good torque wrenches

[bayoutoolguy]

Its time that i get myself a good pair of torque wrenches. I was looking at the 3/8 and 1/2 precision instrument ones from tooltopia, are they any good? They look just like some of the snap on ones. I also read they have 4% accuracy clockwise, so, for example, if i torqued a bolt to 90 foot pounds, it would actually be a little less than that? as opposed to one with 2% accuracy?I'll mainly use the 3/8 drive for oil drain plugs when doing oil changes (crazy i know but a little insurance never hurt) and the 1/2 will be for lug nuts, headbolts, major engine work, etc. should they be up to the task, and how often should I get them recalibrated?

 

[Matt018]

Personally I would look at buying a 3/8 and 1/2 harbor freight torque wrenches for the drain bolts and tires, cause if they get beat up then it doesnt matter. then go with som CDI wrenches for fine work. CDI is snap ons industrial brand, essentially the same thing for cheaper prices.

http://www.toolsource.com/microadju...scale-ratchet-head-3002500-inlb-p-105740.html

http://www.toolsource.com/comfortgr...t-head-torque-wrench-10100-1322-p-112761.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-drive-click-stop-torque-wrench-239.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-drive-click-stop-torque-wrench-807.html

 

[6-Speed]

PI makes good torque tools and so does CDI.

 

[SMKS]

Remember, most torque wrenches are only accurate from 20% - 100% of full scale, so you need to make sure the wrenches you choose have a usable torque range.

Personally, I use my 1/4", 3/8" in-lbs and 3/8" 15-75 ft-lbs wrenches the most. I pretty much only use my 1/2" for wheels and some big suspension bolts. I have Armstrong and CDI for my smaller wrenches that are used more frequently. I have a cheap HF 1/2" and it works just fine for what I use it for.

I used the use the PI-made Snap-on wrenches at a former job and they were nice. PI used to make (and probably still does make) the SO wrenches.

 

[03protege]

I also read they have 4% accuracy clockwise, so, for example, if i torqued a bolt to 90 foot pounds, it would actually be a little less than that?

I believe to determine the accuracy you would take 4% of 90 which is 3.6 then add and subtract to find the variance. 86.4-93.6 Is within 4% of 90 and you just make sure those ranges fall within the acceptable tolerance variation of whatever your torquing. At least that was how-I-lernt it.

 

[E.T.Privott]

start at -o- and adjust to find the "touch point" or the begaining of the throw, check the # set to show where the fine tune is on the wrench. in other words - you want a 90 lb. touque, start the scale off at 'o' and turn the handle until you fill it make contact with the insterment (say you feel it as you turn the adjuster at '2' or '3') . now you know that you can set your torque at '92' or '93' as a mark for the 90 lb. torque. the old mechanic that told me about this was good at his job of many yr.s so i feel its good advice and has always worked for me so ....... hell, just try it ! your not the first or well you be the last to use a second rate torque wrench and get great service from it. the tool don't make the man, it's how you use it and your ablity to use it that make the man !

 

[CWP1616L]

PI makes good torque tools and so does CDI.

What he said. ^^^

 

[franzdom]

The split beams do not do left hand threads, not a deal breaker but it can come up occasionally. It has for me a couple of times.

 

[camarotoolman]

I've got 3 real nice ones on feebay now. Look @ camarotoolman. If interested i'll pull them off. Don't know how to do a link.

 

[Shootingblanks]

I have the Snapon ATECH3FR250. Awesome torque wrench.

 

[bayoutoolguy]

I decided I will buy the 1/2 and 3/8 P.I. split beam torque wrenches from tooltopia. Just a quick question, i remember reading somewhere someone saying a split beam torque wrench doesnt click like a clicker type once the desired torque is reached, is this true? I was using a 1/2 drive snap on split beam( seems to be a rebadged P.I.) the other day to torque some lugs to 100 ft lbs, and it definitely seems like it "clicked" when i reached 100 lbs. Also, Is it true a split beam stays in calibration longer than a clicker type?

 

[SMKS]

Yes, they click. At least they did when I used them several years ago.

 

[ZAPPER68]

how often should I get them recalibrated?
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I'm in the avation business and we have to get our torque wrenches calibrated and certified every year.

 

[6-Speed]

The PI split beams emit a different sound, more like a twang than a click; and it seems louder than the typical Craftsman, CDI micrometer types that I have used. I can't say which ones hold their calibration longer, but you don't have to dial down the split beams to their minimum setting after each use, which is a nice feature IMO.

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

I have the Snapon ATECH3FR250. Awesome torque wrench.

+1 on the TechAngle, I have the 1/2 and 3/8, love them.

 

[BajaBound]

Great choice on precision instruments I have the 1/2 and 3/8 and they have worked very very well for my uses. If I was building race motors I would get the snap on digitals.

 

[bayoutoolguy]

the only reason I'm not leaning towards the digitals is a mechanic friend of mine had one, and told me that you have to be very quick with it once it beeps and vibrates, or risk the chance of overtorquing the bolt. Would the split beams be easier to use than the digitals?

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

the only reason I'm not leaning towards the digitals is a mechanic friend of mine had one, and told me that you have to be very quick with it once it beeps and vibrates, or risk the chance of overtorquing the bolt. Would the split beams be easier to use than the digitals?

I have a HF digital and it ***** compare to the SO. I instantly got use to my Sos, once you use them you won't want anything else.