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Digital/TechAngle Torque Wrenches

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charbar

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Feb 6, 2021
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Midwest
I think my current Snap On TechAngle is on its way out......Im starting to question how accurate the angle part of it is anyway. I did cylinder heads on a V8 today and it just didnt seem 'right' by feel; also noticed my lines on my head bolts weren't all perfectly aligned. Close, but not perfect.

It is the old school previous generation TechAngle with the gray and black handle so it has been around for awhile and been great up until now. Not knocking it one bit considering the amount of use it has gotten over the years.

Are there any other digital/techangle style torque wrenches I should consider or do I just tell my Snap On guy to bring me a new one next week? This is not an area where I am concerned about saving money....I turn wrenches for a living so I need something that works no questions asked. I don't want to be questioning anything when it rolls out the shop door because of a torque wrench I dont trust.

Thoughts, opinions and recommendations welcomed!
 
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pbon

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May 14, 2017
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The HF Icon 1/2” is good and much less if you wait for a 20-30% coupon. It does 12.5 to 250 lbs if that works for the OP. There is no Icon 3/8 angle wrench.
 
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plinker

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Feb 28, 2007
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Northern Wi
I have a Matco digital in 1/2 drive, Got it because the Snap-on guy was unreliable at the time. The led indicators work backwards compared to the 3/8 Snap-on I have, preference would be if it worked the same.

The main thing I dont care for with the Matco is when using the angle feature it does not show the amount of torque achieved when pausing like the Snap-on does. Therefore, you wont know if you went over torque (for the tool) until it happens. It may have to be sent off for repair then.
 
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LXCam

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Apr 23, 2013
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AZ
I’m a tech angle veteran and I wouldn’t hesitate to buy a new one.

In a perfect world where you’ve got lots of room to gauge your swing or use a dial you don’t need one. But doing heads in a cramped engine bay where you need to ratchet back to finish off - nothing bets it.
 
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charbar

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crashmtb said:
Have it calibrated?
Click to expand...

Crossed my mind but it's hard telling how long it will be before I get it back. Also figured it's probably getting old enough it might completely lay over and die on me so maybe I should just upgrade.
 
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charbar

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I have a Cornwell guy and can get Mac if I travel to meet him.....those are my only other options for tool trucks besides Snappy. Not even sure what Cornwell and Mac have to offer in this department.

Doesn't seem like there's a whole lot of options really....?

Buying something like this from harbor freight just kind of makes me cringe.....maybe they are just as good as any other though...? Didn't even know they made one.
 
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Wamsutta

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Jan 8, 2014
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Amarillo, Texas
charbar said:
Crossed my mind but it's hard telling how long it will be before I get it back. Also figured it's probably getting old enough it might completely lay over and die on me so maybe I should just upgrade.
Click to expand...
They have a metal handle version out now if you'd rather have that.
 
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Buckgnarly

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Oct 8, 2010
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VT
I have the old style one you have at school, and the newer one at home. The newer one feels and works much better than the old gray one. The old gray one has been around the block with kid use, just acts odd at times and a little slow.
I don't think you'll regret buying the new one.
 
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Wrench97

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Jun 23, 2018
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Location
Southeastern Pa
Stick with the Techangle, I replaced mine about 2 years ago my rep even took my old gray handle misbehaving one in on trade.
 
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pbon

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charbar said:
Buying something like this from harbor freight just kind of makes me cringe.....maybe they are just as good as any other though...? Didn't even know they made one.
Click to expand...
The HF Icon 1/2” angle torque is apparently made in Taiwan, either by KABO or Eclatorq, both of which have pretty good reputations and make tools for some of the bigger names. I did like the 300 lb limit of the Snapon, but the best price I could find was more than twice the price of the Icon.
 
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AEAdam

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May 27, 2023
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Send it in to be calibrated. It's a nominal fee (used to be around $100). They calibrate and fix anything that needs to be fixed. It a good deal. I'd keep what you have if you are okay with it. The new models have some newer user interface if you care about that. I have the same models you have and I like them.
 
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dchawk81

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Jul 31, 2014
Messages
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charbar said:
I think my current Snap On TechAngle is on its way out......Im starting to question how accurate the angle part of it is anyway. I did cylinder heads on a V8 today and it just didnt seem 'right' by feel; also noticed my lines on my head bolts weren't all perfectly aligned. Close, but not perfect.

It is the old school previous generation TechAngle with the gray and black handle so it has been around for awhile and been great up until now. Not knocking it one bit considering the amount of use it has gotten over the years.

Are there any other digital/techangle style torque wrenches I should consider or do I just tell my Snap On guy to bring me a new one next week? This is not an area where I am concerned about saving money....I turn wrenches for a living so I need something that works no questions asked. I don't want to be questioning anything when it rolls out the shop door because of a torque wrench I dont trust.

Thoughts, opinions and recommendations welcomed!
Click to expand...
I'm not a Snap on freak but I'd get one in an instant if I was building engines. Or maybe a CDI.

As it stands I use the Craftsman digital but I'm not doing anything as critical as head studs. I just like that it beeps while I have sweat making me blind.
 
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crashmtb

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Aug 2, 2006
Messages
93
Location
Winnipeg
charbar said:
Crossed my mind but it's hard telling how long it will be before I get it back. Also figured it's probably getting old enough it might completely lay over and die on me so maybe I should just upgrade.
Click to expand...
Find someplace local that does it, could even be a while-you-wait thing.
 
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2ndGearRubber

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Mar 24, 2014
Messages
14,185
Location
Pittsburgh
dchawk81 said:
Tighten until the click/beep then go 1/3 turn.

Not that it matters being a GM. 😉😬😀
Click to expand...

I did a GM wheel bearing which wanted something like 42 degrees. Not divisible by 5, no ratio to 360 degrees, etc. The easy angles it's almost easier to just use a paint pen.

If it were ME and my money, I'd figure out what it would cost to trade up into a new model, and the cost/downtime of calibrating. How often do you use it? I'm not sure I could be without my 1/4 or 3/8 for more than a week.
 
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dchawk81

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Messages
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2ndGearRubber said:
I did a GM wheel bearing which wanted something like 42 degrees. Not divisible by 5, no ratio to 360 degrees, etc. The easy angles it's almost easier to just use a paint pen.

If it were ME and my money, I'd figure out what it would cost to trade up into a new model, and the cost/downtime of calibrating. How often do you use it? I'm not sure I could be without my 1/4 or 3/8 for more than a week.
Click to expand...
I agree. I'd want the tech angle for the super specific angles not the basic easy ones.

Even if I wasn't building engines for money and only myself, I could easily justify the expense because when you do a job to spec, it lasts longer.
 
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dnschmidt

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Oct 3, 2014
Messages
7,272
Location
Phoenix, AZ
The Tech Angle isn't the only angle torque wrench worth a damn on Earth. Proto, Mac, USAG, NAPA Carlyle and many others (including Harbor Freight Quinn) use Eclatorq as their manufacturer. The ICON torque + angle torque wrench comes from KABO one of the best tool companies in Taiwan. There is a YouTube channel called TOOLS TESTED that does a lot of torque wrench tests and Snap-On has proven to be acceptable but not the best. Worth checking out.
 
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Odd-job

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Aug 13, 2017
Messages
2,267
Location
SF Bay Area
I'm still holding out for one of these. Depending on how much beer I drink I am finding no digital torque wrench above can really help me.

Oh and it must be better than the Hazet above because its $4k with a Zoro coupon.

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SilverJimmy

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Apr 14, 2012
Messages
1,629
Location
Prescott/Flagstaff, AZ
You can have your existing torque wrench sent out by your Snap-On Dealer for repair and calibration. You can even request a Certificate of Calibration that meets all FAA and Military requirements for calibration. All of this should be substantially less expensive than purchasing a new tool. These tools are not a consumable item, they just require periodic maintenance just like most mechanical things. Even a Rolex requires regular service! Hope this helps you, happy wrenching!
 
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