New Precision Instruments C3FR350N

[JohnAnthony]

just received my first split beam torque wrench from toolsource.com and as soon as i opened it i noticed a few things

#1
white grease on the lock lever

#2
oil spot in case and oil leak in head-drive

#3
abrasions on the head-drive finnish

is this normal or does this look like a return that they tried to pass off on me?

i've already left messages and emails with both precision instruments and toolsource but since i received it @ ~7:00PM friday i now have to wait until monday for an answer

http://www.flickr.com/photos/47519262@N07/

 

[osborn.ozzy]

send that **** back

 

[SMKS]

Wait until you get a response from PI, I'd be curious to see what they say.

The grease could be normal, I suppose. As far as the slight oil leak, I would guess that's just the factory lube. The scratches could just be from a mishandling at the factory, I guess.

I've used PI torque wrenches, but I've never bought one new, so I can't comment on the grease on the release.

I'm not sure about Toolsource, but some of the discount tool websites have pretty poor customer service. I wish you the best of luck. And make sure to post what they tell you when they respond to the email.

 

[boostedgt]

does it fit snugly in the case? could have been moving around during shipping scratching it up.

 

[burlybrute]

SEND IT BACK ASAP!!!! I have several of their torque wrenches and have never opened the box and seen one that looked like that. Is the oil by the head motor oil? Is their any grease or oil on the handle, like it was used before?

 

[JohnAnthony]

SEND IT BACK ASAP!!!! I have several of their torque wrenches and have never opened the box and seen one that looked like that. Is the oil by the head motor oil? Is their any grease or oil on the handle, like it was used before?

can't tell if it was motor oil, handle wasn't smudged but the main beam of the wrench wasn't picture perfect - i could understand someone at their warehouse checking each wrench (and dropping one)

does it fit snugly in the case? could have been moving around during shipping scratching it up.

side to side it's snug
up and down i guess
but what would've scratched it - only other thing in there is a manual and calibration certificated stamped with the S/N and date: 09/2011

 

[JohnAnthony]

got in touch with everyone

precision instruments
my credit card company
and toolsource.com

Tod from precision instruments took a look at my pictures and this is what he had to say:

-the white grease is put on by precision instruments, but it gets wiped down along with the rest of the wrench

-the leak from the face of the drive is likely a result of having been stored at high temperature and the grease thinned out enough to leak out

-the scrapes/abrasions on the other hand if they look off it possible it was dropped


got through to toolsource.com and they received my emails; Sean is looking in the warehouse for a replacement - they said they'll send me pictures before shipping


so hopefully it turns out well

i've added another 15 images of the scrapes
http://www.flickr.com/photos/47519262@N07/

 

[Joe B.]

SEND IT BACK ASAP!!!! I have several of their torque wrenches and have never opened the box and seen one that looked like that.

Same here. There is probably nothing wrong with it but I would still send it back. Did yours come with a slip that said when it was calibrated? That should give you an idea of how long it has been sitting around. You should also be able to tell if it has been sitting through a hot summer. If you don't have the slip, it is a clear sign that something more is wrong.

Edit: Just looked at your pictures. The scratches sure don't make it look like new. I can see you have then calibration slip. It does not look like it has sat through super hot August like temperatures but I don't know where Tool Source is located.

Good luck!

 

[JohnAnthony]

It does not look like it has sat through super hot August like temperatures but I don't know where Tool Source is located.

Good luck!

tracking shows it came out of Duncansville PA

the calibration certificate is dated September 2011

after speaking with Tod my guess is that this wrench was dropped or hit something pretty hard. had it been a breaker bar or regular ratchet i would've just looked at the drive, but i've got cheapo husky tools that i don't even keep in my toolbox and they get thrown, dropped and slid on concrete and they don't have the deep scratches this wrench does

 

[billymade]

A new product; should be perfect... without physical damage. Send it back, get a refund, go with a different vendor or have them, exchange it. Not acceptable the way it came...

 

[JohnAnthony]

while i wait for my refund anyone want to help me find another 2 torque wrenches?

one up to 100Nm
and one up to 250+Nm

my plan now is to just order from snap on or CDI

-QD2RN100
-QD3RN350 or TQFRN350D

i was also contemplating the techangle ATECH2FR100A and getting a cheaper 1/2

for CDI wrenches does anyone know if they'll take orders off the phone or do i have to use a distributor/reseller?

these are the distributors snap on gives me

Internet Torque Specialists
www.protorquetools.com
www.flexibleassembly.com
www.robbprecisiontool.com
www.mmmetrology.com
www.torqueproductscanada.ca

 

[Skin]

A techangle is a massive step up from a PI and a waste if you dont need the angle function (think newer model head bolts and some crank pulley bolts). I'm guessing you're looking for American made but i'll mention that GW has a couple digital models available also with and without angle. You should be able to find the more common CDI torque wrenches on Amazon. PI makes a really nice split beam though so honestly i'd take a second shot, perhaps from another vender like tooltopia.

 

[JohnAnthony]

A techangle is a massive step up from a PI and a waste if you dont need the angle function (think newer model head bolts and some crank pulley bolts). I'm guessing you're looking for American made but i'll mention that GW has a couple digital models available also with and without angle. You should be able to find the more common CDI torque wrenches on Amazon. PI makes a really nice split beam though so honestly i'd take a second shot, perhaps from another vender like tooltopia.

my criteria is to get something worth having re-calibrated every year - definitely would prefer Nm over ftlbs

the 3/8 drive is where i'm looking to shell out the cash

this time around i'd prefer to order from the manufacturer

 

[OEXL16B]

I don't like that pull down lock ring on the CDI. I tried one at the industrial store and I knew immediately I couldn't stand it. The PI split beam is a sweet wrench; you just gotta get one from a good distributor. ToolTopia is where I buy all my online tools from and they've never sent me a returned tool. Tool Source is a good vendor too. I've bought some Kent-Moore tools from them.

 

[franzdom]

my criteria is to get something worth having re-calibrated every year - definitely would prefer Nm over ftlbs

the 3/8 drive is where i'm looking to shell out the cash

this time around i'd prefer to order from the manufacturer

Rethink the angle wrench thing if you don't need it, I bet you pay a LOT more to get that calibrated. They are sweet though.

 

[JohnAnthony]

Tool Source is a good vendor too. I've bought some Kent-Moore tools from them.

not looking to give them a third chance, their second chance was sending me a fresh wrench from the start rather than sending it out and then telling me i'll just get a refund


tooltopia sells only ft.lbs. models to my knowledge


for fixed heads here's what i'm thinking


set 1
-QD2RN100
-QD3RN350 or TQFRN350D

set 2
-TECH2R100
-*suggestions*

set 3
CDI equivilants, if someone can let me know now if they take phone orders or which retailers i might have better luck with
-1002NMRMH: which retailer? [http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000KKXOM6/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new]
-3403NMRMH

 

[franzdom]

If you are inclined to get the Snap-on tech wrenches, don't worry about the flex head, they only flex a few degrees and it can be really handy for instance when torquing brake bolts inside the wheel wells.

I can heartily endorse the TECH2FR100 & TECH3FR250, I have the former and an ATECH2FR100A, and also a TECH1FR240, all 3 are a pleasure to use, and I do use them primarily in the Nm mode.

 

[SMKS]

To the OP-

What do you mostly use your wrench for? Are you a DIY'er? Pro?

If you take care of your wrench and don't abuse it, I think yearly recalibration is probably overkill, unless you know a place that can do it cheap.

I recently tried my 16-year-old Craftsman clicker torque wrench against a beam wrench and it seemed pretty close.

 

[JohnAnthony]

To the OP-

What do you mostly use your wrench for? Are you a DIY'er? Pro?

If you take care of your wrench and don't abuse it, I think yearly recalibration is probably overkill, unless you know a place that can do it cheap.

I recently tried my 16-year-old Craftsman clicker torque wrench against a beam wrench and it seemed pretty close.

comment was a little exaggerated, i overestimated how much a wrench could get out of spec over a year

i'm a diy'er and right now i'm about to start a suspension overhaul so the click types will probably be more than enough

 

[SMKS]

I know this is a few months old, but any update?

 

[Toolhorder]

my criteria is to get something worth having re-calibrated every year - definitely would prefer Nm over ftlbs

the 3/8 drive is where i'm looking to shell out the cash

this time around i'd prefer to order from the manufacturer

A re-calibration yearly is absurd unless you work for NASA or on aircraft.

I bought a 3/8 and 1/2 torque wrench from Snap On in 1998 and my dealer just checked it and both are spot on. I'm extremely careful with mine and they are never loaned out. They get used and immediately are returned to the case and put back in the toolbox.
I've bought a 1/2 techangle in 2010 and it's real nice if you work with torque to yield bolts. Literally cut time in half torquing down cyl. head bolts compared to using an angle adapter on a regular torque wrench.

 

[JohnAnthony]

sorry i meant to update it soon after

precision instruments took the wrench after toolsource sent me a shipping label to have any defects covered under warranty

Precision confirmed that
-the grease was just left there instead of being wiped off
and
-the leaking drive must've been due to been stored in high temperatures
but
-the gashes where likely a result of toolsource's handling

they could not replace my wrench so a full refund was issued and took my business to snap on and ???



ended up buying

Snap-on QD2RN100
20nm - 100nm

&

CDI 3403NMRMH
60nm - 340nm

although while completing the overhaul on my suspension i ended contacting jensputzier to see how much hazet multi-piece sets costs because the snapon and cdi drives are too thick and i'm forced to use ludicrously long open ended extensions

so i'm looking at the

Hazet 6290 multi piece
5nm - 60nm
http://www.hazet.de/produkte/online-katalog/artikel/drehmoment-technik/mechanisch/4000896026067/

&

Hazet 6293 multi piece
60nm - 320nm
http://www.hazet.de/produkte/online-katalog/artikel/drehmoment-technik/mechanisch/4000896026173/



p.s.


??? is because i can't find the website i used to buy the CDI wrench - i think i was referred buy someone at snap on after i tried calling cdi it transfers me to a snap on line

i have an invoice but it lists:

Buyer (if other than consignee)
venture sales, inc
525 no. smith ave suite 108
corona, ca
+
snap-on industrial brands
columbus distribution cener
6969 jamsson road
midland, ga
+
[email protected]

 

[JohnAnthony]

A re-calibration yearly is absurd unless you work for NASA or on aircraft.

yes i realized how crazy that would be give how much i would actually end up using them in the course of a year