Snap On torque wrench...am I doomed?

[Jason280]

I think I have finally killed my Snap On torque wrench, its a 1/4" drive QJR117E. Guess I finally dropped it one too many times, as the lower adjustment "screw" will no longer stay affixed in the handle. Any chances this can be fixed, or am I doomed?

 

[Jason280]

Here are the internals, in case anyone is curious:

 

[defektes]

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/parts/pro_det.asp?Item_id=38252&group_id=8895

snap on still sells replacement parts, why wont the adjuster stay in?

 

[L.Cheapo]

I have heard that Snap On will repair their torque wrenches for a flat fee. I cannot confirm or deny that, might be worth asking a local driver about.

 

[Wamsutta]

That torque wrench was made by Precision Instruments except for the ratchet head. Whatever parts Snap-on no longer has, you might inquire to P.I. about it.

Here's what Snap-on has left:
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/parts/pro_det.asp?Item_id=639243&group_id=678774

 

[Jason280]

No luck on a local driver, never had much success using them. This was purchased several years ago, and I have not done any business with the local guy. Is there an address I can simply ship to at Snap On?

 

[country83]

Don't waste your time with Snap-on, they don't carry the handles for that wrench anymore and it'll just get returned unrepaired. If you want it fixed, I'd give Precision a call as they're the ones that actually made it, and they may still make that style.

 

[Buckgnarly]

I have heard these guys are pretty good....

http://www.teamtorque.com/index.html

 

[Jason280]

Well, just spoke with Snap On. They will repair the wrench for a flat rate of $59, so I think I am going that route. Not too bad considering it includes calibration!

 

[xurusaibobx]

yes snap on flat rate repairs is the way to go with snap on tools. my torque angle wrench cost a little bit more to have repaired and calibrated.

 

[PureLeaf]

Make sure you post a picture of the end result when it comes back in the mail repaired!

 

[TheRobotCow]

I would just send it to Snap On, $59 for them to fix it and calibrate it? Sounds great to me.

 

[mrborohachi]

$59 is a f-ing amazing deal. After my ordeal of trying to find a rebuild kit in the USA for an old KD 1/2" torque wrench I can tell you most calibrators/parts places will charge more than that just for an "evaluation/quote"

Here's a link to the thread I started. I called every torque wrench calibrator in the USA
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=251577

 

[platform389]

Make sure you post a picture of the end result when it comes back in the mail repaired!

Make that another vote for that as well.

 

[404]

Why do you drop a torque wrench... how does that even happen.

 

[Jason280]

Make that another vote for that as well.

Will do, I should be able to get it shipped out tomorrow.

 

[Jason280]

Well, quick update. I received an email last week from Snap On informing me they wouldn't be able to repair the torque wrench, seems like its obsolete to the point that repairing isnt an option. So, looks like its on to option B....me fixing it.

 

[Evan(CA)]

Well, quick update. I received an email last week from Snap On informing me they wouldn't be able to repair the torque wrench, seems like its obsolete to the point that repairing isnt an option. So, looks like its on to option B....me fixing it.

That *****. My rep will repair anything for me no questions asked and if it's a discontinued item he will give me the brand new current version.

 

[mp23]

If its discontinued it shouldn't they replace it?

 

[Lx460]

Have you thought about just retiring said wrench and acquiring a new one? I would think with any kind of homebrew repair and calibration costs it may not be practical to repair. Since parts are discontinued and considering its condition, I assume you've had it for a while and gotten fair use of it...

 

[Zrexxer]

Why do you drop a torque wrench... how does that even happen.

That was exactly my first thought, too.

Buy a new one, and never, ever, drop it. Problem goes away.

 

[country83]

Well, quick update. I received an email last week from Snap On informing me they wouldn't be able to repair the torque wrench, seems like its obsolete to the point that repairing isnt an option. So, looks like its on to option B....me fixing it.

Your dealer may be able to swing you a decent deal on a new one since it's no longer repaired. Corporate gives dealers some leeway on that to keep you in Snap-on.

 

[warmpancakes]

Your dealer may be able to swing you a decent deal on a new one since it's no longer repaired. Corporate gives dealers some leeway on that to keep you in Snap-on.

correct, you should get 1/2 off a new torque wrench, they do this with older air and cordless tools that cant be fixed

 

[Jason280]

The difficulty I am going to run into is getting the wrench calibrated. Is there an easy way of doing this at home, maybe setting up an apparatus that is reasonably accurate? Is it possible to check it using a inch-pound dial indicator? This is the one I have:

 

[country83]

My concern with trying to repair it yourself is getting the splined insert to stay tight in the handle. You may not realize it if that comes loose again and throws your calibration off again. Also, IIRC the QJR117E you have is a 40-200 in-lb wrench, but you'd be trying to calibrate it with a Torqmeter that only goes up to 150, leaving you some uncertainty as to where it is when set for 200.

If I wanted it fixed bad enough I think I'd give Precision a call. http://www.torqwrench.com/

 

[Wamsutta]

You could try sending it to teamtorque.com. They have a lot of spare parts for older wrenches.