Torque wrenches

[01ps]

I'm going to have to get some torque wrenches soon and have been shopping around. I am not too keen on spending a fortune on snap on right now, even though they are very nice.

Any suggestions for general auto repair, nothing highly critical like engine building and the like, mostly steering, suspension, water pumps, intakes etc. the odd head gasket.

I need 1/4 drive in/lb, 3/8 drive 20-80 lb/ft, and prob 1/2 drive 50-250 or so. Flex heads would be nice but not critical. And id prefer if the 1/2" wasn't 3feet long like some are.

Thx

 

[soulstryke]

I would love to hear more on this subject. From my limited experience, torque wrenches seem to wear out or need recalibration quite often. We hardly use ours at work, and we go through 1 per year (2 westwards 1 proto). Is spending more $$ worth it when it comes to torque wrenches?

 

[Westly]

I am not too keen on spending a fortune on snap on right now, even though they are very nice.

I have a beam type SK from about 1979. There was a test where random brands and types were compared and the beams were no less accurate than the clickers. Plus with a beam you never have to worry about it going out of calibration. I've used it on plenty of engines. Just depends on what you need from your tools.

 

[bobcatdan]

I'd look at PI, good price for a great product.

 

[3v0]

I was recently in the market for a inch pound torque wrench. I ordered a cheap "TEKTON 24320 1/4-Inch Drive Click Torque Wrench" through amazon. When it arrived it did not even click. So I ask myself how can these things be calibrated when they arrive broken. Doubt it died in transit.

Did some more research and beam or dial units are the way to go. CDI torque wrenches are a snap on brand and said to be made from the same German parts.

 

[AndrewH]

Precision Instruments is the way to go, they make the split beam Snap On ones. Check out Amazon, IIRC it's $115 for the 3/8 and $150 for the 1/2, plus they're flex heads, the only difference from Snap On is the ratcheting head.

 

[woody 73]

One word (well make that two words)= Home depot for an American made product:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-1-2-in-Click-Torque-Wrench-H2DTW/202916180

The 1/4 ratchet comes from Taiwan, but the 3/8 and 1/2 are made in the USA.

 

[Dave.R]

The click is caused by the tension of the spring tripping against the wrench housing. Due to such a lower spring tension, the quarter clicks quieter. Sometimes on a really low setting it is a little softer.

They are all calibrated before shipping out, so likely this is the trouble.

Also, They're set up for right hand bolts only, as most are. So if it was a left thread it wouldn't click.

Either way, shoot me a PM if you want to exchange it.