Advice on buying used TechAngle torque wrench

[67King]

I've always been a click wrench type of guy, but I have soured on them a little based on my USA made Gear Wrench 1/4" drive one (intermittently works, and I broke an M6 bolt in a turbo I've been having issues trying to solve an oil leak on). I'll be building up the engine in my GTO, which is numbers matching, but going to be a lot hotter, so I'm wanting to be sure I have the most precise tools I can. Looked at the CDI version which is $450 new. There are used Snappy's all over ebay with a very wide range of prices. I've read here about people getting really good deals on them, and then paying Snap-On $80 to calibrate, which usually includes a handle replacement. It also seems that the best way to have them calibrated is through Snap-On, and it is a lot less expensive to have them do a Snap-On one than another brand.

Anyway, in looking at all of these things, I don't really know how to tell one from another, but their prices are all over the map. Anyone have any pointers in telling me what to look for in these things? Doesn't look like they pop up on the classifieds board very often.

 

[reptilezs]

the kobalt is a nice taiwan digital wrench. used by the brands like mac or carlyle

 

[nafterclifen]

Have you considered calibrating it yourself?

 

[deluser-u]

anyway, in looking at all of these things, I don't really know how to tell one from another, but their prices are all over the map. Anyone have any pointers in telling me what to look for in these things? Doesn't look like they pop up on the classifieds board very often.

When buying used Snap-on I try to get the newest model possible by looking for whatever they are currently selling in the catalog. Newer models will generally have a longer parts availability time.

On eBay the only real thing to do is really go over the pictures and look for any signs of hard use. Torque wrenchs should be treated with great care so, I would be looking for one that looks almost brand new. Maybe a little dirty, but it should not have too much wear on the hanndle/branding.

 

[Jeepermike]

GJ classifieds I have one for sale https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7318185#post7318185

 

[Evan(CA)]

I can get you a brand new one for 16.25% off list shipped to your door but I'd look for a used older model. I have the original and it still works like the day I bought it. Checked it this year on the truck and it was dead on. The newer ones have a couple more fancy gimmicks but for triple the cost of a used older model it's not worth it IMO.

 

[67King]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. Seems the prior generation (grey handle with four buttons) go in the neighborhood of $250, and the newer ones are generally in the neighborhood of $350. Hadn't realized until this thread the difference, as they use the same part number, except for the suffix. That explains a lot of the difference.

 

[L.Cheapo]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. Seems the prior generation (grey handle with four buttons) go in the neighborhood of $250, and the newer ones are generally in the neighborhood of $350. Hadn't realized until this thread the difference, as they use the same part number, except for the suffix. That explains a lot of the difference.

I wouldn't pay anywhere near those numbers for used.

A new 1/4" Techangle is $485 list. They go on promo often for around $435. That's about the same as the $350 used one plus a calibration. You could probably get one for a bit less from a dealer if you have cash.

Suffixes on Snap-on part number often indicate changes in production. They usually go in order from nothing to A to B to C and so on.

 

[Wamsutta]

There's no point in getting a TechAngle unless you're going to do angles.

 

[67King]

I need a 1/2" one for main caps, head bolts, etc. They list for $610.

My Porsches all use angles (which is kind of weird, as they are not TTY, but non-yielding makes the angle even more critical than yielding).

 

[FSrepair&fabrication]

I have a 3/8 tech angle that was company provided, so i didnt have to pay for it, but I think its the biggest pos ever made. Always shutting down halfway thru tightening a bolt, batteries drain really quickly. Ive switched back to armstrong clicker style and havent looked back. Snap on makes some nice stuff but this is not one of them.

 

[LXCam]

I have a 3/8 tech angle that was company provided, so i didnt have to pay for it, but I think its the biggest pos ever made. Always shutting down halfway thru tightening a bolt, batteries drain really quickly. Ive switched back to armstrong clicker style and havent looked back. Snap on makes some nice stuff but this is not one of them.

I have three of the original ones. And I'll agree they were a PITA as you mentioned until I figured out what was going on and fixed them. But the reality for me was donating a fresh set of batteries when I needed to do critical tty fasteners was a small price to pay.

 

[6PTsocket]

I have a 3/8 tech angle that was company provided, so i didnt have to pay for it, but I think its the biggest pos ever made. Always shutting down halfway thru tightening a bolt, batteries drain really quickly. Ive switched back to armstrong clicker style and havent looked back. Snap on makes some nice stuff but this is not one of them.

Danaher-Armstrong, actually their JS Engineering division, made the US built clickers that were sold under so many brand names. Gearwrench is the sucessor brand that is now made off shore and failed on the OP. Sadly, Armstrong/KD/Allen are gone. Any Armstrong around today is NOS.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[FSrepair&fabrication]

It was NOS usa. I buy alot from cripe distributing on ebay and some other sellers. Even tho the warranty is worthless, I can still get brand new decent quality tools that will last a long time if treated properly.