good torque wrench for head/valve gaskets? cheap

[blackz26]

On the never ending quest to full my box, I believe torque wrench is in order. I believe 3/8 would cover my needs. Bought the only real thing I'd like one for is doing the rare gasket job. Would 3/8 cover that? I'd like to get the click over the dial for the reassurance. Looking for something available at AutoZone, advanced auto or napa. With AutoZone preferred, because of the rewards points. I really like duralast tools, but don't know about a torque wrench from them. No point in getting something that Kant accurate. What do you think guys? Also, is it safe to assume they are calibrated out of the box?

 

[billymade]

Define cheap and what do you want to spend? What torque range do you need (what are the specs for the fasteners); what type of work are you trying to complete, a head gasket job? All new torque wrenches will be calibrated out of the box.

 

[jmm]

Get the Harbor Freight torque wrench. They're quite accurate for DIY and stay that way if you store them correctly. They're cheap, too...so cheap you've got a good excuse to buy 3 torque wrenches (1/4, 3/8, 1/2).

 

[blackz26]

Define cheap and what do you want to spend? What torque range do you need (what are the specs for the fasteners); what type of work are you trying to complete, a head gasket job? All new torque wrenches will be calibrated out of the box.

Probably $50 or less. Don't know exact range. Just something that would cover a standard valve or head gasket job. No job yet, just something to add ahead of time. I was thinking HF as well, but would more money
to make the trip worth while. The closest HF is 45 minutes away.

 

[epmills]

HF should suit you fine. Remember you dont want to be working at the upper or lower limits of the torque wrench, so I would recommend a 3/8 AND 1/2 inch. Some head bolts can get pretty high torque specs.

 

[blackz26]

HF should suit you fine. Remember you dont want to be working at the upper or lower limits of the torque wrench, so I would recommend a 3/8 AND 1/2 inch. Some head bolts can get pretty high torque specs.

Darn, you mean I really need BOTH? Darn it!

Btw thanks for the info. I don't know a lot about these things. Except what they do and why.

 

[SMKS]

Probably $50 or less. Don't know exact range. Just something that would cover a standard valve or head gasket job.

This isn't specific enough. And, you will need to buy more than one to cover the full range.

Most torque wrenches are only accurate from 20 - 100% of full scale. Even if they claim to go lower than 20%, they usually don't. The fine print usually says something about how they're only accurate from 20 - 100% of full scale.

So, a 20-100 ft-lbs wrench will do a lot of stuff, but it won't go low enough to torque a lot of bolts under the hood of a car. On my cars, there are lots of things in the 12 -17 ft-lbs range.

People like to bash HF, sometimes with good reason, but the torque wrenches are actually OK. I have a 1/2" drive that has worked fine for me for several years. I recently checked it with my torque adapter and it's still pretty accurate.

So, if you need cheap, the HF wrenches could be a good choice. There are definitely better choices, but they're more expensive.

I also have this CDI torque wrench and it's a good deal for $50. It will do 15-75 ft-lbs.
http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/MiscInventory/CDTW.html

 

[blackz26]

This isn't specific enough. And, you will need to buy more than one to cover the full range.

Most torque wrenches are only accurate from 20 - 100% of full scale. Even if they claim to go lower than 20%, they usually don't. The fine print usually says something about how they're only accurate from 20 - 100% of full scale.

So, a 20-100 ft-lbs wrench will do a lot of stuff, but it won't go low enough to torque a lot of bolts under the hood of a car. On my cars, there are lots of things in the 12 -17 ft-lbs range.

People like to bash HF, sometimes with good reason, but the torque wrenches are actually OK. I have a 1/2" drive that has worked fine for me for several years. I recently checked it with my torque adapter and it's still pretty accurate.

So, if you need cheap, the HF wrenches are a good choice.

I also have this CDI torque wrench and it's a good deal for $50. It will do 15-75 ft-lbs.
http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/MiscInventory/CDTW.html

Sounds like all three from HF it is then. They're only like 9.99 with coupon right? that seems to stick in my head

 

[mattamd_xp]

Sounds like all three from HF it is then. They're only like 9.99 with coupon right? that seems to stick in my head

yup. Can get $6.99 shipping on them too so you don't have to make the trip. Probably save that much in gas alone from the sounds of it.

 

[diesel research]

the smaller the fastener, the more important accuracy tolerance will be.

10ft-lbs extra on a lug nut is not very important.

5ft-lbs extra on many smaller engine fasteners can be a huge deal.

means if you have to spend more money on one torque wrench, let it be on the smaller one.

 

[mattamd_xp]

Here's a link to the torque wrench coupon that was just posted in the HF coupon thread:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3087750&postcount=3261

 

[blackz26]

Here's a link to the torque wrench coupon that was just posted in the HF coupon thread:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3087750&postcount=3261

Thanks

 

[Paladin]

HF actually has a pretty decent torque wrench. I have one in 3/8" and one in 1/2". Both are plenty accurate. Sure, I'd like to have CDI or PI torque wrenches, but for the time being, HF torque wrenches work for me...

 

[signcrafter]

I have a total of 5 different torque wrenches, all have different ranges. I use my 1/2" mostly for wheel lugs and other higher FOOT pound torque things. I use my 3/8" for things like suspension parts and some engine stuff, things with lower FOOT pound torque ratings. Then I use my 1/4" for smaller fasteners like intake gaskets and other fasteners that need an INCH pound torque spec.

As for brand I've heard good about the HFs for the price. I have a few different brands from snap on to craftsman to gearwrench. My 1/4" gearwrench is great, under 100 bucks and made in the US. I bought mine over a period of years. If I was in your position and had no torque wrenches I would get all three of the HFs and then upgrade if the need ever comes up.

 

[keithh2oskier]

I am a basic DIY'er. I have 3 torque wrenches. 1/4, 3/8, &1/2". My dad got me the 3/8. Its a snap on. Nice torque wrench. Unfortunately I use it the least. My 1/4 is a harbor freight and my 1/2 is equivalent but I got it on Amazon. I use those two the most. 1/2 almost strictly for lug nuts. My 1/4 is used for motor work like doing the top end on my dirt bike or the head gaskets on my old ranger. My 3/8 I use to torque the wheels on my dirt bike.

I am glad I have 3. All are click type which is a nice feature.

 

[noslocars]

I have the harbor freight 1/2 and 3/8. I get them calibrated at work and they have passed for 3 years running. They are the ones I use at home. I bought the 1/4 inch one and went through 3 of them. None of the 3 would calibrate so I got my money back. I use Snap On at work. My tools make me money at work though.

 

[blackz26]

hf ftw lol

 

[CWP1616L]

The CDI that Stephen suggested would have been the best $50 spent.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

torque angle meter

 

[pipsters]

3/8" beam is by far the most accurate, consistent, least expensive out there...

 

[signcrafter]

torque angle meter

That's a good point that nobody mentioned yet. The OP said he was needing a torque wrench for head gaskets. Lots of newer stuff is torque to yield which you torque to a certain spec and then finish by turning the bolt a certain angle more. I would love a techwrench for those but don't do enough to justify it for home use.

 

[billymade]

Eyeball it or a inexpensive one from a auto parts store would work...

https://www.google.com/search?q=tor...87,d.aWc&fp=2f1d398eb48e4789&biw=1280&bih=937

 

[Hiball]

Eyeball it or a inexpensive one from a auto parts store would work...

https://www.google.com/search?q=tor...87,d.aWc&fp=2f1d398eb48e4789&biw=1280&bih=937

Not sure about eyeballing head bolts.. Especially where uniformity across the spectrum is more important than the number. It would make me nervous using a $10 dollar torque wrench on a head gasket job, but would definitely rather see someone use something versus nothing.

 

[pipsters]

Not sure about eyeballing head bolts.. Especially where uniformity across the spectrum is more important than the number. It would make me nervous using a $10 dollar torque wrench on a head gasket job, but would definitely rather see someone use something versus nothing.

This thing kicks ***

http://www.eastwood.com/electronic-torque-angle-adapter.html

Super accurate on torque, and also does angle.

For most angle torquing, there shouldn't an issue with access.

 

[IngyHere]

Torque wrench and cheap are a very bad mix. Let me put it this way: Is it worth $50 to bust off a head bolt or strip the threads in a block?!

I had a Chinese torque wrench once. It was from HF. Sometimes it would click, sometimes not. I used to turn it in little increments to make sure things didn't go too far. One day I was in a hurry, and I forgot. I busted off a bolt flush with the side of the block. I spent the next six to eight hours getting it out, and I had to pick up another from the dealer because of a peculiar step design.

I'd get a NOS one from Ebay, maybe something like a TrueCraft if you can find one. I've also seen used Snap-On ones on Ebay for around $90, and S-K ones upwards of $30. Those are great deals, especially for the Snap-On if you can get the Snappy guy to calibrate it.

Save money and get a quality wrench.

 

[richfinn]

torque angle meter

This, almost all modern engines have TTY head bolts that require a low initial torque like 20nm then further tightening through a specified angle.

a 3/8 is probably best

 

[sdguy55]

When it comes to torque turning bolts I always just paint marker the corners of the bolt or wherever I need to on the bolt head and then make two dots on the surface that the bolt is tightening down on. Like for example: Tightening a head bolt that is 100 ft lbs and then plus 90 degrees. Do your initial torque and then make a right angle on the bolt head and then make two dots on the head itself. This will tell me when the top of my L has reached the second dot. Hence I have turned it 90 degrees. It also shows me when I'm looking everything over a second time that I can confirm I have actually torqued that bolt

 

[SMKS]

I had a Chinese torque wrench once. It was from HF. Sometimes it would click, sometimes not. I used to turn it in little increments to make sure things didn't go too far. One day I was in a hurry, and I forgot. I busted off a bolt flush with the side of the block.

The HF torque wrenches are made in Taiwan, not China.

My HF torque wrench has worked very well and never had a problem not clicking. It's not as nice as my Armstrong and CDI torque wrenches, but it works fine.

I've also seen used Snap-On ones on Ebay for around $90, and S-K ones upwards of $30. Those are great deals, especially for the Snap-On if you can get the Snappy guy to calibrate it.

Save money and get a quality wrench.

If you buy a used torque wrench, how do you know it hasn't been abused? How do you know it will be more accurate than a HF torque wrench?

You don't. You either have to buy a torque adapter to check it or spend the money to have it calibrated. I'm not sure either of those options will meet the OP's price point. And I doubt the OP has a snap-on guy who will calibrate it for free. Snap-on torque wrenches don't have a lifetime warranty on the calibration, I don't think. So, you'd have to have a pretty unique SO guy to calibrate it for free.

Personally, I wouldn't have a problem buying a used torque wrench, but that's because I already have a torque adapter to check it with.

There are better choices than the HF torque wrenches, but unless the OP can increase his budget, I don't know if he can afford them.

 

[purplezr2]

When I was in college they had HF torque wrench, I though they were junk, half the time they didn't even click before you broke or stripped out a bolt. I brough my snappy in for doing engine work. I don't know I think this is one of those things you get what you pay for.

 

[pipsters]

Torque wrench testing I did using various types:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=181259

 

[signcrafter]

This thing kicks ***

http://www.eastwood.com/electronic-torque-angle-adapter.html

Super accurate on torque, and also does angle.

For most angle torquing, there shouldn't an issue with access.

That thing looks really nice and is affordable. Thanks for the link

 

[LEVE]

30 years ago I bought 3 clicky type torque wrenches, my first set, a 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2". They were manufactured by "Great Neck" and I bought them on sale. They've been invaluable. These tools weren't top of the line, they were just run of the mill tools like you've find at the chain auto parts store. But they've performed adequately for a DIY shadetree mechanic.

I've been looking at the HF torque wrenches when they're on sale. You can't beat the prices. The other hand tools I've gotten from them have worked well. I'd pop $10 for one of the torque wrenches when they're on sale as a backup set.

 

[johnnie5]

If you buy a used torque wrench, how do you know it hasn't been abused? How do you know it will be more accurate than a HF torque wrench?

You don't. You either have to buy a torque adapter to check it or spend the money to have it calibrated. I'm not sure either of those options will meet the OP's price point.

Personally, I wouldn't have a problem buying a used torque wrench, but that's because I already have a torque adapter to check it with.

There are better choices than the HF torque wrenches, but unless the OP can increase his budget, I don't know if he can afford them.

or you can watch youtube and test your torque wrenches yourself

like all test equipement

you test it before you use it and you test it after you use it to make sure its working

so for something important like headgaskets or small bolts cam bolts i would set up a test and ensure that the torque wrench is doing what i want it to do before doing the actual job

I regularly see Warren and Brown torque wrenches which are well known aussie made products sell on ebay under $100 where new would be $300+

Last one i bought was still in the box from the 70's which gave me the warm and fuzzy feeling as i have my dads same torque wrench from that era that i know has done a lot of work

 

[holdover]

either Car Craft or Hot Rod did a test on torque wrenches a few issues ago, and the HF came in within 2 or 3% of reading. you are not going to bust a head bolt by being off that little. for 9.95 they are a deal. I have a couple including a SO, and a few beams and test them against each other, the HF hangs right in there. The article said that it is important to unload the wrench when you store it to keep it accurate, so back off the adjustment

 

[SMKS]

Car Craft finally posted some of the info from the recent torque wrench test on their website. They found the HF torque wrench to be quite accurate and the HF torque tester to be quite accurate.

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/ccrp_1304_torque_wrench_testing/photo_05.html

or you can watch youtube and test your torque wrenches yourself

like all test equipement

you test it before you use it and you test it after you use it to make sure its working

Sigh....

I think some people are losing sight of what the OP asked.

Here's what we know about the OP based on his post:
-He's enough of a beginner that he doesn't own a single torque wrench
-He wants to buy one (which is good), but he doesn't have a lot of money to spend on one.
-He says he'd like to buy locally, especially from Autozone. (BTW - the same torque wrench sold at HF is sold at Autozone for three times the price. http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...ue-wrench/_/N-25fw?itemIdentifier=914018_0_0_)

So, now we have people recommending used torque wrenches that are out of his budget to begin with, and then expecting him to cobble together a testing apparatus using gallons of water, bathroom scales, etc.

I like going overboard on tools as much as the next person, but not everyone needs a Snap-on torque wrench to do basic repair jobs and torque wheels.

To the OP-
I give up. See what you can get locally in your price range and go from there.

 

[Skin]

The performance of the ones from HF are certainly impressive given their price although i'd be more interested in the results from, say, a pool of 10 purchased off the shelf and how they all work. Basically i'm more curious as to how common a defective one is because that's ultimately what will screw you. For less than $20 you cant tell me the things have much, if any, quality control.

 

[SMKS]

The performance of the ones from HF are certainly impressive given their price although i'd be more interested in the results from, say, a pool of 10 purchased off the shelf and how they all work. Basically i'm more curious as to how common a defective one is because that's ultimately what will screw you. For less than $20 you cant tell me the things have much, if any, quality control.

A valid point. But, I would just urge people buying them to check them out on their wheels first. Make sure they click properly and seem to work properly. That's probably enough to kick out most of the defective models right off the bat, if there are even that many defective models to begin with. As I showed above, the exact same torque wrench is sold under other brands for more money.

And, with the amount of them that are sold, if there were significant quality control issues, there would be more info online than the few anecdotal experiences people are claiming in this thread.

The only negative experience I've had with mine has been the cover plate screws coming loose. I tightened them up and all has been fine since.

And with that, I think I've spent enough time thinking about this thread...

 

[Hiball]

The performance of the ones from HF are certainly impressive given their price although i'd be more interested in the results from, say, a pool of 10 purchased off the shelf and how they all work. Basically i'm more curious as to how common a defective one is because that's ultimately what will screw you. For less than $20 you cant tell me the things have much, if any, quality control.

Id be more interested in taking those 10 off the Shelf and running them thru 10 cycles for 10 days (Zeroing them out at the end of each day) and seeing those numbers.

 

[bczygan]

If you could add $10 to the $50 budget (And a few dollars for tax), you could get 2 sets of the HF wrenches and keep one at work! The coupon allows you to get all 6 on one coupon, mix and match for sizes!

Case closed.

 

[blackz26]

So, would it be wise to the digital torque adapter while I'm at HF to double check the reading? Also, do extensions,adapters or using crowsfeet effect the accuracy?