Need Help Identifying an Unusual Snap-on TE-12A Torqometer

[Chriscam21]

Need Help Identifying an Unusual Snap-on TE-12A Torqometer​

I'm hoping some of the longtime Snap-on collectors or former repair technicians can help identify something unusual.

I recently acquired what appears to be an original Snap-on Torqometer.

Model Information​

• Model: TE-12A
• Serial Number: 73897
• 3/8" drive
• Handle length measures approximately 9.25 inches from the center of the square drive to the end of the handle.

The Mystery​

The identification plate is clearly stamped:

TE-12A

However, the dial is factory-quality and is clearly marked:

0–150 FOOT-POUNDS

Everything I've found in Snap-on literature says the TE-12A should be a 0–150 INCH-POUND wrench.

Why I don't think it has been altered​

After examining it closely:

• The body rivets appear original and undisturbed.
• The rear inspection plate screws show no signs of ever being removed.
• The model plate rivets appear untouched.
• The dial printing, pointer, bezel, and finish all appear to be genuine Snap-on components.
• The rotating bezel works normally for zero adjustment.

One more observation​

With the short handle, I can move the pointer to 100ft lbs by hand with the existing handle. That makes me wonder whether the mechanism is actually the standard TE-12A inch-pound movement while the dial says foot-pounds.

My question​

Has anyone ever seen:

• a TE-12A with a genuine 150 FOOT-POUNDS dial,
• an undocumented early production variation,
• a known factory or service mismatch,
• or any Snap-on documentation explaining this?

I'd especially appreciate hearing from anyone who worked in Snap-on torque repair or has original factory literature.

Thanks in advance.

 

[d42jeep]

It was simply assembled with an incorrect dial. Many examples listed on eBay show an inch pound dial. My 1/2” drive unit measure foot pounds.
-Don

 

[1320]

Like Dom says, it probably is a factory error.

The 8" long 3/8" drive torqometers max out at 300 lbin. A 150 lbft torqometer is uncommon, but would be 1/2" drive in a 13" or 16" frame.

 

[Cruzan80]

What does it read when you out a known load on it? I would probably start with something like 100-inlb, and if it lines up, you know you have a misprint.

 

[T45]

The dial face doesn't really matter to how these things work. The calibration is going to be how much force it needs to move the needle to 180˚, it doesn't matter what the writing "says the units are" as long as they count to 150 at the 180˚ mark. eg here is a dual scale model with in-lb and nm.

Even the modestly larger calibrated range versions of this dial type tool are obviously larger and longer handled. If that was a 150 foot lb, it would be totally different planet as this 150 in-lb tool.

If you reas the instrictions theres a place for your grip (force center) between the checkered markings on the handle, so theres no way you are doing lug-nuts with a on-finger grip on that.

 

[Chriscam21]

What does it read when you out a known load on it? I would probably start with something like 100-inlb, and if it lines up, you know you have a misprint

What does it read when you out a known load on it? I would probably start with something like 100-inlb, and if it lines up, you know you have a misprint.

I can put the the socket portion in a vise and pull on it by hand and get it to 100ft lbs. I figure Im pull about 20ft lbs. So, its the wrong dial.

 

[Cruzan80]

So there you go. It is a mis-match (unintentional), problem solved. Not worth anything more than a standard version (and possibly less).

 

[4xdog]

So there you go. It is a mis-match (unintentional), problem solved. Not worth anything more than a standard version (and possibly less).

And possibly why it's in near-mint condition, too.