looking at 1/4 Torque wrenches
- Thread starter zippster
- Start date
Grant Gunderson
Well-known member
I have all Snapon for my ¼ drive. That being said I do own one CDI on 3/8 drive and other than the ratchet head it’s identical to Snapon. You really can’t go wrong with CDI for the price.
I’d also argue that I’d put more money into my 1:4 drive torque wrenches than my larger ones as the smaller fasteners are more likely to break when over torqued.
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Pinemarten
Well-known member
They all seem to be quality tools. I'd make sure my 1/4 drive torque wrench upper limit overlapped the lower limit of my 3/8 torque wrench. Click type torque wrenches can be inaccurate at the extreme ends of their range, especially the lower limit.
dallastide
Active member
My 3/8" and 1/2" Tekton torque wrenches have never let me down. I will probably pick up the 1/4" sometime soon.
MarcSeattle
Well-known member
You don't have to spend a fortune to get a great torque wrench. Torque wrenches last a couple of decades if you take care of them. I think it's one area where spending a little more is really worth it. Good tools are a pleasure to use for a long time. And as Grant Gunderson said above, small fasteners have much less tolerance for inaccuracy. Plus, a broken small bolt is a ***** to get out.
I had the CDI/Snap-on ¼", seemed accurate but the scale was hard to read. I also got tired of dealing with inch-pounds. I sold it and got a Hazet from Amazon.de. More accurate and easy to read. Those are about $475 msrp and usually $200 to $240 at Amazon US. Oddly, the prices are way lower by buying direct from Germany. The prices on Amazon vary by -- I dunno, the phase of the moon? -- but it ranges from from $130 to $150 so just check back to get a better price. To convert the price to dollars, take off 20% because we don't pay EU sales tax, then add 10% for Euro-dollar currency conversion. Shipping is about 10 days by DHL.
Oh, and I'll warn you to resist the urge to check Amazon.de prices on other high-end German tools like Knipex or Stahlwille unless you want to feel like a 1950s housewife at a Macy's sale.
I had the CDI/Snap-on ¼", seemed accurate but the scale was hard to read. I also got tired of dealing with inch-pounds. I sold it and got a Hazet from Amazon.de. More accurate and easy to read. Those are about $475 msrp and usually $200 to $240 at Amazon US. Oddly, the prices are way lower by buying direct from Germany. The prices on Amazon vary by -- I dunno, the phase of the moon? -- but it ranges from from $130 to $150 so just check back to get a better price. To convert the price to dollars, take off 20% because we don't pay EU sales tax, then add 10% for Euro-dollar currency conversion. Shipping is about 10 days by DHL.
Oh, and I'll warn you to resist the urge to check Amazon.de prices on other high-end German tools like Knipex or Stahlwille unless you want to feel like a 1950s housewife at a Macy's sale.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
BarrelRoll
Well-known member
Is there a cheaper knockoff of the snapon tech angle? After buying one in 3/8" they are awesome. Knowing how much toque you are applying before it "clicks" is nice. Sometimes you are at that it feels really close and I don't want to push it feeling, the tech angle will tell you where you are at. Changing units at the push of a button is also nice.
ronkz650
Well-known member
150in/lb really limits the use of all these. I have the CDI and it's good, but 150in/lb is only 12ft/lb. Of course you can break out the 3/8" wrench, but many times it's just nice and handy to have a 1/4" that goes higher. New snap-on techangle atech1fs300 use up to 300in/lb, 25ft/lb. Of course not a cheap option though. I have the techangle previous generation that goes to 240in/lb, 20ft/lb and it's fabulous.
I bought a Tekton 1/4" because I finally upgraded after years on a steel bicycle to carbon fiber. It works and wasn't too expensive. Just gotta be paying attention when using because the clicks aren't as pronounced as when you use a 3/8 or 1/2.
HannibalLecter
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2023
- Messages
- 402
I would also suggest Norbar TTi20. Excellent quality, made in the UK and not bad price
driftpin
Well-known member
I have a NAPA clicker I got from the Louisiana NAPA store sale which was on here I think it was before COVID. Eva-since I got The Jab I've been buying more and more tools, so watch-out for that side-effect.
This is it:
On-sale for $220.
5-50 in/lb.
This is it:
On-sale for $220.
5-50 in/lb.
Last edited:
Same.
bcschief
Well-known member
GoToGuy_Ron
Member
- Joined
- Jul 13, 2021
- Messages
- 24
There are some tests I do on restored equipment and I use the small beam torque wrenches to measure drag or friction on rotating parts.