Looking to buy a new torque wrench

[ovilla]

My 1/2" (50-120 ft lbs) Craftsman just recently broke so I'm looking to explore my options now.

What's everyone think of the digital ones that you never have to reset? I was thinking of getting a digital craftsman, but most of the reviews are horrible. Plus, the warranties are a joke - mostly just 90 days or so.

How about snap on torque wrenches (or those from any other truck brand)? Do these come with lifetime warranties? The websites don't specifically mention it, but they all go on and on about everything else, to include calibration paperwork and such. If I'm going to spend truck prices, then I want a lfetime warranty for sure.

Thoughts?

 

[tonydanzah]

pi instruments split beams dont need to be turned down

 

[dwm]

I have each of the 3 Techwrenches and have had them for almost 6 years. Non-professional use, but I use them fairly regularly (the 3/8" and 1/4" get a lot of use). I've had no problems with them (and hence haven't had to attempt to warranty), but I've taken good care of them. If you get one, keep the AA batteries in the spot in the case for them when the wrench is not in use. The batteries will last much longer and you won't risk a battery leak trashing the contacts.

 

[ovilla]

Anybody have one of these? I mostly used the 1/2" torque wrench for lug nuts but if I went with the 3/8" one below, I could get something that goes from 5-100 ft lbs. This would be a lot more useful as I could even do ****** pans with it, since it goes down so low. Once again, does anybody know what the warranty would be for this item? I can't find anything that specifically states what it is. Thanks


http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=17226&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

 

[Danglerb]

I looked for about 10 min and couldn't find warranty info.

My view is that a torque wrench is only as good as its most recent calibration. Before I dumped big bucks on a wrench, I would want a convenient way to check the calibration.

 

[Treeman]

ovilla,

There's tons of good reading here if you do a search. If lifetime warranty is your priority, then Harbor Freight is where you want to shop.

None of the best torque wrench companies warranty their wrenches over one year.

Your 100 ft. lb. wrench is only good down to 20 ft. lbs......again, do a search here.

If you are wanting a less expensive USA wrench, check out the gearwrench/KD ones made by Danaher. They seem like a good value.

 

[posaune]

You might want to check Lowe's. As you probably know from other threads, they are closing out their Kobalt stuff, and that includes torque wrenches. I just picked up a 1/2" drive one for 40-some dollars and it seems to be exactly the same as my SK. I've had the SK for over 10yrs, use it regularly (but not daily) at home, and it is still accurate when compared to my beam-type torque wrench.

I do turn it down after each use and it might not have a lifetime warranty, but it is only $40 and I'd be willing to bet that it is better than the Harbor Freight ones.

 

[pipsters]

IIRC the only torque wrenches that come with a lifetime warranty are beam style, ie the old school Craftsman ones.

I really don't know how electronic ones measure up.

I spoke to soon though, here is a US made Gearwrench at Northern Tool that has a lifetime warranty:

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200337136_200337136

 

[Zrexxer]

I've got this Matco model and I like it fine... don't have any clue what the warranty is offhand but I'm certain it's not lifetime.

 

[bobcatdan]

The PI spilt beams are a very good choice, damn near over kill for a week end warrior quality wise, but are price very well. PI makes torque wrenches for SO, that says how good PI are. I have SO tech angles at work, bought them for the angle function. Work very well, very expensive too. Mine are 3-4 years old, no problems, however I do wonder over all long term durabilty of them. Get your self the PI split beams, one thing the 3/8 only goes down to 20 ft-lbs, a little high for me. There is thread about a weel old about the gearwrench torque wrenches and was over all very postive.

 

[bart1]

PI will be my next one based on what I have read here.

 

[cglasgow]

You might want to check Lowe's. As you probably know from other threads, they are closing out their Kobalt stuff, and that includes torque wrenches. I just picked up a 1/2" drive one for 40-some dollars and it seems to be exactly the same as my SK.

Odd -- at my local Lowe's, the torque wrenches are one of the few things not on closeout....

 

[hifi_hokie]

My 1/2" (50-120 ft lbs) Craftsman just recently broke so I'm looking to explore my options now.

What's everyone think of the digital ones that you never have to reset? I was thinking of getting a digital craftsman, but most of the reviews are horrible. Plus, the warranties are a joke - mostly just 90 days or so.

How about snap on torque wrenches (or those from any other truck brand)? Do these come with lifetime warranties? The websites don't specifically mention it, but they all go on and on about everything else, to include calibration paperwork and such. If I'm going to spend truck prices, then I want a lfetime warranty for sure.

Thoughts?

I recently bought a 1/2" CDI digital, and it works great.

 

[Greatbear]

I want to get my hands on the new SO TechAngle torque wrench for use on TTY bolts. Having had excellent service out of my three Techwrenches, I figure this could be a good time saver as well as contribute to job quality, but I'd like to do a test-drive of sorts first. The truck will hopefully be at the shop tomorrow, but the TA wrenches have not found their way on it yet.

 

[briggsguy17]

Any Snap On torque wrench should have a lifetime warranty on the ratchet/head. I don't think you will find a good quality torque wrench with a lifetime warranty on any other parts.

 

[WhiffySpark]

I want to get my hands on the new SO TechAngle torque wrench for use on TTY bolts. Having had excellent service out of my three Techwrenches, I figure this could be a good time saver as well as contribute to job quality, but I'd like to do a test-drive of sorts first. The truck will hopefully be at the shop tomorrow, but the TA wrenches have not found their way on it yet.

I brought a 3/8th yesterday. I LOVE it. paid $420 off the truck.

I'll be looking for a 1/4 inch soon

 

[GDA]

I want to get my hands on the new SO TechAngle torque wrench for use on TTY bolts. Having had excellent service out of my three Techwrenches, I figure this could be a good time saver as well as contribute to job quality, but I'd like to do a test-drive of sorts first. The truck will hopefully be at the shop tomorrow, but the TA wrenches have not found their way on it yet.

Watch out... once used, you will never want to use anything else.

Techangle and Techwrenches are awesome in design and so simple to use.

I traded in my 3/8 TW for a TA last fall and truly enjoy using it.

 

[Slow Gray Mule]

Odd -- at my local Lowe's, the torque wrenches are one of the few things not on closeout....

I stopped by My local Lowe's yesterday and that was the first time I had seen the Torque wrenches marked down. I also noticed that they had not marked down the 1/2" dr Deep sockets. So it seems there is no rhyme or reason to what has been marked down. It seems to vary from store to store.

 

[cglasgow]

Stopped in at the Cary Lowe's this evening. The 1/2" drive torque wrench was not on clearance. The 3/8" drive was on clearance for a whopping $3 off. I almost pulled the trigger but decided to wait and see if they'd drop it another 50¢.... ;-)

 

[ovilla]

Hmm... Now I'm wondering if I should get a torque with angle???

Can someone explain exactly what applications these would be used for? I mostly work on old cars. Is the angle feature more for engine building or just newer cars?

Also, thanks for pointing out the gearwrench torque wrenches. I hadn't even considered those and now I'm researching them as well.

 

[bobcatdan]

Angle is used on torque to yeild bolts. This is mostly used on headbolts. Many head bolts are torqued in steps, say 1st to 20 ft lbs, 2nd 45 ft lbs, 3rd additonal 90 degress. The bolts are normally stretched to obtain the spec torque and normally have to be replaced if removed, that why many times new head bolts are recommand for head installs. Depending on what you're working on, if your not running into tty bolts, a techange may not be worth the $500 price tag. There are angle gauges if you once in a while run across these, some guys just mark the head and eyeball it. I bought both the 3/8 and 1/2 SO techange when I worked at Deere, some engines, everything is tty. Gearwrench has a digital wrench angle now too.

 

[posaune]

I stopped by My local Lowe's yesterday and that was the first time I had seen the Torque wrenches marked down. I also noticed that they had not marked down the 1/2" dr Deep sockets. So it seems there is no rhyme or reason to what has been marked down. It seems to vary from store to store.

Stopped in at the Cary Lowe's this evening. The 1/2" drive torque wrench was not on clearance. The 3/8" drive was on clearance for a whopping $3 off. I almost pulled the trigger but decided to wait and see if they'd drop it another 50¢.... ;-)

Yep, it is crazy, but all the stores are different. I just went to a different Lowe's yesterday and the 1/2" was only a couple dollars off but the 3/8" was close to half off. What I went for was not on sale at all. Oh well, I suppose it keeps things interesting...

 

[SMKS]

Hmm... Now I'm wondering if I should get a torque with angle???

Can someone explain exactly what applications these would be used for? I mostly work on old cars. Is the angle feature more for engine building or just newer cars?

I don't think you will ever find a bolt with a torque angle spec on an older car.

 

[ovilla]

Just looked up pricing via Amazon and the Gearwrench torque angle is not that much more than a regular non-angle. Anyway, I'm really liking these digital torque wrenches. I just wish I could go somewhere local in Chicagoland to hold/see one in person.

Anybody know where to buy these locally, other than the internet?

 

[Monte]

 

[ovilla]

Just ordered the Gearwrench 3/8" torque with angle. Was only $20 more than the non-angle one. Anyway, going to try this one out before I order a 1/2" model.

Anybody have their 1/4" digital torque wrench? The would be really useful as well but I'd like to find one that ratchets too.

 

[speed bump]

If you want the 1/2" model Cripe has the Napa branded one for $110. I absolutely love my Techwrench so I shall see how this one does.

 

[Todd.Brock]

I bought a 1/2 Flex head Tech Wrench a couple years ago that I use for lug nuts and generally anything that needs torqued. I was in the right place at the right time and snagged it for 1/2price, new. That is the only way I could even remotely justify it.
I am however totally in love and on the hunt for a 3/8" techwrench.. The only thing I have learned is ALWAYS keep an extra set of quality batteries b/c those SOB's die at all the wrong times.

 

[speed bump]

I bought a 1/2 Flex head Tech Wrench a couple years ago that I use for lug nuts and generally anything that needs torqued. I was in the right place at the right time and snagged it for 1/2price, new. That is the only way I could even remotely justify it.
I am however totally in love and on the hunt for a 3/8" techwrench.. The only thing I have learned is ALWAYS keep an extra set of quality batteries b/c those SOB's die at all the wrong times.

Unless its one of the really recent ones they tend to discharge the batteries if they are left in. Just pop one of the batteries out when the wrench is not in use and they will last for a long long time.

 

[franzdom]

I like the techangle, have a 3/8", but it takes a bit longer to "boot" because of the gyroscope. That gives me pause, not because of the time so much but the perceived complexity and fear of it breaking. Kind of like why I prefer manual transmissions because I can replace a clutch for a lot less than I can replace an automatic.

Anyway, I need another torque wrench for small things, in the range of the 1/4" techwrench or techangle. Problem is I can get a new 1/4" techangle for less than a new techwrench. Hmm, what to do? I don't think I have use of angle measurement in the 1/4" inch range (12-240 in-lb).