Torque Wrench for Service Truck

[Zewnten]

Looked through all the threads I could find and most were debates about bang for the buck DIY or such and several years old. But anyways I'm helping set up a part time service truck for my new job and I'm looking for a good economic set of torque wrenches. Probably going to get three of them one in 3/8 for the lower side and the other two in 1/2 with one going to 250ft/lb plus. I have the Snap On techangle but I don't think they'd do well bouncing around or handle the constant temperature changes and condensation very well.

Right now I'd recommend split beams for seeing them used and abused and just keep going and a lack of durability in micrometer style. It looks like only Precision Instruments makes them?

 

[richfinn]

Looked through all the threads I could find and most were debates about bang for the buck DIY or such and several years old. But anyways I'm helping set up a part time service truck for my new job and I'm looking for a good economic set of torque wrenches. Probably going to get three of them one in 3/8 for the lower side and the other two in 1/2 with one going to 250ft/lb plus. I have the Snap On techangle but I don't think they'd do well bouncing around or handle the constant temperature changes and condensation very well.

Right now I'd recommend split beams for seeinf them used and abused and just keep going and a lack of durability in micrometer style. It looks like only Precision Instruments makes them?

We used to be issued Norbar torque wrenches for our vans, a good value rugged brand (part of Snap-On), My last 1/2 drive 350nm lasted 15 years and passed calibration annually with Daily use (mostly wheels/hub nuts), the ratchet eventually failed mostly due to rust.

 

[plinker]

I have the PI 1/2 drive split beam, good unit and fast(er) to adjust then a clicker. It does have 5lb increments and is one direction only, which may or may not be downsides. IIRC the split beams are the more durable/reliable type of torque wrench short of a beam style. Snap-on does or did rebrand PI split beams with their ratchet head, still coarse tooth though.

I also have various PI & CDI/S-O click type units, no issues with any of those.

Having a 3/8 drive techangle myself, I would say it's better to have it in a shop. Or if need be, a heavily padded case for transit. Hot/cold may be another story.

1/2dr PI split beam,
https://www.tooltopia.com/Precision-Instruments-PREC3FR250F

 

[kb1982]

I have the PI torque wrench posted above. Used it everyday for two years and is still in calibration. Now my SnapOn Techangle is a different story even though it is only used bi weekly or so in the garage

Sent from my M2007J20CG using Tapatalk

 

[pepi]

Agree the CDI very good ........

 

[seber]

My two split beams seem to be indestructible and have never failed calibration.

 

[dutchgray]

Would probably just get cheap Taiwan made clickers and replace them every couple years when they get destroyed, especially if this service truck is getting used by several techs.

 

[bob15]

I would go with a S-R split beam.

https://www.srtorque.com/error-proofing-tools/flat-and-tapered-beam-torque-wrenches/beam-wrenches/flat-and-tapered-beam-torque-wrenches/

 

[Zewnten]

On the precision instruments split beam how well do the heads articulate? Looking over reviews on amazon it seems like it moves a bit but not enough to be useful. Are the Snap On branded ones any better in that area? I see snap on has their own head added to them because of the reversible lever.