Snap On or CDI Digital 1/2" Torque Wrench???

[Mohawk Dave]

I was going to get the PI Split beam, http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDisplay.cfm?lookup=PREC3FR250F&source=froogle&kw=PREC3FR250F, until I used my buddies SO digital.

It looks like SO has a newer version than the red/black one I just used.

I want the audible BEEP b/c I can. And I'm always upside down and backwards under the rig torquing something.

So, is there any good reason to spend extra $ on the Snap On...or is that just a waste. Paying for calibration is the same whether it's Snappy or CDI, correct?

Copied from below: My main question is: am I getting something more from SO for the additional money. i.e. Calibration, warranty, different internals, etc etc....

If I'm reading it right, they both do angles, correct?

The SO has extra buttons on it...looks like audible and LED, is this for easier programming? Good pic here..http://www.ccjdigital.com/snap-on-touts-torque-wrenches/

Link to SO...$545 on any Sunday...http://store.snapon.com/TechAngle-1...het-12-5-to-250-ft-lbs-1-2-drive-P760213.aspx

Link to CDI...$326 on any Sunday...http://www.zoro.com/g/00066192/k-G1...p52uAa6YwpkG_9IFZj00gG7kofMZ9k31koaAjUi8P8HAQ

 

[jim1987]

Not that I have any use with either.one, but id go CDI. From everything I've read here, CDI is top notch. And someone correct me if I'm wrong, snap on put their name on older torque wrenches made by CDI.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Not that I have any use with either.one, but id go CDI. From everything I've read here, CDI is top notch. And someone correct me if I'm wrong, snap on put their name on older torque wrenches made by CDI.

That is correct. CDI/SO are the same on digi...I just want to make sure that if paying extra for Snappy I'm getting something extra. ya know.

 

[jim1987]

I gotchya. IMO, id get the cdi if it does everything you want. The savings basically pays for the snappy ratchet you're looking for.

 

[Wamsutta]

The Snap-on looks more comfortable than the CDI does.

 

[country83]

Snap-on owns CDI now... all their torque stuff is now made by them.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Hey all, I know SO and CDI are the same company, but the wrenches are different.

My main question is: am I getting something more from SO for the additional money. i.e. Calibration, warranty, different internals, etc etc....

 

[afazz]

I don't own that particular model, but I have a few Snapon and CDI click type torque wrenches. The Snapon ratchet heads are stronger, smoother, and just overall better. The extra money pays for the better ratchet. In the case of the clickers, the Snapon versions are about $100 more- which is about the cost of their ratchet.

 

[JoeMA]

I have a 3/8 and 1/2 version of the CDI (non-techangle version though), which I like very much. The ratchet head seized up once on both but I just opened them up and put in a light lube which fixed the issue.

I think that the CDI and SO heads are interchangeable (others can confirm). If you want the SO version solely for the head, your other option is to buy the CDI and purchase a separate SO ratchet head for less than the $220 difference (you will need to decide if price savings is worth it to you).

For me, I don't use it frequently enough that warranted paying more for the SO head. After lubing the CDI heads, they have worked fine.

 

[franzdom]

So what do the new techangles do that the old ones didn't

EDIT: or what do they do better, I am curious about the change. I have a grey 3/8" version, I find the batteries go out a lot faster than the non-angle ones.

I was going to get the PI Split beam, http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDisplay.cfm?lookup=PREC3FR250F&source=froogle&kw=PREC3FR250F, until I used my buddies SO digital.

It looks like SO has a newer version than the red/black one I just used.

I want the audible BEEP b/c I can. And I'm always upside down and backwards under the rig torquing something.

So, is there any good reason to spend extra $ on the Snap On...or is that just a waste. Paying for calibration is the same whether it's Snappy or CDI, correct?

If I'm reading it right, they both do angles, correct?

The red Snap-On you used is not an angle torque wrench, their red ones are still their current digital torque wrenches, Techwrench.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

So what do the new techangles do that the old ones didn't

EDIT: or what do they do better, I am curious about the change. I have a grey 3/8" version, I find the batteries go out a lot faster than the non-angle ones.



The red Snap-On you used is not an angle torque wrench, their red ones are still their current digital torque wrenches, Techwrench.

Exactly...and yes, the techangle is the one I'll be getting. Might as well, right?

 

[dwizzlethegreat]

I own the 1/2" drive snap-on digital torque wrench. I bought it because it did angle as well as torque. It has been one of my most-trusted tools, and has paid for itself many times over in the amount of hours it has saved me. I've had it for going on 7 years now, and it has not failed me, even with daily use. Money well-spent.

 

[Adam.C]

I don't own any of these wrenches, but the mechanics use them where I work and I have played with the new wrench on the truck. Here's what I learned about the new wrench:

The new techangle has a few new features in a redesigned body, intending to remedy some of the faults with the old design. Many techangles came back for warranty service due to wiring problems and problems with the end cap???? Some mechanics complained the old models were not reliable. (this is from my SO rep- but there are many comments here about this). My guess is SO has tried to take this all on board on the new product.

Aside from that, there are 2 major improvements - which may or may not be major for you.
1) counter- the wrench counts fasteners you've torqued. If you are torquing your lugs this may not be a benefit, but if you are tightening 60 bolts around a jet engine....

2) early warning system (my term, not Snap Ons). I am aware of studies that show we generally over torque (one report said by as much as 20%) by pulling too hard into the target torque. For those of using click-release types, that click release often results in over torquing. We really have to sneak up on the click and just barely engage it and not rely on the release to prevent over torquing. The new wrenches use warning lights to get us to slow down sooner.

Other new features include bigger, easier to read screen, more lights, added kgcm units (not sure why), supposedly better battery life.

My thoughts- The proper use of a torque wrench requires some bit of skill. These new digital wrenches are trying to help mechanics improve their skills. But a few tips from me:
1) The surface conditions under the nut or bolt head are critical. That area must be clean and should be lubricated. Up to 40% of torque is reacted by friction under the bolt head. A much smaller percentage is lost in thread friction.
2) Especially for the digital (strain gage) wrenches, you must hold them where they are meant to be held. You get error otherwise
3) Using the flex head induces cosine error (which you can calculate). Just know that torquing a bolts to a 100 pounds with 30 degrees in the flex head will result in less torque in the bolt.
4) You really have to slowly sneak up on the target torque with whatever wrench you use.

 

[Dust Devil]

My techangle is one of my favorite tools.

 

[franzdom]

Exactly...and yes, the techangle is the one I'll be getting. Might as well, right?

I guess so, I thought the same but it takes a lot longer to start up, you have to set it down to stabilize the gyros before it is ready to use, and uses batteries quickly.
I almost wish I had 3 red ones, I only have angle in 3/8" and the 1/4" & 1/2" I prefer using unless I need the angle function.
I prefer the red ones so much that I am considering getting a 3/8" version also and shelving the angle one for when I really need it.

 

[GSteg]

I have a Snap-On and CDI (Cornwell branded). Both are accurate, but my Snap On eats batteries like crazy! 3 fresh Duracell AA will last a couple of days, and Snap On says it's not 'broken'. I'm hoping the new model is much better because it's a good wrench, just not reliable enough for me. The CDI/Cornwell uses those small lithium button cells, but I've had it for a couple of years and have yet to replace it. I actually use the CDI 3x more than the SO.

One thing I like over the CDI is that it vibrates when you hit the torque setting. It's real nice when you're in a noisy environment, or if you can't get a good view of the LCD screen. Unless the Snap On has a feature you want that's missing on the CDI, I'd go with the CDI.

 

[rtole]

I just bought the new 3/8 techangle.......I went with snap on for the refurbish program. 70 bucks will rebuild my whole wrench. Including a recalibrate. I dont know if cdi has the same program. I know snap on does so I went with it. I know its more up front, but accidents happen, so thats why I went with snap on. The new one does vibrate, turn led green, and beep at you. Pretty tough to miss when you reach the setting. For the price difference........I dont regret it. To be fair mine is only 2 month old. Used at least 10 times a day........still shows full battery.

 

[rtole]

I should say that locally there is only 1 place to calibrate a wrench. It costs 50 bucks just to check it. My company does not pay for checking personal wrenches. That made my decision easy. It could be different inyour situation.

 

[steves_auto]

Hello everyone, this is my first post. I am thinking of buying a techangle from SO, thanks for the information on this tool.

 

[zmotorsports]

I can't speak on behalf of the CDI but I recently purchased both the 3/8" and 1/2" TechAngle torque wrenches and really like them. I also have a TechWrench 3/8" that I have had for several years now and really like it although it doesn't have the angle feature but it still gets used a lot.

Mike.