PI split beam 1/2 , 128.97 free ship

[chipss36]

http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDisplay.cfm?lookup=PREC3FR250F

Was the last torque wrench I needed to complete the set, for now anyway 128.97 and free shipping, this is less than eBay used prices....woot

 

[neonlazer]

Love mine!

 

[nmantas]

When this was posted I was already high bidder on a used one on ebay......I was halfway hoping I didn't win the auction but did. Would rather have new but I take the guy at his word that he only used it once and it appears brand new (manufactured in 2014)......the truth will come out in the calibration check on whether it was worth saving $35 over new. Wish this sale started a few days earlier.

 

[05r50]

From the sellers add:
"4 percent accuracy"

He might want to rethink that statement.

[emoji3]

 

[firworks]

So this torque wrench is not a clicker right, it just reads out the torque on the beam. Can you set a torque for it to beep at or anything in case it's hard to see where you're swinging it?

 

[Jarhead0408]

No, it is a clicker. You'll hear it once you hit your torque setting.

 

[firworks]

Do these come with a cal certificate? Comparable to a CDi? I've been almost buying a CDi off Amazon Warehouse Deals several times already. I'd like to get a good accurate torque wrench. Might fire on one of these to replace the HF 1/2" and put that in my trunk tool kit.

 

[rlitman]

So this torque wrench is not a clicker right, it just reads out the torque on the beam. Can you set a torque for it to beep at or anything in case it's hard to see where you're swinging it?

There's no torque readout. The dial is how you apply the click setting.
They make a sharp twangy click that's actually easier to feel than the thumpy click on a micrometer torque wrench (when you use it, you'll understand what I mean).
This one is identical to the Snap On TQFR250 (I've got two of these).

 

[Jarhead0408]

These aren't digital, but I'd still reccomend them Fir.

I've got two that are Snap On rebadged models. I really like them so far. I've also used them in a proffesional capacity with good result.

I would guess they already come with a calibration certificate. Even if they don't they will still have been calibrated from the factory. I wouldn't worry about re-certifying them before a year has passed; maybe longer if you aren't using them proffesionaly.

Unlike the HF models, you can send these off to get calibrated. I use Angle Repair out of Beckley, West Virginia. They did a great job repairing, testing, and certifying my torque wrenches. Great folks.

 

[nmantas]

I will say it like this......I ordered the 100ft lb 3/8 model last week and used it for my brakes and made the decision that I found the torque wrench technology that I wanted and am also going for this one. I personally don't like mico clickers for a variety of reasons the biggest is the laziness of resetting it to zero. Here is what came with my factory fresh 3/8" 100ft lb model:

 

[cludwin]

I own both the 1/2 and the 3/8 PI torque wrenches I they are great.

The only downside and I would imagine this is the case for most torque wrenches is that they are fairly coarse toothed meaning that the swing-arc is pretty far. Not the end of the world but all in all I really like mine and would buy again.

 

[nmantas]

I don't think I would buy this design for the lower torques (they make a low ft lb and in lb models) because they only make two physical sizes for the wrench and I think the smaller torque ones would be too physically large for the jobs they would encounter. Thinking of getting a dial torque wrench for the small stuff (which I've always just guessed at).

 

[rlitman]

How low are you talking about. I've got a Stahlwille Manoskop that's in a range below the PI split beam I have, but has a similar mechanism.

 

[chipss36]

I have three pi split beams in 3/8 10/50 FP the 20/100 FP , and the 1/2 split beam, also today I received a pi standard clicker in
30/200 inch pounds, defective right out of the box, man I have had the worst luck with standard clickers no matter what the brand, errrrrr
Find it hard to believe its 3% if it does not even click or cycle correctly....no hassle return but what a pain, still a very well built and good looking tool, someone must have been messing with it after it left PI?

 

[chipss36]

Or you could go with this one?

http://www.mactools.com/en-us/Torqu...es/TWV250P/1-2-Drive-Split-Beam-Torque-Wrench

 

[donthelegend]

Or you could go with this one?

http://www.mactools.com/en-us/Torqu...es/TWV250P/1-2-Drive-Split-Beam-Torque-Wrench

$200 premium for orange over blue? I'm not going to look up for sure that PI makes the Mac Tools one, but I own the PI and the handle color is the only difference I see.

 

[TK-421]

Yay, glad it's cheap, that's the one I've been keeping an eye on for my 1/2" torque wrench.

 

[PureLeaf]

I own both the 1/2 and the 3/8 PI torque wrenches I they are great.

The only downside and I would imagine this is the case for most torque wrenches is that they are fairly coarse toothed meaning that the swing-arc is pretty far. Not the end of the world but all in all I really like mine and would buy again.

I agree completely. I have 2, love them both. But the ratcheting mechanism is pretty coarse so the arc swing is pretty big. Still, at the price range and the quality of design, theres not another torque wrench I'd consider.

 

[firworks]

Gah... not sure if I should fire on this one. Another option is a CDi micrometer clicker like this:
http://www.zoro.com/cdi-torque-products-torque-wrench-12dr-30-250-ft-lb-2503mfrph/i/G1708156/

With a 30% off from Zoro it brings it down to around the same price. I really don't like the micrometer adjustment style but based on what people say I think that should be a pretty good TW.

Decisions...

Edit: Anyone order one from Tooldiscounter and receive it yet? I'm wondering what their ship times are like.

 

[chipss36]

order date was the 18th, received today 25th, so 7 days total NM to TX, shipped out fast.
included calibration is like a month or two ago.... pic above.

Gah... not sure if I should fire on this one. Another option is a CDi micrometer clicker like this:
http://www.zoro.com/cdi-torque-products-torque-wrench-12dr-30-250-ft-lb-2503mfrph/i/G1708156/

With a 30% off from Zoro it brings it down to around the same price. I really don't like the micrometer adjustment style but based on what people say I think that should be a pretty good TW.

Decisions...

Edit: Anyone order one from Tooldiscounter and receive it yet? I'm wondering what their ship times are like.

 

[chipss36]

That's for sure a PI wench, and same head even, same box, with a 200$ handle, and mac sticker on the box, I am sure there are many happy MAC owners out there.
snap on did the same for years, till they purchased CDI, but snap on used a diffrent head, and a red box. funny the snap on's are on eBay used around $200, ish, find it funny many suggest buying a used snap on ?

blue suits me just fine.

$200 premium for orange over blue? I'm not going to look up for sure that PI makes the Mac Tools one, but I own the PI and the handle color is the only difference I see.

 

[firworks]

Mine arrived today. It's really nice.
View media item 60928View media item 60926View media item 60927View media item 60925Hoping it's warm this weekend so I can give it a workout.

Also the deal is still going on if anyone is still on the fence.

 

[Jarhead0408]

Good deal Fir.

I just used my 1/2" & 3-8" Snap On rebranded PI torque wrenches today.

 

[P_I_Torque]

Mine arrived today. It's really nice.

Hoping it's warm this weekend so I can give it a workout.

Also the deal is still going on if anyone is still on the fence.

Congratulations on the purchase and it's our hope you enjoy using it. I see you are in Peoria, firworks. Our factory is located in Des Plaines, IL. If you are in the area let me know and would be happy to show you around. We are making your tool, the C3FR250F, pretty much every day.

The tool you have is sporting our new ratchet head, I can tell from the profile. It's machined entirely onsite in our brand new Brother CNC machining center from a solid block of alloy steel.

Thank you for your purchase and support.

 

[cgv69]

Kind of a nit picky thing but I really wish you would update the handles on the 3/8" models to match the larger blue handle on the 1/2 drive model

 

[PureLeaf]

Kind of a nit picky thing but I really wish you would update the handles on the 3/8" models to match the larger blue handle on the 1/2 drive model

I'd like to be able to just get the bottom screw cap for my 3/8ths drive. They don't come with it, theres actually complaints on amazon about people thinking their drive was missing a part. Its kinda weird. If it was available as a part to purchase for 5 or 10 bucks, I'd be happy to pay for it..

 

[chipss36]

I guess I am the opsite of most, I like the older round handal 1/2 ones the best, even without the cap, but could not find one, new old stock, then saw this sale. so ....

I am pretty much set now with 4 PI wrenches from 30 inch pounds to 250 foot pounds.
very much like the loud clack split beams make, vrs micro types.

 

[PureLeaf]

I agree chipss36. They have a great design. Its definitely just nit picking. I'd be interested to hear how the new ratchet head differs from the old one? The old one really was pretty coarse.

 

[firworks]

Congratulations on the purchase and it's our hope you enjoy using it. I see you are in Peoria, firworks. Our factory is located in Des Plaines, IL. If you are in the area let me know and would be happy to show you around. We are making your tool, the C3FR250F, pretty much every day.

The tool you have is sporting our new ratchet head, I can tell from the profile. It's machined entirely onsite in our brand new Brother CNC machining center from a solid block of alloy steel.

Thank you for your purchase and support.

Sounds cool! I'd love to visit but I take it you guys aren't open on the weekends? I'm up in that area from time to time but always on a Saturday or Sunday.

While you are here... I do have a question about the wrench I received. The cal certificate included listed the manufacture and test date as July of last year. How long would you expect these wrenches to stay in calibration without use? Others in this thread said they had very recent cal dates and so you wouldn't worry about those but I'm just wondering what I should expect from this one I've got and when I'll need to think of getting it calibrated down the road. I don't know how much time vs use effects these split beam torque wrenches.

I did get to try it out the other night doing a failed brake job. Turns out my car has 272mm rotors and a different caliper and brake pad than other same year Jetta TDIs with 260mm rotors. Advanced Auto Parts lists both rotors and all the pads and calipers all together as "Exact Fit" with no mention of there being different options. Luckily idparts.com was able to steer me to the right stuff for my car and it's on the way. In the mean time though, this torque wrench worked great and was so much easier to adjust and use than the micrometer type. Not that those are necessarily hard but these are stupid simple. Flick down the lever, dial it in, snap it shut and away you go! I'm tempted to try to take the plate off the head to see what the mechanism looks like. I might do a video on the tool this weekend and if I do I may in fact do that to get some gut shots. All in all I'm real happy with it. I'm glad that I didn't end up picking up one of the CDi Amazon Warehouse Deals wrenches I almost grabbed for around the same price. I'm sure those are nice too but this seems somehow cooler.

Also that tooldiscounter deal is still running, I'm surprised they are still on sale.

 

[k-os]

Congratulations on the purchase and it's our hope you enjoy using it. I see you are in Peoria, firworks. Our factory is located in Des Plaines, IL. If you are in the area let me know and would be happy to show you around. We are making your tool, the C3FR250F, pretty much every day.

The tool you have is sporting our new ratchet head, I can tell from the profile. It's machined entirely onsite in our brand new Brother CNC machining center from a solid block of alloy steel.

Thank you for your purchase and support.

Very good to hear about bringing more things in-house. I'm going to be looking to buy a new 1/4" Drive Torque Wrench soon and was hoping I'd be able to get a split-beam design, but didn't find any available. What is the reason that 1/4" drive aren't made with the split-beam? Is the torque range too long to be able to use that design?

 

[AndrewDouglasBird]

Being wanting one of these for a while now, just ordered one. My current 1/2" Crapsman clicker can go in the garbage now. Can't wait to get it!

 

[chipss36]

Being wanting one of these for a while now, just ordered one. My current 1/2" Crapsman clicker can go in the garbage now. Can't wait to get it!

all it takes is one use, and you will be saying....."ohhh now I get it",
and will be forever part of the split beam crowd.

just sayin.

 

[P_I_Torque]

Kind of a nit picky thing but I really wish you would update the handles on the 3/8" models to match the larger blue handle on the 1/2 drive model

Thank you cgv69 for your comment. I'll share it with our design group. We prefer all steel for it's durability. We had direct customers in the tire install that use the 1/2" and put thousands of cycles a day on it. Upon request, we added the comfort grip on the 1/2".

Sounds cool! I'd love to visit but I take it you guys aren't open on the weekends? I'm up in that area from time to time but always on a Saturday or Sunday.

While you are here... I do have a question about the wrench I received. The cal certificate included listed the manufacture and test date as July of last year. How long would you expect these wrenches to stay in calibration without use? Others in this thread said they had very recent cal dates and so you wouldn't worry about those but I'm just wondering what I should expect from this one I've got and when I'll need to think of getting it calibrated down the road. I don't know how much time vs use effects these split beam torque wrenches.

I did get to try it out the other night doing a failed brake job. Turns out my car has 272mm rotors and a different caliper and brake pad than other same year Jetta TDIs with 260mm rotors. Advanced Auto Parts lists both rotors and all the pads and calipers all together as "Exact Fit" with no mention of there being different options. Luckily idparts.com was able to steer me to the right stuff for my car and it's on the way. In the mean time though, this torque wrench worked great and was so much easier to adjust and use than the micrometer type. Not that those are necessarily hard but these are stupid simple. Flick down the lever, dial it in, snap it shut and away you go! I'm tempted to try to take the plate off the head to see what the mechanism looks like. I might do a video on the tool this weekend and if I do I may in fact do that to get some gut shots. All in all I'm real happy with it. I'm glad that I didn't end up picking up one of the CDi Amazon Warehouse Deals wrenches I almost grabbed for around the same price. I'm sure those are nice too but this seems somehow cooler.

Also that tooldiscounter deal is still running, I'm surprised they are still on sale.

firworks, as fast as those tools move I'm surprised the calibration date is from last July. Tooldiscounter is not a direct customer of ours so I am not sure the distribution link. However, the calibration of the tool will be fine. The measuring components remain at rest only until there is force applied. It has almost an indefinite shelf life, unlike the Micrometer Adjustable counter-part.

Very good to hear about bringing more things in-house. I'm going to be looking to buy a new 1/4" Drive Torque Wrench soon and was hoping I'd be able to get a split-beam design, but didn't find any available. What is the reason that 1/4" drive aren't made with the split-beam? Is the torque range too long to be able to use that design?

k-os, thank you for your comment. We have tried and tried to get the split-beam design to operate at the 1/4" torque range but it's such light torque. What happens is the click is nearly inaudible. There's just not enough stored energy to produce a click.

 

[AndrewDouglasBird]

Mine showed up today! I'd post pictures, but they would look exactly like the ones firworks posted.

Very nice tool. Much heavier than I expected it to be. Very solid feeling. Makes my current Craftsman clicker feel like a toy.

I thought the pivot head was interesting. With the way it is designed, it will only tip a certain amount. One of by biggest peaves about angle head tools is that they often will over travel on flex when torquing on them. This won't do that, which is nice.

 

[AmateurMechanic]

Do split beam torque wrenches require the same re-calibration intervals (usually 1-2 years) as the common click-type torque wrenches?

 

[TS3g]

Mine came today as well. I got a 1/2" and a 3/8", both very nice pieces. Should be a nice upgrade from my HF clickers

 

[imryanmoriarty]

I can't seem to proceed to checkout on this website. Both browsers on my computer tell me they are unable to establish a secure connection. Anyone else having that issue?

 

[firworks]

Mine came today as well. I got a 1/2" and a 3/8", both very nice pieces. Should be a nice upgrade from my HF clickers

I need to get a 3/8" as well. I'm definitely not going back to a micrometer clicker now!

 

[lightning02]

What's the usual going price of these?

 

[Bluejoe]

So which dealer should I go with to purchase one of these I'm going with the 1/2"