Are these redundant? (Torque Wrenches)

[Sdot]

Hey guys

I' own 2 click style 3/8" torque wrenches:

5-75ft lbs

10-100ft lbs

Do you guys think these are redundant of each other? Being this close to spec - and if so which would you keep? or add to. (Automotive work)

P.S: I have a 1/2" 0-250ftlb click style - that works for higher torque work.

Thanks !

 

[Don1357]

I would keep the 5-75. When you have a longer range you sacrifice some accuracy and having a 0-250 means you can hit that 80~100 pound torque with it.

 

[snorky18]

Hey guys

I' own 2 click style 3/8" torque wrenches:

5-75ft lbs

10-100ft lbs

...
1/2" 0-250ftlb click style - that works for higher torque work.

Thanks !

Keeping in mind they are typically only acccurate between 20-100% of the full scale (FS) reading.
So here are the useful ranges of your three wrenches

5-75 > 15-75
10-100 >20-100
0-250 > 50-250

Long answer to a shorter question, but yes your smaller two are redundant. I'd trade one of them for 1/4" drive. I very rarely strip fasteners, but generally when I do, they're small.

 

[Sdot]

I would keep the 5-75. When you have a longer range you sacrifice some accuracy and having a 0-250 means you can hit that 80~100 pound torque with it.

Solid thank you for this advice. The 0-250 is an older Snap-on TQFR250c. Fantastically accurate & recalibrated by SO. Admittedly the dial wheel isn't the greatest and only goes up in increments of 5ftlb.

Keeping in mind they are typically only acccurate between 20-100% of the full scale (FS) reading.
So here are the useful ranges of your three wrenches

5-75 > 15-75
10-100 >20-100
0-250 > 50-250

Long answer to a shorter question, but yes your smaller two are redundant. I'd trade one of them for 1/4" drive. I very rarely strip fasteners, but generally when I do, they're small.

Yup, was reading SO's 20% excerpt which essentially sparked my curiosity.
Which would you keep? and which would you swap for a 1/4" ?

Thanks!

 

[larry_g]

Hard to say without knowing the quality of the two and if either can pass calibration... I would send them in for calibration and if both pass then keep the one you want and sell the other with the added cost of calibration and its certificate. If one can't pass calibration then you have your answer.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Is redundant a bad thing?

 

[Jland]

Hi all, I am new here.. first post. I guess i am a bit confused by this 20% thing.. i am aware that pretty much all torque wrenches claim a +/- accuracy of 4% so effectively 8%... so whats with the snap on 20% thing?

 

[plinker]

I find enough need at work for 3/8 torque wrench over 75lb and under 100 to warrant having both or just the 10-100 lb unit, There are times where a larger 1/2 drive unit may be too big/bulky with an adapter, or just too long.

Hi all, I am new here.. first post. I guess i am a bit confused by this 20% thing.. i am aware that pretty much all torque wrenches claim a +/- accuracy of 4% so effectively 8%... so whats with the snap on 20% thing?

20%-100% of their range is where torque wrenches are the most accurate regardless of brand. It's not a Snap-on specific thing. Basically on a 5-75 ft lb wrench anything under around 15lbs is going to be less accurate then using it over 15lb (say 8% at under 15lb instead of the 4% when 15lb or over). Some/most are also less accurate counter clockwise then clockwise according to a CDI manual

The fix would be an inch lb torque wrench, say 50-250 in lb, for things torqued to 20lb or under. The biggest reason for a torque wrench is consistency, IE where all bolts are torqued the same (within reason) instead of 50lb on one, 65 on another and so on.

 

[dnschmidt]

Your asking a guy with at least 25 torque wrenches if two are redundant? You've got to be shitting me right?

 

[GCS]

Your asking a guy with at least 25 torque wrenches if two are redundant? You've got to be shitting me right?

F’n Funny ****!

 

[Sdot]

Hard to say without knowing the quality of the two and if either can pass calibration... I would send them in for calibration and if both pass then keep the one you want and sell the other with the added cost of calibration and its certificate. If one can't pass calibration then you have your answer.

Both are higher end - purchased new - and in spec.

I find enough need at work for 3/8 torque wrench over 75lb and under 100 to warrant having both or just the 10-100 lb unit, There are times where a larger 1/2 drive unit may be too big/bulky with an adapter, or just too long.

The biggest reason for a torque wrench is consistency, IE where all bolts are torqued the same (within reason) instead of 50lb on one, 65 on another and so on.

Exactly!

You bring up a lot of good points - the smaller one allows to get into tighter spaces due to its physical dimensions. What adapter are you referring (for the 1/2"?) - Ive seen a bunch just don't know a thing about them.

Your asking a guy with at least 25 torque wrenches if two are redundant? You've got to be shitting me right?

Limited space in the toolbox for just so many blowmolded cases.
Trying to repurpose some $coin for sockets/ratchets I don't own yet.

 

[plinker]

Exactly!

You bring up a lot of good points - the smaller one allows to get into tighter spaces due to its physical dimensions. What adapter are you referring (for the 1/2"?) - Ive seen a bunch just don't know a thing about them.

If you need to use a 3/8 drive socket for any particular reason with the 1/2 drive torque wrench, it's a 1/2 to 3/8 that'd be the adapter I refer to. The low profile adapter like these in the link can make a difference if needed (very useful to have either way). IME, adapting down is to be avoided as much as possible, going up is less problematic.

https://www.amazon.com/Grey-Pneumatic-103RA-3-Piece-Reducing/dp/B0021UGAL0/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=low+profile+adapter+1%2F2+to+3%2F8&qid=1602893983&sr=8-4

 

[Wamsutta]

Redundancy and Overkill are two excellent personality traits to have.

 

[Lucid Moments]

I would look to add something like a Precision Instruments C2FR600H. It is 3/8" drive, but 100 to 600 lb-in. Which in practical terms gets you an accurate reading down to 120 lb-in or 10 lb-ft and much more granular as you go up.