?USA 1/2drive torque wrench ID?

[mrborohachi]

Got this for $5 from a metal recycler
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The all important Made In USA!
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The "trouble in paradise" is the pawl spring in the ratchet head doesn't allow me to select reverse. It has a wire instead of 2 coil springs (like the Facom ratchets) and one of the legs is gone. So that's why I need a MFG ID.

Thanks GJ

 

[Mohawk Dave]

It looks like some one cleaned it with steel wool and Tri Flow....maybe even lubed it with the Super Lube!

EDIT: the handle's plastic...to help further the investigation...

 

[DodgeMech]

Fwiw, a tech that used to work at my dealer had the same one...and his was marked snapon...

 

[country83]

Looks like Precision Instruments to me....but I may be wrong.

 

[Fedwrench]

It looks like a KD 25-250 ft lbs torque wrench. They were rebadged under many names from NAPA to JC Penney depending on how old it is.
With the demise of KD tools, and them changing ratchet heads to the pear head Armstrong type, I'm not sure is a repair kit is still available. They were not lifetime warranty. Model number 2952 for the 250ft lb version or 3265 for the 150 ft lb model.

 

[SMKS]

Yup, I agree with Fedwrench that it was made under the Danaher umbrella, back before the creation of Apex Tools.

But I wonder if it's close enough to this other Danaher design that a spring from one of these would work? This design also uses a single pawl like a Facom ratchet. These were sold under the brand Craftsman and probably some other Danaher-produced brands.

That's assuming the repair kits for the torque wrench aren't still available. If you can figure out the number of the kit, one may appear on ebay at some time.

 

[woody 73]

It looks like a KD 25-250 ft lbs torque wrench. They were rebadged under many names from NAPA to JC Penney depending on how old it is.
With the demise of KD tools, and them changing ratchet heads to the pear head Armstrong type, I'm not sure is a repair kit is still available. They were not lifetime warranty. Model number 2952 for the 250ft lb version or 3265 for the 150 ft lb model.

I picked up a very old Mac torque wrench with the same exact handle but a different head so sounds about right must have been rebadged under countless names.

 

[mrborohachi]

So I called GEARWRENCH and they told me:
Product Exceptions to the Standard Limited Lifetime Warranty:


Tool Boxes, Bits, Bit Sockets, Taps, Dies, Files, Torque Products
Accuracy standards for calibration on Torque Products are warranted for 90 days from date of buyer acceptance. Torque Products in North America must be sent to Angle Repair & Calibration Service, Inc., 175 Angle Drive, Beckley, West Virginia 25801 (304) 253-5729 at Customer’s cost for evaluation. Product meeting warranty criteria will be repaired or replaced subject to Apex’s sole discretion. Torque Product components are subject to normal wear through use and replacement thereof is the responsibility of the Customer.

In so many words. ^thats from the Gearwrench page. Apparently Angle Repair and Calibration are the gate keepers of all the torque wrench repair parts

 

[mrborohachi]

I picked up a very old Mac torque wrench with the same exact handle but a different head so sounds about right must have been rebadged under countless names.

Can we get a pic of your torque wrench?

Imagine 7-10 years ago when guys all thought their BRAND of torque wrench was better because they bought it off the Matco or MAC truck with the different labeled ratchet heads thinking the one at Kragen or Sears was inferior

 

[Outlawmws]

Got this for $5 from a metal recycler
View media item 41261
The "trouble in paradise" is the pawl spring in the ratchet head doesn't allow me to select reverse. It has a wire instead of 2 coil springs (like the Facom ratchets) and one of the legs is gone. So that's why I need a MFG ID.

Thanks GJ

Central Tool Co.
Cranston R.I.

Probably made about 30-40 years ago. I'm not sure if they are still in business.

If its a wire spring, get some spring wire and bend a replacement (one of the springs with along straight section can provide the raw material)

ps: Look for a date code on the lock ring or near it. One of mine is 4-74 the other is 9-74

 

[Outlawmws]

I'll be... still in business!

http://www.centraltools.com/

 

[mrborohachi]

ps: Look for a date code on the lock ring or near it. One of mine is 4-74 the other is 9-74

Mine is "3 84" so March of 1984. I was wondering why those numbers didn't come up in a google search.

Here's Mac's re-branding
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mac-Torque-Wrench-1-2-Drive-/291158344262?pt=US_Hand_Tools&hash=item43ca63c246

 

[Treeman]

It looks like a KD 25-250 ft lbs torque wrench. They were rebadged under many names from NAPA to JC Penney depending on how old it is.
With the demise of KD tools, and them changing ratchet heads to the pear head Armstrong type, I'm not sure is a repair kit is still available. They were not lifetime warranty. Model number 2952 for the 250ft lb version or 3265 for the 150 ft lb model.

The handle is a dead giveaway for A U.S. tool manufacturer in Georgia called J.S. Technology. It is/was under the Danaher Mfg. group (now Apex) that makes/made torque wrenches for Sears, S.K., K.D. (now Gearwrench), NAPA, Armstrong, ATD, and some others.

The current US wrenches now at Home Depot seem to be the same mfg..

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-3-8-in-Click-Torque-Wrench-H3DTW/202916179

 

[sselander]

I noticed on Team Torque's website, they have a parts request form:

http://www.teamtorque.com/parts_request.html

"In addition to our torque tool calibration and repair our services include selling parts for torque tools.

We have the world's largest inventory of torque tool parts readily available for sale, and we work directly with reputable torque tool manufacturers and distributors to supply our customers with replacement parts and other torque tool service needs."

 

[vssjim]

Angle Repair is cheaper than Team Torque and I use both regularly, also If I remember SK Tools / Ideal just bought the torque wrench division from Apex so they have new owners.

 

[woody 73]

Can we get a pic of your torque wrench?

Imagine 7-10 years ago when guys all thought their BRAND of torque wrench was better because they bought it off the Matco or MAC truck with the different labeled ratchet heads thinking the one at Kragen or Sears was inferior

ask and you shall receive;

This one is for sale on my local CL:

http://columbus.craigslist.org/tls/4497984060.html

 

[Outlawmws]

Fwiw, a tech that used to work at my dealer had the same one...and his was marked snapon...

Looks like Precision Instruments to me....but I may be wrong.

It looks like a KD 25-250 ft lbs torque wrench. They were rebadged under many names from NAPA to JC Penney depending on how old it is.
With the demise of KD tools, and them changing ratchet heads to the pear head Armstrong type, I'm not sure is a repair kit is still available. They were not lifetime warranty. Model number 2952 for the 250ft lb version or 3265 for the 150 ft lb model.

Yup, I agree with Fedwrench that it was made under the Danaher umbrella, back before the creation of Apex Tools.

But I wonder if it's close enough to this other Danaher design that a spring from one of these would work? This design also uses a single pawl like a Facom ratchet. These were sold under the brand Craftsman and probably some other Danaher-produced brands.

That's assuming the repair kits for the torque wrench aren't still available. If you can figure out the number of the kit, one may appear on ebay at some time.

I picked up a very old Mac torque wrench with the same exact handle but a different head so sounds about right must have been rebadged under countless names.

The handle is a dead giveaway for A U.S. tool manufacturer in Georgia called J.S. Technology. It is/was under the Danaher Mfg. group (now Apex) that makes/made torque wrenches for Sears, S.K., K.D. (now Gearwrench), NAPA, Armstrong, ATD, and some others.

The current US wrenches now at Home Depot seem to be the same mfg..

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-3-8-in-Click-Torque-Wrench-H3DTW/202916179

I'm pretty certain of my ground here guys: I bought the one in the box brand new in 74/75 time frame. The other one I picked up more recently just because... Central tool is and was in the business of precision tools, particularly torque wrenches.

SO, KD and many others simply re-badged tools outside their area of expertise. KD in particular is not a precision tool co, and never was. Lots of rebranding for KD.

So I called GEARWRENCH and they told me:
Product Exceptions to the Standard Limited Lifetime Warranty:


Tool Boxes, Bits, Bit Sockets, Taps, Dies, Files, Torque Products
Accuracy standards for calibration on Torque Products are warranted for 90 days from date of buyer acceptance. Torque Products in North America must be sent to Angle Repair & Calibration Service, Inc., 175 Angle Drive, Beckley, West Virginia 25801 (304) 253-5729 at Customer’s cost for evaluation. Product meeting warranty criteria will be repaired or replaced subject to Apex’s sole discretion. Torque Product components are subject to normal wear through use and replacement thereof is the responsibility of the Customer.

In so many words. ^thats from the Gearwrench page. Apparently Angle Repair and Calibration are the gate keepers of all the torque wrench repair parts

mrborohachi, be VERY careful with that "evaluation" ****: I sent a small 1/4" drive to another torque tool Co,, and AFTER they receive it and do their "evaluation: they tell me; A: there is a $50 fee for the evaluation AND I have to pay shipping back unless B: I get it repaired, and the repair cost was about $10 less than buying one brand new...

So I'm guessing that one now resides in their "museum", as it was pretty darn old (around WWII) and they were surprised to even have the part for it...

 

[SMKS]

Central appears to be a small company. It's very possible they buy complete wrenches, or at least parts, from companies that specialize in making torque wrenches.

Just like Wright tool. They don't have the resources to build torque wrenches in-house, so they buy them from another company.

Same as SK has used rebranded torque wrenches from other brands.

I will add that I was just looking at their website and some of their torque wrenches sure seem similar to Apex Tools/Danaher wrenches with a different grip.

Attached are pics of a Central torque wrench and a very-similar Craftsman made by Apex or Danaher. It sure looks like a similar body and ratchet head with a different grip on the Central.

 

[woody 73]

They still are in business:

http://centraltools.com/

 

[Outlawmws]

Apex/Danahar could be re-branding just as easily, and have a history of it. Again, Central has always been in this business.

 

[Outlawmws]

They still are in business:

http://centraltools.com/

Yep, I posted the same link earlier.

 

[SMKS]

Apex/Danahar could be re-branding just as easily, and have a history of it. Again, Central has always been in this business.

What all does Apex Tools rebrand?

So, we have a large company that makes many torque wrenches sold under many brands (Apex Tools).

And we have a much smaller company that happens to sell very similar torque wrenches (Central Tools).

I'm putting my money on the Central Torque wrenches being made, at least partially, by Apex and then being sold by Central.

Just like this set, do you think Central makes the locking pliers that are used in this set? I think not.
http://centraltools.com/dials_chassis.html

If you want to know, contact Central Tools. Maybe they'll tell you.

 

[Outlawmws]

I'm not; from their website:

Since 1908, Central has been manufacturing precision measuring tools.

Do they still? Maybe not, but in the 70's, they did.

If you want to know, contact Central Tools. Maybe they'll tell you.

I'm not saying Central is a huge competitor to Starrett or some of the other huge companies., but they have been in the business of making automotive related precision tools for a long time.

 

[Outlawmws]

Hmmmm:

Since 1908, Central has been manufacturing precision measuring tools.

Or:

J S Technology Inc
Products:
Manufactures hand tools; machine tools & accessories Power nail guns, Heat guns, Engravers, Glue guns, Torque tools, Biscuit jointers, Power blowers, Power buffers, Power drills, Power grinders, Demolition hammers, Power planes, Power routers, Power sanders, Power saws, Power screwguns

Which sounds like a precision tool maker to you?

 

[SMKS]

You're just taking that off of some website that aggregates random info from small bits of information. That doesn't really prove anything.

I'll contact Central tools myself and see what they say.

 

[mrborohachi]

Thanks to http://www.teamtorque.com/customer_service.html

They have the rebuild kit #53241-75 ($12.84), but the double edge of it is they only sell parts @$50 or more, any order under 50 they charge +$10 for lets call it handling fees.

I tried calling Central Tools and they are closed Fri and Angle Repair & Calibration Service was closed by the time I called them. They close at 3:30 Eastern time.

Next call I make is to MAC tools since the link I posted showed the exact same torque wrench. MAC just spec an diamond knurled red handle.
---> Called MAC and the kit was discontinued in 2000 even tho I have a 2001 catalog that shows the same torque wrench in it. MAC gave me a part # to look up and now i'm contacting a tool supplier in Thailand.
http://mspmachinetool.com/catalog/E135_02.pdf

I did talk to https://www.powertoolrepairohio.com/
they got me on the phone with the actual tech (Doug) that rebuilds/calibrates torque wrenches and he told me this spring/pawl kit 42475-9 would have a spring that I could use, but the pawl would be wrong.

 

[Outlawmws]

Can you post a pic of the spring you do have with some way to tell size? Heck I might have one to have one that could be cut down to fit. I've done that before...

 

[spitfun]

I know this is an old post but I found a repair kit for the 2952. It is a Grainger 75150-2 (1/2" drive),hope this helps someone out. I bought mine on Ebay,it was a repair kit for an SK-took a shot and it worked!! By the way the 3/8" drive reapir kit is model munber 75100-2 and will fit in the head if you feel the need to convert to the smaller size or go up to the 1/2" drive for that matter! Rich

 

[mrborohachi]

spitfun do you have pics? Thanks for posting your new found info

 

[mrborohachi]

THIS REBUILD KIT DID NOT WORK (on my torque wrench at least). I will post pics of how this SK kit had a longer pawl sections compared to my Central made torque wrench.

I know this is an old post but I found a repair kit for the 2952. It is a Grainger 75150-2 (1/2" drive),hope this helps someone out. I bought mine on Ebay,it was a repair kit for an SK-took a shot and it worked!! By the way the 3/8" drive reapir kit is model munber 75100-2 and will fit in the head if you feel the need to convert to the smaller size or go up to the 1/2" drive for that matter! Rich

 

[mrborohachi]

Top is SK kit, bottom Central Original
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Central (mine)
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SK kit
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My Central: direction wheel with the "D" and to the upper right is the palming cap that freely rotates (it's upside down). From pictures i've seen on Ebay of other truck brand re-brands they just applied a gel type sticker with a logo
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IE:

&

 

[Outlawmws]

I think Central is still in business; have you contacted them?

 

[mrborohachi]

Yeah they don't have anything. I'm really thinking of contacting this Taiwanese ratchet company. My pawl spring broke right at the radius where one of the legs that goes into the pawl so the diamond part is in perfect shape. I speak mandarin and have family in Taiwan so I could arrange shipping without a problem.

Through all of my Google images extensive research there are a handful of post on different "tools forums" where guys are so pissed that they have a long paper weight of a a Torque wrench because this pawl selector spring brakes. Their posts are in frustration after calling Mac/SO just to find out it's NLA since the mid early 2000's