Precision Instruments Dial Torque Wrenches

[L.Cheapo]

Hi all,

Snap On has recently discontinued selling Torq-o-meter dial-type torque wrenches, and wouldn't you know it...I now have a need for one. I'm looking for a USA made high quality tool. The PI dial type torque wrenches look suspiciously like the Snap On ones; I assume that's who made them?

In any case, there doesn't seem to be a lot of places to buy these. Some that come up in a google search are a bit...sketchy. Zoro/Grainger doesnt stock the part number I want (D1F50HMP) (10-50in lbs, memory) and neither do any of the other big names we're all familiar with. PI sells it directly, for about $100 more than the ones that came up in the search, so I will likely go with that unless anyone has a better idea?

Or should I be looking at a different tool altogether? I checked CDI and didn't see anything that fit:

New
10-50 in lbs, both directions
USA made
"memory" needle
at least 2% accuracy

All suggestions welcome. Thanks!

 

[charbar]

I have a CDI that is exactly what you are looking for....surprised you didn't find one. Maybe they don't make them anymore? I think mine is only 10 years old or so. When I get back to the shop tomorrow I'll let you know what the part number is on it.

 

[Steve_P]

Typical accuracy to be expected is +/-3%

Check CDI, Proto, Williams.

 

[L.Cheapo]

I have a CDI that is exactly what you are looking for....surprised you didn't find one. Maybe they don't make them anymore? I think mine is only 10 years old or so. When I get back to the shop tomorrow I'll let you know what the part number is on it.

I could only find 0-30 and 0-75 in their catalog. They come up discontinued everywhere I've looked. Also, they list only 3-4% accuracy. I can get 1% or 2% with PI. Thanks!

Makes sense, as they are Snap On Industrial...and SO told me they are discontinued.

 

[Hakeem]

A google search turns this site up, selling it for $255:

Toolsource.com - Precision Instruments D1F50HMP 1/4 In Dr Dial Torque Wrench w/ M

Precision Instruments D1F50HMP 1/4" Drive Dial Torque Wrench w/ Memory Pointer - 0-50 in-lbs - 1% Accuracy The Dial Type Wrench provides an excellent solution for many applications. The wide range of scales makes selecting the appropriate tool easy. Accurate to 1% of the reading from 20% of full...

www.toolsource.com

No idea how reputable of a vendor it is

 

[L.Cheapo]

A google search turns this site up, selling it for $255:

Toolsource.com - Precision Instruments D1F50HMP 1/4 In Dr Dial Torque Wrench w/ M

Precision Instruments D1F50HMP 1/4" Drive Dial Torque Wrench w/ Memory Pointer - 0-50 in-lbs - 1% Accuracy The Dial Type Wrench provides an excellent solution for many applications. The wide range of scales makes selecting the appropriate tool easy. Accurate to 1% of the reading from 20% of full...

www.toolsource.com

No idea how reputable of a vendor it is

Thanks, thats one of the ones I saw. Never heard of them before. Unless someone here can vouch for them, I'll just buy direct from the mfr for $100 more and rest assured I'll get it.

Interestingly, looking at it again, one of their alternate part numbers is the same as the last available part number on SO's website...so my suspicion is confirmed.

 

[L.Cheapo]

Typical accuracy to be expected is +/-3%

Check CDI, Proto, Williams.

Thanks, Williams seems to be the same as CDI and SO, mostly discontinued. Photo doesnt really have anything that fits, other than 0-75, and they have "extended lead time" as well.

I guess these have really fallen out of favor. I love my tech angles, but for setting up differentials, I feel this is the best way to go. (I don't like the bendy-beam type torque wrenches at all)

 

[Hakeem]

Thanks, thats one of the ones I saw. Never heard of them before. Unless someone here can vouch for them, I'll just buy direct from the mfr for $100 more and rest assured I'll get it.

Interestingly, looking at it again, one of their alternate part numbers is the same as the last available part number on SO's website...so my suspicion is confirmed.

Cool. I recently bought a split beam from Precision Instruments and it’s very nice. Turns out they make them 30 minutes from my house .. never knew! Enjoy your torque wrench and share a photo or two once you get it, if you don’t mind

 

[Zimbo]

Just go with the PI, you can get it direct from them off their website.
I have a fair number of their Torque wrenches and they pass calibration every year without fail.

 

[txvwnut]

You can't go wrong with a PI torque wrench.

 

[WWheeler]

Thanks, thats one of the ones I saw. Never heard of them before. Unless someone here can vouch for them, I'll just buy direct from the mfr for $100 more and rest assured I'll get it.

Interestingly, looking at it again, one of their alternate part numbers is the same as the last available part number on SO's website...so my suspicion is confirmed.

Count me as one who will never order from Toolsource again.

I ordered a Williams ratchet on their website in Mid-Dec 2016. Nothing told me at the time it wasn't something they had in stock, or that they were a drop-shipper, or however they typically operate. After a couple weeks after order of hearing nothing about it after the original order confirmation, I reached out. Around the end of Dec I got a reply that they "contacted the manufacture because they had given me an ETA of 12/20/16 and that is past due". So yeah, drop shipper.

Anywho, the next email I got from them said "I just heard back from the manufacture and this back order has been pushed out until approximately the 2nd week of January.", which came and went and was followed by "they have informed me the new ETA date is 1/20/17" and then that was followed by one email after another each time blaming "the manufacturer" and punting the shipping date back further and further that went on for a few months.

Finally, I got fed up enough hearing every delay and estimated arrival time being blamed on 'the manufacturer' I reached out to Williams on Mar 28.


I never did get a reply from that email to Williams but my ratchet did arrive on April 7, about a week and a half after sending it.

I'll never know whether Williams was ever actually to blame for the delays and repeated missed-ship-date excuses, but the one thing I do know is I'll never order from Toolsource again. YMMV

EDIT: I shuld mention that I did go to the link Hakeem posted and was surprised to see they now say on their site:

Usually In Stock
Usually ships in 24-48 hours
Manufacturer Direct

So, that's an improvement. At least they now do let you know they are a drop shipper before you might place an order.

 

[L.Cheapo]

Count me as one who will never order from Toolsource again.

I ordered a Williams ratchet on their website in Mid-Dec 2016. Nothing told me at the time it wasn't something they had in stock, or that they were a drop-shipper, or however they typically operate. After a couple weeks after order of hearing nothing about it after the original order confirmation, I reached out. Around the end of Dec I got a reply that they "contacted the manufacture because they had given me an ETA of 12/20/16 and that is past due". So yeah, drop shipper.

Anywho, the next email I got from them said "I just heard back from the manufacture and this back order has been pushed out until approximately the 2nd week of January.", which came and went and was followed by "they have informed me the new ETA date is 1/20/17" and then that was followed by one email after another each time blaming "the manufacturer" and punting the shipping date back further and further that went on for a few months.

Finally, I got fed up enough hearing every delay and estimated arrival time being blamed on 'the manufacturer' I reached out to Williams on Mar 28.


I never did get a reply from that email to Williams but my ratchet did arrive on April 7, about a week and a half after sending it.

I'll never know whether Williams was ever actually to blame for the delays and repeated missed-ship-date excuses, but the one thing I do know is I'll never order from Toolsource again. YMMV

EDIT: I shuld mention that I did go to the link Hakeem posted and was surprised to see they now say on their site:

So, that's an improvement. At least they now do let you know they are a drop shipper before you might place an order.

Thank you for this valuable post. I always look to minimize my hassles, even if it costs more. I'll just order direct from Precision Instruments.

Thanks again.

 

[budget76]

I actually ordered a couple of these at work because of the tight accuracy claims. Haven't had time to get them into the torque lab to verify but they came with cal certs so theoretically they're legit. Surprisingly cheap for the accuracy claims we were looking for

their main website is legit / where we ordered 2 from.

1/4" Drive Dial Type Wrench Precise 1%- D1F50HMP

The 1/4" Drive Dial Type Wrench - D1F50HMP provides an excellent solution for many applications. The wide range of scales makes selecting the appropriate tool easy. Shop drive dial type wrenches now!

torqwrench.com

 

[L.Cheapo]

I actually ordered a couple of these at work because of the tight accuracy claims. Haven't had time to get them into the torque lab to verify but they came with cal certs so theoretically they're legit. Surprisingly cheap for the accuracy claims we were looking for

their main website is legit / where we ordered 2 from.

1/4" Drive Dial Type Wrench Precise 1%- D1F50HMP

The 1/4" Drive Dial Type Wrench - D1F50HMP provides an excellent solution for many applications. The wide range of scales makes selecting the appropriate tool easy. Shop drive dial type wrenches now!

torqwrench.com

Thanks. Thats the exact one I have in mind.

 

[dnschmidt]

There is an alternative to doing what you're trying to do with the dial style torque wrench which is a digital torque wrench of appropriate capacity. You can put these into what's called peak mode and watch the torque build up as you torque them. When they reach the desired torque, or preload, stop turning the wrench.

 

[L.Cheapo]

There is an alternative to doing what you're trying to do with the dial style torque wrench which is a digital torque wrench of appropriate capacity. You can put these into what's called peak mode and watch the torque build up as you torque them. When they reach the desired torque, or preload, stop turning the wrench.

Thanks. I do have Techangles, but the 1/4" scale is 12-240 in lbs, which, while it *might* work, it's not "accurate" below 20% of scale, which is really where I'll be with this. Spec is 10-35 in lbs.

Plus I just like the idea of the dial with the "memory" needle for this, say, when just replacing a pinion seal. (which is what's coming, and the reason for this tool)

 

[Steve_P]

Thanks, Williams seems to be the same as CDI and SO, mostly discontinued. Photo doesnt really have anything that fits, other than 0-75, and they have "extended lead time" as well.

I guess these have really fallen out of favor. I love my tech angles, but for setting up differentials, I feel this is the best way to go. (I don't like the bendy-beam type torque wrenches at all)

I hear you. The reality is that these are only advantageous for this type of purpose of determining running drag, and that's an almost non-existent market. The only people regularly changing R&Ps are the 4WD driveline shops which is a tiny market.

Years ago, I wanted to get a dial wrench also, but I only set up a R&P every few years and just couldn't justify the $$$ vs my 1/4" beam wrench. What I do with the beam wrench is to put up a "stopper flag" using painter's tape at the midrange of the spec, perpindicular to the indicator needle, if that makes sense. When the needled hits it, I'm done.

 

[tak1313]

Count me as one who will never order from Toolsource again.

I ordered a Williams ratchet on their website in Mid-Dec 2016. Nothing told me at the time it wasn't something they had in stock, or that they were a drop-shipper, or however they typically operate. After a couple weeks after order of hearing nothing about it after the original order confirmation, I reached out. Around the end of Dec I got a reply that they "contacted the manufacture because they had given me an ETA of 12/20/16 and that is past due". So yeah, drop shipper.

Anywho, the next email I got from them said "I just heard back from the manufacture and this back order has been pushed out until approximately the 2nd week of January.", which came and went and was followed by "they have informed me the new ETA date is 1/20/17" and then that was followed by one email after another each time blaming "the manufacturer" and punting the shipping date back further and further that went on for a few months.

Finally, I got fed up enough hearing every delay and estimated arrival time being blamed on 'the manufacturer' I reached out to Williams on Mar 28.


I never did get a reply from that email to Williams but my ratchet did arrive on April 7, about a week and a half after sending it.

I'll never know whether Williams was ever actually to blame for the delays and repeated missed-ship-date excuses, but the one thing I do know is I'll never order from Toolsource again. YMMV

EDIT: I shuld mention that I did go to the link Hakeem posted and was surprised to see they now say on their site:

So, that's an improvement. At least they now do let you know they are a drop shipper before you might place an order.

I've ordered from them a couple times, and it went OK at the time, but as far as I know, they are a drop shipper, so it ends up being a **** shoot on who they drop ship through. I don't know if they ACTUALLY hold any inventory - i just know they drop ship because both times the items came from different sources, though I don't remember what they were and where they came from at this point.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

Precision Instruments does in fact make/made the Snap On Torque O Meters
I have a SO in 1/2" 0-250ft/lbs and a 3/8" 0-150 In/lbs. I did not have a case for either of mine. I got them from PI since they cost a lot less than going through SO. The folks at PI are really nice to deal with. These dial torque wrenches are +/- 2% in either direction.

I'd go PI, you could always go used for a SO. If you do go with a dial, make sure to get a follow up pointer.

 

[L.Cheapo]

Precision Instruments does in fact make/made the Snap On Torque O Meters
I have a SO in 1/2" 0-250ft/lbs and a 3/8" 0-150 In/lbs. I did not have a case for either of mine. I got them from PI since they cost a lot less than going through SO. The folks at PI are really nice to deal with. These dial torque wrenches are +/- 2% in either direction.

I'd go PI, you could always go used for a SO. If you do go with a dial, make sure to get a follow up pointer.

Thank you. I ordered it direct from PI this afternoon. 10-50 in lbs, with follow/memory needle, 1% accuracy, with a certificate.

The used market was pretty limited and by the time I paid for it, plus shipping, plus calibration, I'd be roughly at the price of a new one.

 

[T444e]

I have a few PI torque wrenches and a torque driver. The only one I had an issue with was the 1/4 drive, spring failed in the head, but they have repair kits. I looked at them when I needed a low torque 3/8 drive torque wrench, I couldn't get past the price and bought a CDI (Snap-On).

 

[L.Cheapo]

Just an update:







Apparently these are somewhat made to order. Took just shy of 2 weeks from order to ship. Maybe because I opted for the 1% accuracy? Either way, it sure is pretty.

 

[Outahere]

Just an update:







Apparently these are somewhat made to order. Took just shy of 2 weeks from order to ship. Maybe because I opted for the 1% accuracy? Either way, it sure is pretty.

Does your calibration certificate show the test data, or is just a statement guaranteeing 1% accuracy?

 

[L.Cheapo]

Does your calibration certificate show the test data, or is just a statement guaranteeing 1% accuracy?

It shows the test data at three points CW and CCW.

 

[308guru]

Call McMaster and ask them to quote it for you. I’ve ordered many PI torque wrenches from them that weren’t catalog items.

 

[Outahere]

It shows the test data at three points CW and CCW.

Interesting. When I bought my two PI split beam torque wrenches in 2020 and 2021 my calibration certificates included no test data, only a "promise" of 4% accuracy. When I had them tested at an accredited calibration lab, both failed to meet the 4% accuracy spec.

 

[L.Cheapo]

Interesting. When I bought my two PI split beam torque wrenches in 2020 and 2021 my calibration certificates included no test data, only a "promise" of 4% accuracy. When I had them tested at an accredited calibration lab, both failed to meet the 4% accuracy spec.

I don't have it in front of me at the moment, but I did look at it and there were three columns: Left was CCW result, center was tested number, right was CW test result, each at three different values, low-medium-high relative to the scale of the tool. CW was all dead nuts on, CCW was 0-.05 or so inlbs off.

Maybe because I went for the 1% model or because I paid the extra $20 for the calibration certificate or because I bought direct from PI? No idea, just spitballing here.

 

[Outahere]

..............I paid the extra $20 for the calibration certificate........

I didn't realize you paid extra for a calibration test and certificate on your specific tool. The "free" certificate of accuracy is what I received with my two PI torque wrenches. They obviously were not actually tested for accuracy at the factory.

For the price PI charges these days for their torque tools, charging extra for supplying calibration data with each tool is ridiculous.
If Tekton can supply a proper calibration certificate at no extra charge for their $120 split beam torque wrench, why can't PI do the same for their $200+ wrenches?

 

[L.Cheapo]

I didn't realize you paid extra for a calibration test and certificate on your specific tool. The "free" certificate of accuracy is what I received with my two PI torque wrenches. They obviously were not actually tested for accuracy at the factory.

For the price PI charges these days for their torque tools, charging extra for supplying calibration data with each tool is ridiculous.
If Tekton can supply a proper calibration certificate at no extra charge for their $120 split beam torque wrench, why can't PI do the same for their $200+ wrenches?

I agree with you completely, especially when ordering directly from them and cutting out the middleman.

The PI cal cert looked similar to the Tekton one you shared.

 

[L.Cheapo]

Just for fun (I realize the accuracy of this is dubious) I pitted the new PI against my 1/4" drive Techangle torque wrench, and they were within .3 in/lb at each 10 in/lb increment I tested them. I'm happy with it.

 

[BCreekDave]

Biggest reason for the certs is if you are an ISO or IATF shop supplying an auto manufacturer or similar. All of your gaging equipment has to have periodic calibrations done. Actually, the cost of that cert is cheaper at the manufacturer than sending it out to an independent calibration shop.