Torque wrenches, ready to order ... need some wisdom

[WR250F]

I'm needing to pick up some torque wrenches.

My existing Cmans are in need of repair, and to put it bluntly, that is no small undertaking at best, and crazy expensive.

So, instead of dump a wad of cash to repair what I have, I can replace them with different wrenches (for about the same money as a repair of my existing wrenches) and forget the colossal hassle dealing with Sears can be at times.

I'm looking at three, all basic clickers, made by CDI.

30-250 lb/in http://www.toolsource.com/microadjustable-torque-wrench-ratchet-head-30250-inlb-p-92817.html

5-75 lb/ft http://www.toolsource.com/torque-wrench-micro-adjustable-metal-handle-ratchet-head-ftlb-p-91114.html

30-250 lb/ft http://www.toolsource.com/torque-wrench-2503mfrmh-ratchet-head-30250-ftlbs-p-93852.html

All three are all metal, all three come with a NIST traceable certificate, all three will fit the ranges I need in the 30-80% of the rated range of the wrench.

Did I miss anything to look out for when buying a basic wrench ? Is there a better (cheaper) legit source for CDI torque wrenches than Tool Source ?

I'm ready to go on these unless someone can tell me of a better option or a caveat I'm missing.

Thanks for the help

 

[DrkMtnDew]

I don't think you can go wrong with CDI, and i personally have not seen better prices.

 

[scott4]

I bought the 3/8 and 1/2 Precision Instruments split beams reading the many, many reviews on here.

I used the 3/8 the very day it arrived. I have no idea how i got on without it.

 

[larryq]

2nd on the Precision Instruments split beam wrenches...I also bought them based on the reviews here. Fewer parts than a regular clicker wrench, plus I believe PI manufactures the SnapOn equivalents? I can say that I like mine, no regrets at all. USA made as well.

Reasonably priced at tooltopia.

 

[Fedwrench]

For the 250lbft wrench, I would definitely go for the Precision Instruments thumb wheel model. It stays calibrated longer, takes more abuse, and the speed offered in setting desired torque with the thumbwheel can't be matched in a micrometer type torque wrench. Think of pulling the collar and then rotating the wrench forever until your desired torque is reached.

http://www.tooltopia.com/precision-instruments-c3fr250f.aspx

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

I have dial type, but next time I would get thumb wheel type as well.

 

[dankicksass]

I use a Snap-On TQFR250E split beam made by Precision Instruments every day. I think they're around $170 with a PI label from tooltopia.com. My other torque wrenches just sit around collecting dust. For engine work, I use a cheap Craftsman deflecting beam torque wrench and an angle gauge if I feel like I need it.

 

[plierwire]

For those guys recommending the Precision Instruments torque wrenches, is there any reason to get the fixed head over the flex head? Would the fixed head be stronger? More reliable? Does the flex head move around when you don't want it to?


Fixed Head:
http://www.toolsource.com/precision...et-head-torque-wrench-40250-ftlb-p-94401.html

Flex Head:
http://www.toolsource.com/precision...k-type-torque-wrench-40250-ftlb-p-104429.html

 

[durallymax]

another vote for the precision split beam.

The flex head is very nice and no it does not move when you dont want it to, it doesnt flex much, just enough to get out of the way.

 

[larryq]

another vote for the precision split beam.

The flex head is very nice and no it does not move when you dont want it to, it doesnt flex much, just enough to get out of the way.

That's right. The flex heads are more of a feature to aid maneuverability, and are tight enough to hold their position. They're not like old, beat-up universal joints that flop around when you don't want them to.

 

[csmitty]

After using a flex head one it is VERY handy in tight spots. I was a bit worried about it too at first but it doesn't flex like a normal flex head ratchet would. The micro wrench's usually have a bit finer range than the SB if that matters at all. If not the SB is the way to go. I might get the PI 1/2 dr to do wheels and stuff and keep the techangle for the tech stuff.

 

[griff99]

I'm needing to pick up some torque wrenches.

My existing Cmans are in need of repair, and to put it bluntly, that is no small undertaking at best, and crazy expensive.

So, instead of dump a wad of cash to repair what I have, I can replace them with different wrenches (for about the same money as a repair of my existing wrenches) and forget the colossal hassle dealing with Sears can be at times.

I'm looking at three, all basic clickers, made by CDI.

30-250 lb/in http://www.toolsource.com/microadjustable-torque-wrench-ratchet-head-30250-inlb-p-92817.html

5-75 lb/ft http://www.toolsource.com/torque-wrench-micro-adjustable-metal-handle-ratchet-head-ftlb-p-91114.html

30-250 lb/ft http://www.toolsource.com/torque-wrench-2503mfrmh-ratchet-head-30250-ftlbs-p-93852.html

All three are all metal, all three come with a NIST traceable certificate, all three will fit the ranges I need in the 30-80% of the rated range of the wrench.

Did I miss anything to look out for when buying a basic wrench ? Is there a better (cheaper) legit source for CDI torque wrenches than Tool Source ?

I'm ready to go on these unless someone can tell me of a better option or a caveat I'm missing.

Thanks for the help

I have the 2 ft lb wrenches, I can't comment on the 3rd, the 1st two are great and I wouldn't hesitate to buy a CDI product. You'll do a little better on the price if you check out ebay. tools***seller is http://www.mlautomotiveonline.com/ which is an authorized CDI re-seller. One other thing, that I mildly regret, is I probably should have purchased the flex-head instead of the 5-75lb 3/8" wrench. 802MFRFMHSS.

http://mlautomotiveonline.com/CDI-T...stable-Torque-Wrench-802MFRFMHSS-P982007.aspx

 

[Trey T]

Yikes!!! Torque units mix-up!!! The unit for torque is length*force (or length_force)

It's a shame that a nice site like that, selling nice tools, write the specs wrong.

 

[durallymax]

After using a flex head one it is VERY handy in tight spots. I was a bit worried about it too at first but it doesn't flex like a normal flex head ratchet would. The micro wrench's usually have a bit finer range than the SB if that matters at all. If not the SB is the way to go. I might get the PI 1/2 dr to do wheels and stuff and keep the techangle for the tech stuff.

yes the Precision one is in increments of 5 which may or may not work. it also has a very wide body, but that shouldnt make too much of a difference.

I like using the precision split beam over my tech angles as it is fast to set, never turns off, never accidentally loosen the battery cover and shut the wrench off leading to unknown torque and i can feel and hear it click

If it wasnt for all of the TTY fasteners I do, I wouldnt have the tech angles.

 

[franzdom]

Yikes!!! Torque units mix-up!!! The unit for torque is length*force (or length_force)

It's a shame that a nice site like that, selling nice tools, write the specs wrong.

OMG you are completely wrong. It's the other way around PERIOD.

 

[csargents1546]

Those price are on par for just about anywhere else I have found. I have the 5-75 cdi, and I love it. One of the other tech has the same wrench from so, compared them side by side, other than the head, same exact wrench and for half the price of the so one.

 

[plierwire]

Thanks for the input everybody! So much to learn from this forum

 

[Treeman]

People here love to talk torque wrenches. I love my two PI split beams. Here are some other pros and cons to alleviate buyers remorse (all options discussed are excellent)


The scale markings are coarse on the PI's (5lbs. and 2 lbs.). BUT, since torque can vary +/- 30 percent using this method, this point becomes moot. And, you can interpolate at least in half. Not a deal breaker for me.

The PI 3/8 model scale is a bit hard to read, unless they improved it. No deal breaker here.

You cannot use the PI counterclockwise.

The CDI wrenches have imported ratchet heads (vs. Snap on equivalent), but quality seems superb.

I love my PI's . The flex head feature is awesome. They are SO easy to adjust.

 

[Trey T]

OMG Sarcasm?

Recognized!

OMG you are completely wrong. It's the other way around PERIOD.

 

[franzdom]

OMG Sarcasm?

Recognized!

I didn't think I was being sarcastic, it's FxL not LxF. I always think of it like Nm not mN.

 

[Trey T]

You're right and also depend, ppl may say it vice versa bc it's a multiplication. however, that's not what I was referring to. The website referred the unit with the division sign.

 

[jamesg302]

I have a KD 1/2" torque wrench and it works great. The twist lock ring was a big improvement over my old torque wrench. I found it on the toolsource.com site for your reference although I'm sure there a tons more places where it can be purchased.

http://www.toolsource.com/12˝-ratchet-drive-micrometer-torque-wrench-p-110503.html

 

[franzdom]

You're right and also depend, ppl may say it vice versa bc it's a multiplication. however, that's not what I was referring to. The website referred the unit with the division sign.

Oh, yes it is definitely a multiplication. The force goes in front for torque however, because it is a cross product not a scalar dot product.