Tekton split beam torque wrenches

[lardy1]

I got a promotional email this morning. Nothing I'll want any time soon but here's another entry in the Tekton lineup.

3/8, 1/2 Inch Drive Split Beam Torque Wrench Set (ft-lb) | TEKTON

Includes: 3/8, 1/2 inch drive split beam torque wrenches. Ranges from 20-100 ft-lb and 40-250 ft-lb Each comes in an individual storage case. TRQ99902.

www.tekton.com

 

[Snapped-off]

Would've been cool if they had teamed up with Precision Instruments for another USA offering. Wonder if these are the same as the icons.

 

[Fly YX]

For the price you would think they did. I rather get the PI one.

 

[dnschmidt]

Everybody and their brothers are making split beams now. Torque-Tech in Taiwan has just introduced them as well. Apparently, Precision Instruments has been detected on other peoples radars. I like these type of wrenches but they do have two limitations in my view.

1) They barely click at the bottom part of their range. If you're hearing is bad or you work in a noisy area good luck with that.
2) The 250 ft-lb version is way too short. If you're using these above 150 ft-lb you're going to struggle. This wrench needs to be at least six inches longer.

 

[CS454]

Everybody and their brothers are making split beams now. Torque-Tech in Taiwan has just introduced them as well. Apparently, Precision Instruments has been detected on other peoples radars. I like these type of wrenches but they do have two limitations in my view.

1) They barely click at the bottom part of their range. If you're hearing is bad or you work in a noisy area good luck with that.
2) The 250 ft-lb version is way too short. If you're using these above 150 ft-lb you're going to struggle. This wrench needs to be at least six inches longer.

100% agree with this. My PI split beams are either deaf or deafening depending on what they're set to. Also, putting 250 Lb Ft. with that short lever kills your shoulder after a while.

 

[BTJHP]

They're so close in price to the PI split beams that I'd have to go with PI over these.

 

[B_Bimmer]

PI all day, these were significantly less interesting than those stubby extensions they showed the other day.

 

[M635_Guy]

Wonder if these are the same as the icons.

They look similar-ish and have similar dimensions (23" long for the Icon vs. 22.8"). The Icon is a 90-tooth mechanism and has a nicer box (and I do like a nice box...). The Tekton has screws in the back of the head. Tekton $140, Icon $130. I'll call them different-enough.

 

[Griff79]

PI tools and Tekton tools are not close in price. I just checked PI pricing: 3/8 flex $185, 1/2 flex $250 = $435. Tekton is $240 for both.
Griff

 

[BTJHP]

PI on Amazon was $115, it's now $135. 3/8 flex.

 

[bubinga]

PI on Amazon was $115, it's now $135. 3/8 flex.

Somebody must have brought one, honest to God every time I buy something on Amazon a day or two later up it goes in price!

 

[AJHD]

Did a patent expire on these things? I've seen Olsa, Icon and Tekton all "making" (selling) split beams now.
That said, given their prices I'd rather go the PI or CDI route.

 

[bubinga]

OT I know, and I like tekton tools, and I own a good many, however I'm not real happy with this current torque wrench I have.
If I recall correctly I paid about $50 for it though.
First of all I'd like it to be a little longer, and the adjustment mechanism is quite stiff, and it seems the locking knob on the bottom has a tendency to loosen up.
Now this is the micrometer adjustment type torque wrench.

 

[BTJHP]

Check out Olsa tools 3/8 micrometer torque wrench which is a rebranded Torque Tech 69 series. It's on sale right now. I like the locking mechanism and quick release vs the Tekton/Pittsburgh style.

 

[haveissues]

Somebody must have brought one, honest to God every time I buy something on Amazon a day or two later up it goes in price!

Last year they had a nice Canadian made grill for $600 less than anyone else. I bought one and 10 minutes later I showed the wife what i bought. It already went back up to the normal price in that time.

 

[Outahere]

I wish my 2 split beam PI wrenches came with the same type of very informative calibration certificate that Tekton includes with their new split beam wrenches. The PI calibration certificate has no test data on it, and basically just says "trust us, the accuracy is within +/- 4%". But as demonstrated here they can't be trusted 100%.

Tekton is claiming accuracy of +/- 2.5% for at least 1000 cycles, and 3.5% for at least 5000 cycles, and they back it up with data.

3/8 Inch Drive 72-Tooth Split Beam Torque Wrench (ft-lb) | TEKTON

3/8 inch drive split beam torque wrench. Range from 20-100 ft/lb. TRQ62103.

www.tekton.com

 

[Outahere]

PI tools and Tekton tools are not close in price. I just checked PI pricing: 3/8 flex $185, 1/2 flex $250 = $435. Tekton is $240 for both.
Griff

Today at Amazon the 3/8" drive PI flex head split beam 20-100ft-lb wrench is $115. Tekton's version is also $115, direct from them (not yet available on Amazon).

 

[64merc]

If anyone is interested in the PI split beam torque wrenches, National Tool Warehouse has a pretty good price right now. It's $148.99 for the 1/2" and $110.99 for the 3/8".

I also noticed that everyone is selling knock-offs that look pretty nice. I almost pulled the trigger on the 1/2" from Olsa, but I ultimately went with the PI. I didn't know Tekton had a nice one as well. For not much more, I just had to go with the PI from NTW. Maybe that was a mistake, I don't know. I am really tempted to get the 3/8" as well, but I have a nice flex head Urrea/CDI clicker already.

 

[bubinga]

Today at Amazon the 3/8" drive PI flex head split beam 20-100ft-lb wrench is $115. Tekton's version is also $115, direct from them (not yet available on Amazon).

PSI don't make the 2 tq. wrenches for Tekton, do they?

 

[64merc]

Never mind on the 1/2" PI torque wrench from NTW...they told me it is OOS and they cancelled my order

 

[nicks78camaro]

3yrs later anyone have feedback on the Tektons split beams?

 

[Speedracer 64]

Is there a benefit to a split beam vs click torque wrench?

 

[Fedwrench]

Is there a benefit to a split beam vs click torque wrench?

You don't have to return them to their lowest setting when finished using them. They take drops better.

 

[dnschmidt]

I consider them to be close enough torque wrenches. Not as accurate as a digital and obviously not having angle is a problem with modern torque to yield fasteners. Perfect for tire work which is why Discount Tire uses them. Sort of like a Timex, takes a licking and keeps on ticking.

 

[M635_Guy]

3yrs later anyone have feedback on the Tektons split beams?

Both didn't do so hot in the Tools Tested testing, to the point he did a follow-up to give them a do-over. Surprising for Tekton, though I'm sure they have rectified whatever was going on with their supplier.

I wound up with Icon for both 1/2" and 3/8" and have been very happy - the slightly higher flex angle has come in handy, and I don't mind the additional tooth-count (90 vs. 72 for Tekton, though either is plenty - really referring to ones that have 36 teeth, etc.)