Torque Wrench Help?

[ijason]

Hi I'm looking at getting 1/2 , 3/8 and 1/4 drive torque wrench's i was looking at buying cdi like the one in the picture my question is should i just save my money and buy electronic i just think that the none electronic is more reliable what do you all think. I'm hopping that the cdi is the same as the snap-on ones too.

thank you

 

[Cope]

I have three Snap on and one CDI, all like the one you posted. That would be my recommendation. They are reasonably priced on eBay direct from CDI. What ever you buy, keep them stored at the minimum torque setting.

 

[619DioFan]

Are you going to be using them in a shop daily or just as a DIYer ? mine don't get used everyday so I went with the husky brand. USA made. seem to be very good quality.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

CDI is a good quality tool. Nothing wrong with a clicker. They may not be as precise as a dial, split beam, or electronic, but you aren't building space shuttles, so they will definitely be good enough.

 

[garfunkle24]

What ever you buy, keep them stored at the minimum torque setting.

Nope. Know what you're talking about before advising others. Not necessary on split-beam or electronic wrenches.

AFAIC electronic is the way to go these days and I don't hear much for reliability issues. Not having to set the wrench back, angle readings, tactile feedback for noisy environments and recording of achieved torque are all really nice features to have.

 

[tdkkart]

My 30yo 1/2" Craftsman finally took a ****, bought a new 1/2" CDI that seem to be very nice. I see no reason to go electronic unless you're using multiple times/day, every day.
When my 3/8" inch/lb wrench goes away I'll likely buy another CDI.

 

[panknuckshovel]

CDI is part of Snap-on so that should answer some questions.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Nope. Know what you're talking about before advising others. Not necessary on split-beam or electronic wrenches.

I think he's saying that with regards to brand, not style.

 

[Cope]

Nope. Know what you're talking about before advising others. Not necessary on split-beam or electronic wrenches.

AFAIC electronic is the way to go these days and I don't hear much for reliability issues. Not having to set the wrench back, angle readings, tactile feedback for noisy environments and recording of achieved torque are all really nice features to have.

I do know what I am talking about, the style he showed. Meant to say no matter what brand.

 

[ijason]

thank you all so much. no it will not be a daily shop use tool more for hobby use or when the family car needs new parts. thank you all ill buy the one pictured

 

[RedneckWelder]

thank you all so much. no it will not be a daily shop use tool more for hobby use or when the family car needs new parts. thank you all ill buy the one pictured

In that case for sure go with the micrometer ones as pictured. I have three of the CDI/Snap On ones of that style- 3/8, 1/2, and 3/4. All are good torque wrenches.

 

[Wamsutta]

I've heard that the CDI wrenches have a reverse lever that points towards the opposite direction of a Snap-on ratchet. Might not be a game changer, but it might be enough for somebody to choose a different wrench if they know it's going to bug them enough.

 

[bob15]

Are the clicker torque wrenches you listed good? Yes, they are very good.

Would i buy all three drive sizes in clickers? No.

I am not a fan of the smaller torque wrench clickers (mainly 1/4" drive). I prefer to see what torque i am at (viewing a dial or beam), as apposed to guessing while waiting for a click. The 750 & 1000 inch pound don't bother me as a clicker (I use a 0-1000 in/lb at work), but anything smaller, go with a clicker or beam.

As for electronic wrenches, how much do you plan on using them? I would buy all dials before I went electronic myself. Less can go wrong with them....

 

[Heavymetalmechanic]

Clicker type are nice for fasteners, dial are nice for checking rolling torque on bearings and shafts.

 

[Cope]

I've heard that the CDI wrenches have a reverse lever that points towards the opposite direction of a Snap-on ratchet. Might not be a game changer, but it might be enough for somebody to choose a different wrench if they know it's going to bug them enough.

They make a couple head styles. The one I have pivots to the right for CW and left for CCW, the opposite of Snap on. It also has a center detent which locks the head. Sure, it's the opposite of Snap on, but 99% of my torque work is CW, and that's where I leave it set.

 

[Diesel4Life]

I've been using both the 3/8 and 1/2 CDI Torgue for years, just like the one in your reference photo. Very high quality reliable wrenches. I also have Snap-ons in the same sizes, and occasionally I compare one to the other for accuracy. The CDI's are right there with the Snap-ons everytime.