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gearwrench or CDI 3/8 torque wrench

Yankee

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Dec 23, 2012
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Midwest
Looking at getting a 3/8 torque wrench. I already have the 1/4 inch Gearwrench but saw on Amazon that I can get a CDI for only $10 more ($98 vs $108)

I'm looking at getting the 10-100ft lbs size. My main use will be head bolts on my Yamaha YZ250f. They need to be torqued at 27ft lbs.

Which leads me to my question... Since it's toward the lower side of the scale, which would be better to get? I've read some reviews that the Gearwrench on the lower end of the scale it's hard to hear and feel the "click" 'wonder if the CDI is maybe a better quailty and would work better at the lower end?

I've read the the Gearwrench is the same as the Matco, Armstrong so maybe there isn't that big of a difference in quality... I'm leaning to the Gearwrench simply since I've had good luck with my 1/4 inch, but with the price so close, didn't know if the CDI was a no brainer to get...:dunno:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002LA19P2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000TDEFR2/?tag=atomicindus08-20
 
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GW may be a great torque wrench, I have no experience with it, but CDI is known to be a great one. For 10.00 more, seems like a no brainer.
 

ihateminimumwage

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If you decide to go with the Apex torque wrench (Armstrong/Gearwrench/Matco/Husky), I'd go with the Husky version for $75 (Husky H3DTW)
 

BajaBound

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No experience with either but precision instrument is some of the best tool money I have ever spent.
 

classicJackets

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If you decide to go with the Apex torque wrench (Armstrong/Gearwrench/Matco/Husky), I'd go with the Husky version for $75 (Husky H3DTW)

This is what I got. Has worked well so far for me. $75 and a lifetime warranty is pretty good, although I don't know how good HD's exchange policy is.
 

Red996

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Dec 2, 2014
Messages
25
From personal experience... cdi.

CDI makes snap-on click style torque wrenches. I'm also told they make the electronic torque wrenches for snap-on and cornwell. The cdi torque wrench has a more precision feel and a better locking mechanism. KD is gearwrench, matco, and craftsman. It does have a harder "click" but a lower quality feel. I own the 1/2" versions of both of those and the KD is basically my crappy one that I use just for lug nuts. Really either one will work fine but if it's between the two.
 
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nicksnothereman

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In the Mojave
Looking at getting a 3/8 torque wrench. I already have the 1/4 inch Gearwrench but saw on Amazon that I can get a CDI for only $10 more ($98 vs $108)

I'm looking at getting the 10-100ft lbs size. My main use will be head bolts on my Yamaha YZ250f. They need to be torqued at 27ft lbs.

Which leads me to my question... Since it's toward the lower side of the scale, which would be better to get? I've read some reviews that the Gearwrench on the lower end of the scale it's hard to hear and feel the "click" 'wonder if the CDI is maybe a better quailty and would work better at the lower end?

I've read the the Gearwrench is the same as the Matco, Armstrong so maybe there isn't that big of a difference in quality... I'm leaning to the Gearwrench simply since I've had good luck with my 1/4 inch, but with the price so close, didn't know if the CDI was a no brainer to get...:dunno:

Don't bother with the 3/8. My opinion; value in the range would mean less accurate. Maybe get a split beam or regular beam if you feel the need? Your 1/4 should be fine.
 
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PureLeaf

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1989.. Would you consider a 25 year old torque wrench to be accurate? or would it be better to buy it, and send it straight off to calibration? Seems like a long time for those internal springs etc to be sitting and stretching.
 

SMKS

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1989.. Would you consider a 25 year old torque wrench to be accurate? or would it be better to buy it, and send it straight off to calibration? Seems like a long time for those internal springs etc to be sitting and stretching.

They've been stored all those years at the proper, lowest setting. That is, unless someone adjusted it over the years and didn't put it back to the lowest setting.

I checked mine with my torque adapter and it's plenty accurate and repeatable. It seems all those years in storage didn't hurt anything on my wrench.
 
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ishiboo

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1989.. Would you consider a 25 year old torque wrench to be accurate? or would it be better to buy it, and send it straight off to calibration? Seems like a long time for those internal springs etc to be sitting and stretching.

I would probably pass on it, but if I bought it I'd immediately take it in for calibration.
 

mechanical turk

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JUNK-MAN

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CDI is the better option, plus they are USA made, and I think they have a lifetime warranty. Also is owned by Snap-On so almost equal.
 

JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN

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CDI is the better option, plus they are USA made, and I think they have a lifetime warranty. Also is owned by Snap-On so almost equal.

Gearwrench's are made in the USA too, like I said in my previous post I have not had any experience with CDI but have with the gearwrench and it's a nice tool. The handle comfort is the only downfall IMO, but that being said CDI would be my choice for $10 more, seeing as they make Snapon's TQ wrenches.
 

Jarhead0408

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Who knows?
Good catch.

Not coming out and saying they are ripping people off.......but buyer beware.

If they are doing it purposefully, that's a shame.
 

wild cowboy

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CDI is the better option, plus they are USA made, and I think they have a lifetime warranty. Also is owned by Snap-On so almost equal.
CDI is NOT a better option than Precision Instruments (the company that made most Snap-On torque wrenches over the last 60 years)

Snap-On bought CDI because the price of Precision Instrument's quality was getting so high that after the large Snap-On markup, the torque wrenches would have been too expensive for most techs to afford.

CDI is a good torque wrench, but it's no P.I.

Precision Instruments torque wrenches have always been made in USA
 
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bob15

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CDI is NOT a better option than Precision Instruments (the company that made most Snap-On torque wrenches over the last 60 years)

Snap-On bought CDI because the price of Precision Instrument's quality was getting so high that after the large Snap-On markup, the torque wrenches would have been too expensive for most techs to afford.

CDI is a good torque wrench, but it's no P.I.

Precision Instruments torque wrenches have always been made in USA

Have any proof to back-up what you're saying. Do you do calibrations of torque wrenches to show a difference between companies? How is CDI/Snap On inferior, beside you saying it? Let's see cal numbers to back you up.
 
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Y

Yankee

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Quote:
Originally Posted by Yankee View Post
Is this for real????


http://www.amazon.com/CDI-75-lb-Micr...+torque+wrench



Yankee,, If you aren't earning a commission on that ad,,, I'll just have to Thank You and e-mail you a beer for posting it.. I have one coming to fill a vacated spot in my torque wrench drawer..


Glad to be of help. I've been debating for 2 days if I should get it..... couldn't pull the trigger... If they could be that old I would always doubt the accuracy. And if you doubt the tool, why have it.... I ended up getting this

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002L9Z27E/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Was a little more than the 10-100ft lbs, but since most of my work is less than 50ft lbs, this was a better fit. Thanks all for your help, it really helped. I know I'll be able to use it with confidence. :thumbup:
 

the1nonlyjl

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CDI is NOT a better option than Precision Instruments (the company that made most Snap-On torque wrenches over the last 60 years)

Snap-On bought CDI because the price of Precision Instrument's quality was getting so high that after the large Snap-On markup, the torque wrenches would have been too expensive for most techs to afford.

CDI is a good torque wrench, but it's no P.I.

Precision Instruments torque wrenches have always been made in USA


Precision doesn't have reverse/forward


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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Y

Yankee

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Midwest
Well it came today. I have to say I'm very pleased with the quality of construction. Not saying I don't like my 1/4 Gearwrench, but the CDI appears to be in another class of its own. No brainer it's worth the extra $10.
 

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