Snap-On torque wrenches

[bob15]

I've read a few threads where people are saying that Snap-On torque wrenches are made by PI, and I'm wondering why?

Snap-On owns CDI, so why would they buy and then re-sell the competition's tool, now labeled as a Snap-On product? They would make more money by selling a product made by their own company, CDI.

 

[mrshaun]

Cdi is correct. If you search the forums you will find all the info you need

 

[bob15]

Cdi is correct. If you search the forums you will find all the info you need

There is also threads with posters saying that Snappy's are made by PI, which is wrong.

I guess I'm also trying to make sure people don't start spreading bad information, because the next thing we'll hear is how Matco made the wrenches for Bonney......

 

[Skin]

At least at one time i believe Snap-On did offer split beam torque wrenches and they were made by Precision Instruments. I dont believe CDI makes split beam, just dial/clicker and digital.

 

[mrshaun]

dial click and digital is all we offer, now industrial might have some other options than i do.

 

[Treeman]

Are you guys saying that this Snap on wrench in NOT made by Precision instruments?

The PI version

 

[thetoolking]

pi makes snappy torque wrenches,except for the digital models. been selling iron for 28 years.

 

[Toolhorder]

Who cares

 

[Hiball]

There is also threads with posters saying that Snappy's are made by PI, which is wrong.

I guess I'm also trying to make sure people don't start spreading bad information, because the next thing we'll hear is how Matco made the wrenches for Bonney......

I think your spreading information that is Wrong.

Im fairly certain This Snap on torque wrench is PI Inspired.

 

[Adam McLaughlin]

Who cares

FUNNY!

and

Sincere!

Adam

 

[pipsters]

Who cares

Snap-On charges $257 where as you can buy the exact same torque wrench for $100-$115 new from another online vendor. Maybe you don't care about $150 but I do, and I'm sure others do too.

 

[BHH]

The split beams that SO sells are re branded Precision Instruments. This has been talked about to death on here.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

We have some SO split beams at work that are clearly not PI manufactured. There are differences if you compare the two. The design patents ran out on the PI split beam and CDI began making a clone of it, is my understanding. I think you will find both PI manufactured and CDI manufactured split beams with the SO name and colors on them.

I think this is why PI began to market their split beams somewhat aggressively. You used to not see their tools anywhere, they were too busy filling contracts for other companies private labeled versions I'll bet, and now, they are having to compete on their own.

*** The above is all purely conjecture and personal opinion based on my personal observations and hear-say from the internet, take it for what its worth.

Charles

 

[BHH]

So I guess as of 2002 PI no longer makes the wrenches for SO. But up till that point they made them.

I recently discovered Precision Instruments. From its founding in 1938 until 2003, Precision Instruments' only customer was Snap-on Tools, for which it invented, patented and produced a variety of torque wrenches. Snap-on decided to change suppliers in 2002, and Precision Instruments invented itself as a marketing entity in order to continue in business, selling the same products and supporting users of its products already in the field.

Read more: http://www.europeancarweb.com/auto_tools/0403ec_tool/index.html#ixzz1lcXYiKRJ

 

[BHH]

Basically there is no point in buying a SO torque wrench since it seems they never made their own and they continue not to. I still much prefer PI over CDI.

 

[Roots]

...seems to be, both PI and CDI

 

[el tanque prohibido]

Snap-On doesn't use P.I. anymore; they got in some kind of dispute with them. The older Snap-On micrometer type torque wrenches with the knurled lock ring will be P.I. and all the older Snap-on split beam torque wrenches are P.I. All the new stuff is CDI.

 

[GrayFox]

*bump*
Quick question whats the difference between the snap-on QD3R250 and the QD3250

 

[bob15]

*bump*
Quick question whats the difference between the snap-on QD3R250 and the QD3250

QD3250 is a fixed head
QD3R250 is a ratchet head

 

[BHH]

Just my opinion, but I am not a fan of using a torque wrench as a ratchet. They were designed for one thing and one thing only so to allow them to multi task just will wear them down quicker. I know the argument can be made that sometimes it is needed to ratchet the bolt down enough to get the proper torque, but I just take it off and reposition it if that ever happens.

If you do get the ratcheting one, never use it to take bolts off.

 

[kiatech]

My snappy split beam spent even have a selector.
Model tqr250e

 

[e30bradley]

Just my opinion, but I am not a fan of using a torque wrench as a ratchet. They were designed for one thing and one thing only so to allow them to multi task just will wear them down quicker. I know the argument can be made that sometimes it is needed to ratchet the bolt down enough to get the proper torque, but I just take it off and reposition it if that ever happens.

If you do get the ratcheting one, never use it to take bolts off.

I have a snap on techangle and I think the instructions said to not use it to remove fasteners but how is that any different than torquing a left hand threaded fastener because it works either direction. I've never used it to remove bolts but I don't think removing a bolt with one necessarily harms it, it just puts un needed wear on the mechanism. Does anyone know the answer?

 

[BHH]

I have a snap on techangle and I think the instructions said to not use it to remove fasteners but how is that any different than torquing a left hand threaded fastener because it works either direction. I've never used it to remove bolts but I don't think removing a bolt with one necessarily harms it, it just puts un needed wear on the mechanism. Does anyone know the answer?

Exactly, they were never designed to do anything but tighten. So it is like using a flat head as a pry bar, It will work till it wears it out.

 

[e30bradley]

okay. good enough for me. I don't use it to break bolts loose and never will. I treat my torque wrench like an egg. Lol. I have never dropped it and I drop stuff all the time but with the torque wrench I'm super careful.

 

[BHH]

okay. good enough for me. I don't use it to break bolts loose and never will. I treat my torque wrench like an egg. Lol. I have never dropped it and I drop stuff all the time but with the torque wrench I'm super careful.

Yeah same here, for me it is out of toolbox, click click click, back in tool box.

 

[SMKS]

Could it be that PI made all or most of Snap-on's torque wrenches before the CDI deal, but still makes the split beam wrenches? When that article claimed Snap-on switched suppliers, that could mean suppliers for most torque wrenches, but not necessarily all of them.

Just guessing, of course.

CDI doesn't list any split beam torque wrenches on their website, but it's a pretty janky/outdated website.

The ones I can find online still look very similar to PI wrenches. There may be a different head and grip, but these PI and CDI wrenches otherwise look very similar, as if PI made the one for CDI.

Here's a CDI and PI split beam.

 

[ash95608]

The 1/2" snap on split beams are made by CDI and snap on puts its own head on it.
http://www.industrialsupplydenver.com/cditowrspbew.html

The 3/8 snap on split beam is made by Precision Instruments and snap on puts its own head on it.

http://www.torqwrench.com/tools/C.php

I was told this directly from snap on, as I own both the 1/2" and 3/8" snap on split beam and needed some parts and was referred to those companies directly from snap on.

 

[BHH]

Translation: Buy CDI or PI instead of Snap-on for torque wrenches haha.

 

[CWP1616L]

The 1/2" snap on split beams are made by CDI and snap on puts its own head on it.
http://www.industrialsupplydenver.com/cditowrspbew.html

I'm wondering how CDI is able to stamp their name on a PI patented product.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I'm wondering how CDI is able to stamp their name on a PI patented product.

Design patents, long ago expired.

Charles

 

[CWP1616L]

Design patents, long ago expired.

Aren't some patents forever though?

 

[SMKS]

The 1/2" snap on split beams are made by CDI and snap on puts its own head on it.
http://www.industrialsupplydenver.com/cditowrspbew.html

Look at the pics I posted above. The CDIs you linked to look almost identical to some of the PI wrenches. A different head and grip, but they sure look like they were made by PI for CDI.

 

[ash95608]

Look at the pics I posted above. The CDIs you linked to look almost identical to some of the PI wrenches. A different head and grip, but they sure look like they were made by PI for CDI.

I agree with you that they look alike, the info I posted was just what I was told by snap on and also when I spoke with PI and CDI as well. Another strange thing I found is that PI doesn't have there 3/8 version with the composite handle only the steel tube handle but snap on's version has it so maybe they are all connected some how where CDI makes the handles snap on makes the head and PI makes the bodies. I don't know 100% just thought to share what I was told.

 

[GrayFox]

If you do get the ratcheting one, never use it to take bolts off.

Already had that experience

So whats the benefit of a dual beam style torque wrench like the TQR250E?

 

[Dieselbutterfly]

wow,learn something new here everyday

 

[Steinmetz]

I'm wondering how CDI is able to stamp their name on a PI patented product.

Products manufactured under license do this all the time. They should display the patent number as well, for enhancement of damages in case of infringement.

 

[RCStocker]

The lenght of a patent depends on what it is. Noting is forever.
This is why there are non name brand medications.

None of the precision tools that Snap-on sells are made by Snap-on
Buy Starrett or Mitotyo or other good used brands. You will save a lot of money and have a better product.

The same is for cordless tools, air tools and electric power tools. Don't buy Snap-on because they are not the best but cost the most.

If there was a whole lot of difference in tools there would not be so many brands. Even the cheap tools will get the job done.

 

[Steinmetz]

Aren't some patents forever though?

No. None are longer than twenty years from the filing date.

 

[joetool]

I agree with you that they look alike, the info I posted was just what I was told by snap on and also when I spoke with PI and CDI as well. Another strange thing I found is that PI doesn't have there 3/8 version with the composite handle only the steel tube handle but snap on's version has it so maybe they are all connected some how where CDI makes the handles snap on makes the head and PI makes the bodies. I don't know 100% just thought to share what I was told.

Truth be told, CDI doesn't make any components. SnapOn makes the head, but the body, handles and all internals are outsourced to local manufacturers. CDI assembles, calibrates and packages. Still 100% made in the US and still a quality product.

 

[Treeman]

Still 100% made in the US and still a quality product.

The ratchet head of the CDI branded split beam wrenches are imported. Call them up if you don't believe me. Unless....they changed since I bought mine 2 years ago.


Regarding the idea of using a torque wrench to loosen fasteners, consider this scenario: You use a 100 ft. lb. torque wrench to tighten a nut to 90 ft. lbs. The break away torque (force to start loosening) might be MUCH higher due to friction, etc..) Your 100 ft. lb. wrench is now trying to overcome 140 +/- ft. lbs.. Not a good thing.