About to purchase a Torque - Need your inputs

Gentlemen, after much research, I am ready to pull the trigger on a low-torque driver (10-50 in lb). My choices have come down to the Mountz EMT50 Ergo Micro Torque Limiting Screwdriver vs. the Sturtevant Richmount MD 501 Dial Torque Wrench. Since I have come to value the opinions on this board, I would again appreciate any insights.

Mountz


Sturtevant



P.S. – The Mountz comes with a T-handle, and has bi-directional cam “slips free” once the set torque has been reached.

What ever you are more comfortable using in the situations you will use the tool in. My preference is for a bit more leverage a wing or wrench afford just in case of contaminated hands or access.

Personally I'd prefer the dial type wrench. I just seem to have a better feel with the wrench, plus better leveage.


jerry

Id say go with the screwdriver type. Were talking 50 inch pounds here, max. Thats less then 5 ft lbs. Leverage probably isnt a huge concern. I think it would be easier to use in delicate situations.

I dont have use or have a need for an inch pound torque wrench though, so maybe my advice isnt the best.

Sturtevant Richmont also makes torque screwdrivers.

Charles

Im curious, what are you going to be using this torque wrench for? Ive never heard of either of those companies, so Im going out on a limb and guessing its not automotive.

Maybe Im just not in the know....

TruckTech said:

Im curious, what are you going to be using this torque wrench for? Ive never heard of either of those companies, so Im going out on a limb and guessing its not automotive.

Maybe Im just not in the know....

Click to expand...

To be used primarily for motorcycle work on electronic EFI sensors and fasteners. Harley's have a lot of aluminum parts so there is always a danger of over-tightening. Also to be used for some DYI electrical work, (eg, computers, circuit boards). Lastly, sometimes under the dashboard work.

BTW, both Mountz & Sturtevant Richmount are well established companies that may make near best in class. Or, not to get into an argument with anyone, at the least considered in the first tier manufacturing group for their respective products.

From wikipedia: This torque wrench as it is known today was a development in the late 1920s/early 1930’s by Walter Chrysler for the Chrysler Corporation and a company known as Micromatic Hone. The Cedar Rapids Engineering Company's sales representative Paul Allen Sturtevant, licensed by Chrysler to manufacture his invention, patented the torque wrench in 1938. Sturtevant became the first individual to sell torque wrenches to the trade.

Charles (in GA) said:

Sturtevant Richmont also makes torque screwdrivers.

Charles

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Charles, I am glad you chimed in since I ALWAYS value your opinion, (and you too, Merkava)!
Yes, SR also makes very good torque screwdrivers but in my research the Mountz fits my needs (i.e., specific range) better.
The reason that I am considering the SR torque wrench is that I couldn't find another brand that made a dial type in the 0-50 in.lb. range. If you know of any I'd like to hear of it.

I looked at SR, they have a 36 lb/in max and a 20 to 100 oz/in, so if you need closer to 50 lb/in, they won't work.

I know nothing about the Mountz, cannot help you. I do think for that low of a torque, the regular torque wrench design is not very functional, I think a torque screwdriver would be much better and more accurate.

Just offering alternatives here.

Seekonk (very good quality stuff) makes this vertical torque gauge (screwdriver with big disc and pointer to indicate torque. Many different scales. They also have a much fancier 3 to 30 lb/in adjustable slip type tool, again, probably too low a range.

http://www.seekonk.com/torqstart.html



GS-170 * 0-170 in. gr. 10 in. gr. 8 ozs. 8" $104.15

GS-350* 0-350 in. gr. 25 in. gr. 8 ozs. 8" $104.15

S0-12 * 0-12 in. ozs. .50 in. ozs. 8 ozs. 8" $104.15

S0-24 * 0-24 in. ozs. 1 in. ozs. 8 ozs. 8" $104.15

S0-3 * 0-3 in. ozs .25 in. ozs 8 ozs. 8" $104.15

S0-48 * 0-48 in. ozs. 2 in. ozs. 8 ozs. 8" $104.15

S0-6 * 0-6 in. ozs. .50 in. ozs 8 ozs. 8" $104.15

S0-96 * 0-96 in. ozs. 4 in. ozs. 10 ozs. 8" $104.15

SL-100 Left 0-100 in. lbs 5 in. lbs. 16 ozs. 12" $127.15

SL-100 Right 0-100 in. lbs 5 in. lbs. 16 ozs. 12" $127.15

SL-12 * 0-12 in. lbs .50 in. lbs. 10 ozs. 8" $104.15

SL-25 Left 0-25 in. lbs 1 in. lbs. 13 ozs. 10" $113.15

SL-25 Right 0-25 in. lbs. 1 in. lbs. 13 ozs. 10" $113.15

SL-50 Left 0-50 in. lbs 2 in. lbs 13 ozs. 10" $113.15

SL-50 Right 0-50 in. lbs 2 in. lbs. 13 ozs. 10" $113.15

SL-6 * 0-6 in. lbs. .25 in. lbs 10 ozs. 8" $104.15

SL-80 Left 0-80 in. lbs 5 in. lbs. 16 ozs. 12" $127.15

SL-80 Right 0-80 in. lbs 5 in. lbs. 16 ozs. 12" $127.15

You might also look at the Precision Instruments torque drivers. I think they make good tools, being in business since 1938. Kinda pricey however.

http://www.torqwrench.com/tools/drivers.php



1/4" Drive Dial Driver
– Drive Size: 1/4"
– Drive Type: Fixed drive
– Capacity: 10-50 lb.in.
– Increments: 1 lb.in.
– Price: $ 250.00
Specifications

Square Drive Size: 1/4"
Handle Height: 6-27/64"
Overall Height: 8-7/64"
Width: 2-9/32"
Weight: 1.00 lbs.
(w/plastic case): 1.65 lbs.
Finish: Nickel / Chrome
Meets or Exceeds the following Specifications:
GGG-W-686C, ANSI B107.14M

Charles

Wished you hadn't shown the Mountz to me. Now I want one of their torque wrenches. They make a "springless click wrench" which is essentially a split beam like the Precision Instruments one............. Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Quite truthfully, worldwide, there is an amazing number of torque wrench and torque tool designers and manufacturers, all with unique tools. I've become amazed at how many there are.

Charles

PB Swiss also makes some TQ, drivers,as they say you get what you pay for.

Mountz makes good gear, if you want to go that way, you should be happy with it.

+1 on Charles's Seekonk mention - great tools...

Charles, regarding the 0-50 in lb torque wrench:



The difficulty with this style wrench is that it becomes hard to torque in the upper ranges (>25 in lb). Even though considered low torque, without a T or L handle it is an arduous turn with only a screwdriver-type handle and more so with plastic.

I'd go with a Norbar Model 5.

http://www.norbar.com/Products/tabi.../1/range_multid/9/language/en-GB/Default.aspx

Moose-LandTran said:

I'd go with a Norbar Model 5.

http://www.norbar.com/Products/tabi.../1/range_multid/9/language/en-GB/Default.aspx

Click to expand...

I didn't look previously, but an excellent choice. Lightweight, desired torque range, 10-50 lb/in and not length dependent, so you can grip it anywhere on the tool. 1/4 hex drive so it accepts bits or you can use a adapter to square drive for sockets.

Charles

Snappy model TE6A here. 1/4" drive,dial type,0-75 in. lbs.
http://image.snapon.com/international/pdf/TorqWrReinstSuper.pdf

Moose-LandTran said:

I'd go with a Norbar Model 5.

http://www.norbar.com/Products/tabi.../1/range_multid/9/language/en-GB/Default.aspx

Click to expand...

Norbar makes GREAT torque wrenches! I had considered the model 5 but due to its fixed head initially decided against it, as in this style I would rather have it ratcheting. Then again the dial type TW are fixed also. Will keep the Norbar in mind.

Thanks for the suggestion.

rhp said:

Norbar makes GREAT torque wrenches! I had considered the model 5 but due to its fixed head initially decided against it, as in this style I would rather have it ratcheting. Then again the dial type TW are fixed also. Will keep the Norbar in mind.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Click to expand...

You could attach a ratcheting adapter to it.

I have 3 Norbar torque wrenches, love 'em. They're great and value for money is really hard to match, let alone beat.

Moose-LandTran said:

You could attach a ratcheting adapter to it.

I have 3 Norbar torque wrenches, love 'em. They're great and value for money is really hard to match, let alone beat.

Click to expand...

Yes, I could attach a ratcheting adapter. Where did you find Norbar in the US?

As a result of your & Charles posts have also come up with another alternative is the Precision Instruments D1F50HL dial torque wrench with a Light indicator. Could also attach a ratcheting adapter to this one as well.

rhp said:

Where did you find Norbar in the US?

Click to expand...

I didn't, i'm in the UK.

http://www.norbar.com/usa/AboutNorbar/tabid/138/Default.aspx

Click Sales and Support along the top bar, and then distributors.

After all was said & done, I ended up buying the Mount Torque Screwdriver.
Thanks to all who have opined, and especially to Charles in Ga, and to Moose-LandTran in the UK.
RHP