Mid-range torque wrench

[allinon72]

One of the few HF tools that I use regularly is their 1/2" torque wrench, which gets great reviews overall. However, I guess it doesn't like operating at its max of 150 ft/lbs because something snapped inside the head. Now, at $10 I'm not upset, but I can't afford to replace it with a truck brand wrench. Are there any decent mid range torque wrenches out there? Craftsman is out of the question as I already turned 2 of those into expensive breaker bars.

 

[billymade]

It all depends on what your budget it; classic split beam precision instruments torque wrenches are not too expensive and will probably last you forever.

http://www.torqwrench.com/tools/C.php

https://www.google.com/search?q=C3F...96,d.aWc&fp=beabd0e42dec4c4c&biw=1280&bih=937

https://www.google.com/search?q=C2F...96,d.aWc&fp=a167dd01f57c1723&biw=1280&bih=937

 

[kts]

I'd take a look at Gearwrench's torque wrenches. I've used their digital ones which are more pricy ($200ish) but are really nice. They have non digital ones which are about half of that and have great reviews.

 

[Hootbro]

Quite honestly, as much use as I have gotten out of my 1/2" HF torque wrench, I would just buy another one and march on.

 

[NiteWolf]

+1 for the gearwrench clicker torque wrench. $100 +/- and made in the USA.

 

[Leadberry]

+1 for Precision Instruments. Also 100% American made. They do everything in-house down to the polishing.

 

[celticbhoy]

Any torque wrench that's constantly used at it's limit has a greater chance of breaking. I'd buy a 50-250 torque wrench next. I'd buy a CDI one. Great reviews, similar to snap on, third of the price.

 

[allinon72]

Alright so I've looked into this more. I had no idea the Gearwrench was USA made, which is awesome, but has mixed reviews. I don't like the 15lb increments and the plastic handle (c'mon, even the HF is all metal). Then I saw a Husky at HD, also mixed reviews. I'm pretty sure it's a rebranded Gearwrench but much less expensive. So for a CDI from Amazon is on my short list. All metal, 10lb increments, USA. It's about $130, which I can swallow.

 

[ex-x-fire]

Put a proto rebuild kit in it, that's what I did.

 

[619DioFan]

I have the husky brand torgue wrenches in 1/2 and 3/8 drive. they have held up well. think they are a good value for the price.

 

[shampoop]

Put a proto rebuild kit in it, that's what I did.

What torque wrench did that fit into?

 

[allinon72]

Put a proto rebuild kit in it, that's what I did.

Wow that's interesting

 

[ex-x-fire]

What torque wrench did that fit into?

I have a proto ratchet like in the picture, I took the parts out of the head to see if it would fit into the head of my hf torque wrench. It fit perfectly. So I ordered up a rebuild kit, hf must have the right to copy that head design.

 

[ex-x-fire]

Wow that's interesting

Yeah, it adds some class to it.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

Check out the lowes kobalt line if you're wanting the metal handle. They have 1/2 drive that's rated to 250 foot pounds for around $100

Got no complaints with mine

 

[bcradio]

Check out the lowes kobalt line if you're wanting the metal handle. They have 1/2 drive that's rated to 250 foot pounds for around $100

Got no complaints with mine

Same here... I love my Kobalt torque wrenches. 250 ft lbs would fit nicely for you it sounds like

 

[Hiball]

I stick with the people who specialize in that area..

http://www.amazon.com/Precision-Instruments-PREC3FR250F-Torque-Wrench/dp/B002XMSFIM/ref=sr_1_2?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1367466249&sr=1-2&keywords=Precision+instrument

http://www.amazon.com/Torque-2503MFRMH-2-Inch-Handle-Wrench/dp/B002LA1EDO/ref=sr_1_3?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1367466447&sr=1-3&keywords=Cdi

 

[SMKS]

Quite honestly, as much use as I have gotten out of my 1/2" HF torque wrench, I would just buy another one and march on.

+1

I've used the hell out of mine, too. It's not as nice as my CDI or Armstrong torque wrenches, but it works fine.

But, the next best step up would probably be the Gearwrench torque wrench. It's made in the USA and appears to use the same head as the Armstrong wrenches.

Put a proto rebuild kit in it, that's what I did.

The problem is that unless you have some amazing deal on Proto rebuild kits, a Proto rebuild kit will cost more than an entire new HF torque wrench. That is, unless you scam Proto out of a free rebuild kit under warranty, which I don't condone.


EDIT - I just tried to swap a HF torque wrench kit and a Proto ratchet kit. They're similar, but not identical. The differences are in the pawls. With my ratchet and wrench, you can put a Proto kit in a HF torque wrench, but you can't put a HF kit in a Proto ratchet.

 

[Hootbro]

I have a proto ratchet like in the picture, I took the parts out of the head to see if it would fit into the head of my hf torque wrench. It fit perfectly. So I ordered up a rebuild kit, hf must have the right to copy that head design.

Those PROTO pear head shape ratchet patents have long expired. Anybody can copy that and not have to pay PROTO anything.

 

[pepi]

Check out Summit Racing they sell a mid range type.

 

[shampoop]

I have a proto ratchet like in the picture, I took the parts out of the head to see if it would fit into the head of my hf torque wrench. It fit perfectly. So I ordered up a rebuild kit, hf must have the right to copy that head design.

That's awesome.

How was the ratcheting action before/after the swap?

 

[ex-x-fire]

The original gear started to round on a couple of teeth, so it would slip. Works great now.
Theres another write recently that has some good pictures on the swap.

 

[SMKS]

That's awesome.

How was the ratcheting action before/after the swap?

Pics/info here:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3087520

As I mentioned above, the problem with the idea of swapping these is that an entire new HF torque wrench costs less than a Proto rebuild kit.