Tell me about the precision instruments torque wrenches i just ordered

[GoBlue]

As many of you know i have been on the hunt for some quality torque wrenches. I decided on the p.i split beams. I got the flex head 1/2 40-250 and the 3/8 flex head 20-100. These came highly recommended from a race engine builder i have known for years. I purchased them from my Matco dealer and wont have them in hand for a week or so. Are these as good as they say? How do they work? Am i to believe they are a split beam clicker? Ive never heard of this or seen this? I assume they are fairly accurate and dependable?

 

[Treeman]

You bought some awesome wrenches. Do a search here and you will find great endorsement everywhere, so buyer's remorse is not needed. Most think that micrometer wrenches are the "standard", so it is hard to initially accept something different.

I like the wrenches for their ease of use (dialing torque/no return to zero) and ruggedness.

They do have a few cons that are moot, in my opinion. You can't use them counter clockwise. Their scale graduations are a bit coarse compared to a micrometer wrench.....only 5 lbs for the 1/2 inch, and 2 lbs. for the 3/8 inch. You can interpolate finer,which is plenty good because twisting torque can be +/- 30% off, making accuracy rating and scale graduations a moot point (trust me).

Adjusting the torque is truly easy and you will really appreciate this if you torque your stuff up in 2 or 3 stages. The flex head is REALLY convenient. PI is a trusted company and I learned about these wrenches from a pro mechanic using the Snap On labeled version.

You must have paid almost MSRP from the Matco dealer?

Enjoy your wrench and do a search here to calm your fear.

 

[GoBlue]

Actually not too bad little brother. I paid a total of $300 for the both of them or there a bouts. Im sure i could have gotten them cheaper however i put them on the truck account which was at zero...so $30 a week. They seem like they should do me well and ill be sure to post pics and results! Thx for the help!

 

[Dubdaze]

I have had the 1/2 version for 3+ years and used it daily on wheels.

Just had the calibration checked and it is still within the + or - 4% at 100 ft lbs.

ive used it on everything so far, works perfect and stays accurate.

 

[wrnchmonkey]

I believe the 0-150 in/lb 3/8" dial torque wrench is a precision instruments and i love it!

 

[Joe B.]

GoBlue,

I love mine but I'm no pro. I can assure you this transition will be like going from Jim Tressel to Bo Schembechler from an accuracy and integrity standpoint.

Go Blue,
Joe

 

[GoBlue]

lol...you just made my day...

liar liar vest on fire!

 

[csmitty]

I was going to get the same 1/2 from amazon, I think was 12x something. But then got the techangle since I occasionally dabble in angles as well. I have the 3/8s SO branded one I got for a good deal used and haven't had it checked yet but just going off my recently calibrated micro SO it seems to be pretty close. (Doesn't really tell a whole lot either)

PI makes the SO ones so its def. a quality wrench. Not reversable but not a big deal to 90% i'm sure.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Tooltopia.

They just keep getting cheaper. $140 for the 1/2 and $105 for the 3/8..... free shipping.

I paid 15 more for the big one, and 10 more for the small one when I bought more than two years ago.

Charles

 

[pipsters]

Tooltopia.

They just keep getting cheaper. $140 for the 1/2 and $105 for the 3/8..... free shipping.

I paid 15 more for the big one, and 10 more for the small one when I bought more than two years ago.

Charles

Not really, the 3/8" 20-100 I've had my eye on for a while now.

http://www.tooltopia.com/precision-instruments-c2fr100f.aspx

It was under $100 a couple months ago. Around Xmas, tooltopia raised the price to $125 or so. I'm not sure when they dropped it but now it's $105. I noticed they did they same thing on the 6 point Sunex impact socket set, raised the price $30+ and then lowered it back again a few months later.

Glad you said something though, I never would have checked their site again, maybe I'll order that 3/8" now that it is back down.

 

[GoBlue]

One nice thing is that i mentioned i would like to have them calibrated and was told by my dealer that they both come with certificates of calibration. Nice to know. Im a firm believer of a 6 month calibration.

 

[RKA]

After a few calibrations you'll probably learn that you don't need to do it nearly that often. They hold their calibrations much better than the clicker style.

 

[Stick Figure]

Only complaint i could think of with them is the flex head. I like that it flexes but i did scratch a wheel once using the feature. The square corner of the handle grazed the wheel face when i flexed it back for clearance. A longer extension/socket would have solved the issue, and really wasn't PI's fault or anything. Just the only negative i have found from using mine over the past year.

 

[Boiler]

I just had both of mine older snap on ones calibrated and my dealer told me that after this, just to check them vs a known wrench and if they are close to trust them, as they rarely get out of calibration. Not sure if that is true but I don't use mine very often so I figure in my case, if I handle them nicely they'll stay in calibration for a LONG time.