Guys I need your advise/experience!

[robo7de]

Graduating from Auto Tech community college program in a month (Associates Deg.)……went over tools needed for a starting tech with my instructor and need a good 3/8” torque wrench. Something that starts ~5 ftlbs and goes to ~50 ftlbs. I want the Snap-on TECHANGLE, Flex Ratchet, 5 to 100 ft. lbs (3/8” ATECH2FR100A $275.97) but their mysteriously unavailable.
My other option is either a Precision Instruments 3/8" Drive Flex Head Split Beam Click Wrench 120 to 600 in./lbs (10-50 ftlbs $115) or one of their Dial-Type Torque Wrench with Memory Pointer (no ratcheting/must view dial/~$150).
I really do not want another Micrometer type Torque Wrench. Looking to becoming a master mechanic (have A4, 5, & 7) someday so quality counts and would prefer if at all possible USA made.
Have: HF ½” ftlb & ¼” inlb////////Precision Instruments Split Beam ½” 40-250 ftlbs and KD Tools 1/4in. Torque Beam Wrench (0-60 inlb)

Thanks in advance!

 

[camarotoolman]

I'm sure you can get a good one on feebay.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

Don't you get discount through the school program? Then get Snap-On model.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Edit.

 

[Danglerb]

Get job, then spend money. Hard to imagine the new job is going to start with the need for a techangle.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Get job, then spend money. Hard to imagine the new job is going to start with the need for a techangle.

Especially a 3/8" one. I have two 3/8" torque wrenches, both click-types.

I'd get a 1/2" Techangle for headbolts and the like, but not a 3/8" one.

For starting out, you want a 50-250lb/ft 1/2" click-type torque wrench, mostly for tightening wheel nuts. Don't expect to be doing in-depth engine work that requires tightening small torque-to-yield fasteners for quite some time.

Cover the basics first, worry about the $400 torque wrenches in a couple years.

 

[robo7de]

Thanks?....lots of fasteners are below 40 ftlbs...my Precision Instruments starts at 40 ftlbs...so i will need it. Plus my Snap-on discount ends in December......I can get the 1/2" now for $311 or later for $580. I didn't ask if I should get a 3/8" torque wrench...I asked for your advise/preference for one..

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Thanks?....lots of fasteners are below 40 ftlbs...my Precision Instruments starts at 40 ftlbs...so i will need it. Plus my Snap-on discount ends in December......I can get the 1/2" now for $311 or later for $580.

In the real world, you don't torque everything to spec. I mostly use my 3/8" torque wrenches for spark plugs and cam belt tensioners, or sometimes working on delicate parts on aluminium cylinder heads.

I didn't ask if I should get a 3/8" torque wrench...I asked for your advise/preference for one..

Ok, so you didn't ask if you should get one, should we not give you any advice aside from that specific question? My preference was to save your money for something more useful to you when starting out.

We're trying to help a newbie out, forgive us for trying to be helpful.
Go buy the most expensive one you can find. It'll teach you a valuable lesson when you realise you could've spent the money on something else more useful to you at the start of your career.

 

[Benji]

You need a 50-250lb/ft 1/2" click-type torque wrench for wheels that should be fine for a while don't worry abought torque on all of the small stuff or you won't have a job for long.

 

[robo7de]

No worries........my instructor with 20 years with GMC and 10 years with Ford (still a master mech.) stated I needed one......and want to make use of any discounts available to me......otherwise I could always get a Craftsman beam torque wrench for ~$25....

 

[slowz32]

Sound like a typical tech school graduate. Get the 3/8's snappy tq wrench, they're very nice, and take advantage of your nice discount.

 

[treasureseeker]

Getting a 3/8” torque wrench is an interesting buy for someone starting out as a mechanic. I say that as getting a feel for tightening bolts with a wrench or socket is important but without a 3/8” torque wrench you may strip out some threads along the way.

 

[bobcatdan]

Here is my two cents, unless they have changed them, look at matco torque wrenches. As a student you should get a 50% off discount with matco. Matco offers a 5 to 75 ft lbs 3/8" and a 25 to 250 ft lbs 1/2", both flex heads. The combo of the torque range and the flex head I have found can't be match buy other brands. SO has a campairable 3/8", but lacks a flex head 1/2". I'm not including the spilt beams in my thoughts, the 3/8" has a high low range of 20 ft lbs and over all I don't like that the spilt beams don't reverse. High quality torque are a must, using them when needed is more important. Save the techangles for when you need a torque wrench for torque turn bolts, then you will nice torque wrenches for home.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Sound like a typical tech school graduate.

Haha, i got a giggle out of that one!

 

[Fedwrench]

Where are you working and what are you doing after graduation?

That shiny torque wrench may gather dust for awhile. Even after school you will probably start out on a quick lane doing LOFs, tires and minor repairs. As your employer's confidence grows in you, you'll work your way up to more complex and better paying jobs.
Make sure you have the basics covered before thinking about a Techangle. A digital torque wrench will allow you to switch between inch pounds, foot pounds, and newton meters on one wrench.

 

[rayh91]

A 3/8 tq wrench is a waste of money for a lube tech. Get a nice 1/2" tq wrench with the discount and buy the 3/8 when you actually need it.

Your only going to be only torquing lug nuts with it.

 

[Skin]

I want the Snap-on TECHANGLE, Flex Ratchet, 5 to 100 ft. lbs (3/8” ATECH2FR100A $275.97) but their mysteriously unavailable.

Just on an aside if you mean its not available on the site

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?store=snapon-store&item_ID=92349&group_ID=19918

try calling to place an order. Their site has been broken for quite some time, a lot of items are still not there or say "unavailable" but they are indeed purchasable.


That said i agree a 3/8 techangle torque wrench is mostly useless if you're going into a job where you'll be the low guy on the totem pole. Most places wont even let you touch jobs where angle torquing small fasteners is required until you've been there for some years and worked hand in hand with the veterans. Buy tools that will make you money now. Its nice you get a hefty discount but that tool doesnt earn you interest while it collects dust.

 

[daveblank]

1st congrats on the pending graduation.

You mentioned the Precision Insturments brand. They seem to be very good units.

Also, as was already mentioned, don't forget to check out the Matco student discount.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

all i am going to say is there is a lot more knowledge here, than in one single instructor.

And also 20 years expirience means nothing to me...

 

[Moose-LandTran]

all i am going to say is there is a lot more knowledge here, than in one single instructor.

And also 20 years expirience means nothing to me...

Yeah, but we're just mere professionals, we're not instructors.