Torque wrench recommendations? Thinking Duralast..

[BellyUpFish]

Need a new torque wrench..

Wondering if anyone has used the Duralast wrench? I like that pretty much all their tools have a lifetime warranty and seem to be better made than Craftsman stuff these days, plus AutoZone is closer to my house when I need to take something back.. LOL

I'm just a garage DIYer, not doing it for a living, I don't need a $600 wrench, but would like to have a good unit.

 

[Talidog]

if you are looking for low end inexpensive I would go with the harbor freight wrenches. Commonly on sale for around $10 and surprisingly accurate.

 

[bimmerZ5]

get the lifetime warranty on torque wrenches in writing. torque wrenches are often excluded from those warranties even they will tell you "all hand tools" are covered. i went through this before and found out Husky, Kobalt, etc. have lifetime warranty on hand tools *except* torque wrenches.

you might be better off getting a HFT torque wrench for $10 if the store is close enough.

 

[mrjaw14]

I have the hft in 1/2, 3/8, and 1/4" been happy so far. the chrome is coming off my 1/2" on in one spot, but for $10 who cares! you have to use a coupon to get them at $10 though.

 

[BajaBound]

Precision Instruments.

 

[SMKS]

Which specific Duralast torque wrench are you considering? Some of them are the same as the HF torque wrenches but at a more expensive price, like this one:
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...ue-wrench/_/N-274j?itemIdentifier=914018_0_0_

What size/torque range do you want? What types of jobs will you be using it for?

Just a couple thoughts about how I use torque wrenches as a DIY'er:
I mainly use a 3/8" torque wrenches on a lot of under hood and mechanical repairs. I use 1/2" wrenches for suspension and wheels. I use my 1/4" torque wrench on our bicycles

In reality, you'll need at least one 3/8" and one 1/2" to cover most jobs.

If you want cheap but decent, the HF torque wrench is not bad. I have the 1/2" version and I've used it for years. It still checks out as accurate and has worked well for me.

I also have this 3/8" CDI:
http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/MiscInventory/CDTW.html

I also have this 3/8" Armstrong torque wrench:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LG7IGC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

If you want to spend a little more, the new Husky torque wrenches are just rebranded GearWrench torque wrenches. They're made in the USA and well liked by many members here. More info on them here:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=206674

 

[BellyUpFish]

Well, I was pretty well set until our house burnt, so I'm starting all over..

Replacing a head gasket this week, so I need a 3/8th at the moment.

May have to give these HF wrenches a shot.

 

[Skin]

Commonly on sale for around $10 and surprisingly accurate.

Depends, their quality control is all over the place. Just look at the reviews on their site, and make sure to change the filter from its default "Highest rated" to something less biased like "Newest to Oldest". A good torque wrench will last a lifetime. A bottom of the barrel Chinese torque wrench will probably break after some good use and its long term accuracy is definitely suspect. Not to mention its backed by the worst warranty they can come with (90 days).

The HF torque wrench is a disposable tool, not a good or quality tool. If you get 1 or 2 uses out of it consider its job done and anything after that a bonus.

OP, couple other options incase you want something that is made to some higher standards. Home Depot is now carrying rebranded GW torque wrenches, they're USA made with the 100 foot pound model coming in at around $75. Or for ~$100 you can get a nice CDI dial or precision instruments beam. Considering the cash saved doing something like a head gasket at home I don't consider this a bad investment.

 

[zkling]

The HF torque wrench is a disposable tool, not a good or quality tool. If you get 1 or 2 uses out of it consider its job done and anything after that a bonus.

Do you have any numerical data to back this up? The problem I see with cheap vs $$$$ measuring equipment, which is what a torque wrench kinda is. You are paying for known accuracy and precision. I've seen first hand HF digital calipers beat out name brand digital calipers, rare, but did happen. Which is why most important manufacturing environments have calibration standard for tools like this.

 

[Skin]

Do you have any numerical data to back this up?

Its a $10 torque wrench with mass complaints of being either faulty out of the box or breaking during its first uses. Do you really need "numerical data" to tell you its a very cheaply built tool that wont survive the test of time? Happily most people that buy one will use it just once or twice and consider it a great bargain; assuming they didn't get a dud right out of the box of course.

As far as your calipers experience, there is a good idiom "even a broken clock is right twice a day". If you ever tried to use those in the day to day environment of a machine shop I think you'll find out exactly whats better pretty quick.

 

[zkling]

As far as your calipers experience, there is a good idiom "even a broken clock is right twice a day". If you ever tried to use those in the day to day environment of a machine shop I think you'll find out exactly whats better pretty quick.

It is a machine shop that produces very strict airborne parts. I agree it was a fluke, but I was still impressed. Everything used for measuring had to go through the cal lab on a very routine basis. The machinists could make some dang impressive parts, but were hell on measuring tools.

 

[BellyUpFish]

What size/torque range do you want? What types of jobs will you be using it for?

Just a couple thoughts about how I use torque wrenches as a DIY'er:
I mainly use a 3/8" torque wrenches on a lot of under hood and mechanical repairs. I use 1/2" wrenches for suspension and wheels. I use my 1/4" torque wrench on our bicycles

In reality, you'll need at least one 3/8" and one 1/2" to cover most jobs.

I'd like something in the 5-80lb for just like you stated, under the hood wrenching and then something heavier for wheels/etc.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Need a new torque wrench..

Wondering if anyone has used the Duralast wrench? I like that pretty much all their tools have a lifetime warranty and seem to be better made than Craftsman stuff these days, plus AutoZone is closer to my house when I need to take something back.. LOL

I'm just a garage DIYer, not doing it for a living, I don't need a $600 wrench, but would like to have a good unit.

It's probably a great neck tool. Quality on those used to be okay, actually I don't see a problem with most of their stuff nowadays but people on here say to stay away. Bang for your buck on that brand isn't that great though.

Hey, here's an idea. Get a beam torque wrench. That'll save you a ton of cash and will cover most of the stuff that you will do without the possibility of going bad (to the degree a clicker will).

If you want a nice (but somewhat cheap) torque wrench your best bet is kobalt, in that size I think they're around 60 bucks. Someone mentioned CDI torque wrenches the other day and they have an entry level one about 100 bucks new. Harbor freight is an option for 12 bucks but I have problems trusting those (would be okay on most things that you would use threadlocker on/aren't wet (non-fluid fasteners)).

Or you can go buy a beam torque wrench for something like 15 bucks at sears. The craftsman one isn't bad, I just bought one for a torque requirement that was lower than my kobalt torque wrench; paid 13.13 for it. Works like a charm.

There will be at least 15 posts on here telling you to **** it up and buy a 400 dollar snap on torque wrench (cdi is owned by snap on btw). You can but those aren't lifetime warranty. Ideally, you'd want to get a nice set of torque sticks but those are usually more than actually just buying a medium quality torque wrench.

 

[nicksnothereman]

If you want cheap but decent, the HF torque wrench is not bad. I have the 1/2" version and I've used it for years. It still checks out as accurate and has worked well for me.

I can attest to that but I still don't trust it fully. I always check it with another torque wrench (preferably my beam if possible) but it is always within spec (+-4%). Sure there are torque wrenches with lower tolerances but not a whole lot better in a click type. I believe the expensive clickers are +-3% some are worse (I was looking the other day). Can't really justify the cost if that's a fact.

 

[619DioFan]

I have the husky torque wrenches in 1/2 and 3/8 drive. they perform very well.

 

[DRhodes]

Precision Instruments.

+1

These are great for the money.

 

[woody 73]

I bet the PI are very nice I have yet to buy one; I picked up the husky 3/8 drive and it is very nice.

so what was all the stink I was reading about the craftsman torque wrenches, seems like they are making pure **** if what I was reading was all correct?

From time to time I pick up a few used ones from CL but that is a crapshoot; buyer beware.

The HF ones seem to be getting some very nice reviews.

 

[ishiboo]

I did a lot of research on this, to me the best value was the GearWrench. Many sites no longer have Made in USA but most of the stock out there still is.

Lowes/Kobalt seem to be a good value with the new lower prices as well.

 

[Brownsfan]

I have the husky torque wrenches in 1/2 and 3/8 drive. they perform very well.

Same here. It is IDENTICAL to the Matco tourque wrenches at 3x the money. For $75 for the 3/8 and $85 for the 1/2 USA made you cant go wrong. Also exactly the same as the Gearwrench versions that are usually are $10-$20 more from various online sources. Read the Matco site reviews and they are all positive and those guys paid $300 for the same tool with a Matco logo.

 

[wafrederick]

I have a Matco 1/2 torque wrench,been a good torque wrench.I got lucky when I bought it,it was on sale.The electronic torque wrenches are to consider too,you can ditch the torque angle gauge now.They have a built in angle gauge which some fastners require after torqueing them down.The biggest mistake I seen done with a clicker type torque wrench is jerking on them after the fastener is torqued down.Get a false torque reading doing this.I seen this on the powerblock,mainly trucks.Once it clicks,stop and the fastener is torqued.

 

[donthelegend]

get the lifetime warranty on torque wrenches in writing. torque wrenches are often excluded from those warranties even they will tell you "all hand tools" are covered. i went through this before and found out Husky, Kobalt, etc. have lifetime warranty on hand tools *except* torque wrenches

I thought that Kobalt torque wrenches were excluded, but I just got one warrantied out without a problem. The new one is much nicer than the old one was, and says lifetime warranty as well.

+1 for Precision Instruments though, I'm loving the split-beam style 1/2" that I have. I'll be buying the 3/8" version when funds allow.

 

[Aquamach]

I went for the Home Depot Husky brand, which is an excellent torque wrench. In fact, I bought it based off comments from a different thread on this very forum. Do a search and you'll find it.

 

[Loscaldazar]

I would go for HF torque wrench ($10) or a PI.

For the HF, make sure you test it in the parking lot, and if it works, it will do well. Once you find a working one that clicks, I've never had one that has been inaccurate. They either work out of the box and are great, or don't work and can be returned.

The other option is a Precision Instruments Split Beam torque wrench. Highly accurate, extremely durable (practically impossible to knock it out of calibration because everything is welded together so dropping it doesn't affect the accuracy unless you physically break it), and very cheap compared to many Torque Wrenches. I got the 3/8 (20-100 Ft-lbs) and the 1/2 (50-250) for $230 shipped. The split beam torque (not a deflecting beam, it's different) is my favorite type. I wish they made a 1/4 split beam. Don't have to wind it down after each use, or warm it up before use (like micrometer type torque wrenches).

 

[P_I_Torque]

I consider myself a DIY user, can you guess my brand of choice =)

Really, my advice would be to grab a wrench which has a very decent shelf life because it will last you longer regarding mechanical operation and calibration (speaking in general terms). I use several dial type pretty much exclusively on my truck. One reason why, is I know that if it sits in the box for a week or 12 months between uses it's operation and calibration are not affected by the shelf time. Our Split-beam also follows this same train of thought. However the dial type (just about any brand) has a one up on the Split-beam because there's no lubrication which can dry out resulting in loss of friction control. Just my opinion, happy hunting!

 

[ishiboo]

I thought that Kobalt torque wrenches were excluded, but I just got one warrantied out without a problem. The new one is much nicer than the old one was, and says lifetime warranty as well.

+1 for Precision Instruments though, I'm loving the split-beam style 1/2" that I have. I'll be buying the 3/8" version when funds allow.

The boxes indicate lifetime warranty. Keep the box just in case.

 

[-Brent-]

This is the one I always recommend.

 

[SMKS]

The boxes indicate lifetime warranty. Keep the box just in case.

But the manual in the box says it only has a one year warranty. A member of Bitog called customer service and they confirmed only a one-year warranty.

Maybe you can convince them to warranty it, but maybe not.

 

[SMKS]

I did a lot of research on this, to me the best value was the GearWrench. Many sites no longer have Made in USA but most of the stock out there still is.

Lowes/Kobalt seem to be a good value with the new lower prices as well.

What are these non-USA made GW torque wrenches you're talking about? The GW torque wrenches were always made in the USA and I've never heard it has changed.

Have any links to show they are no longer USA made?

Perhaps there's some confusion because the torque wrenches are the only GW items that are USA made, that I know of. Everything else GE has always been imported.

 

[sgs236]

Here is another vote for the Harbor Freight wrench. For the DIY, I think it is hard to beat the value of the HF torque wrench. It got a very good review from Car Craft: http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/ccrp_1304_torque_wrench_testing/photo_05.html.

 

[woody 73]

But the manual in the box says it only has a one year warranty. A member of Bitog called customer service and they confirmed only a one-year warranty.

Maybe you can convince them to warranty it, but maybe not.

Sometimes I get confused and this time I got thrown off a cliff; I bought the torque wrench and the box indeed said "lifetime warranty" but the inside paperwork said 'one year warranty".

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Its a $10 torque wrench with mass complaints of being either faulty out of the box or breaking during its first uses. Do you really need "numerical data" to tell you its a very cheaply built tool that wont survive the test of time? Happily most people that buy one will use it just once or twice and consider it a great bargain; assuming they didn't get a dud right out of the box of course.

As far as your calipers experience, there is a good idiom "even a broken clock is right twice a day". If you ever tried to use those in the day to day environment of a machine shop I think you'll find out exactly whats better pretty quick.

Dime store tools... Half of mine mine are junk.. and half "seem" ok... Among the six or seven that I have bought, there are two different designs... These were bought as spares and "permanent loaners" for my boys..

My ProTo clickers were new in 1970, and three of the four are still in use,, along with the Duro open beams and ProTo dial type for injectors. They all have their advantages..

If I had only one torque wrench, it would be a good quality open beam...

If I still had the money I pissed away on the dime store stuff; I would spend it on quality tools.

 

[wjamyers]

Here is another vote for the Harbor Freight wrench. For the DIY, I think it is hard to beat the value of the HF torque wrench. It got a very good review from Car Craft: http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/ccrp_1304_torque_wrench_testing/photo_05.html.

that's utterly insane...

I have a craftsman torque clicker style 1/2" drive that's sat in my tool box in my basement or garage for the past 20 years and I'm curious about whether it's accurate. lol that I'm considering getting the HF unit just to compare it and see if it's still working right.

 

[zakmartin]

I'm sure it's been said on this thread, but if you want a cheap torque wrench that works, go with Harbor Freight. If you want a nice torque wrench that works, go with Precision Instruments (I'm particularly happy with their split beam-type wrenches).

 

[pepi]

Here is a torque wrench I will sell for $50, it is in good shape, accurate, always stored @ 0 . send a PM if interested

Description found here:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g1055/overview/

 

[donthelegend]

But the manual in the box says it only has a one year warranty. A member of Bitog called customer service and they confirmed only a one-year warranty.

Maybe you can convince them to warranty it, but maybe not.

Well I'll be darned... just went and looked at mine to confirm that the manual in the box states "1 year hassle free warranty"

It's funny, I thought my original torque wrench was only a 1 year warranty so I hadn't even bothered to try to get it replaced. Then someone told me "all Kobalt tools have a lifetime warranty". So I asked customer service when I was in the store the next time, and they said, yep, bring it back no questions asked. So I did, and they replaced it. My old version was quite a bit different from the currently produced version, and they had trouble finding a model number for it, but replaced it without issue. Clearly, YMMV.

 

[sicnarf247]

Do you warranty the kobalt because you broke it or its out of calibration? It's shocking to hear they will exchange you with a newer model just cause the CUSTOMER said it wasn't calibrated... I'm confused here

 

[OctoMan]

I would be skeptical on how accurate those are. We use Snap Ons at work and they are very reliable. Granted they're calibrated every six months but they generally stay in cal. unless they're dropped. The only reason they're cal'ed every six months is because the Army says so. I use mine for lug nuts and engine related nuts or bolts. I have an old Craftsman that was calibrated by the Army and is dead on.