Decent 500+ ft/lb torque wrench

[Sumboodie]

Occasional use. No desire to spend several hundred on a name brand, might use it a few times a year. Mostly on lug nuts.

1" or 3/4" drive, I have ayedapters.

Looking at a few the Amazonians have for around $125-150....

Potoge 3/4 inch drive click torque wrench, dual direction precision torque wrench within 150-700 ft.lb/200-1000 n.m, 48-tooth heavy duty torque wrench tool for vehicles tire repair.

129.99

 

[dchawk81]

I have an AME breakaway that I use on my semi. It seems decent.

 

[Callelle]

May or may not be true but $100-150 and decent 3/4" - 1" torque wrench don't really go together, at least in my book it doesn't. Look on market place for used, I recently picked up a Snap On 3/4" split beam, with an extra breaker bar handle for $300.

 

[Sumboodie]

Needs to be a clicker. Split beam is useless when by myself and standing on the end about to blow a vein tightening a bolt.

 

[dchawk81]

Needs to be a clicker. Split beam is useless when by myself and standing on the end about to blow a vein tightening a bolt.

Wait how is split beam useless? That's specifically when it's best. You don't need to hear a click, it simply gives.

It's like 5 feet long so you don't have to stand on it.

 

[dnschmidt]

Gonna be a tough find. My wholesale price on an Eclatorq digital is $375, and Eclatorq gives me hot smokin' deals. My wholesale price on a TOPTUL clicker is $275. I have to double those prices to make a buck when one considers tariffs, duties, freight and freight forwarding fees. My recommendation is to get an Astro THOR and blast away if the torque values are that high.

 

[dchawk81]

Gonna be a tough find. My wholesale price on an Eclatorq digital is $375, and Eclatorq gives me hot smokin' deals. My wholesale price on a TOPTUL clicker is $275. I have to double those prices to make a buck when one considers tariffs, duties, freight and freight forwarding fees. My recommendation is to get an Astro THOR and blast away if the torque values are that high.

Yeah I paid 500 for my AME. I bought it mostly so I knew I could take my wheels back off with my Milwaukee. Otherwise I'd get a torque stick and hammer down.

 

[Sumboodie]

Gonna be a tough find. My wholesale price on an Eclatorq digital is $375, and Eclatorq gives me hot smokin' deals. My wholesale price on a TOPTUL clicker is $275. I have to double those prices to make a buck when one considers tariffs, duties, freight and freight forwarding fees. My recommendation is to get an Astro THOR and blast away if the torque values are that high.

It's just std lug nuts torque

 

[cgrutt]

Would a torque adapter work?

This is one sold by HF but I'm sure there are others.

 

[Firebrick43]

Why not just use a 3:1 or 4:1 torque multiplier and a standard 1/2” drive torque wrench? Plus you can break lug nuts free easy with them so you don’t have to have the big 3/4” cordless but just a 1/2 to be basically a nut runner

 

[Wrench97]

It's just std lug nuts torque

Standard lug nuts on a semi? 450-500 lb ft?

 

[Sumboodie]

Yes. And other things needing high torque that 20 seconds of ugga duggas isn't accurate enough.

Only have 2 truck with 22.5s so pretty rarely to need.

What got me looking was bolting 60k lunette on a trailer. Info said 300ft lbs. I gave it all my M18 gun had. Buddy said that's probably WAY too tight, it can do like 700 ft lbs... dunno, but makes me nervous now. 25k tilt deck trailer.

 

[dchawk81]

Yes. And other things needing high torque that 20 seconds of ugga duggas isn't accurate enough.

Only have 2 truck with 22.5s so pretty rarely to need.

What got me looking was bolting 60k lunette on a trailer. Info said 300ft lbs. I gave it all my M18 gun had. Buddy said that's probably WAY too tight, it can do like 700 ft lbs... dunno, but makes me nervous now. 25k tilt deck trailer.

Spend more than $150.

 

[Wrench97]

Neiko Pro is decent and you can get replacement parts for it> https://www.amazon.com/03710B-4-Inc...oot-Pound/dp/B0017JZ846/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[KnurledNut]

Why not just use a 3:1 or 4:1 torque multiplier and a standard 1/2” drive torque wrench?

Because they cost as much or more than a torque wrench.
And its much more cumbersome/time-consuming to brace the reaction arm for every single lug nut as well as using another drive tool.

Plus you can break lug nuts free east with them so you don’t have to have the big 3/4” cordless but just a 1/2 to be basically a nut runner

Impact wrench on a torque multiplier is a no-no.

 

[Firebrick43]

Because they cost as much or more than a torque wrench.
And its much more cumbersome/time-consuming to brace

I never thought it was that bad compared to a large torque wrench, and extension, and another guy holding a handyman jack under the extension.

Impact wrench on a torque multiplier is a no-no.

Which is why I said “just a 1/2 to be basically a nut runner” Why would you run nuts through a multiplier?

 

[KnurledNut]

I never thought it was that bad compared to a large torque wrench, and extension, and another guy holding a handyman jack under the extension.

Which is why I said “just a 1/2 to be basically a nut runner” Why would you run nuts through a multiplier?

I was confused by the mention of cordless.

 

[KnurledNut]

I held out and got a second-hand USA-made 3/4” 100-600 clicker at a good price. Just personal preference over buying a new import brand.

 

[bigfunwmu]

Anybody put hands on the Icon 3/4" 600ftlb torque wrench? Looks a lot like the CDI one.

3/4 in. Drive, 100-600 ft. lb. Professional Click Torque Wrench

Amazing deals on this 3/4In Dr Click Type Pro Torque Wrench at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Or... you could pick up a torque multiplier. OTC 7367 takes 1/2" input to 3/4" output and 3.3:1 -6% torque increase. Lets you use your 250 ftlb torque wrench to get up to 775 ftlb at the fastener.

The snap-on we have at work does nice, only downside is the ratchet is pretty coarse.

The CDI 6004MFRMH can be had with a 36 tooth head for about $600 if you shop around. Same thing as the Snap-on one just a different ratchet head, probably the same 36 tooth one we have at the shop.

 

[Sumboodie]

M

Or... you could pick up a torque multiplier. OTC 7367 takes 1/2" input to 3/4" output and 3.3:1 -6% torque increase. Lets you use your 250 ftlb torque wrench to get up to 775 ftlb at the fastener.

The snap-on we have at work does nice, only downside is the ratchet is pretty coarse.

The CDI 6004MFRMH can be had with a 36 tooth head for about $600 if you shop around. Same thing as the Snap-on one just a different ratchet head, probably the same 36 tooth one we have at the shop.

None of that has to do with what I asked. Not spending $350 and certainly not $600

 

[Mgdoug3]

When I'm driving a loaded semi down the road, the last thing I want to do is trust the cheapest torque wrench I could find. I have a Precision Instrument split beam that's around 40" long and made a breaker bar attachment to go along with it. I spent around $350 for it pre-covid. I'm not sure why you say a split beam is worthless when it's the same length as a clicker and have the potential to be a breaker bar which a clicker can't do.

If you lose a wheel or damage a rim, cheaping out on a torque wrench won't seem so cheap.

 

[dchawk81]

When I'm driving a loaded semi down the road, the last thing I want to do is trust the cheapest torque wrench I could find. I have a Precision Instrument split beam that's around 40" long and made a breaker bar attachment to go along with it. I spent around $350 for it pre-covid. I'm not sure why you say a split beam is worthless when it's the same length as a clicker and have the potential to be a breaker bar which a clicker can't do.

If you lose a wheel or damage a rim, taking out a van full of nuns chaperoning a van full of cheerleaders holding boxes full of puppies, cheaping out on a torque wrench won't seem so cheap.

Fixed.

 

[dnschmidt]

Seems to me that the best solution so far has been offered by Cgrutt. Cheap price and you can use whatever 3/4" drive stuff you've got with it. Accuracy should be no issue as it's a strain gauge instrument which by nature is quite accurate. Certainly better than any clicker.

 

[msharley]

Variety of good used 3/4" drive torque wrenches on fleabay right now...from $125 to $350....

 

[Sumboodie]

Needs to be a clicker. Split beam is useless when by myself and standing on the end about to blow a vein tightening a bolt.

Just wanted to mention I had a big snap on 1" that I gave away. Was a dial. 6ft long. Needed 2 people as you couldn't even see the dial while at the end of the handle

 

[Sumboodie]

Would a torque adapter work?

This is one sold by HF but I'm sure there are others.

Looked at them. I'd need to buy a 3/4" ratchet too. I only have 3/4" and 1" impacts, have never needed a ratchet, even on heavy equipment.

 

[Mgdoug3]

A split beam isn't the same as a dial.

 

[Sumboodie]

Variety of good used 3/4" drive torque wrenches on fleabay right now...from $125 to $350....

I haven't seen any with reasonable shipping. Most want $65-100 or won't ship.

 

[Sumboodie]

A split beam isn't the same as a dial.

I know, but still hard to watch the pointer.

 

[Mgdoug3]

You don't watch the dial after you set it. It clicks just like a clicker.

 

[Sumboodie]

You don't watch the dial after you set it. It clicks just like a clicker.

Never heard of that. Huh.

 

[Mgdoug3]

I provided some pictures. Since the 3/4" torque is 3 pieces, you can rotate the center piece to tighten right handed or left handed threads. On a regular split beam, you can only tighten right hand thread bolts/nuts. In the second picture, you can see the knob and dial. Flip the switch up, turn the knob to your desired torque (always start below your torque value and go up), close lid and then use it just like a clicker. The nice thing is that once you're done, you don't have to reset the knob back to its lowest torque setting and it's quicker to set than a clicker style.

 

[Firebrick43]

Just wanted to mention I had a big snap on 1" that I gave away. Was a dial. 6ft long. Needed 2 people as you couldn't even see the dial while at the end of the handle

Are you thinking of a deflecting beam torque wrench with an arched scale and a pointer?

 

[Sumboodie]

Are you thinking of a deflecting beam torque wrench with an arched scale and a pointer?

No, dial.

 

[dchawk81]

I know, but still hard to watch the pointer.

With a breaker there's nothing to watch. You pull until it gives.

 

[dchawk81]

This is what I have:

AME Break-A-Way Torque Wrench - 1" Drive - Reversable (200-750 ft/lbs), Silver https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XTQX939?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[tool_scrounge]

Buy a used Proto J6020 or 6020 3/4”. Goes up to 500 or 600 ft-lbs depending on the variation, clicker type, US made, has a ratcheting head. There are many complete sales or auctions for them on EBay in the $150-$200 range. So you should be able to find one in that range with some patience. I have one that has the non-ratcheting head. I believe it was $50 with case. It is built like an absolute tank.

 

[Retired dozer fixer]

None of that has to do with what I asked. Not spending $350 and certainly not $600

Unless you find a used one in a pawn shop what you are asking isn’t going to happen. You have to pay to play in the big leagues. If you can afford big trucks then you can afford the tools to fix them. Get over it and go to harbor freight and get a cheap *** piece of ****. Do you take care of your trucks like you don’t want to spend anything on tools?

 

[jsmeece]

I should say there used to be good deals on E-bay, not sure anymore since inflation. Prices on some UAS made tools have went up drastically. Several years ago I was able to get a brand new (open box) Armstrong 3/4 drive torque wrench (64-095) 100 to 600 pound for $200. Deals are out there but not like they used to be.

 

[cannuck]

3 solutions

When needed in a pinch I have always just used a piece of flat bar and welded a 1/2" impact socket to one end and 3/4 or 1" short extension on other. Just calculate the length and use it for a torque multiplier. Easy to make in the field.

When you learn enough about fasteners and tools, you will realize that the accuracy of an HF (or in Canada PA) torque wrench is perfectly adequate. Durability might not be as good, but with Sumboodie's limited use it will probably outlast trucks and driver.

Finally: If you look in my shop you will find a US made 600 lb/ft clicker - bought at action for about $100 bux long ago. IMHO the best option.