Torque wrench dilemma

[robo7de]

Hello all.....first post here, but long time reader.
I'm about to start my last semester for Auto Tech and need another torque wrench. I already have all the HF ones (school tool room lets us use Snap-on as needed). I'm stuck between the Precision Instruments (PREC3FR250F)
1/2" Dr. "Split Beam" Torque Wrench w/Flex head (40-250 Ft./Lbs) for $157 or the Snap-on Electronic, TECHANGLE, Flex Ratchet, 12.5 to 250 ft. lbs., 1/2" drive for $312 with school discount. I can't buy both. I have the money for either, just need some reporting on the digital vs non-digital....ie is it really worth the extra $? My school discount ends in December. Thanks!

 

[nate379]

I'm not a fan of the digital ones. We have a few at work and seems like the battery is always dead in them.

 

[rlitman]

The split beam is nice because it doesn't lose calibration when the spring gets compressed by leaving it set too high, BUT it doesn't give you the click feedback you get when you've reached your torque.
I believe the digital one can beep, but you can also watch the gauge, like you can with the split beam. The digital uses a strain gauge, which is also not prone to calibration issues (should have a similar lifetime to the split beam).

On another note. More and more automotive fasteners are required torque+angle.
The digital one you listed, will do that. If you get the split beam, you need to add a device (it's an odd breeding of a protractor and a socket extension) to it (although that is pretty inexpensive).

Now, if it were me, I'm not buying the digital, because how infrequently I use it, would mean that the batteries would need replacement at every use.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

BUT it doesn't give you the click feedback you get when you've reached your torque.

It may not click/breakover like a regular micrometer type, but you get a distinct, and loud "ping" which you can feel in the tool handle.

I'm not sold on the electronic angle measuring, but then again for the time or two I might need it, I'd either guesstimate it (90 degrees and such are pretty easy to figure out) or I'd get the mechanical add on device. I dislike batteries and electronics in tools.

http://www.tooltopia.com/otc-tools-4554.aspx

http://www.tooltopia.com/kd-tools-3336.aspx

http://www.tooltopia.com/lisle-28100.aspx

Charles

 

[pipsters]

The split beam is nice because it doesn't lose calibration when the spring gets compressed by leaving it set too high, BUT it doesn't give you the click feedback you get when you've reached your torque.

I think you are talking about "beam" style, ie like this:

Split beams have a tactile feedback

 

[csmitty]

I just got a that 1/2 tech angle and have only used it on some wheel lugs so far. I was planning on geting the same PI split beam, and may still, but got a good deal on the techangle. I have the SO split beam in 20-100ftlbs. and its a good wrench. Its not quite the same feel as the spring click but you know when it does. The techangles beep and buzz could be lost in a noisey shop possibly. But in my garage its fine. I remove the batteries in mine since its used fairly infrequently.

If your going to be in the trade and working on newer cars I'd get the techangle since more fasteners are going this way. I got mine to do a damper swap on my truck.

 

[Lotek]

Since you want to turn pro, I would go with the Snap On, as long as it has the angle function, they do make one without, but it's a waste of money imho. You are going to be seeing more and more torque angle specs on newer cars. You can feel the vibration in the handle, and the beep is plenty loud unless the guy next to you plays death metal at full volume, or has a HF impact. When using it, keep your hand off the battery cap, if it gets loose, the damn thing will reset itself.
For home use, not worth it.

 

[RKA]

I feel like the question that needs to be asked is...do you work on things where you need a high level of precision (digital and angle functions) on bolts that are torqued to 100+ ft-lbs? Or in that range are the needs you will encounter sufficiently met by +-4% precision and an eyeball estimation of 90 and 180 degrees?

Working on a car, I would guess that level of precision would be required in the sub 100 ft-lb range, and there is value in owning a tool that can do it, but over 100 ft-lbs, maybe not.

 

[franzdom]

The startup and reliability is slightly worse on the techangle, I have one in 3/8" and sometimes miss the non-angle one. It may be worth keeping the 1/2" in just techwrench.

 

[Gary S]

I'm not a fan of the digital ones. We have a few at work and seems like the battery is always dead in them.

I agree. The OP is an Auto Tech student, so he will be using his wrench often. That way, the digital one makes good sense.
For me, my torque wrenches seldom come out of my tool box, so anything battery powered isn't an option. A digital one with a dead battery is worthless. I have an old beam style wrench and also a clicker type. They have done everything I need for many years, and they will continue to do my work with nary a dead battery.

 

[jhelrey]

Gearwrench makes good digital ones. I can provide the sellers name off of ebay. I got them super cheap, brand new, no issues.

 

[smogtech]

Gearwrench makes good digital ones. I can provide the sellers name off of ebay. I got them super cheap, brand new, no issues.

i believe the gearwrench one does not provide tq angle.

 

[nate379]

Most everything at work is +- 5% and we have kicked back several of the Snap On digitals (and also clickers) because they couldn't meet that spec or be adjusted to do so... right out of the box.

The cal shop told me best bang for buck was Craftsman. I'm not basing this off one or two... I used to run a tool room with well into 3 million $$s of tools/equipment. We had several dozen torque wrenches from just a few inch lb screwdriver type to big bubba 1" drive 1800ft/lbs.

I feel like the question that needs to be asked is...do you work on things where you need a high level of precision (digital and angle functions) on bolts that are torqued to 100+ ft-lbs? Or in that range are the needs you will encounter sufficiently met by +-4% precision and an eyeball estimation of 90 and 100 degrees?

Working on a car, I would guess that level of precision would be required in the sub 100 ft-lb range, and there is value in owning a tool that can do it, but over 100 ft-lbs, maybe not.

 

[robo7de]

Thanks everyone for your advise.......is $312 a good price on the digital Snap-on?? I guess I could get the Precision Instruments at the end of the semester.....or the same one only with the snap-on label is $177 with the student discount. This upcoming semester I have both gas and diesel engine reconditioning/rebuilding.......will have a few TTY bolts. Thanks!!!

 

[nate379]

$80 for the Craftsman clicker and you'll be happy with it. If it's good enough to use on $100,000 missiles owned by Uncle Sam I'm sure it's fine on a $20,000 car.

TTY bolts are usually 90* or 45*. I just make a mark on the socket, then a mark where it would need to be at (use a carpenters square or triangle) and turn till it's the proper angle. No it's not "exact" but for the work I do it's plenty fine.

 

[franzdom]

Keep in mind the techangle will add them up even if they are not all done in the same motion, like if you have limited range of motion you can use the ratchet and add your movements up to the desired angle. Very slick.

 

[csargents1546]

Another option for brand is CDI, they are the same torque wrenches as Snap on

 

[Altec]

I've used the Precision Instruments, the space ***** electric Snap-on, and the CDI/Snap-on ones. The Split Beam Precision Instruments is my favorite. Space ***** being my second.

 

[bentwrench54]

i just bought a precision split beam a couple of months ago.

my only gripe is that the width of the beam makes it tough to get into some fasteners (alignments on chevy k trucks) on some vehicles i see at work.

first time i used it, i thought i broke it. but now that i'm used to how it works, i love it.

the techangle is nice from what i've read, but we have a very poor snap-on rep and i refuse to spend that kind of money.

 

[Skin]

Hello all.....first post here, but long time reader.
I'm about to start my last semester for Auto Tech and need another torque wrench. I already have all the HF ones (school tool room lets us use Snap-on as needed). I'm stuck between the Precision Instruments (PREC3FR250F)
1/2" Dr. "Split Beam" Torque Wrench w/Flex head (40-250 Ft./Lbs) for $157 or the Snap-on Electronic, TECHANGLE, Flex Ratchet, 12.5 to 250 ft. lbs., 1/2" drive for $312 with school discount. I can't buy both. I have the money for either, just need some reporting on the digital vs non-digital....ie is it really worth the extra $? My school discount ends in December. Thanks!

Digitals are a luxury. The SO is a gadget more than a tool, just my opinion, and i also would have a hard time trusting american electronics to last. We couldnt even make a decent VCR. Heck quite a few guys still rely on the old beam styles [always have a back up]. If you really want a digital spend a boatload less and get a Napa/Armstrong like the following:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Napa-Electronic...466?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a6316cf82

otherwise get a quality mechanical like Sturtevant Richmont, CDI, or Precision Instruments.

 

[richfinn]

I use 3 clickers 1/2 snap on that goes to 350nm. 3/8 sykes pickavant that does 100nm and a small 3/8 sykes that goes to around 40nm.

I like the small one for engine work like timing belts and rocker covers etc.

I also have a snap on angle gauge for TTY bolts

I manage OK

 

[robo7de]

Thanks again to all who replied.....I think for now the digital is out. So now its either (both split beam) the Precision Instruments 1/2" ($156) vs the Snap-on 1/2" Tech wrench ($177). From what I´ve read on the web.....both are made by CDI......so the Precision Instruments is the better deal????????

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Thanks again to all who replied.....I think for now the digital is out. So now its either (both split beam) the Precision Instruments 1/2" ($156) vs the Snap-on 1/2" Tech wrench ($177). From what I´ve read on the web.....both are made by CDI......so the Precision Instruments is the better deal????????

Digital can be really good, depending on what you work on. I've needed one once, doing headgaskets on a Subaru flat 4 with the engine in the car, but every other time i've needed to follow up with an angle measurement my angle gauge and ratchet has work flawlessly.

I do have a digital, because it was an irresistible deal, but they're not all that great. I prefer click-type ones.

Go with the Precision Instruments, it's the better deal. Yes, CDI makes them for Snap-on, the only difference is the logo and the Snap-on ratchet head.

There's nothing wrong with a good Precision Instruments/similar click-type. Winding mine down after use isn't a big deal, and clickers are cheaper. (Read more money left for other tools.)

 

[csmitty]

PI does make the SO QD series wrenches. So yea the PI would be the better deal for essentially the exact same thing. Plus I think the warranty is only a year on the torque tools so not gaining much with SO other than maybe service if you'll have one stop by frequently when your working. But if you take care of it it won't need a calibration for a long time. Most of mine are SO only because I got some great deals, not so much on the techangle but i'm a engineer/nerd so had to have it of course Its got a gyroscope in it!! how cool is that! and yes I have issues. I'm ok with them.

 

[rockchucker]

Juuuust bought a Techangle ATECH2FR100 and it really is a nice unit. The thing basically kicks ***. So nice for Head Bolt Torquing when the extra 90° or 180° is required after being Torqued to Spec.

 

[rlitman]

I think you are talking about "beam" style, ie like this:
Split beams have a tactile feedback

Not my SnapOn. Just a dial.

 

[tankboy_taylor]

go with the techangle with your discount its a no brainer