Torque Wrenches

[jhelrey]

I have two Gearwrench Digital Torque Wrenches that no longer really work. I can send them off for repair but I'm guessing it will be more money than they are worth. One is a 3/8, the other is 1/2.

Any suggestions for a decent wrench that won't break the bank? I'm not opposed to Snap On, Mac, etc. I don't think I would do digital again.

 

[plinker]

Precision instruments, CDI. You can find NOS Armstrong on ebay as well.

 

[Tallpilot]

Digital or split beam? Do you want angle capability?

 

[jhelrey]

Basic.. None of that special stuff. They are used for random jobs, working on snowmobiles, and the occasional vehicle repair.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

CDI split beam

 

[dnschmidt]

I sell digital torque wrenches and if all you need is the basic stuff you can't beat a Precision Instruments split beam. These are what Discount Tire uses and they beat the **** out of them and like a Timex watch they just keep on ticking.

 

[disston]

The subject comes up a lot. I'm going to share what I have done and explain as best I can but I do know that this is probably not the best for many or those who want more accuracy. As the saying goes, it works for me.

I own several bar type torque wrenches. They all happen to be Sturtevant before the name of Richmond was added. I use them to check my clicker wrenches every time I use a torque wrench.

The bar wrenches are accurate and the clickers are used for repeatability. I have bought all of my clickers on eBay at the cheapest prices. I buy Name Brand wrenches. maybe you don't know what they are? Snap On, Matco, Utica, Bonney, many others.

I own the correct wrench for what I am working on. !/4, 3/8 or 1/2. I have low end torque wrenches in 1/4. medium range wrenches in 3/8 and higher end in 1/2. I do not need anything above 250 ft/lbs so I don't need that monster used on Mercedes Benze. But if I did I mifght be tempted to use math instead of an expensive wrench. (if it was a one time thing)

Use a wrench that has the torque you want in the middle of it's range, never the lower 10% or highest 15% of it's range.

Clickers are made with a spring inside that is stretched as the torque is raised. NEVER leave a clicker set at higher than 0 when stored. But if you do then check it, it wil probably be OK if not too long (years) or too high.

Exercise the wrench before using. When checking that it is reading the torque you want with the bar wrench move the wrench to left and right and upper and lower settings. Final check?

Something I saw posted once from somebody that claimed to be an expert and was taught him by a pro too many years ago was that after using the center out pattern and the cross pattern and the every other nut pattern and stepped increases bolt patterns was, make a final pass at final torque in a circle of all fasteners. I've only seen this mentioned once and it make a bit of sense but I don't see it as necessary. Any thoughts?

Just an old guys thoughts. I'm not a pro and if I was I think I would know more about this subject.

 

[Diesel Mercedes]

There's no point in buying snap-on, MAC, Matco etc...torque wrenches when CDI and precision instruments are In fact, THE premier products.

The MAC is a rebranded Precision Instrument

The Matco and Snap-on are rebranded CDI's.

I personally own a precision instruments 3/8 split beam, it's accurate enough that I used it to torque down my camshaft tower bolts.

Buy it and be done. It's affordable and high quality.

 

[Tallpilot]

True, but the Snap-on branded CDI has features the CDI does not like vibration and the dual 80 ratchet mechanism. I don’t know anything about the Mac.

 

[Wamsutta]

My favorites are the old Snap-on wrenches that Precision made for them while they had a business arrangement. Basically a Precision Instruments torque wrench with a Snap-on ratcheting head. Once in a blue moon they'll be a new one show up on Ebay.

 

[disston]

When I made my long post above I was speaking of older used items that used to be cheaper on Ebay. I think prices may have gone up but if you wait I have bought all of my torque wrenches for reasonable prices.

I think NEW is a big rip off in torque wrenches.

But I own almost a dozen torque wrenches and I check the clickers against the bar wrenches.

How many torque wrenches do you want to own?

 

[paulsomlo]

Precision Instruments split beam from Tooltopia.com

 

[KDoug]

Precision instruments, CDI. You can find NOS Armstrong on ebay as well.

Since Armstrong is no longer a brand, I would be hesitant to buy anything from them that could mechanically go wrong. I got a brand new set of ratcheting combination wrenches for Christmas, and there were several wrenches in the set that were skipping a tooth. We sent them back to the guy we got them from, and the best Apex can do is send me a Gearwrench set, which is nowhere near an equal value.

 

[Musicinabottle]

I have a 1/2 Torque Controls Incorporated "click" style that has served me well. It looks like a Snap on, but probably made by someone else. I just read that they supplied NASA and the military.

 

[plinker]

Since Armstrong is no longer a brand, I would be hesitant to buy anything from them that could mechanically go wrong. I got a brand new set of ratcheting combination wrenches for Christmas, and there were several wrenches in the set that were skipping a tooth. We sent them back to the guy we got them from, and the best Apex can do is send me a Gearwrench set, which is nowhere near an equal value.

They were not actually made by Armstrong, Sturtevant Richmont was a sister company under the Danaher line and made them, they also made them for other companies like S-K.

A torque wrench isnt going to have more then a one year warranty for the most part, so it's a non issue. Repair kits may be a concern, but not a huge one.

I also agree Gearwrench isnt an equal value to Armstrong, but better then nothing unfortunately.

 

[JuliusPepperwood]

My shop has a precision instruments 3/4 torque wrench and it kicks ***. My personal torque wrenches are snap on only because I had a student discount

 

[thallmark]

I don't see any Precision Instrument electronic torque wrenches.... Can anyone recommend one?

 

[AmishFury]

I think NEW is a big rip off in torque wrenches.

i've seen how some knuckle draggers treat torque wrenches... new isn't a rip-off, used is a big gamble with a precision tool

 

[6PTsocket]

Precision instruments, CDI. You can find NOS Armstrong on ebay as well.

CDI is an industrial division of Snap On, that makes a lot of the SO branded stuff. Slightly different features, same quality under the two labels.

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[6PTsocket]

CDI split beam

Have you checked the price on those. This guy wanted to save a few bucks, not mortgage his house. The Precision split beams are fine at a much lower price. The Eastwood split beams look interesting but nobody has reviewed them that I know of.

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[Macharyfro20]

Even my harbor frieght inch pound passes certification each year...its been in service for about 6 years, just sayin. My others are snap on and much nicer to adjust.

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[KDoug]

They were not actually made by Armstrong, Sturtevant Richmont was a sister company under the Danaher line and made them, they also made them for other companies like S-K.

A torque wrench isnt going to have more then a one year warranty for the most part, so it's a non issue. Repair kits may be a concern, but not a huge one.

I also agree Gearwrench isnt an equal value to Armstrong, but better then nothing unfortunately.

Yes, I realize torque wrench warranties ****, but was just trying to warn the OP that he might get a defective tool if buying NOS on EBay and have to go through a lengthy return process only to come out with a Gearwrench replacement no better than he started with.

It's also worth noting, that you can find the older USA made Gearwrench torque wrenches cheap on EBay, which look somewhat similar to the Armstrong ones.

 

[Treeman]

They were not actually made by Armstrong, Sturtevant Richmont was a sister company under the Danaher line and made them, they also made them for other companies like S-K.

I had always read that J.S. Technologies made the Danaher torque wrenches: SK, Craftman, NAPA, Armstrong, etc.. Do you have more info on the Sturtevant Richmont/Danaher association?

 

[strelnik]

Looks like CDI makes a nicer wrench then Precision but the price point is better on the PI.

CDI wrenches are Snap-On industrial arm.

There are a lot of used torque wrenches available through Government Liquidation. Most are CDI. I had a TW business and bought them and resold. Most needed no calibration.

Just hard to find them with 1/4" drive.

 

[plinker]

I had always read that J.S. Technologies made the Danaher torque wrenches: SK, Craftman, NAPA, Armstrong, etc.. Do you have more info on the Sturtevant Richmont/Danaher association?

You're correct, I had a brain fart JS Technology made them, not Sturtevant Richmont.

 

[Mr. Tool]

Alright I'll add by $0.02 on this subject of torque wrenches.

https://www.tohnichi.com/torque-wrench.htm

Tohnichi torque wrenches are some of the finest torque wrenches that one can own. Their at the very top of a very short list, if not, then the very best of them all IMO.

Built to last with quality and maintaining torque accuracy (as long as they are not abused extensively) they are a very reliable tool to have in one's collection of tools, regardless of what it is used for.

I was a Metrologist in my former profession and in the lab I used to see many Tohnichi torque wrenches come in for initial calibration or re-calibration, that were used on aircraft, etc.

I own a few and currently am waiting on another that I purchased and on it's way from Japan.

 

[plinker]

Yes, I realize torque wrench warranties ****, but was just trying to warn the OP that he might get a defective tool if buying NOS on EBay and have to go through a lengthy return process only to come out with a Gearwrench replacement no better than he started with.

It's also worth noting, that you can find the older USA made Gearwrench torque wrenches cheap on EBay, which look somewhat similar to the Armstrong ones.

The OEM for Armstrong (JS Technology) was the same for Gearwrench, K-D, Craftsman and some S-K, others too I'm sure.

FWIW, you take some risk buying anything torque related from ebay. I would not be afraid to buy an NOS item though I wouldnt pay full retail either. But it's not like it's old surplus that's questionable. Unless it's from an online vendor like tooltopia or similar, it's not going to be have a warranty anyway.

I would say the best deal going is the PI split beams.

 

[jhelrey]

I'm not afraid to spend $300-$400 on a new 3/8 and a 1/2 torque wrench.

Looks like I am going with either PI or CDI.

 

[6PTsocket]

They were not actually made by Armstrong, Sturtevant Richmont was a sister company under the Danaher line and made them, they also made them for other companies like S-K.

A torque wrench isnt going to have more then a one year warranty for the most part, so it's a non issue. Repair kits may be a concern, but not a huge one.

I also agree Gearwrench isnt an equal value to Armstrong, but better then nothing unfortunately.

I question that. SR, until being recently acquired by SO, was an independent company. The division of Danaher that made torque wrenches was JS engineering, that I believe is in Georgia. They still exist but are on to other things. They did indeed make torque wrenches for many companies. I have two, a Husky and an ATD. Go to the corporate history page of Strtevant Richmont and you will see no mention of Danaher. I also have a little 0-50 in. lb. beam wrench from Sturtevant from before they merged with Richmont.

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[kneeman]

I am getting the precision instruments 1/4 micro, and 3/8 split beam and 1/2 split beam.

Can't figure what 1/4 and 3/8 to get though. The 1/2 will the 50 to 250ft lbs.

Either too much overlap or a small gap of a few lbs selecting the 1/4 and 3/8

Lemme know how you go. There is a 10 to 50 ft lb 3/8 they make not on their website. Same as the 120 in to 600 in wrench just in ft lbs BUT the inch version had smaller increments.

 

[dnschmidt]

Precision Instruments does not make "digital" torque wrenches. In fact few people do. Most come from Taiwan with Eclatorq providing tools to Stanley Black and Decker and CDI in the USA providing them to Snap-On. Very few OEM's for digital (strain-gauge) torque wrenches. Most are relabels.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

I have the Snap On version of the PI dial type.http://www.torqwrench.com/tools/dials.php
I've had mine since the 80's and they were spot on a few years ago when I had them checked. I have a 3/8" that goes to 150 in/lbs and the 1/2" that goes to 250 ft/lbs. The PI are the same thing with a different dial face color and less expensive. My 3/8" has a follow up pointer and I wish I had gotten that on my bigger one as well. Neither of mine had a case and I just got a case for each from PI for a fraction of the cost. They are plain black compared to the red and SO logo. They are just accurate in either direction. If I were to buy again I would get the same as I have now but in PI and both with follow up pointers.

 

[Stuart in MN]

The original poster is in Plymouth, MN. Process Measurement Company is pretty close by, in Golden Valley. You could stop in or call them to get an idea of what it would cost to repair your existing wrenches. https://www.processmeasurementco.com/

 

[plinker]

I question that. SR, until being recently acquired by SO, was an independent company. The division of Danaher that made torque wrenches was JS engineering, that I believe is in Georgia. They still exist but are on to other things. They did indeed make torque wrenches for many companies. I have two, a Husky and an ATD. Go to the corporate history page of Strtevant Richmont and you will see no mention of Danaher. I also have a little 0-50 in. lb. beam wrench from Sturtevant from before they merged with Richmont.

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See post #26

 

[jhelrey]

I am getting the precision instruments 1/4 micro, and 3/8 split beam and 1/2 split beam.

Can't figure what 1/4 and 3/8 to get though. The 1/2 will the 50 to 250ft lbs.

Either too much overlap or a small gap of a few lbs selecting the 1/4 and 3/8

Lemme know how you go. There is a 10 to 50 ft lb 3/8 they make not on their website. Same as the 120 in to 600 in wrench just in ft lbs BUT the inch version had smaller increments.

Same struggle... I prefer a lower value 3/8 with the 1/2 being higher. I can find the 3/8 you are looking at on a few different sites for $109. ToolDiscounter has them.

 

[jhelrey]

The original poster is in Plymouth, MN. Process Measurement Company is pretty close by, in Golden Valley. You could stop in or call them to get an idea of what it would cost to repair your existing wrenches. https://www.processmeasurementco.com/

A few places I called stated they would be at least $50 for the pair just to look at them plus me paying shipping to get them there. I'm cutting my loses on them and will be putting them on Ebay for parts once my new ones come.

 

[KDoug]

The OEM for Armstrong (JS Technology) was the same for Gearwrench, K-D, Craftsman and some S-K, others too I'm sure.

FWIW, you take some risk buying anything torque related from ebay. I would not be afraid to buy an NOS item though I wouldnt pay full retail either. But it's not like it's old surplus that's questionable. Unless it's from an online vendor like tooltopia or similar, it's not going to be have a warranty anyway.

I would say the best deal going is the PI split beams.

I'm sorry my wording came out kinda weird. The main thing I was wanting is for somebody else not to get a defective Armstrong tool, and have to downgrade to a Gearwrench tool.

Where are Precision Instruments made? Is there an advantage to using a split beam style (never used one) over a clicker type?

 

[paulsomlo]

Quick question... Is the CDI 1/2 Torque Wrench worth $100 more then the PI? I found the CDI for $252 and the PI for $152.

I doubt it - both made in USA, they appear identical, and both have good reputations here on GJ. Are you comparing the CDI 2503TQFR to the PI C3FR250F? I noticed that there aren't as many sellers for the CDI - could just be less competitive pricing. By the way, I bought my PI C3FR250F from tooldiscounter.com, $132 shipped. It had some cosmetic defects, and I was afraid there might be a calibration issue. I chose to deal directly with PI, and after sending them some pictures, they had me send it back, paid shipping both ways, and sent me a new one, no hassles. I would not hesitate to buy another one of their torque wrenches. I also have their 3/8", 10-50 ftlb flex head.

 

[paulsomlo]

I'm sorry my wording came out kinda weird. The main thing I was wanting is for somebody else not to get a defective Armstrong tool, and have to downgrade to a Gearwrench tool.

Where are Precision Instruments made? Is there an advantage to using a split beam style (never used one) over a clicker type?

Made in Illinois - split beam doesn't need to be turned back to zero. You can read all about it here: http://www.torqwrench.com/tools/C.php

 

[plinker]

I'm sorry my wording came out kinda weird. The main thing I was wanting is for somebody else not to get a defective Armstrong tool, and have to downgrade to a Gearwrench tool.

Where are Precision Instruments made? Is there an advantage to using a split beam style (never used one) over a clicker type?

No problem, things get lost in translation, I do it myself all the time. I follow what you're saying though.


PI is made here, split beams dont need to be set to zero when not in use (I do it anyway). Seem to be more durable. Cons are low tooth count and no counter clockwise useage.

I have one of their clicker wrenches in 1/2 drive and it's very nice.


Snap-on wrench made by PI, 389$, but it's green and has a Snap-on 36 tooth ratchet head.
https://store.snapon.com/US-Reading-Torque-Wrenches-with-Conversion-Scale-1-2-Drive-Flex-Head-TQ-Series-Torque-Wrench-40-250-ft-lb--P888327.aspx

Same wrench from Tooltopia, PI branded, for 162$
https://www.tooltopia.com/precision-instruments-c3fr250f.aspx