Can you suggest a good Torque Wrench
- Thread starter leod
- Start date
if you are only using it once or twice for lug nuts or something get one from HF or craftsman. for one that gets used frequently, i really like Precision Insturment. the PI's that i have are the split beam style. they are very strong and hold their calibration better than most. 
JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN
Well-known member
For new torque wrenches that are 10-100 range you have a few options. Craftsman, Gear Wrench (I Prefer) or Cornwell, I'm not sure if Matco sells one or not I dont see that tool truck. The ones I name range from $100-$120
I got a PI from tooltopia, it is a split beam like the snapon I own.... Works great...
http://www.tooltopia.com/precision-instruments-c2fr100f.aspx
Or this one.
http://www.tooltopia.com/precision-instruments-c3fr250f.aspx
http://www.tooltopia.com/precision-instruments-c2fr100f.aspx
Or this one.
http://www.tooltopia.com/precision-instruments-c3fr250f.aspx
Zebu Fellenz
Well-known member
if you are only using it once or twice for lug nuts or something get one from HF or craftsman. for one that gets used frequently, i really like Precision Insturment. the PI's that i have are the split beam style. they are very strong and hold their calibration better than most.
I just picked up the PI split beam flex head wrenches in both 3/8" and 1/2" drive, I haven't used them yet but they sure look and feel nice.
I'll put them to the test on a diesel rebuild I'm finishing up tomorrow.
^^^ What he said!!
I got the PI 10-100 ft lb - 3/8" and couldn't be happier. I love the simple adjustment. No more turning forever to get a setting dialed in and then having to zero it out for storage.
I also supplemented the PI 10-100 with a HF 1/2" on sale for about $10 so I could torque over 100 ft lbs.
I'm much more concerned about 10-100 accuracy then >100.
these are nice, i like the 3/8 one (C2FR100F) better than gearwrench.
thanks for the info!
Update: you made me spend more now, i found an SK ratchet that i like there too
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Damian
Well-known member
Believe it or not, I've tested a HF 3/8" TQ wrench against my Blue Point 3/8", and the HF was almost dead on with the Blue Point. It was pretty amazing, especially since the HF was $19.99 and my Blue point was $150'ish.
If it's not a very intricate job or something that requires very precise TQ, I think any of the HF wrenches will be fine. However if you're like me and need some VERY accurate for adjusting valvetrains and such, then I would get something a little better named brand. Precision Instruments is a good one.
BTW, all of the new Craftsman TQ wrenches are complete garbage. I got one for my birthday and that thing is a POS. I'd use a HF wrench over one of those any day.
If it's not a very intricate job or something that requires very precise TQ, I think any of the HF wrenches will be fine. However if you're like me and need some VERY accurate for adjusting valvetrains and such, then I would get something a little better named brand. Precision Instruments is a good one.
BTW, all of the new Craftsman TQ wrenches are complete garbage. I got one for my birthday and that thing is a POS. I'd use a HF wrench over one of those any day.
madvladcivic
Active member
Try Gorilla Automotive. Amazon had them for about 40$ shipped.
+/-4% accuracy. Just like the Craftsman but for half the price.
Solid construction and very audible click-click when the torque
setting is reached. Easy to read dial. Comes in a hard-shell case
w/ 5in extension and a 1/2 to 3/8 step-down adaptor. It is a
1/2driver BTW.
Range is 20-140ft-lb.
I have the PI split beam torque wrench (C3FR250F) that I use once or twice a week. I haven't had any problems with it but I'm not such a big fan of the torque adjustment method. It uses a very small dial with increments of five pound feet so if you have a torque spec that calls for 103 foot pounds you just have to eyeball it and hope that you got it right. If I knew this I would have just gone with a micrometer torque wrench instead.
spongerich
Well-known member
I picked up a used Snap-On split beam on eBay for about $70. It's a great tool and well worth the $$$.
briggsguy17
Well-known member
PI makes most of the Snap On line up. I like the fact that you don't have to unload the spring on the split beam ones......but then again I have been known to be lazy like that.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Have you ordered the Precision Instruments split beam torque wrench yet? What are you waiting for? You won't find a better torque wrench.
if you are only using it once or twice for lug nuts or something get one from HF or craftsman. for one that gets used frequently, i really like Precision Insturment. the PI's that i have are the split beam style. they are very strong and hold their calibration better than most.
i remember reading a thread somewhere about a guy who worked in a torque wrench calibration place and that was his primary job. He said that the best bang for the buck was the husky's from home depot if I remember right. I bought a 3/8 a couple years ago and have been very happy. Its real important to handle the tool very carfully cause knocking it around and not storing it right messes up the calibration.
JayL
Well-known member
PI split beam TW.