Need Your Advice about a Questionable Torque Wrench

[Tul]

I have a Powerbuilt Torque Wrench, 3/8" drive, "Inspection Series iiB, 2004, 02157." I presume it was made in 2004 and I believe it's about 15 years old. I use if about twice a month. I have never abused it, used a cheater bar, used it to tighten fasteners, and zero'd it after use.

Today, I was tightening spark plugs with a ratchet, then doing the final torquing spark plug sockets to 18 ft-lbs. However, the wrench did not click when I expected it to on all four spark plugs. I kept tightening, but then decided that I might have over-tightened the spark plugs. I borrowed a new-in-box clicker-type torque wrench (Husky) which clicked at 18 ft-lbs.

I put the Powerbuilt aside, finished the spark plugs, then went to a non-critical fastener, tightened it to 20 ft-lbs with the new torque wrench, then the Powerbilt correctly clicked at 20 ft-lbs.

I don't believe that my technique was at fault, but I'd like feedback.

I contacted Powerbuilt, which supposedly has a lifetime warranty, for advice. However, I suspect I'd have to pay shipping and insurance.

I don't trust USPS, because I once won a vintage Craftsman ratchet, only to get an empty box with a big hole in it. My letter carrier blamed someone at the local processing center. Uh huh.

A new one would cost $31, but looks better designed than mine, which I must admit is a bit bulky. Here's a link:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004QO9MEQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

What's Powerbuilt's reputation, particularly with torque wrenches?

Harbor Freight has Pittsburgh Pro 3/8" that go on sale a lot for only $10, now off-sale for $20

https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-drive-click-type-torque-wrench-63880.html

The Home Depot/Husky version is $80:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-3-8-in-Click-Torque-Wrench-H3DTW/202916179

I hate to throw away a tool that can be fixed, but don't want Powerbuilt to deny a warranty, putting me out shipping and insurance.

Any suggestions?

 

[CloseEnough]

It’s hard to say on those lower budget torque wrenches. Comparing it with the brand new Husky torque wrench is your best bet for an at-home calibration check.

I doubt Powerbuilt will honor any sort of warranty on a 15 year old torque wrench. They are typically excluded from lifetime warranties.

I have a Skidmore-Wilhelm set up in my garage that is pretty accurate and can be used to test accuracy and reliability of a torque wrench. I could check it for you real quick if you live close by South Jersey.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[visionguru]

......
I don't believe that my technique was at fault, but I'd like feedback.
.....
What's Powerbuilt's reputation, particularly with torque wrenches?

.......
I hate to throw away a tool that can be fixed, but don't want Powerbuilt to deny a warranty, putting me out shipping and insurance.

Any suggestions?

You might be using the wrong tool for such critical task. The new Powerbuilt torque wrench you linked is specified at 20~80 ft-lb. Don't know the specs of the older one you used, but 18 ft-lb should be close to unreliable range.

I'm not convinced that there is anything wrong with your Powerbuilt, or your technique. It's "normal", based on experience:

I used to have USA made Craftsman 20~250 in-lb 3/8" torque wrench, which was bought for lower torque applications like the plugs (16 ft-lb ish). For several times, I didn't feel or hear the "click" at all when doing the plugs. But when checking accuracy with a Powerbuilt torque adapter, the torque wrench was actually performing perfectly.

One possible explanation is that: I might have torqued it too slowly, such that the torque wrench somehow already passed the pivoting point without me noticing it.

It's nerve racking when the torque wrench is supposed to "click" but does not. I don't trust click type on lower torques, the main reason I upgraded to Snap On torque angle.

I have several Powerbuilt tools and they are all decent. Their torque wrenches are probably on the lower end, better than Harbor Freight $20 ones, but lesser quality than the $50~80 ones from Home Depot, Lowes, or Menards.

I would not spend $15 to ship back to Powerbuilt, with high possibility of being diagnosed "normal". Instead, I would either upgrade or buy an inch-lb wrench for lower torque applications.

 

[Tul]

It’s hard to say on those lower budget torque wrenches. Comparing it with the brand new Husky torque wrench is your best bet for an at-home calibration check.

I doubt Powerbuilt will honor any sort of warranty on a 15 year old torque wrench. They are typically excluded from lifetime warranties.

I have a Skidmore-Wilhelm set up in my garage that is pretty accurate and can be used to test accuracy and reliability of a torque wrench. I could check it for you real quick if you live close by South Jersey.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

Thanks. Their website says they have lifetime warranties on torque wrenches. If I recall correctly, that's the only reason I bought it. Nowadays, I keep AND scan receipts for lifetime warranties. When they reply, I'll find out.

 

[Tul]

You might be using the wrong tool for such critical task. The new Powerbuilt torque wrench you linked is specified at 20~80 ft-lb. Don't know the specs of the older one you used, but 18 ft-lb should be close to unreliable range.

I'm not convinced that there is anything wrong with your Powerbuilt, or your technique. It's "normal", based on experience:

I used to have USA made Craftsman 20~250 in-lb 3/8" torque wrench, which was bought for lower torque applications like the plugs (16 ft-lb ish). For several times, I didn't feel or hear the "click" at all when doing the plugs. But when checking accuracy with a Powerbuilt torque adapter, the torque wrench was actually performing perfectly.

One possible explanation is that: I might have torqued it too slowly, such that the torque wrench somehow already passed the pivoting point without me noticing it.

It's nerve racking when the torque wrench is supposed to "click" but does not. I don't trust click type on lower torques, the main reason I upgraded to Snap On torque angle.

I have several Powerbuilt tools and they are all decent. Their torque wrenches are probably on the lower end, better than Harbor Freight $20 ones, but lesser quality than the $50~80 ones from Home Depot, Lowes, or Menards.

I would not spend $15 to ship back to Powerbuilt, with high possibility of being diagnosed "normal". Instead, I would either upgrade or buy an inch-lb wrench for lower torque applications.

Thanks. I couldn't find the torque range on the Powerbuilt, but you're right about the Husky. Everything that happened makes sense if they're rated only 20 ft-lbs+, 20 ft-lbs worked, but not 18 ft-lbs.

I found a coupon, good through the end of the month, for $10 HF/Pittsburgh lifetime warranty click-type torque wrenches, 1/2", 3/8", and 1/4". Thoughts?

I'm taking automotive classes and *think* that 13 ft-lbs is the lowest torque I would need to go (my Toyota spark plugs' torque), so I'm not sure about getting inch-lbs, unless you think those are more accurate for the 13 ft-lb range? The Harbor Freight 1/4" is rated 20-200 in-lbs = 1.67 ft-lbs - 16.7 ft-lbs.

Say, should I buy a (used) US Craftsman torque wrench?
Click-type or beam-type?
Were they lifetime warranty?
Snap-ons are only 1 year warranty now and I think that's unfair for such a pricey tool. Back to the US Craftsman, can you recommend any models of US Craftsman click-type?

 

[rpcraft]

All torque wrenches are prone to wear and tear and it's expected over time that it should either be calibrated and/or replaced. If you had it 15 years and if you did not strip anything then you got your money out of it and its probably time to look at a new one and to be honest I would not spend a ton to get one but I would avoid any craftsman torque wrenches that are the digital clicker ones. I had one that lasted 2 or 3 bolts at 75 lb ft and the ratchet **** the bed and would let go when you were trying to tighten things. When I took it to warranty it I was surprised to learn it had only a 90 day warranty. Talk about being surprised. Since then I'll buy pretty much any other brand except theirs. Best bang for the buck is The HF 3/8 and 1/2 inch units, from there I like Tekton but they are the old school manual units but its been a while since I looked so maybe they stepped up their game. Gear wrench may have a decent set too but to be honest I have never looked to see their offerings in torque wrenches.

 

[Tul]

All torque wrenches are prone to wear and tear and it's expected over time that it should either be calibrated and/or replaced. If you had it 15 years and if you did not strip anything then you got your money out of it and its probably time to look at a new one and to be honest I would not spend a ton to get one but I would avoid any craftsman torque wrenches that are the digital clicker ones. I had one that lasted 2 or 3 bolts at 75 lb ft and the ratchet **** the bed and would let go when you were trying to tighten things. When I took it to warranty it I was surprised to learn it had only a 90 day warranty. Talk about being surprised. Since then I'll buy pretty much any other brand except theirs. Best bang for the buck is The HF 3/8 and 1/2 inch units, from there I like Tekton but they are the old school manual units but its been a while since I looked so maybe they stepped up their game. Gear wrench may have a decent set too but to be honest I have never looked to see their offerings in torque wrenches.

Good points and thanks for the warning about Crapsman. What I saw on the warranty page (very convoluted, by the way) was 1 year warranty with 90 days free recalibration.

 

[Lwel9226]

You are probably OK as visionguru said… Just too low on the torque scale....

LynnW

 

[Tul]

Here's an interesting twist:

The scale on the Husky 3/8" torque wreng goes down to 10 ft-lbs, but is rated only to 20 ft-lbs. Huh?

The scale on the Harbor Freight 3/8" torque wrench goes down to 5 ft-lbs and is rated down to 5 ft-lbs.

My Powerbuilt 3/8" torque wrench in question goes down to 5 ft-lbs, so THAT'S why I've been using it for 13 ft-lb applications.

 

[MattT]

I don't believe that my technique was at fault, but I'd like feedback.

With infrequently used clicker torque wrenches it's best to click them a couple times on something to get them "unstuck" before using them on the fasteners you need to torque. Especially if you're using them at the lower end of their working range. After that they should click consistently.

 

[Mechanical Noise]

With infrequently used clicker torque wrenches it's best to click them a couple times on something to get them "unstuck" before using them on the fasteners you need to torque. Especially if you're using them at the lower end of their working range. After that they should click consistently.

 

[Tonyuk]

I've always believed torque wrenches to be most accurate in the middle of the scale, and that the bottom and top 10% is the least accurate.

I would just get another one and be done with it. You can get a decent 3/8" torque wrench for about £20 now.

 

[Treeman]

Lifetime warranty does NOT correlate with quality. Many Chinese auto parts like water pumps, alternators, etc. with lifetime warranties are pure junk. The OEM parts with superior build quality only have a short warranty.

All torque wrenches are only calibrated accurate to 20% of their top scale. Even if a 100 ft. lb. wrench has markings down to 5 ft. lbs., it is only calibrated to be accurate to 20 ft. lbs.. And, while maybe more accurate in the middle of the scale, it still has to be within the 3 -4 % calibration across the entire 20% -100% scale. This has been repeated ad nauseam here.

The Powerbuilt looks to be a generic Chinese torque wrench, "maybe" no different than the Harbor Freight models. If you are taking automotive classes, maybe consider "buy once/ cry once" and invest in good torque wrenches. P.I. and CDI are reasonably priced. Just my opinion.

 

[DFB]

Like other have said your low on the ft lb scale for your wrenches range even the Quinn digital torque adapter doest even work that low.

Maybe an inch lbs wrench that goes to 250 inch lbs or so would give better results torqueing sparkplugs to 18 ft lbs

 

[Tul]

Like other have said your low on the ft lb scale for your wrenches range even the Quinn digital torque adapter doest even work that low.

Maybe an inch lbs wrench that goes to 250 inch lbs or so would give better results torqueing sparkplugs to 18 ft lbs

Thanks. The HF/Pittsburgh 1/4" torque wrench goes from 20-200 in-lbs, which is 1.67-16.7 ft-lbs, so would that mean that the 13 ft-lbs is optimal moreso than the 3/8" which HF claims goes from 5-80 ft-lbs?

 

[Tul]

With infrequently used clicker torque wrenches it's best to click them a couple times on something to get them "unstuck" before using them on the fasteners you need to torque. Especially if you're using them at the lower end of their working range. After that they should click consistently.

Thanks. Should move the wrench clockwise AND counter-clockwise, even though I'm only using it to tighten?

 

[RKA]

Definitely get an in lb torque wrench. I don't use my 3/8" below 20 ft lbs for exactly the reasons you experienced...it's not reliable or accurate. As stated above, none of them are, nevermind what the scale or materials say. 20% of the maximum capacity of the wrench is a good rule to follow for the bottom end of the wrench's range.

The in lb wrench will come in handy for plug, plastic intake manifolds, throttle bodies and a few other odds an ends. Not used everyday, but if you ask me, the low range is where I have a tendency to over-tighten things and the wrench keeps me in check.

 

[Tul]

Definitely get an in lb torque wrench. I don't use my 3/8" below 20 ft lbs for exactly the reasons you experienced...it's not reliable or accurate. As stated above, none of them are, nevermind what the scale or materials say. 20% of the maximum capacity of the wrench is a good rule to follow for the bottom end of the wrench's range.

The in lb wrench will come in handy for plug, plastic intake manifolds, throttle bodies and a few other odds an ends. Not used everyday, but if you ask me, the low range is where I have a tendency to over-tighten things and the wrench keeps me in check.

Thanks. What brand of torque wrench do you use? Any you dislike?

 

[MattT]

Thanks. Should move the wrench clockwise AND counter-clockwise, even though I'm only using it to tighten?

I only do a couple clicks clockwise. Doing CCW as well shouldn't hurt anything if you want to be thorough.

 

[unslow1]

I don't think I've ever seen someone torque a spark plug before. That is having been in a lot of shops and pits. I might do it on one of the Fords that like to strip out.

 

[rpcraft]

Me either but I know a ton of guys that will tell you they know what it feels like when it's tight enough and I used to be one of them until a friend challenged me and I found out I was over tightening everything. It was one of those circumstances where I stripped out a bolt on a motorcycle oil filter cover and I was a little embarrassed about it at the time but I learned it as a lesson in life. Now days I snug everything down and come back and hit it with a torque wrench. It's a nuisance at times but trying to do a Timesert or helicoil in a tiny oil on the bottom of a motorcycle that you can't flip over or take the motor out of is an even bigger nuisance when it happens, lol.

 

[RKA]

Thanks. What brand of torque wrench do you use? Any you dislike?

Mine is a used snap on (made by CDI I think?) I got cheap. But honestly, even one from HF will work.

I don't think I've ever seen someone torque a spark plug before. That is having been in a lot of shops and pits. I might do it on one of the Fords that like to strip out.

I never tighten the plugs down without one. Aluminum heads...not worth it. I don't need to prove anything to the next door neighbor by not using a torque wrench.

 

[Coach James]

I had a Powerbuilt torque wrench that went up to 250 ft-lbs. Paid ~ $45 for it at Advance Auto. It started to slip after around 3 years. I didn't bother trying for a replacement or repair. I just replaced with a Tekton.

I also bought one, forgot the brand but not HF, that is in in-lbs and goes up to 200 I think. I use it for some spark plugs, but also transmission pan bolts, etc..

Coach

 

[dnschmidt]

Note to everybody: NOT ALL TORQUE WRENCHES ARE BI-DIRECTIONAL. For example most of TOPTUL's torque wrenches ONLY work in the clockwise direction. In reverse they act like a breaker bar, they will NEVER click. So, don't assume that all torque wrenches are bi-directional because many are not.