Husky 3/8 Torque wrench range?

[Roju1985]

I am in the market for a 3/8" torque wrench. I have read that the husky is a good pick for the price.

This is the specific one I am looking at:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-3-8-in-Click-Torque-Wrench-H3DTW/202916179?N=5yc1vZc6ev

On the site and on the packaging it is listed as a 20-100 ft/lbs BUT when you look at the actual wrench in the store the numbers on the handle go 10-100. Wondering if the package is a misprint? Only reason I ask is the application that's making me spend $ on a wrench I need 18ft/lbs.

Thanks!

 

[royesses]

For 18 ft/lbs I use an inch/lb torque wrench. They are listed as accurate from 20% to 100% of range, so the 18 ft/lb would be iffy on the Husky. Craftsman has their micro-torque clickers on sale now at $59.00 for a 25 to 250 in/lb 3/8" drive. I consider both Husky and craftsman to be of equal quality. I own both and have had no problems with either. Had them for about 10 years now. I lso have CDI, but they are a bit more expensive.

 

[Roju1985]

The range of the husky makes it much more useful for me. Buying the craftsman would be fairly un-useful as I don't foresee needing a wrench that dips this low again anytime soon. The upper range of the husky I would use much more often.

 

[losabio]

I think that is the same USA KD torque wrench as the GearWrench 85052. It's 10-100 ft./lbs. The oil filter cap on PD TDI's is 18 ft./lbs., and I use that GW torque wrench for that.

 

[mrborohachi]

at such low torques wouldn't a 1/4dr beam style USA torque wrench work just fine?

 

[SMKS]

Most torque wrenches are only considered accurate from 20-100% of full scale, as noted by another member above. Some companies are sneaky and put numbers below the 20% threshold, but when you read the paperwork you'll often see it says they're only guaranteed accurate from 20% to 100% of scale.

EDIT- and I'm correct about the Husky.

Here's what it says in the listing:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-3-8-in-Click-Torque-Wrench-H3DTW/202916179?N=5yc1vZc6ev

3-percentage clockwise accuracy between 20-percentge and 100-percentage of range

So, it's only really accurate from 20-100 ft-lbs.

However, using it at 18 ft-lbs probably wouldn't really be an issue, but it would be less accurate.

In reality, this wrench is not the correct wrench to buy if you'll be needing to consistently use it that low. You should really get a different wrench if that's what you need to do. Many wrenches are in the 15-75 ft-lbs range, which may be a better choice for the OP.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

ANSI standards and comparable EU and AUS only allow for calibration down to 20% of full scale so even if the scale goes lower such as a beam type, its technically not usable.

 

[n8n]

Most torque wrenches are only considered accurate from 20-100% of full scale, as noted by another member above. Some companies are sneaky and put numbers below the 20% threshold, but when you read the paperwork you'll often see it says they're only guaranteed accurate from 20% to 100% of scale.

EDIT- and I'm correct about the Husky.

Here's what it says in the listing:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-3-8-in-Click-Torque-Wrench-H3DTW/202916179?N=5yc1vZc6ev


So, it's only really accurate from 20-100 ft-lbs.

However, using it at 18 ft-lbs probably wouldn't really be an issue, but it would be less accurate.

In reality, this wrench is not the correct wrench to buy if you'll be needing to consistently use it that low. You should really get a different wrench if that's what you need to do. Many wrenches are in the 15-75 ft-lbs range, which may be a better choice for the OP.

That is exactly why I use this one

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?item_ID=640959&group_ID=675227

I suspect there's likely a CDI version of it that's cheaper; I bought mine used.

The spark plugs on a BMW N54 have a spec of I believe 17 ft-lbs (going off memory; it is less than 20, anyway) and it is easier to use a clicker than to try to put your head over a bendy beam and not scratch up the front fenders...

With this torque wrench and a 1/2" drive one that goes all the way to 250 ft-lbs I can cover 99% of my torque wrench needs with only two torque wrenches.

Downside: not a lot of overlap between the two, and only the larger one covers the typical range of lug nut/bolt torques.