Torque wrench from snap on

[DsmDave]

Hey guys first post here but I'm not a rookie so don't worry. I'm looking to get a discussion going about the tech wrench. It's the digital wrench and comes with a flex head or fixed head.

Here is the question I have. Would you trust a flex head to hold an accurate torque reading, or would you just rather have a fixed head

 

[Skin]

Its just a small amount of flex which is extremely handy. The actual angle and torque readings are taken from a fixed point below the head in either model.

 

[kiatech]

Its only 15° of flex. I have one and don't have any complaints.

 

[Fedwrench]

Yes, I'd trust a flex head torque wrench.

 

[devoncoolman]

The flex on any of snap-on's torque wrenches is very small. Not enough to effect torque. I love my tech wrenches. Have both 1/2 & 3/8 tech angle wrenches. Just upgraded my 1/2 to the new model. Very nice and helpfull.

 

[PETE14]

I would trust that the wrench will be able to meet the published spec for its accuracy.

 

[wild cowboy]

I do not trust a flex head torque wrench - The laws of physics do not magically bend just to suit the whims of Snap-On's marketing department!

 

[devoncoolman]

I do not trust a flex head torque wrench - The laws of physics do not magically bend just to suit the whims of Snap-On's marketing department!

So then why does everybody make a flex head torque wrench??? Why is it just snap-on's marketing department?

 

[Skin]

So then why does everybody make a flex head torque wrench??? Why is it just snap-on's marketing department?

Just ignore the troll account.

 

[Askme42]

I do not trust a flex head torque wrench - The laws of physics do not magically bend just to suit the whims of Snap-On's marketing department!

Now if it was harbor freight......

 

[Ruger_556]

I have a flex head and it's my most used torque wrench. There's a lot of stuff you just can't do without it. You're not changing the distance from the center of the drive to the bolt, the only thing a flex head effects is the length of your lever arm and that by only a small amount. The speed you turn the ratchet or even using an extension probably has more of an effect.

 

[DsmDave]

Thank you guys. I mean in my head I really could see it being useful but I wanted to make sure the wrench was a good accurate wrench before pulling the trigger tomorrow on the truck

 

[gsingh]

Feed him! Feed Him! Feed him! Feed him!

Yes I would trust their toque wrench. I haven't had a problem so far. Couple of my coworkers have had them since they came out and they also have postie reviews.

Also don't listen to the electrical engineer of NASA.

 

[DsmDave]

I have their click type and love it I trust everything snap on as I use them daily but this I had to ask about.

I do alot of work of chevy gen 3 and 4 engines (ls motors or lq) and we require to do 120, then 90 degrees. It's nice that it has angle built in.

 

[devoncoolman]

The angle feature is awsome. Very helpfull on the new torque to yield head bolts.

 

[gsingh]

Dave you will absolutely love it. Most suspension components on Benz are like that. I use my 1/2 mainly for suspension. I borrow the 3/8 from coworker.

 

[DsmDave]

Thanks for advice guys. I am eager to get this wrench tomorrow. Yea I've been seeing alot of tty bolts popping up on new cars

 

[DodgeMech]

dodge has been using torque to **** bolts for a long damn time...

either way, the flex on the ratchet end ain't much at all, but it does help out in crowded engine bays...the damn wrench is a big sob haha

and, snappy doesn't make it...CDI does, which is wholly owned by snap on

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Our engine builder exclusively uses Snappy flex head tech angles when building engines. He used to build boat motors for Teague and cup motors for some guy named Dale Earnhardt Jr.

.............I would probably trust Wild Retard's opinion though.

 

[articsilber323]

the flex is not a problem, if you are so worried about it make sure that you and not flexing the ratchet head when you dont have too.


you dont need the flex all the time but that one time that you do it is a life saver

 

[pi_guy]

My dealer let me borrow his torque tester, I built a adapter plate so it can be used horizontal and vertical.
I tested a 35 year old 3/8 craftsman torque wrench it was 1 lb off on the 3 ranges I tried. I have a few more to test tomorrow including a 3/4 inch HF.
On tuesday I am testing several torque wrenches at a Penske shock rebuilding shop, I believe he has a flex ratchet type I will see if it shows a difference while flexed.

 

[DsmDave]

Pi guy that would be an amazing test to do. See how it works at different angles actually

 

[Adam.C]

The flex absolutely effects the torque value. Only questions here iare:

Does the limited the amount of flex make a significant difference to bolt preload?
Can consistency bolt to bolt be maintained by maintaining a constant angle of flex?

Gotta tell you guys, torque is a slightly inexact science. As an engineer I use torque values that are partially empirically derived. My advice is you should worry more about your technique and the cleanliness of the mating surfaces. Up to 40% of the torque you apply is reacted by friction under the fastener head. Only 15% is reacted by friction in the threads.

 

[pi_guy]

I tested the 3/4 HF torque wrench was off an avg of 14 lbs over 3 setting, and the worst part it would not click in left hand direction.
Other note Snap on flex head torque wrenches only move 15 degrees any more than that the torque value goes off.