Res Ips

I need a good torque wrench either 3/8 or 1/2 socket. Any recommendations?

TT Surgeon

Sears craftman, nice 1/2" clicking model on sale 67$, also the large 1/2" model/ super duty great for tires 139$ ( I just bought that one, nice peice).

leedav

Get one with the longest handle you can find. I was changing the shocks on my truck the other day and had to do 100 lb.ft at a weird angle while lying underneath. Size matters! (oh, and you probably need a short 3/8 drive one for close quarters). Remember, you can never have too much money or HP or too many tools!

TallCoolOne

Ditto on the Craftsman!!! And the handle is pretty long. I bought both the 1/2 and 3/8 drive but i have used the 1/2 drive most of the time because of the longer reach. Besides you can't beat the warranty. If you use it alot get it recalibrated every couple of years or just buy a new one.

Loren

I have a Sears Craftsman that I use just for wheels (about $69) and I have a Proto Professional that I use just just for engine parts (about $500 at todays prices).

StanSoph

Make sure after you use it to Zero it out. It saves the springs. I think everyone here is correct on the long 1/2 in and the shorter 3/8 in. Both will come in handy. Sears is as good as any, plus there is Sears everywhere if you break it. I have Snap-On, lb/in in 1/4 drive that comes in handy sometimes, but the major use is on aircraft, probably use it once in a blue moon on cars. Mostly for spark plugs. I think one of the things about using a torque wrench on a lot of things is that I have tended to make things King Kong tight but if you check the spec. it is not as tight as I made it. That sentence didn't make a lot of sense. I overtightened a lot of stuff. That's better.Enjoy your new toys.

MJM

Home Depot has a "Husky" model that is quite nice as well (I own 2 myself).

Matt

Res Ips

Went over to Sears and checked out a a couple. The Sears digi-torque...$130.00 for 1/2 looks pretty cool and about 22 inches long I think. Anyone used that one? Then went over to Home Depot and wanted to see the Husky that Matt mentioned but they were sold out.

Boston Duce

As a general rule 1/4" torque wrenches are usually in Inch/pounds. As Stan said, not much use in automotive applications. A 3/8" drive wil go up to maybe 80-90 foot/ pounds. This will do most of the 10-15 mm fasteners. A 1/2" drive will go to 150 foot/ pounds, good for lug nuts and caliper brackets and other 17mm+ fasteners.

You will most likely need both 3/8" drive and 1/2" drive for cars. IMO a click-type wrench is the only way to go, no dial to squint at, no batteries to leak or die when you need it most.

Try to avoid using the first 10% and last 10% of the wrench's range (don't use an 80 ft/lb wrench to tighten a lug nut with an 80 ft/lb rating for example). Their accuracy falls off, especially in the price range mentioned in this thread.

Also, if you drop anything but a 'beam' torque wrench (the cheapest versions) they're calibration is most likely been compromised.

Be careful using an unknown or beat up torque wrench for critical assemblies... if you have to vent-throw a nice box wrench instead.

Regards,
BD

Fred R. C4S

FWIW

Perhaps things have changed in the 20 years since I last purchased a Sear Craftsman Torque Wrench. You might want to check the fine print as I don't believe the Craftsman "Lifetime Warranty" applies to their torque wrenches. I had the head mechanism fail on mine and was told that the lifetime warranty didn't apply to torque wrenches. So I spent a few more bucks and bought a CAT branded Snap-on from my local Caterpillar dealer and got a far better tool WITH a warranty.

YMMV

Cheers,

STRSHP

Did the craftman thing. It was broken (mysteriously) one day at the track by a borrower. Took it back to Sears and was told no warranty since I did not bring it back once a year for calibration!!?? Followed the Snap On truck one day and got a real nice 1/2" drive 0 - 110ft lbs for around $125. As recommended, zero it out each time you use it. Since I use it mostly for tires, I am thinking the 3/8" drive that goes to 150 ft lbs would have been a better choice.

leedav

Craftsman tools are not what they were years ago. The mechanisms in the ratchets are cheapo and break easily. Power tools have bearings intended for 10 uses per lifetime (occasional homeowner use).

I also avoid stuff like Harbor Freight, after a fitting wrench exploded in my face while I was trying to remove a fitting on the old RX7.

Snap on tools are very good IMO

RobynC

I think if you are an occasional wrench turner like me, the Craftsman is just fine. I've used mine like three times in the two years I've had it. However, if you are going to be trading wheels (for track purposes) regularly, I would consider something a bit more "industrial" like Snap On.

Electric Lizard

I bought a Snap-On 3/8" ratcheting torque wrench for $40 at a local pawn shop. It works great.

Fast40th

Has anyboby considered/has/loves/hates the Craftsman Torque Measurement System, i.e. a gizmo to convert your ratchet wrench into an electronic hand torque wrench?
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...ab=des#tablink

TIA