Jwych
Well-known member
im in the market for a 1/2" torque wrench, and there are alot of choices! anyone got any input in an affordable one?
1/2" torque wrench
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kippieland
Well-known member
I hate the search feature on this site. I end up using Google and most of the threads from GJ show up.
My vote is CDI or PI
My vote is CDI or PI
owenst7
Well-known member
Mine gives the same readings as my snap on, it's just annoying to adjust.
Super Sport
Well-known member
Husky sells a USA-made one very similar to the Gearwrench models...I think it's $60-70.
HF ones are great for the price.
HF ones are great for the price.
619DioFan
Well-known member
I have the Husky torque wrenches in 1/2 and 3/8 drive. us made. I think they are well worth the price.
woodstockva
Well-known member
Definitely agree.....the 1/2" Husky is IDENTICAL to the MATCO one, and it is only $85 I think. I just was looking at it tonight at Home Depot.
I have the el-cheapo harbor freight ones just to torque wheels....and the Kobalt one from Lowes, but given the choice again I would 100% go with the Husky.
Husky $85 ---> http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-1-2-in-Click-Torque-Wrench-H2DTW/202916180
MATCO $316 ---> http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/TRC250A/1-2-drive-torque-wrench/
SAME EXACT TORQUE WRENCH!!!
JDon99
Well-known member
Does the Husky have a knurled metal grip?
Bigblue&Goldie
Well-known member
Ebay.....they are all over for cheap. Most torque wrenches see very little use, so you can get new or like new torque wrenches at great deals. I bought a Proto, which has been flawless for me, but I would be cool with any of the truck or industrial brands that are made in USA.
nicksnothereman
Well-known member
I use a kobalt. They're cheaper now than they were. Taiwan though, can buy a us one for a little more might be worth it. People recommend cdi. Depends on what you're doing and how much you want to pay.
If you're doing non-critical stuff you'll probably be okay with a lower end torque wrench (i.e. the harbor freight one). But probably not something you'd want to use on critical bolts or nuts. You might get away with it but still potentially dangerous.
If you're doing non-critical stuff you'll probably be okay with a lower end torque wrench (i.e. the harbor freight one). But probably not something you'd want to use on critical bolts or nuts. You might get away with it but still potentially dangerous.
What's that? Newer styled techwrench/techangle? I bought a techwrench not long after they came out. Those things are sweet, though I do wish I had the techangle instead.
OP -- if you're a pro seriously consider a digital torque wrench. Snap-On's line is pretty damn good. If you're working at home, I'd consider HF's. They're what I use at home. Have had a 1/2" for about 7 years now, and it's never needed calibration. I take it to work to test it against my Snap-On before any major projects, and it's very accurate.
ihateminimumwage
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Can't go wrong with the Husky USA. As stated, same wrench Matco sells at a fraction of the cost.
Rubber comfort grip, don't know if it's the same grip under it.
MechanicNamedJohn
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I've been thinking of trading my TechAngles in for the newer versions, but I'm still on the fence. The light bar is nice if you can't see the digital screen, but I like the slimness of mine.
How's the battery life on it?
Big no for me on the Harbor Freight torque wrenches. I bought one during the recent tent sale for $9.99, and it did not work period.
I was sucked in by the Car Craft magazine article that's posted on the Harbor Freight website, but I think that wrench was cherry picked now.
I was sucked in by the Car Craft magazine article that's posted on the Harbor Freight website, but I think that wrench was cherry picked now.
rlitman
Well-known member
So you got a broken one. You know they have a lifetime warranty, right?
Just exchange it. I have four HF torque wrenches (two 1/2", and two 1/4" and all work great).
SMKS
Well-known member
In what way did it "not work"?
I don't believe the Car Crafts wrench was cherry picked. My HF torque wrench has been used for years and is still accurate and within specification.
I even checked it and posted the results here:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3151707&postcount=25
Well, I'm off of work today so I decided to toss in some info for this thread.
Note - I'm not saying this is a scientific test, just that this is some casual data gathering by a DIY'er.
Also, how you pull can really affect the consistency of this torque wrench. A slow, steady solid pull that completes the clicking cycle seems to give me the best accuracy.
Anyway, here's what I did:
This torque wrench is about 5 years old and has been used a lot by me over the years to torque wheels and suspension parts. I also own CDI and Armstrong clicker torque wrenches and a couple beam torque wrenches.
I'm trying to give an honest perception of how the torque wrench works, good and bad, so I'll tell you exactly what I did.
I used my car as a testing device:
First, I decided to do a bunch of pulls to see how the consistency changed after several cycles. (All cycles performed with wrench set at 70 ft-lbs)
I didn't set the parking brake securely enough right off the bat and the car moved a lot on the first two pulls, which netted these low results. I actually would discount these, as I think it's my fault for not securing the car well, which gave inaccurate pulls that didn't follow through the click. But, to be fair, I included them:
65.7
65.4
The car was then better stabilized and I went through a number of cycles. Here's what I got:
67.9
66.9
66.3
67.2
69.7
70.2
68.3
68.2
68.9
68.3
69.1
67.8
69.9
69.5
69.3
69.9
69.5
Then, I ran the torque wrench all the way up and down and cycled it several more times. (NOTE - It's starting to get difficult to twist the grip on the this torque wrench sometimes. It may be reaching the end of it's usable life at 5 years and lots of use).
I then got these results (NOTE - these were all good, solid pulls that follow through the click):
69.9
70.6
69.2
69.8
71.0
71.0
68.4
70.6
Conclusions - If you can even take any conclusions from this unscientific example:
-Cycling the wrench does seem to help its accuracy and consistency.
-Consistent pulls that follow though the clicking cycle (for lack of a better term) give more accurate readings, in my case.
-This torque wrench is more than accurate enough for my needs.
-The HF torque adapter is a very interesting little tool that I've used quite a bit. I would encourage any serious DIY'ers to pick up a torque adapter. They're available from brands like Eastwood, Alltrade and I'm sure others.
-A torque adapter may be worth it's purchase price just to show a person how much their pulling method can affect the final applied torque.
Stooge
Well-known member
Can't go wrong with the Husky USA. As stated, same wrench Matco sells at a fraction of the cost.
Rubber comfort grip, don't know if it's the same grip under it.
the husky and matco ones look strikingly similar to a 1/2 armstrong i have with a blue knurled handle, works very well and i semi regularly verify my torque wrenches at work, and are pretty spot on
I took it back, and got my money back. I got what I paid for. Even if I had exchanged it, and got one that seemed to work, at least click, I would not trust the settings. Not working right out of the box brand new tells me that there is no quality control on finished product.
It never clicked at any setting when my son and I were doing lug nuts on his car. In fact, after I tried a couple lug nuts, I told him that the torque wrench was bad. The two lugs were on so tight, that he could not turn them off with a 4-way. I have seen my share of broken off studs, so I told him to stop with the 4-way, and I got out my big azz half inch breaker bar to break them loose.
ihateminimumwage
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That would be the same as well. Apex makes them and are sold under Armstrong, Gearwrench, Husky & Matco.
I'm sure the original model was the Armstrong, with the others being re-brands. Nothing fancy like a flex head or fine tooth, but they are SOLID and work great.
MattPersman
Well-known member
I love my tech angle snap on 1/2
GirlnAgarage
Well-known member
The CDI 1/2" 2503MFR is the next one on my list: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002LA1EDO/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I've got the CDI 3/8" 752MFR that I am pleased with: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002L9Z27E/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I've got the CDI 3/8" 752MFR that I am pleased with: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002L9Z27E/?tag=atomicindus08-20
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48RON54
Well-known member
I'm with both of these fellas on the HF if you rarely use it. Mine comes out of it's plastic case once a year if that, so I went the cheap route. It is annoying to adjust and confusing though, I'll say that.
Taildragger
Well-known member
Be aware that some of the newer car fasteners need to be torqued to "X" foot-pounds, then plus "Y" degrees, when looking for a torque wrench.
I believe they are called torque to yield..
I believe they are called torque to yield..
eddie_fl
Member
I'm another who has the new Husky 3/8 and 1/2" USA torque wrenches, you cant go wrong with them. Like everyone has stated, it's just a re-branded Gearwrench/Matco/Armstrong ratchet.
SuzukiGS750EZ
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I have a husky 3/8 and 1/2" torque wrenches (kd tools makes them, also maker of gear wrench). They're great wrenches for a great price. Torque to yield is not really something that I check degrees on. When you hit that degree mark they spring back anyways. Head bolts are a good example of it. They twist and spring back like a rubber band.
GirlnAgarage
Well-known member
Out of curiosity from the suggestions here and I think ihateminumumwage you did a preview thread on the Husky 1/2" USA tw a little while back, I went and picked up one this morning at my HD. $84.97 listed, <$80 otd w/discount.
I'll scan the ppw later after chores, but basic info real quick:
- the grip on the Husky is a rubber type
- it does come with a calibration slip
- warranty is 1yr
I said I have the CDI 1/2" on my list. I still do. But curious how this Husky works out.
FYI, the 3/8" is also USA made ~$74. The 1/4" is Taiwan, ~$40 IIRC (I think those were questions in ihateminimumwage's threads but thought I'd answer them here too).
I'll scan the ppw later after chores, but basic info real quick:
- the grip on the Husky is a rubber type
- it does come with a calibration slip
- warranty is 1yr
I said I have the CDI 1/2" on my list. I still do. But curious how this Husky works out.
FYI, the 3/8" is also USA made ~$74. The 1/4" is Taiwan, ~$40 IIRC (I think those were questions in ihateminimumwage's threads but thought I'd answer them here too).
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bw77
Well-known member
How did you get a discount?
GirlnAgarage
Well-known member
Military
That is the newer Tech-Angle.
I love it so far, the light bar is great. It really lets you know when you're getting close so you don't go way over torque.
Haven't had it long enough to judge battery life. I've got a bunch of rechargeable AAA's that I'm going to bring into work.
I think I'm going to pick up the 3/8 soon and trade in my click style Snap-On.
Farmall450
Well-known member
Agreed, it's more convenient than going to the basement for a nice one too. Just toss it in/on your box...good to go.
These are my babies..
Precision Instruments
1/2 Drive Split Beam CRFR250F
3/8 Drive Split Beam CF2FR100F
1/4 Drive Micrometer Style M1R200HX
CDI
3/8 Drive -MicroMeter Style - 2502MRMH-QR
And all 4 are great. But for occasional use, probably overkill.
Precision Instruments
1/2 Drive Split Beam CRFR250F
3/8 Drive Split Beam CF2FR100F
1/4 Drive Micrometer Style M1R200HX
CDI
3/8 Drive -MicroMeter Style - 2502MRMH-QR
And all 4 are great. But for occasional use, probably overkill.
The Husky 1/2 inch drive (Made in USA) stuff looks great. For removing lugs, I say get one of the cheaper ones. Can't believe how cheap the Craftsman made in china one's are now compared to the older Made-In USA torque wrenches they sold.
For day to day use, I use my Craftsman Made-In-USA stuff. The newer Chinese ones look like they have much better lock-rings but support from Sears / Craftsman is still pretty good IMHO. They fixed my 3/8 Inch Crafstman Torque Wrench for free (Made-In USA one) because the lock-ring broke (they replaced the handle) and even re-calibrated it for free.
For day to day use, I use my Craftsman Made-In-USA stuff. The newer Chinese ones look like they have much better lock-rings but support from Sears / Craftsman is still pretty good IMHO. They fixed my 3/8 Inch Crafstman Torque Wrench for free (Made-In USA one) because the lock-ring broke (they replaced the handle) and even re-calibrated it for free.
nicksnothereman
Well-known member
Nah. Torque to yield means the fastener can't be reused (or shouldn't). What you're talking about is angular torque. They used it a long time ago (at least the angle portion). Not a huge deal to deal with eyeballing it.
If you're really concerned about the angle you could use a p.o.s. plastic protractor; I got a couple hanging around. Easy to pick up during back to school time for around 50 cents, not much more during the year though.
