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Opinions on Precision Instruments Torque Wrenches

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Kreeker

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Sep 17, 2012
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Looking into investing into some torque wrenches for general maintenance + installations on my car. One of the guys on my car forum, recommended I go with Precision Instruments torque wrenches.

I'm leaning towards:
Precision Instruments C2FR600H (3/8 in., 120-600 in./lbs.)
Precision Instruments C3R250F (1/2in., 40-250ft./lbs.)

They are both Split Beam Click Type torque wrenches, and will cover me from 10ft/lb to 250ft/lb.

What do you guys think? Any other recommendations?
 
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Buckgnarly

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Tooltia has the flex 3/8 for 109 right now with free shipping, you will not find it cheaper. They are good wrenches:thumbup:

The 1/2 is also on sale for a good price.
 
OP
K

Kreeker

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Buckgnarly said:
Tooltia has the flex 3/8 for 109 right now with free shipping, you will not find it cheaper. They are good wrenches:thumbup:

The 1/2 is also on sale for a good price.
Click to expand...

Yeah I was going to order from Tooltopia.

I think the C3R250F was around $170 yesterday, and now is at $140. My credit card is offering an extra 2% for purchases made this Saturday. I wonder if I should just order today, or wait till Saturday... I don't want to miss out :(
 
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MeentSS02

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Dayton, OH
I've used mine a few times (the 10-100 ft-lb 3/8" version), and it seems to work well. I like not having to dial it back down to its lowest setting every time.
 
P

pipsters

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MeentSS02 said:
I've used mine a few times (the 10-100 ft-lb 3/8" version), and it seems to work well. I like not having to dial it back down to its lowest setting every time.
Click to expand...

PI doesn't sell a 10-100 ft-lbs version, at least not as of last year. The lowest their 100 ft-lbs split beam goes down to is about 18 ft-lbs.

OP, I own the 3/8" wrench you are speaking of (120-600 in-lbs) and eventually will pick up that 50-250 ft-lbs torque wrench. That is the best combo IMO. Most torque wrench applications are in the 10-30 ft-lbs range so the 20-100 ft-lbs 3/8" drive they also sell was returned (by me) and exchanged for the one I have now.

You have to do a little calculation to convert between ft-lbs to in-lbs (multiply / divide by 12) but other than that it is a great torque wrench.
 
6

6-Speed

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Mar 6, 2012
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PI split beams work well; they are easy to adjust and you can leave them where they're set.
 
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MechanicNamedJohn

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chevy.stroker said:
Buy one of these as well for bolts you torque and then turn a certain amount of degrees (torque to yield)

http://www.tooltopia.com/otc-tools-4554.aspx

Split beams are great. I've had one 20 years and when checked it never needs calibration.
Click to expand...

Or get a digital wrench with angle... I have that degree tool, I also have SnapOn TechAngles in 1/2 and 3/8, love them and I never have to use that damn degree tool again.
 
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chevy.stroker

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Waco, TX
MechanicNamedJohn said:
Or get a digital wrench with angle... I have that degree tool, I also have SnapOn TechAngles in 1/2 and 3/8, love them and I never have to use that damn degree tool again.
Click to expand...

At $430 to $530 each they are a little pricey for the DIY. I have friends at dealerships that deal with torque to yield every day and love the TechAngles. For how often the OP will be hitting torque to yield bolts the angle gauge will work.

You are right they are the cats meow of torque wrenches. :thumbup:
 
OP
K

Kreeker

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Sep 17, 2012
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I'm a newbie, and have never even used a torque wrench...

Does torque to yield only apply to engine work? Building engines is not anywhere in the immediate future for me :)

Uses for the torque wrenches at this point:
-Changing out trans/transfer case fluid
-Rotating Tires
-Installing new struts
-Installing Turbo-back exhaust
-Brake pad install
 
D

dsmnickk90

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Sep 24, 2011
Messages
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Kreeker said:
I'm a newbie, and have never even used a torque wrench...

Does torque to yield only apply to engine work? Building engines is not anywhere in the immediate future for me :)

Uses for the torque wrenches at this point:
-Changing out trans/transfer case fluid
-Rotating Tires
-Installing new struts
-Installing Turbo-back exhaust
-Brake pad install
Click to expand...

Some Turbo bolts are torque to yeild. I have Gearwrench digital with angel. They are nice but I want to get a set of split beams as well just for the hell of it
 
L

larryq

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Jul 12, 2011
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I like PI as well. I have the 20-100 and 50-250 split beams and no complaints. $109 for the 3/8" with shipping is a smoking deal btw.

One question though; what counts as 'in calibration'? If it's within the +-4% mentioned in the PI documentation, that's ok?
 
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pipsters

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Kreeker said:
I'm a newbie, and have never even used a torque wrench...

Does torque to yield only apply to engine work? Building engines is not anywhere in the immediate future for me :)

Uses for the torque wrenches at this point:
-Changing out trans/transfer case fluid
-Rotating Tires
-Installing new struts
-Installing Turbo-back exhaust
-Brake pad install
Click to expand...

Torque to yield appear on some suspension components. But they are typically easy, like 90*, which can be estimated fairly easily.

The great thing about the Precision Instruments split beams is they combine the longevity of beam torque wrenches (they should never go out of calibration) with the ease of use of clickers. Add on top, no batteries required. For me it was a no brainer.

The more critical torque to yield bolts are on heads.
 
Z

zakmartin

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Jul 3, 2012
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Location
Seattle, WA
I have three PI wrenches: Split beams - the 3/8" 20-100 lb ft and the 1/2" 40-250 lb ft; Micrometer click - 3/8" 30-200 lb in.

They're all A+ wrenches. The split beams won't measure torque if you're turning counter-clockwise, so I have a redundant set of older Craftsman micrometer click wrenches that do the job. Actually, between the PI and Craftsman torque wrenches in my box, I think I have 7 or 8 wrenches, all up. It's probably overkill, but they all get used and I'm really A.R. when it comes to torque.

My feelings on Precision Instruments is that you can't go wrong with them. One thing about the 3/8" lb ft. split-beam: it doesn't come with a base. You can pick up a chrome cap at your local Home Depot or whatever and with a little tab adjustment, it fits nice and tight and keeps grease from gunking up the inside of the tube/handle.

The 3/8" lb in PI micrometer click wrench is tiny. it's not bad for fitting in tight spaces, but honestly, in this case, the cheap Craftsman actually feels better in my big hands just due to its size. They both score the same on accuracy when measured against a digital torque adapter.
 
OP
K

Kreeker

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Messages
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zakmartin said:
I have three PI wrenches: Split beams - the 3/8" 20-100 lb ft and the 1/2" 40-250 lb ft; Micrometer click - 3/8" 30-200 lb in.

They're all A+ wrenches. The split beams won't measure torque if you're turning counter-clockwise, so I have a redundant set of older Craftsman micrometer click wrenches that do the job. Actually, between the PI and Craftsman torque wrenches in my box, I think I have 7 or 8 wrenches, all up. It's probably overkill, but they all get used and I'm really A.R. when it comes to torque.

My feelings on Precision Instruments is that you can't go wrong with them. One thing about the 3/8" lb ft. split-beam: it doesn't come with a base. You can pick up a chrome cap at your local Home Depot or whatever and with a little tab adjustment, it fits nice and tight and keeps grease from gunking up the inside of the tube/handle.

The 3/8" lb in PI micrometer click wrench is tiny. it's not bad for fitting in tight spaces, but honestly, in this case, the cheap Craftsman actually feels better in my big hands just due to its size. They both score the same on accuracy when measured against a digital torque adapter.
Click to expand...

How much did you spend on the PI's?

I just realized my CC is offering an extra 2% (will get 7%) back on Oct. 6th, so I may wait till then if the current prices are normal. Is the 20-100 Ft./Lbs for $110, and the 40-250 Ft./Lbs for $140 the regular prices?
 
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zakmartin

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Seattle, WA
Yeah, all with cases, prices ranged from $120-$140-ish. No tax or shipping charges from tooltopia, which was nice.
 
N

ndoran

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Jun 23, 2011
Messages
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I have one, I was going to buy another snap on one when my snap on guy recommended the PI ones as an affordable alternative - he told me snap on gets theirs from PI.
 
OP
K

Kreeker

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thejudges69 said:
Yikes was it dropped?
Click to expand...

I didn't drop it... Right when I opened the box this is what I noticed. I'm thinking it was either dropped by someone else, or someone tried to break a bolt with it.

Man I'm not having good luck with my tool purchases :(
 
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SMKS

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Kreeker said:
I'm thinking it was either dropped by someone else, or someone tried to break a bolt with it.
Click to expand...

If someone tried to break loose a bolt with it wouldn't it be bent the other way?

Have you tried using it? Does it seem to work properly? It may only be a cosmetic issue, but who knows.

I would email the seller and PI and see what they say.
 
OP
K

Kreeker

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stephen9666 said:
If someone tried to break loose a bolt with it wouldn't it be bent the other way?

Have you tried using it? Does it seem to work properly? It may only be a cosmetic issue, but who knows.

I would email the seller and PI and see what they say.
Click to expand...

No I have not used it. I don't want to use it because they only accept un-used items, and also I don't have any way of checking if it's within spec (actually torquing the bolt to the correct rating..).

And yes I am in the process of emailing tooltopia now.
 
B

BHH

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Apr 1, 2011
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I have the 1/2 split beam click and it is awesome!
 
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