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Good torque wrench brand

christopher7390

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Feb 19, 2015
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268
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Middletown NY
Hey guys,
Anybody have experience with good brands for a torque wrench??
I would like a snapon one, but theyre pretty expensive atm for me.


thanks guys
 
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Leaflessshadetree

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Aug 1, 2013
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Don't ask.
Actually HF aren't bad for $10, if you have nothing. Not sure how they hold up in a professional environment but I've had mine for many years.
I do get them checked every 5 years or so.
 

T_R

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Jul 2, 2015
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Maine
I have the HF one and a Craftsman one. The plastic lock ring on the Craftsman has broken twice in 20 years. First time Sears warrantied it, second time they wouldn't. It now has a hose clamp around it. The HF one has been fine. It's shorter than the Craftsman one, both are 1/2 drive. I work in a shop and use them regularly.
 

bwitt

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Jan 25, 2013
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Oak Creek, WI
What he said ^

Have several and they are TOP NOTCH. Affordable and reliable in a professional environment.
 

SMKS

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USA, planet Earth
What's your budget? That will determine what brands to go for.

Some well-regarded brands to consider:
-GearWrench. These are made in the USA and pretty affordable. Similar wrenches are sold under the Armstrong and Matco brands.
-CDI
-Precision Instruments. I especially like their split-beam wrenches, although the one I have has more back drag in the ratcheting mechanism than I'd like.
 

Falcon67

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Merkel, TX
I tested 4 the other day - two older SnapOn and two Craftsman - one kinda new dial-in-handle model and an old plastic lock ring one that I've had for years. Like 30. The old plastic lock ring item tested dead on at 100 ft/lbs. The others were off 5-7 low. The worst was the newer dial-in-handle Cman. The one I usually pick up first LOL.
 

M4A1Carbine

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Florida
I have a Gearwrench 1/2" torque wrench, made in the US, that I am very happy with. You can get the same torque wrench branded Husky at Home Depot, but I've seen that they recently switched to a new China made torque wrench. You can still find the US made one at HD if you look, they sell for $85 new. The one on their website is the US made Gearwrench, the newer China made torque wrench has the Husky symbol on the back of the ratchet and a different handle. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-1-2-in-Click-Torque-Wrench-H2DTW/202916180

The Gearwrench is $100 on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-85054-2-Inch-Micrometer-Torque/dp/B000TDEFRM

They come with a case and calibration sheet.
 
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Wamsutta

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Amarillo, Texas
You can get high quality torque wrenches off ebay if you're patient. I find the BIN auctions are a better deal than the bidding war auctions.
 

thaas4488

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Aug 16, 2015
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syracuse
Have several precision instruments units that I love but I also have a kobalt from lowes (don't like kobalt tools) that I use as a loaner when people ask me to borrow one (worst this you can ever do, never let anyone borrow the torque wrench you use) and it's a nice unit. Held up well and I actually kind of like it myself. And I think I paid $78 for it.
 

Dave455

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Sussex, England
You can usually get a better deal by going direct to the manufacturer, rather than getting the same tool with somebody else's brand name on!

I don't know the U.S. makers well, but in the U.K. and Europe, the majority of torque wrenches (irrespective of brand) will be made by Torqueleader in the U.K, Rahsol in Germany (part of Gedore), or Norbar, also in the U.K.

Both Torqueleader and Rahsol make a huge range. All of them are good, and the top end are awesome. If you see guys in the British aerospace industry using those gorgeous torque screwdrivers with coloured anodised handles, they are Torqueleader, also the rugged dial type wrenches with enclosed mechanism's!

The Norbar stuff isn't as good, but it's perfectly serviceable, reasonably priced, and a far better bet than the far eastern stuff at similar money! I believe they are available at reasonable money in the U.S. so that would be my suggestion if you wanted new!

Personally, I wouldn't hesitate to buy used! The more specialised a tool is (and torque wrenches are getting specialised) the better deal you seem to get used. You can get them re calibrated easily, but I've bought loads used over the years and none have been far out. Certainly good enough for my requirements!
 

pepi

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Woodstock, GA
CDI makes them for Snap On. Might be a bit cheaper.

This CDI is a very nice tool, measurements are etched on the tool. The So has a different head, only difference of the two. I have had 3 other brands over the years, the CDI wrench is quality.
 

ex-x-fire

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Sheboygan Falls Wi.
I went to the Home Depot & got a good deal on there USA made 1/2 tq wrench, its the same one the Matco sells for over $200. They even accepted my HF 20% off coupon.
 
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pollockjon68

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Nov 25, 2014
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NE Ohio
I have 2 Precision Instruments split beams (3/8" and 1/2") . Very nice quality. When I was looking at what to buy I found several places online that calibrate these. Many places did not mess with the cheaper brands.
 

Davefr

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Although they're generally perceived as accurate, HF torque wrenches are garbage IMHO. The range scale/adjustment range is tiny, the click at the lower end is barely audible, the adjustment feels very course and adjusting the torque also moves the locking nut which need to be constantly backed off as you tighten the wrench. These things don't inspire any confidence and I threw mine in the trash.

I'd go with PI. They are excellent and don't need to be loosened during storage.

The Husky torque wrenches at HD also get a lot of praise here at GJ.

No need to overspend on tool truck brands.
 

Brownsfan

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Cleveland Ohio
I have the Husky USA 3/8 and 1/2 and have been happy with them. They are switching to China so be careful. The China ones have Husky on the handle that looks like the screwdriver handles. The USA ones have a solid black handle. In my stores the USA ones are usually behind the China ones. The employees just put the new stuff over the old.
 
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christopher7390

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Middletown NY
Thanys for all your opinions guys..will look into all the brands posted. If you guys find any sweet deals let me know! Have a good weekend everyone
 

Davefr

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I have the Husky USA 3/8 and 1/2 and have been happy with them. They are switching to China so be careful. The China ones have Husky on the handle that looks like the screwdriver handles. The USA ones have a solid black handle. In my stores the USA ones are usually behind the China ones. The employees just put the new stuff over the old.

You're right. The Armstrong rebranded Husky torque wrenches are almost all gone. (replaced with low end Chinese but at the same USA price).

You guys better act fast if you want one. The plain black handle SKU is US.
 

mnjim

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Jan 23, 2015
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I have a CDI which is very nice and very accurate. I also have two Tekton's that I've been happy with and are a great bargain at $40 or so. The Tekton's are also very easy to fine tune the calibration if desired.
 

morgaj1

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Jul 5, 2015
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Alabama
I've had good luck buying used Proto torque wrenches from ebay and sending them to Proto for calibration ($15 or so).
 

zakmartin

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Jul 3, 2012
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Seattle, WA
Precision Instruments. I love their split beam torque wrenches. 1/2 & 3/8. I also have a 1/4 PI click adjustable torque wrench (easily converts to a 3/8.) I also have some USA Craftsman and USA Gearwrench (beam style) and they've been mostly good so far (one of my Craftsman wrenches fell apart on me several years ago; I just tossed it in the junk tool box. Since I got the PIs a few years ago, I've been using them almost exclusively. Snap-On used to sell the PI split beam as their own.
 

03protege

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Louisiana
I used Harbor freight for my tires until it recently crapped out, the adjustment system on it is so crude. For $10 though I felt it was worth keeping the wear off my "good" ones.

I now use my Proto torque wrenches for everything, previously reserved for engine/suspension work.
 

03protege

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I've had good luck buying used Proto torque wrenches from ebay and sending them to Proto for calibration ($15 or so).

Awesome I had no idea proto would recalibrate them, and so cheaply!

I may buy the 1/4" wrench to round out my collection and send them all off to Proto.

The local pawn shop here ALWAYS has Proto torque wrenches.
 

R. Johnson

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Jun 19, 2015
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CT
We have CDI click and dial torque wrenches here. They hold up very well. We get them calibrated regularly and none have ever failed cal.

I have an older Craftsman click type at home that is perfectly fine for DIY use.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk
 

morgaj1

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Alabama
Awesome I had no idea proto would recalibrate them, and so cheaply!

I may buy the 1/4" wrench to round out my collection and send them all off to Proto.

The local pawn shop here ALWAYS has Proto torque wrenches.

I've had really good service from Proto. The last time I had wrenches calibrated, I sent them a 1/2" and a 1/4" wrench. I did not have a case for the 1/4" wrench, so I put a note in the package asking if I could purchase one. When the wrenches returned from calibration, Proto CS included a used blow molded case for the 1/4". I called and tried to pay them for it, but the lady on the phone wouldn't let me. It's rare that you find that kind of service these days.
 

WarDamnEagle

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Mar 13, 2009
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208
Location
Auburn
I have 3 snap on torque wrenches and all have been very good. I searched ebay for new in box snap on and CDI in the ranges I was looking for and was very patient. Would have gladly bought CDI but Snap On is much more prevalent.
 

guy48065

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Aug 12, 2012
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Calibration Lab
Some well-regarded brands to consider:
-GearWrench. These are made in the USA and pretty affordable...
But their customer service is the worst I have encountered. Skip their electronic wrenches. They're assembled in the US but use china electronics--and that's what keeps failing.
Matco rebrands these but even they can't stand behind it.


http://www.apextoolgroup.com/brands-faceting
 

ovrrdrive

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Sep 13, 2015
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Central Florida
I watched a lawnmower video the other day on YT that had one of the electronic Cornwell's in it and just about got a woodie. Then I looked up the price and that feeling just melted away... Almost $600 is a little steep for my tastes.

Was damned nice though.
 
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