To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

New PI CDI discussion

Fluelikesymptoms

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 19, 2019
Messages
289
Location
Midwest snow belt
Was looking at expanding my torque wrench arsenal. Now I'm not huge on torqueing everything. I find it goofy that some people need to torque every bolt they fasten.

Anyways I was looking at getting a 1/2 split beam as I only have a micrometer and I'm certain it's out of calibration. We have calibration equipment at work I could check it out on. I'd still prefer a reliable split beam.

As far as price goes the PI is about 150 on amazon, and the CDI is 230 tools delivered. The pricing isnt much of a concern for me as much as long lasting precision. I'm kind of leaning towards CDI but until I joined garage journal I never knew anything about either brands. I've always lived my life knowing that only one thing was certain, if you want the best, accurate and most reliable torque wrench, buy snap on. Now that I realize even that isnt true, I begin questioning my life.

That's alot of why I'm leaning towards CDI. Alot of people seem to still be making the arguement that PI makes torque wrenches for SO. I know they did back when, but nowadays the torque wrenches are obviously CDI, I dont see how anyone could argue against that. Aside from a different head, and the nice grip colors, I dont see a single difference. And the arguments that the CDI and PI look alike doesnt make sense either. Theyre definently distinguishable.

Anyways, the whole purpose of the thread is to figure out which is most likely to survive long enough to make it into the hands of my grandkids, PI or CDI.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

pbon

Well-known member
Joined
May 14, 2017
Messages
3,498
A magazine just tested 4 1/2 drive torque wrenches. I think it was grassroots Motorsports. Maybe you can find the article online. The HF icon was the most accurate. The more expensive PI that I have was less accurate. Even a $20 wrench was more accurate than the PI. I had expected the PI to do much better.
 

Tallpilot

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 13, 2017
Messages
2,384
Location
Orlando
I think Tooldiscounter is cheaper than Amazon for PI. I’d go with CDI split beam though if you aren’t ready to go electronic.
 

Spacey_G

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 31, 2015
Messages
492
A magazine just tested 4 1/2 drive torque wrenches. I think it was grassroots Motorsports. Maybe you can find the article online. The HF icon was the most accurate. The more expensive PI that I have was less accurate. Even a $20 wrench was more accurate than the PI. I had expected the PI to do much better.

Did they test a bunch of them? Did they test how accurate they remained through years of use? If not, crowning the HF most accurate doesn't mean a whole lot.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Tallpilot

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 13, 2017
Messages
2,384
Location
Orlando
Did they test a bunch of them? Did they test how accurate they remained through years of use? If not, crowning the HF most accurate doesn't mean a whole lot.

The Taiwan made clickers have proven to come out of the box well calibrated. However nothing is going to beat the robustness of a split beam. The electronics are the most accurate though and with gentle use will stay that way for a very long time.
 
OP
F

Fluelikesymptoms

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 19, 2019
Messages
289
Location
Midwest snow belt
Great input guys.

My skepticism of the hf or Taiwan claims to the thrown is longevity. I have a hard time believing the cheapo ones will remain good enough. Often times reviewers zero in on a aspect of a Taiwan tool and then claim it king if it meets that criteria. The other functions or true durability get overlooked.

I'm going to side with spacey on this one.

Electronics are great too, but imo should only be used when torque angles are involved or critical accuracy, left in the case for anything else.

So far the vote is +1 CDI, and -1 PI.
 

M6erfan

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 6, 2014
Messages
10,170
Location
'Merica!
GRM Torque Wrench Test...

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/geEOfaeqgk0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom