwille.com/

beamishnz

I have 4 Teng Tool torque wrenches which are the clicker type.

There is a wide range of torque specs on our cars and off hand I recollect a 245nm toque requirement on spring plate in the rear suspension.

The smallest 2 are 3/8" and the big ones are 1/2" drive. I've never tested/calibrated them but they come with test certification. they are rated at =/- 3% My understanding is that they are most accurate in their mid range. The click can be hard to hear/feel at their lowest range. It is good practice to get them to click a couple of times before you use them if they have not been used for a while. The ones I use are 5-25nm; 20-100nm; 40- 210nm and 70-350nm. The other tip is to always loosen them off when not in use otherwise the sping weakens and they become inaccurate.

They vary in length and the 350nm one is a huge (630mm) and the 5-20nm one is around 200mm so I generally use the smallest one that suits the job.

Hope that helps

fiily

I have a 1/4' and 3/8" version of the HF tq. wrenches too and are great for the price, I just spent a bit more to get higher torque wrench for the crank bolt as I never want that bolt to back out and cause a disaster.

I also use my tekton 1/2" model to tighten lugs, mower blades. Great feel and quality IMO.