Affordable 3/8" Torque wrench?

[GoodEnough]

Just need something to use a few times a year.
1/2" can sometimes be big.
Might get 1/4" also, if the price is right.

Go with HF? Or this? Any other ideas?
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...31212TriggeredSRSPostPurchase2TEC&eml= &ruid=

3 stars for the $21 HF
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-drive-click-type-torque-wrench-807.html

 

[atwageman]

I've got the the HF ones in all 3 sizes. They are ok. Nothing spectacular though. I really want something by Snap on / CDI. In the meantime I ordered a digital one from Eastwood yesterday.

http://bit.ly/1h2I8vZ

 

[Farmall450]

My ace had a US made cman beam style that I picked up for $25.

 

[GoodEnough]

Beam style seems like it won't fit into small places.

 

[Brownsfan]

Get the Husky at Home Dept. $74.99 and the same as the gearwrench sold else ware for more. Also looks VERY similar to the Matco for $300. I have the 3/8 and the1/2(84.99). Oh any made in the USA
http://m.homedepot.com/p/Husky-3-8-in-Click-Torque-Wrench-H3DTW/202916179/

 

[Aquaticbob]

I own both the 3/8" and 1/2" torque wrenches from Cman. I like them both a lot. I also believe the 3/8" is in inch lbs and ft lbs if I remember correctly. The click style is nice and it stops you right on the mark every time

 

[jmm]

If you're using them only a couple times a year, get the HF ones. They're a killer deal. They're reasonably accurate, repeatable, ridiculously cheap, and you can trade them in no questions asked whenever you want. I've had one for years for home use. With minimal care mine is still accurate; I keep it in it's case, use it for it's intended purpose only, work the spring out before use and set it to the bottom of the scale while it's sitting. I check it out against my digital SO at work whenever I need it for more than lug nuts and it's held up just fine.

 

[signcrafter]

Get the Husky at Home Dept. $74.99 and the same as the gearwrench sold else ware for more. Also looks VERY similar to the Matco for $300. I have the 3/8 and the1/2(84.99). Oh any made in the USA
http://m.homedepot.com/p/Husky-3-8-in-Click-Torque-Wrench-H3DTW/202916179/

I never even thought to check HD when I bought my torque wrenches. I bought a gearwrench 1/4" torque wrench and really like it but paid 90 bucks for it from tooltopia. Looks just like the 3/8" you linked to.

 

[GoodEnough]

I am just going to get this instead! $30
http://www.harborfreight.com/digital-torue-adapter-68283.html

 

[cburnscrx]

Don't you want Snap On torque wrench? If you want to be the best you have to own the best. It's $294 and an investment in your future. Besides that, if you don't have enough money invested in your tools nobody will hire you.

http://store.snapon.com/US-Torque-I...d-Ratchet-20-100-ft-lb-3-8-drive-P640961.aspx

Me, I'd just buy the HF for $9.99 with coupon and call it a day. They've proven to be very accurate

 

[GoodEnough]

Don'y worry, I will patiently wait to find one for only $225 at a garage sale.
I'm thrifty like that!

HF is $21.99.
What coupon gets it down to $9??

 

[ez-duzit]

Some are too poor to buy anything but the cheapest available. Don't be that guy.

Avoid the crappiest of imports. Much better to buy a quality used tool in excellent condition.

 

[kippieland]

Any of the Taiwan are good (like the HF.) Nothing great but work. I have some CDI's and freakin love those things. But cost is higher. There really isn't a middle ground...its either cheap or expensive.

 

[skeletonizer]

I have the C-man you linked to as well as a C-man ½" in ft.lbs. They get used monthly maybe more. No problems so far. Would buy them again if they are still US made.

The only pics I have of them are when they are in the long gray boxes they came in hanging on the peg board.

 

[todd_fuller]

A local tool surplus place has a box of 3/8 CDI torque wrenches for $15 for 100 ft-lbs. versions. Might be worthwhile to check around or on eBay.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Just need something to use a few times a year.
1/2" can sometimes be big.
Might get 1/4" also, if the price is right.

Go with HF? Or this? Any other ideas?
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...31212TriggeredSRSPostPurchase2TEC&eml= &ruid=

3 stars for the $21 HF
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-drive-click-type-torque-wrench-807.html

Get a beam torque wrench. Under 15 bucks. Just learn how to use it.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Any of the Taiwan are good (like the HF.) Nothing great but work. I have some CDI's and freakin love those things. But cost is higher. There really isn't a middle ground...its either cheap or expensive.

The kobalt ones are excellent but not much cheaper than cdi.

 

[machine_punk]

I have the beam-style 1/2" Craftsman and for only occasional use, it works great. If they make a 3/8" version, I would recommend it.

Kev

 

[nicksnothereman]

I have the beam-style 1/2" Craftsman and for only occasional use, it works great. If they make a 3/8" version, I would recommend it.

Kev

It's chinese now. Still, um...works.

I don't agree with the "it won't fit assessment" that some people have on here. Usually, it will fit! The only thing that's a potential problem is the "dial plate" (the numbers and pointer) because it's wider than a traditional clicker.

 

[Flivver250]

http://www.hardwaresales.com/wright-tool-3447-3-8-adjustable-torque-wrench-5-75-ft-lbs.html
I just bought this.

 

[nicksnothereman]

http://www.hardwaresales.com/wright-tool-3447-3-8-adjustable-torque-wrench-5-75-ft-lbs.html
I just bought this.

How's that holding up?

Derp: You said "just". When you get and use it let us know what's up.

 

[Brownsfan]

I never even thought to check HD when I bought my torque wrenches. I bought a gearwrench 1/4" torque wrench and really like it but paid 90 bucks for it from tooltopia. Looks just like the 3/8" you linked to.

That's because it's the same one. There is a Matco one that's even more expensive that's the same

 

[Brownsfan]

Here is a Matco on eBay that is remarkably similar to the husky and the gearwrench.
http://m.homedepot.com/p/Husky-3-8-in-Click-Torque-Wrench-H3DTW/202916179/

http://m.ebay.com/itm?itemId=290980912850
Original poster. IMHO the husky torque wrenches are one of the best tool values out there. While the Matco is one of the worst.

 

[Danglerb]

Bought mine on sale for a total around $35 set of 3 HF. Good chance I will borrow SO Techangle when I build a motor.

 

[GoodEnough]

http://www.hardwaresales.com/wright-tool-3447-3-8-adjustable-torque-wrench-5-75-ft-lbs.html
I just bought this.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=227269

 

[kjbenner]

Any of the Taiwan are good (like the HF.) Nothing great but work. I have some CDI's and freakin love those things. But cost is higher. There really isn't a middle ground...its either cheap or expensive.

There's a 3/8 CDI (10-75 ft-lbs) wrench at Epsteins for $50 (http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/MiscInventory/CDTW.html). I bought one from them and like it a lot.

 

[Farmall450]

Beam style seems like it won't fit into small places.

It's actually slimmer till right at the handle.

 

[shooting4life]

the sears outlet near me was clearing out 3/8 and 1/2 torque wrenches for $47 each.

 

[Steinmetz]

I think Goodenough was referring to the swing necessary when using a beam-style wrench. There are ratchet adapters that may be used on beam-style torque wrenches that at least partially eliminate this problem.

 

[daveblank]

A local tool surplus place has a box of 3/8 CDI torque wrenches for $15 for 100 ft-lbs. versions. Might be worthwhile to check around or on eBay.

Where might this local surplus store be located?

 

[SMKS]

There's a 3/8 CDI (10-75 ft-lbs) wrench at Epsteins for $50 (http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/MiscInventory/CDTW.html). I bought one from them and like it a lot.

I also bought this CDI from HE. It has worked well for me, although the head seems on the thick side. I think the Husky/Armstrong/GW/Matco head seems thinner.

They are super old stock. Mine has a date code on it that appears to be 1989. But it works well and it's in spec when checked with my torque adapter.

 

[akrafty1]

I picked up 2 Proto wrenches from flebay. A 0-80 and a 50-250. Both were a steal. The 50-250 was new and had never been used and was $60. The 0-80 was in need of service so I sent it off to Proto for calibration for a total cost of $50. Not bad for 2 wrenches with calibration certs and cases... Oh, and these dang things are freaking solid.