Which torque wrench?

[Yellow1098]

Looking for a good digital torque. I know the 300$ snap on's are the way to go. But are other cheaper brands that work just as well? Preferably something I don't have to calibrate when I get it and works out of the box. Thanks guys!

 

[TMcCay]

You might want to consider a split beam type of torque wrench. Accurate and very robust design.

 

[cvairwerks]

What are your torque needs? One wrench will not cover most people’s needed ranges.

 

[txvwnut]

Precision Instruments split beam. Not a digital, doesn’t need batteries and clicks to let you know it hit its mark. I’ve used the SnapOn digital and have not been impressed by them.

And they are half the cost of what the SO digitals are.

 

[Tonyuk]

New snap-on 1/2" digital torque wrench for only $300?

They were about £500 and up last time i checked, close to £600 for many of the 1/2" versions.

 

[Walter_TA]

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-1-2...grammable-Electronic-Torque-Wrench/1000248545

Works for me.

 

[GTO]

Looking for a good digital torque. I know the 300$ snap on's are the way to go. But are other cheaper brands that work just as well? Preferably something I don't have to calibrate when I get it and works out of the box. Thanks guys!

Please lmk where I can find a SO $300 digital torque wrench....

 

[Yellow1098]

Haha I guess I have just seen quite a bit of used ones on Craig's for 300

 

[k-os]

Haha I guess I have just seen quite a bit of used ones on Craig's for 300

I think you'll still need to answer the question about what you will be using it for. If you need it for internal engine work it's a big difference between one you'd use for lugnuts. What kind of torque range do you need? Any specific drive size you're looking for?

 

[Falcon67]

I have two SanpOn units and several Craftsman. Of the 1/2 units, the slightly shorter, cheaper C-man unit is the most accurate as tested with the digital torque gauge.

 

[TMcCay]

Precision Instruments split beam. Not a digital, doesn’t need batteries and clicks to let you know it hit its mark. I’ve used the SnapOn digital and have not been impressed by them.

And they are half the cost of what the SO digitals are.

That is the one I was thinking of! My old Craftsmans are holding in there for now but these will be the ones I replace them with!

 

[Randy in Maine]

I have a Brown Line that is pretty decent for the money. I use it for mostly to torque the wheels when I rotate my tires anymore. Once in a while some more interesting stuff.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0032A60W2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[graffix000]

Precision Instruments split beam. Not a digital, doesn’t need batteries and clicks to let you know it hit its mark. I’ve used the SnapOn digital and have not been impressed by them.

And they are half the cost of what the SO digitals are.

Another vote from me. I have one and use it quite often.

 

[BillK]

My take on it for a hobby tool that will not be used very often is the good old spring type clicker wrench from Sears. I dont think you can go wrong.

I had one 1/2" drive Snap On split beam one a few years ago and it would "stick" if you didn't use it very often. You had to dial it down to almost the minimum and "click" it a couple of times and then it would work ok. I sent it back twice to be checked and calibrated and both times they said there was nothing wrong with it. The third time I sent it back UPS lost it ! My Snap On guy told me it was insured and he was getting ready to give me a new one. I told him to put it back on the shelf and give me the "regular" one instead.

I have 4 Snap On torque wrenches I use at the shop. Everything from a 1/4" drive in lb one to a 1/2" drive 50-250 ft lb. They are all the normal type "clicker" wrenches and they have been bullet proof. I have sent them back a few times for calibration and they never find anything wrong.

 

[Tallpilot]

We need to know your needs. Angle capability adds a good deal to the cost. If you don't need that the Carlyle branded Equtorque (sp?) are currently on sale for very cheap. They even have an angle version for a little more but honestly if you need angle you need CDI because the other implementations are pretty inaccurate. The Snap-on version of the CDI is better in every way and usually close to the same price if not cheaper.

 

[sweet victory]

I bought this new Cornwell digital torque wrench for $160 on ebay. They seem to have poor resale value, so it makes for some great deals in the second hand market.

DSC00791 by P A, on Flickr

 

[Mr. Tool]

Might I suggest a a Tohnichi torque wrench?

Not the cheapest of torque wrenches but definitely a lot less than Snap-On.

https://www.tohnichi.com/

When you buy a brand new Tohnichi your getting more than just a tool with torque. Your getting quality, durability, precision, accuracy, dependability along with longevity, IMHO.

Comes already set and ready to go, out of the box/case, along with manual instructions and with a certificate of calibration straight from Tohnichi lab.

I've got two of them, one in foot pounds (click type) and another in inch pounds (beam type) just excellent.

Years before I purchased Tohnichi torque wrenches, I used to use Craftsman dual beam torque wrenches, the large and mid size types, with black handles, work very well. Still have both and will still use them, from time to time, depending on what type of job is called for.

 

[plinker]

I bought one of the Snap-on 3/8 models, it's accurate and fairly fast to set & adjust. That said, I kind of prefer the clicker wrenches. More used to using them I guess.

CDI makes a digital version, a Zoro sale would be a good time to pick one up. It doesnt have the vibrate feature Snap-on does, which is nice.

 

[jhelrey]

Don't buy digital. Been there done that. More to break.

 

[Mr. Tool]

Don't buy digital. Been there done that. More to break.

100% agree on the above statement, I wouldn't even consider one.

 

[Yellow1098]

My intended use is mostly just simple things...wheels..brakes...external engine stuff...not precise internal engine use but I wouldn't mind if it would work for that...all great info here... I would like a half-inch...thank you everyone!

 

[Wamsutta]

There's no point in going digital unless it can do angles. I prefer clickers if I'm not doing angles. All the money should go into an inch pound clicker because you need them for spongy silicon gaskets and those gaskets are so sensitive to torque.

 

[Mgdoug3]

I have two 1/2 drive torque wrenches, a Snap on techniangle I traded parts for and a Performance Tool clicker type. The PT gets used more often since it's quicker and close enough is good for most things. I only use the Snap on when it's critical and on engines. I want a split beam one day but my clicker is still working like new.

 

[Tallpilot]

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQETW12FL

$129 at the moment. Hopefully someone can find you an even better deal but if not I think you will enjoy this and it will do everything you've asked just no angles. In my mind the selling point of digital besides better accuracy than split beam for less money is it is also very accurate at the low range instead of the usual 20% of scale on the mechanical types. Plus the ability to measure counter clockwise if necessary.

 

[Wamsutta]

Some of those off-brand imported torque wrenches are impossible to get parts for---and torque wrench calibration labs will refuse to calibrate them for that same reason.

 

[motox4evr]

i am going to wholly agree with mr. tool. tonichi. just started using them, and they are fantastic. i have snap on, craftsman, and mac clicker type, and this beats all of them. just a few weeks ago, tried out the new snap on digital. no thank you.

 

[Tallpilot]

Some of those off-brand imported torque wrenches are impossible to get parts for---and torque wrench calibration labs will refuse to calibrate them for that same reason.

I know you don't like anything but Snap-on (especially if someone else is paying). I have a 1/2" Techangle for when it really matters and it is hard to beat but it is also ridiculously expensive. I'm enjoying my new 3/8" Carlyle. It's quicker than a clicker and it was $119 so if it breaks I can throw it in the trash without crying. However, it seems there is a place in SC that repairs and recalibrates Equatorque wrenches. Not sure how much that costs or how long this thing will last before it needs repair but I will keep you advised.

 

[Wamsutta]

I know you don't like anything but Snap-on (especially if someone else is paying). I have a 1/2" Techangle for when it really matters and it is hard to beat but it is also ridiculously expensive. I'm enjoying my new 3/8" Carlyle. It's quicker than a clicker and it was $119 so if it breaks I can throw it in the trash without crying. However, it seems there is a place in SC that repairs and recalibrates Equatorque wrenches. Not sure how much that costs or how long this thing will last before it needs repair but I will keep you advised.

There are lots of tool brands I like besides Snap-on, but it's just that I don't trust any other brand when it comes to torque wrenches. I get spooked by cheap torque wrenches; don't need the worries.

 

[Ji m]

I have this clicker for the upper range:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C5ZL1NS/?tag=atomicindus08-20


and I just ordered this because I don't trust anything I own in the lower range to do my rod bolts:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000YOX568/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I also have a few of the $9.99 HF torque wrenches,
a Snap On 1/4" clicker that I should send in for calibration,
and my first torque wrench was a 1/2" Craftsman that fell apart after about 30 years (most of that time sitting in the drawer on the min setting).

 

[gte718p]

There are lots of tool brands I like besides Snap-on, but it's just that I don't trust any other brand when it comes to torque wrenches. I get spooked by cheap torque wrenches; don't need the worries.

I don't trust any torque wrench unless it has a traceable calibration and has not left my hands. That goes from my $20 HF clicky to my $10k precision electronic CDI wrench at work. The first stop for any torque wrench you don't know the history of is the calibration lab. Without the cal data you might as well be guessing with a normal ratchet.

The last time my wrenches went to the lab, my HF was better then my Snappy.

 

[Tonyuk]

My intended use is mostly just simple things...wheels..brakes...external engine stuff...not precise internal engine use but I wouldn't mind if it would work for that...all great info here... I would like a half-inch...thank you everyone!

If its just that kind of stuff then i wouldn't spend more than £20-50 on a torque wrench, that kind of price will get you a decent bit of kit to do the basics.

My torque wrenches are from Norbar and made in the UK, i dont know if you can get them there.

 

[Jeepster04]

I don't trust any torque wrench unless it has a traceable calibration and has not left my hands. That goes from my $20 HF clicky to my $10k precision electronic CDI wrench at work. The first stop for any torque wrench you don't know the history of is the calibration lab. Without the cal data you might as well be guessing with a normal ratchet.

The last time my wrenches went to the lab, my HF was better then my Snappy.

Where do you get them calibrated? Ive heard people say its a waste but I would like to get my craftsman checked. Its an older USA made model.

 

[lilxtra]

For the DIY'er: good click type or split beam.
****BUT*** if you build ANY modern engines you're going to need one that does angles, I have a Snap on- 1/2" Techangle I bought from a pawn shop that was just a little over a year old and was BRAND,NEW for $292 tax & all, also a 3/8" Techangle for $225 out the door brand,new as well.
If you ever build a Ford Coyote engine, I want to see you do it with a clicker, they have crazy angle values, I think the engineer was drunk!

 

[pilotmotor]

lilxtra if your referring to "torque to angle" fasteners that is easily done with an angle gauge added on to any torque wrench. The wrench does not have to have that built in.

For general use just pick up a good used non digital wrench on ebay . I've picked up older models for under $100. and I have them tested. If you don't want to have to pay for testing you can couple a known good wrench together with yours and test it that way. I have done that also and it works fine .

 

[guy48065]

After a long gap in production, Gearwrench is finally shipping their new digital, flex-head, 72-tooth, torque+angle wrenches. I dunno who has them in stock but they're starting to show up on eBay.

I'm not the biggest fan of digital shop tools but IMO the way these wrenches allow you to ratchet (reposition) without affecting angle accuracy is a HUGE improvement.

 

[monster1]

I needed a new torque wrench because my 1/2" drive usa made craftsman woukdnt go low enough to torque exhaust manifold bolts. I bought this for 15 bucks on sale.

 

[sweet victory]

I needed a new torque wrench because my 1/2" drive usa made craftsman woukdnt go low enough to torque exhaust manifold bolts. I bought this for 15 bucks on sale.

For something like 20ftlbs, you should get a 3/8 torque wrench.

 

[monster1]

For something like 20ftlbs, you should get a 3/8 torque wrench.

Yeah. It's a 3/8" drive. Not real crazy about Chinese made crapsman tools but I couldn't pass it up for what it is.

 

[gte718p]

Where do you get them calibrated? Ive heard people say its a waste but I would like to get my craftsman checked. Its an older USA made model.

Every good size town I have lived in has a calibration lab. Depending on the exact service you want expect to pay $30-$200. More expensive is not necisary better, but traceability is a legal thing and adds a good bit to the cost. It does nothing for accuracy.

If there is nothing local there are a ton of reputable places online. Google is you friend.

 

[onemanarmy]

I need a very in-frequent use in-lbs wrench....never heard of Capri tools.

anyone ever used these?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Capri-T...to-245-in-lbs-Torque-Wrench-CP31007/206975715