Need 1/2 Torque Wrench (0-150 ft lbs) - Any recommendation?

Davefr · Jan 25, 2015

I have several decent torque wrenches but the only one that's 1/2" w/ratchet action and goes up to 150 ft. lbs is HF and I'm about to throw it in the trash.

The adjustment feels like ****, it locks itself as the torque handle is adjusted, the scale has a short adjustment range, it's hard to read and the click is really wimpy.

It's main use will be wheel torque so I'm looking for something affordable.

Where the sweet spot in quality and value?

TIA

Buckgnarly · Jan 25, 2015

This...
http://t.homedepot.com/p/Husky-1-2-in-Click-Torque-Wrench-H2DTW/202916180

Or PI...
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002XMSFIM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Cope · Jan 25, 2015

I have a 3/8" similar to this one. CDI is owned by Snap on and makes their torque wrenches. This one is Q/R and the head can be locked.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C6X7TKS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

quattroJoe · Jan 25, 2015

I've got the Husky model at home and I'm happy with it. As far as I've seen, you won't find a better deal on a new, USA made torque wrench. OEM is Apex, so it's likely identical to Gearwrench/Armstrong... In fact, I saw a post on here not long ago from a member saying he found one stamped 'Armstrong' in a Husky package at HD. The handle is plastic, but feels more rugged than say the plastic handles on the current Craftsman models, and the locking ring is metal. Has both lb/ft and Nm stamped on it.

littletoes · Jan 25, 2015

I've a big PROTO that is about 40" long. 1/2" drive, ratchet. A very nice unit, but they don't give those away. 250 ft. lbs. high setting.

woodstockva · Jan 25, 2015

Buckgnarly said:
This...
http://t.homedepot.com/p/Husky-1-2-in-Click-Torque-Wrench-H2DTW/202916180

Or PI...
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002XMSFIM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

That is what I would suggest.....Made in USA for $85

dpaton · Jan 25, 2015

Buy a used Snap-On TQ-150 on eBay for $40. Odds are, like all the old Torq-o-meters that have passed through my hands, they're still close enough to calibrated to be fine, and they're tanks.

ADSR · Jan 25, 2015

woodstockva said:
That is what I would suggest.....Made in USA for $85

That looks pretty nice!

Pumpman1968 · Jan 25, 2015

Buckgnarly said:
This...
http://t.homedepot.com/p/Husky-1-2-in-Click-Torque-Wrench-H2DTW/202916180

I have this one.............same as Gearwrench. You will be VERY happy with the quality. My buddy has the Snap-On/CDI at his shop. I brought this down and told him what I paid for it..........and he was a tad pissed. Mine is made in USA, but, check the package as I've heard some grumblings that they may have switched to Taiwan.......or the dreaded Made in China.

Davefr · Jan 25, 2015

Thanks guys!!

I think I'll check out the Husky. It sounds like the sweet spot in price and quality.

lilcraigford · Jan 25, 2015

littletoes said:
I've a big PROTO that is about 40" long. 1/2" drive, ratchet. A very nice unit, but they don't give those away. 250 ft. lbs. high setting.

I was going to suggest a Proto 6016; 1/2" drive, 21" long, 30-150 ft lbs range. I bought mine used.

Bull · Jan 25, 2015

When you guys buy used torque wrenches, do you always send them out to be calibrated, or just hope and pray they are pretty close?

dpaton · Jan 25, 2015

I'm lucky to have occasional access to a calibration machine, so I check mine that way. That said, I've never, not even once, needed to calibrate one. Not the 60 year old Torqometers I buy on eBay, not the HF cheapies, not my old Craftsman bending beam.

Bull · Jan 25, 2015

But, how would anyone (me, for example) even know whether a used torque wrench needed calibration? I certainly don't think that I could "feel" whether the value I dialed in on the scale is what it was actually clicking at.

On another note: I recently saw a pair of older Snappy torque wrench calibration devices for sale for a few hundred bucks. Of course I wanted them despite being just a regular shmoe.

Charles (in GA) · Jan 25, 2015

Precision Instruments split beam. It acts like a clicker, but doesn't have any springs in it or anything else to get out of calibration. Like any other torque wrench, they should be checked regular if used for precision torquing, but they are reliable and dependable. I especially like the 11° flex head for torquing wheels, helps clear the fenders.

40 to 250 lb/ft ½ inch drive split beam.

20 to 100 lb/ft 3/8 inch drive split beam

Charles (in GA) · Jan 25, 2015

Bull said:
When you guys buy used torque wrenches, do you always send them out to be calibrated, or just hope and pray they are pretty close?

Bull said:
But, how would anyone (me, for example) even know whether a used torque wrench needed calibration? I certainly don't think that I could "feel" whether the value I dialed in on the scale is what it was actually clicking at.

On another note: I recently saw a pair of older Snappy torque wrench calibration devices for sale for a few hundred bucks. Of course I wanted them despite being just a regular shmoe.

Need to read THIS THREAD from yesterday or the day before.

Charles

lilcraigford · Jan 25, 2015

Bull said:
When you guys buy used torque wrenches, do you always send them out to be calibrated, or just hope and pray they are pretty close?

I have only had mine for two weeks and it hasn't been put into service yet. I would like to send it out but am not too concerned. I looked through several discussions on calibration services (Team Torque for example) and it looks like an affordable option for complete peace of mind.

ADSR · Jan 25, 2015

Bull said:
But, how would anyone (me, for example) even know whether a used torque wrench needed calibration? I certainly don't think that I could "feel" whether the value I dialed in on the scale is what it was actually clicking at.

That's my worry as well.

dpaton · Jan 25, 2015

$20-30 at HF for the digital meter, or a little more to Team Torque, and your worries are solved.

Buster21 · Jan 25, 2015

Another vote for the Home Depot made in USA. Personally I would not feel comfortable buying a used one. How would you know if the guy before you threw it across the room or dropped it off a ladder onto the concrete.

wild cowboy · Jan 25, 2015

The best would be Precision Instruments for USA built or else Tohnichi (Japan) for built outside of USA.

Thankfully, neither are the most expensive, showing once again that price and quality are not always directly proportional.

FYI - back when Snap-On had the rarefied reputation for their legendary dial torque wrenches, it was Precision Instruments that built them!

BK13 · Jan 26, 2015

Buster21 said:
How would you know if the guy before you threw it across the room or dropped it off a ladder onto the concrete.

Or stored it set at 80% of rated torque...

plain garage · Jan 26, 2015

My vote is the CDI non-comfort grip model. It came highly recommended and it has served me well.

rcjoy · Jan 26, 2015

I like the Proto J6014C, as it is longer than most other 250 ft. lb. torque wrenches, at a little over 27 inches. Gives you more leverage and easier to use.

Or go for the J6016C if you only need 150 ft. lb.

PCMusicGuy · Jan 26, 2015

I have this one and it works well enough for wheels for me.

http://www.amazon.com/Brown-Line-BLD0212-Digital-Torque/dp/B0032A60W2

G-ManBart · Jan 26, 2015

I just ordered a CDI off Amazon. CDI is owned by Snap On, and makes both CDI marked, and Snap On marked torque wrenches. The only difference is that the head on the CDI models is made in Taiwan, and the head on the Snap On models is made in the U.S., but both are assembled here.

Davefr · Jan 26, 2015

Charles (in GA) said:
Precision Instruments split beam. It acts like a clicker, but doesn't have any springs in it or anything else to get out of calibration. Like any other torque wrench, they should be checked regular if used for precision torquing, but they are reliable and dependable. I especially like the 11° flex head for torquing wheels, helps clear the fenders.

40 to 250 lb/ft ½ inch drive split beam.

20 to 100 lb/ft 3/8 inch drive split beam

I have the 3/8" version of the PI torque wrench and really like it. It gives a very crisp click so there's no mistake that you reached the correct setting.

I was just hoping I could stay <$100 since it'll primarily be lug nuts torque.

Decisions, decisions.

Need 1/2 Torque Wrench (0-150 ft lbs) - Any recommendation?

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