Need Torque wreench help Dont want to buy twice thank you

JOE.G · Dec 25, 2018

Need Torque wrench help Dont want to buy twice thank you

Guys I am looking for a Med duty torque wrench, I have a cheaper Teckon for the 1/4 and another cheaper 1/2 that goes to like 150. I never really bought a good wrench and I am not sure why as I am a pretty bigger believer in torque specs.

I am assuming most are going to say get the CDI so i my real question is do I go with the 3/8 in the 5 to 75 or the 3/8 th is a 10-100 ft lb.

Most of the things I work on are quads/snowmobiles/motorcycles/cars and light trucks.
This is a hobby tool not a full time job item.

I think either of these would cover a good majority of the range I use as I don't ever see myself using a 3/8 for anything below 10 or 15 LB and probably never up to a 100 LB.

I would say a lot of my wrenching is in the 20 to 60 rang and below 10 FT range.

Down the road I would like to add on other quality wrenches to fill in the gap.

Thank you

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HQGI3VY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

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

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000KL2J7G/?tag=atomicindus08-20

plinker · Dec 25, 2018

Precision instruments make very nice torque wrenches ( the split beams are very popular), as does CDI (Snap-on owns them, CDI uses a different ratchet head). Some deals can be had for Armstrong/Napa/ete.. torque wrenches on ebay too.

PI wrenches...
https://www.tooltopia.com/search.aspx?find=precision+instruments&log=false&manufacturer=183

I think 5-75 lb covers most needs in general, I also use a 3/8 drive that's 30 or 40 to 250 inch pounds about as much since it covers most of the lower scale of the 5-75 ft lb wrench.

My Snap-on tech wrench covers 5 to 100 lbs which can be nice for somethings.

Magnum440d100 · Dec 25, 2018

I’ve had good luck with my Craftsman. Built a few motors that haven’t come apart, and have torqued lug nuts and wheels haven’t come off, so it must be ok haha

txvwnut · Dec 25, 2018

Precision Instruments best bang for buck. By once cry once although they are very affordable and a torque wrench is really not something to go cheap on.

6PTsocket · Dec 25, 2018

Re: Need Torque wrench help Dont want to buy twice thank you

JOE.G said:
Guys I am looking for a Med duty torque wrench, I have a cheaper Teckon for the 1/4 and another cheaper 1/2 that goes to like 150. I never really bought a good wrench and I am not sure why as I am a pretty bigger believer in torque specs.

I am assuming most are going to say get the CDI so i my real question is do I go with the 3/8 in the 5 to 75 or the 3/8 th is a 10-100 ft lb.

Most of the things I work on are quads/snowmobiles/motorcycles/cars and light trucks.
This is a hobby tool not a full time job item.

I think either of these would cover a good majority of the range I use as I don't ever see myself using a 3/8 for anything below 10 or 15 LB and probably never up to a 100 LB.

I would say a lot of my wrenching is in the 20 to 60 rang and below 10 FT range.

Down the road I would like to add on other quality wrenches to fill in the gap.

Thank you

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HQGI3VY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

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

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000KL2J7G/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Generally, clicker type torque wrenches are speced to be 3 to 4 % accurate from 20% to 100 % of the full scale. A 5 to 75 would be good from 14 to 75. The reason is that below that the there is so little pressure on the spring that it cannot be accurately calibrated. In fact, some models set the lower end of the scale at 20% so there is no inacurrate part of the range.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

JOE.G · Dec 25, 2018

I think I am leaning towards the 5 to 75 and then get the 30 to 250 later on, that should cover me pretty well.

kelpaso1 · Dec 25, 2018

I had the same dilemma. I bought a CDI 3/8 100-750 in/lbs or 16-62 ft/lbs and I hardy ever use it except for head bolts on atv's. I have since got a Tekton 1/4 20-200 in/lbs and use that way more often for small engine repair. Paid over $400 for the Cdi and about $100 on the Tekton.

pbon · Dec 25, 2018

I would get 1/4 for up to about 15 lbs, 3/8 for up to 100, and a 1/2 that goes to 250.

JOE.G · Dec 26, 2018

Flex head or not? CDI doesn't make the 3/8 in 5-75 flex but gear wrench does. Also I am probably going to get the 1/2 inch that goes to 250 FT do I want flex head on that?

WittHay · Dec 26, 2018

I have the GearWrench 10-100 3/8 drive used mainly for torquing around 50 to 60 ft. lbs. The ratchet is smooth, the lock works good and its easy to adjust. Not rough or binding. Totally acceptable for my purpose.

I had a Snap-on 5-75 3/8 drive flex head a few years back. Shorter length than the GearWrench. Used mainly on diesel injection pump drives. The bolts were around 35 ft. lbs. Present day I would have a Techangle to do that type of work.

My reasoning is that the less bolts there is holding something and lower the ft.lbs. The better quality torque wrench you need. Aluminum heads on small motors probably a CDI or similar starting at 5 ft.lbs

Mr Ratchet · Dec 26, 2018

I'll second PI. They make many of Snap on's and are the same thing with their own name and different colors. Prices are reduced quite a bit.

I like the dial type with follow up pointers. My 30 + year old Torqometers are still in specs. They have a few different styles to choose from.
http://www.torqwrench.com/

ACR · Dec 26, 2018

Bought a PI split beam for the bigger jobs and a dial type for smaller, more precise jobs many years ago. One of the best tool investments I made!

6PTsocket · Dec 26, 2018

Bear in mind that if you are not square, the accuracy goes down. It is not considered a problem with angles under 15° but maximum accuracy is with the drive at a rt. angle to the handle

JOE.G said:
Flex head or not? CDI doesn't make the 3/8 in 5-75 flex but gear wrench does. Also I am probably going to get the 1/2 inch that goes to 250 FT do I want flex head on that?

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

plinker · Dec 26, 2018

JOE.G said:
Flex head or not? CDI doesn't make the 3/8 in 5-75 flex but gear wrench does. Also I am probably going to get the 1/2 inch that goes to 250 FT do I want flex head on that?

I like a flex head for a 5-75 3/8 wrench, fixed head for 1/2 & inch pound wrenches.

JOE.G · Dec 26, 2018

CDI doesnt offer teh 5-75 in flex head which is what I would want with fixed on the bigger.

Wamsutta · Dec 26, 2018

Put your bid in on this one. You got 5 hours before it ends.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/SNAP-ON-NE...h=item33fd34d147:g:tvcAAOSwmE9cGugI:rk:8:pf:0

TonyCH · Dec 26, 2018

Wamsutta said:
Put your bid in on this one. You got 5 hours before it ends.

From the ad: "Save yourself a bundle on this torque wrench by buying here rather than off the Snap-on truck!". LOL... Its a vintage wrench, I don't think they have looked like that during this millenia. I have several SO tq wrenches made since early 2000's and they look much more modern than that one. EDIT: the SO-logo on the box and the tool seems to be pre 1982 type. The logo on the ratched head is newer which suggests it was rebuild at some stage.

It does look like its not seen much use though, chrome is in good condition and the box is almost spotless. But as its probably 30+ years old I think it would be a good idea to get it checked and calibrated before using it.

I do get mine calibrated every few years and they are super accurate time after time. I can recommend SO wrenches. Getting a good one second hand can be a real bargain - even with calibration costs.

Wamsutta · Dec 27, 2018

TonyCH said:
I have several SO tq wrenches made since early 2000's and they look much more modern than that one.

You can have the modern ones. I much prefer the solidly built PI made Snap-on torque wrenches of that era.

JOE.G · Dec 27, 2018

I should have picked that one up, we were doing a Holiday dinner and I missed it. Could have left it for the Snap On guy to calibrate.

TonyCH · Dec 27, 2018

Wamsutta said:
You can have the modern ones. I much prefer the solidly built PI made Snap-on torque wrenches of that era.

Yeah I do and I have no complaints about them. Much more accurate than any other I've handled. And to me they don't feel like they are unsolidly built, if you are suggesting that?

But I was pointing out that the ad suggested you could buy one from the truck but truth is its a 30+ year old wrench which haven't been available for 20 some years now. So, either they don't know what they are selling or they like to ******** people in their ads. Doesn't make the wrench any worse though. Still, I prefer to pay $100 for SO torque wrench from this decade over same sum for 35 year old with a mystery rebuild and condition. To each his own.

Slinger646 · Dec 27, 2018

Lots of older US made wrenches are waiting for their forever home in your local pawn shop.

JiminAZ · Dec 27, 2018

If you go CDI toolsdelivered.com generally has better prices than Amazon.

anndel · Dec 27, 2018

Precision Instruments or CDI.

orangeblood · Dec 28, 2018

TonyCH said:
Yeah I do and I have no complaints about them. Much more accurate than any other I've handled. And to me they don't feel like they are unsolidly built, if you are suggesting that?

But I was pointing out that the ad suggested you could buy one from the truck but truth is its a 30+ year old wrench which haven't been available for 20 some years now. So, either they don't know what they are selling or they like to ******** people in their ads. Doesn't make the wrench any worse though. Still, I prefer to pay $100 for SO torque wrench from this decade over same sum for 35 year old with a mystery rebuild and condition. To each his own.

Tony - glad i read your post. I was looking at a similar torque wrench from that seller (they seem to have many older models). i too am looking for 3/8 75 FTLBS wrench (used SO). any idea where a dating table for SO torque wrenches might be posted?

Steve_P · Dec 28, 2018

I would buy a new CDI, which come with accuracy certs, before a used SO that you'd want to get calibrated before using. I have several CDI and no complaints

JOE.G · Dec 28, 2018

I just ordered this one, I would have liked for the Flex head to be an option but it was not. I am sure it will serve me well.

Next up will be a 1/2 that goes to 250 LB.

https://www.suncoasttools.com/crm/PartNumberSearch.aspx?searchkey=12&desc=752MFRMH

AreYaSerious · Dec 28, 2018

Didn't think I wanted a torque wrench until now. This site keeps me broke.

JOE.G · Jan 1, 2019

This one is next i think,

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000KL4H80/?tag=atomicindus08-20

With metal or plastic handle ?

JOE.G · Mar 8, 2019

https://www.suncoasttools.com/crm/PartNumberSearch.aspx?searchkey=12&desc=2503MFRPH

Purchased this today, Both I purchased came from this company and they have been great to deal with.

Need Torque wreench help Dont want to buy twice thank you

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

MEMBER EMERITUS

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member