broken Craftsman torque wrench

[ed_v]

I have a Craftsman 1/2" click type that is about 15 tears old. It has seen minimal use imo. The rotating plastic lock by the handle has broke, so I can't lock in the settings.

By any chance do you think Sears would give me a new one on warranty? If not, I wish I could get this one repaired. I know that that's probably not an option either

Ed

 

[SCscoutguy]

I am not sure but I believe they only offer a very short warranty period on torque wrenches. I believe it is something like 30-90 days. Most people will not warranty torque wrenches. Edit: Here is their warranty info.

Craftsman Torque Wrenches: Electronic, DigiClick, MicroTork FOR 90 DAYS from the date of purchase, this product is warranted against defects in material or workmanship. With proof of purchase, a defective product will receive free repair or replacement if repair is unavailable. Free recalibration if required will also be supplied with proof of purchase during the warranty period.

WARRANTY SERVICE
To obtain warranty coverage, contact the distributor from which the product was purchased.

http://www.craftsman.com/cswarranty/nb-100000000227082#point3a

 

[Ign]

You just learned to never buy Cman torque wrenches. No, they won't warranty it. Get a CDI from ebay or elsewhere online.

 

[Conductor562]

My understanding is that the clicker wrenches only carry a 90 day warranty. Stranger things have happened though. If you raise a little hell and swear it had a lifetime warranty when you bought it, they'll probably give you another. I've seen lots of people get **** warrantied that they shouldn't have.

 

[Monkey Milk]

I am not sure but I believe they only offer a very short warranty period on torque wrenches. I believe it is something like 30-90 days. Most people will not warranty torque wrenches. Edit: Here is their warranty info.

http://www.craftsman.com/cswarranty/nb-100000000227082#point3a

Same thing happen with my wrench plastic handle just spun around and NO they do not warranty it. Tried it all, still no go! Bought a Mac, awesome!

 

[jjjrmx5]

By any chance do you think Sears would give me a new one on warranty? If not, I wish I could get this one repaired. I know that that's probably not an option either

Ed

No.

YOu will not get a new one.

The lock ring breaking on those clicker types is a known shortfall, but as mentioned above, it's only a 30, 60 or 90 day warranty on those things.

Save up and get a Pi or one of other industrial types out there or look for used Snap-On.

Hell, as a temp soultion buy a HF clicker. That will get you by unless doing electronics, engine rebuilding or machine assembly.

 

[RCStocker]

The answer is NO! The only replace the beam type. If is more than 90 days old they will not replace it. No chance in hell. I have tried and I know the manager of the store. I was told they do not replace them.

By the way everyone. When you store your torque wrench set it back to Zero. If you don't the spring will stretch and it will loose is accuracy. They need to be calibrated every now and then as well. They do go out of wack.

 

[trout]

By the way everyone. When you store your torque wrench set it back to Zero. If you don't the spring will stretch and it will loose is accuracy. They need to be calibrated every now and then as well. They do go out of wack.

Or buy a dial, beam, or split beam and never worry about it.

 

[4BT]

I have warranteed a c-man 1/2 torque wrench in the past.

 

[06 DIESEL]

My ring is broken on mine also, broke when doing my second set of head studs, but it was after the 90 day warranty. I still use it and have for several years, all I have to do is check to make sure it is not rotating on me as I am using it.

 

[ed_v]

Thanks guys. I appreciate you input.

Ed

 

[BL50]

A very timely thread ... I'm doing an engine rebuild and a frame-off restoration. Just pull out my old Craftsman click torque wrench and its got the same problem that everyone mentions above. I've always hated that thing anyway. Can anyone suggest a GOOD torque wrench? I'm going to using the hell out of it soon and don't want to buy another POS!

 

[SMKS]

Can anyone suggest a GOOD torque wrench? I'm going to using the hell out of it soon and don't want to buy another POS!

What's your budget?

Do some googling here to find threads, but there are a few brands that are commonly recommended. Here are just a handful off the top of my head:

-CDI
-Precision Instruments (especially the split beam wrenches)
- Armstrong
-GearWrench. The GW torque wrenches are the only GW tools made in the USA. They're similar to the Armstrong wrenches since both brands are owned by Apex. The GW has a different handle.
-Husky. Home Depot's new Husky torque wrenches seem to be identical to the GW torque wrenches, but are a little cheaper.

More info on the Husky wrenches here:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=206674&showall=1

 

[Strouty]

I bought a westward from granger they told me they will warranty it for life. Of course for the first 5 years I did not know about the spring needing to be set back to zero. Live and learn, now I always check it before putting it back.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Can anyone suggest a GOOD torque wrench? I'm going to using the hell out of it soon and don't want to buy another POS!

The new Husky USA torque wrenches are excellent quality. The same wrench sold by Gearwrench and Matco (except actually affordable!). Made by Apex. Used the 1/2" daily at the last job, and just picked up a 3/8" today for putting my motorcycle back together.

1/2" Husky and Matco

 

[BL50]

I'm looking for something under $100 - thanks for the suggestions!

 

[jim2664258]

My ring is broken on mine also, broke when doing my second set of head studs, but it was after the 90 day warranty. I still use it and have for several years, all I have to do is check to make sure it is not rotating on me as I am using it.

Same here, it actually isn't that a big deal. Just had a thought that a piece of electrical tape wrapped tightly around the ring might solve it. Have to cut the tape thickness to match the ring thickness but I think I am gonna try this tomorrow.

The other problem noted here, where the handle itself spins freely, is a different animal - the wrench is toast at that point. My take on Craftsman torque wrenches is that the calibration should not be warranted but other complete physical failures should be. It's a hand tool but does not have a 'forever' warranty as their other hand tools do. Their reasoning is that it's a precision tool, and I'm fine with them not warranting the 'precision' aspect of it, but a general failure in construction should be warranted by their own standards.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

. Can anyone suggest a GOOD torque wrench? I'm going to using the hell out of it soon and don't want to buy another POS!

Kobalt

 

[Trey T]

I have the 1/2" CMan with the plastic locking collar. It's it's not the best but it's not the worst but the Husky USA one is a lot better. I don't have problem with mine but I know it's good enough to torque down wheels.

You're gonna like the locking feature of the Husky one, spring loaded type.

 

[genevabuck]

To get 15 years out of a torque wrench is awesome.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I'm looking for something under $100 - thanks for the suggestions!

As posted above, quality USA built torque wrench, sold by Husky. 1/2" is $85, 3/8" is $75.

 

[jjjrmx5]

My take on Craftsman torque wrenches is that the calibration should not be warranted but other complete physical failures should be. It's a hand tool but does not have a 'forever' warranty as their other hand tools do. Their reasoning is that it's a precision tool, and I'm fine with them not warranting the 'precision' aspect of it, but a general failure in construction should be warranted by their own standards.

I agree with you 100% and even own one of the ring style C'man torque wrenches that seldom sees the light of day anymore.

No problem with the no calibration warranty.
But as you mention Jim, it is INDEED a fu*%#(g handtool, thus should fall under teh handtool warranty as a whole for teh tool itself.

If my rubber grip deteriorates or splits while using on a C'man toungue and groove pliers, I get a new pair. ****** plastics mix or poor mfgr. quality.

If the lock ring on my torque wrench breaks, it's certainly 99% of the time nothing that I did to cause it. Poor design or poor material choice.

Live and learn I guess.

 

[the1nonlyjl]

I'm looking for something under $100 - thanks for the suggestions!

Armstrong all the way... Go find 1/2 drive on eBay for 70 bucks. If u need my help with that, just pm me I be more than happy 2 give u the link.

 

[GSteg]

I love my craftsman torque wrench (clicker type). I've had it for years and it's been good to me. The plastic lock is definitely the weak point, so I always have to be careful not to drop it. It goes back into the case when I'm done, and it gets reset to zero.

You definitely won't be able to get warranty, but after 15 years, it probably needs to be calibrated anyways.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Armstrong all the way... Go find 1/2 drive on eBay for 70 bucks.

Also the same torque wrenches as the Husky/Gearwrench/Matcos. Only difference in any of them is the logo/selector and the Armstrong/Matco have the bare metal grip, while the Husky/Gearwrench has the rubber grip over the metal.

The only real difference is deciding how much you want to pay for which logo is in the head.

 

[cglasgow]

By the way everyone. When you store your torque wrench set it back to Zero. If you don't the spring will stretch and it will loose is accuracy. They need to be calibrated every now and then as well. They do go out of wack.

Correction -- set it to the bottom of the scale, not zero. Two problems with zero -- 1. Wind it down too far and the spring can fall out of it's seat (I had a 3/8 CM that did this), and 2. Wind certain CM wrenches to zero "with authority" (i.e. hard against the stop) and the lock nut that holds the calibration comes loose and then the handle spins.

So if it's a 100-20 lb-ft wrench for example, store it set at 20 lb-ft. And keep in mind that all micrometer-type wrenches are going to be unacceptably inaccurate (I've seen figures of 20% inaccuracy and more) at either extreme of their range. If the torque you're trying to measure doesn't fall comfortably in the middle, you need a larger or smaller wrench.

+1000 on periodic calibration.

 

[TJJP77]

To get 15 years out of a torque wrench is awesome.

I think I'd be a little disappointed with just 15 years. All of my Snap-On torque wrenches are older than that. All of them were acquired from pawn shops and were in new to like-new condition when I bought them.

Personally i'd check out some pawn shops - if you make a cash offer, you might be able to get a clean Snap-On within your budget.

Most of the rest of my tools are USA Craftsman, but their torque wrenches just didn't inspire any confidence, so that's why I "splurged" and bought Snap-On torque wrenches when the need arose - started out with the typical 1/2" drive clicker model that goes from 30-200 lb. ft. As time moved on and I was doing some engine work, I bought a "Torque-o-meter" that was perfect for that kind of stuff.

Since then I acquired a few more - a small "torque-o-meter" in inch pounds and a flex-head 3/8" drive clicker...these were more motivated by being in the right place at the right time and getting them for a killer price, though they have come in handy on occasion.

 

[Snowbound]

Mine did the same thing and no dice on the warranty. Just bought a used ( like new ) Snap On 3/8 off eBay for $85.

All kinds of them for that money. Look at the completed sales to get an idea of prices. Tons of them on there for 130+ too if you can't wait for a deal.

 

[Alfawrench]

You might try contacting JS Technology, Inc, in Alpharetta, GA, 770-475-8011, as they were the likely manufacturer, and might sell the parts. I don't find a website for them and I believe they are part of the Dahaner today.
A couple of years ago I came across the Craftsman manuals and parts breakdown for a number of JS Tech made torque wrenches, so, if you still have the full model number, you might be able to get the part from Sears parts direct. (I was looking for ratchet rebuild kits my local Sears said were not available)