So after my Sears torque wrench died last year after 7 years of faithfull service, I got another one of the same. You know, black plastic handle with a black plastic lock ring.
Well, the damn lock wring broke on me, so it won't really hold a setting any more. Grrr.

What do you guys use? I am looking for something of the "all-metal construction" kind, that will handle trips to the track and such.
I also should buy a "low torque" one for the smaller bolts, I suppose...

Suggestions appreciated.
TIA

 

if your change your name to "Mike"
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...&rd=1
-
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...&rd=1


When my trailer was broken into and tq. wrench was stolen, I went the ebay route. I ended up w/ one that apparently was not used prior (or if so, it had no signs of it). I'd assume you could have a Snap-On rep calibrate it for you if needed. To me, its the best tq. wrench I have used (I am sure Matco and Mac Tool tq. wrenches are equally as good).

 

Snap-on is the best IMO. And like was mentioned you can get them recalibrated.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dmingis &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Snap-on is the best IMO.</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

when my sears came apart, they wanted $65 to repair a wrench that was on sale for $59.99 or some such number.

i went to Harbor Freight and bought the 1/2" one for $9.99. It was on sale on their website and I printed out the ad and took into the local store. it is pretty much all metal.

its great for the usual tire changing but i would likely buy better or borrow if i was replacing a head.

tom

 

how do you get the snap on re-calibrated?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by flatblkCR-X &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">how do you get the snap on re-calibrated? </TD></TR></TABLE>

by a snap-on tool/service rep..

I have a snap on one.. I actually had trouble figuring out how to use it, but it's a nice SOLID piece..

actually, SJR, if you want mine, I'll cut you a good deal on it.. I have about 8 torque wrenches and never use it.. it comes with a nice red hard plastic case..

 

hmmm, i also use the ten dollar half inch wrench from harbor freight. can't say i've ever used a snap-on, but for the dirt-cheapness it's definitely worth it as a temp or back up tool.

 

i have two.. the sears one, and a snapon one. the snapon one is fantastic.. except that it doesn't go below 50..

 

I bought a 40-250lb Snap-on on Ebay, and am bidding on another one that would go from 20-100. There's also one from 5-75, which I'll bid on if I don't the the 100lb one.
The big one is the dual-beam type, not micrometer, which is supposed to be pretty much indestructible. i.e. perfect to take to the track!

mstewar: thanks for the offer, what's the specs on your snap-on?

 

I have a snap-on qd2r100. It's a 3/8 20-100. I also have a snap-on digital techwrench and I have a 1/2 craftsman, on loan from a friend.

I love the techwrench the most, but the clicker snap-on works great. (I am selling it by the way)

The craftsman is good for lug nuts, the ratcheting mechanism must be wearing down, as the wrench will slip alot.

 

Bought one from the guy in AR and it was very good for the price. If all you want it for is to take to the track for lugnuts and an ocassional repair then this sort of "click type" will be fine. The Snap-On units are NOT cheap to recalibrate and are NOT done on the truck. We have 2 1/2" drive Craftsman click type and a 3/8" as well. The smaller one stays in the shop and we take one 1/2" in a molded case to the track-this works for our needs. If you have a Harbor Freight store close to you then check them out. We don't so the shipping would be comparable to the guy in AR who has been on e-Bay for a very long time.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jc836 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The Snap-On units are NOT cheap to recalibrate and are NOT done on the truck. </TD></TR></TABLE>

It's about $40 for most click-type wrenches and it takes a business week usually.

There is also 3rd party websites that do it for about the same price, also calibrate craftsman, kd, mac, matco, cornwell, and whatever else.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SJR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
mstewar: thanks for the offer, what's the specs on your snap-on?</TD></TR></TABLE>

it's either 20-100 or 20-200, IIRC.. I'll have my dad check tonight to confirm, as it currently is in our barn..

 

I really enjoy my Matco torque wrench. Very nice and goes down to ~20 ft-lbs.

 

I have two Snap-On and by far the best i have used. Don't ever get the Am Pro torque wrench which was 10 lbs off and never EVER drop your torque wrench.

 

i have been using sk for a while, the ones with the plastic handle. my 1/2 inch broke, the handle kept spinning but didn't adjust. I gave it to our matco tool guy and he sent it out and had it fixed and recalibrated for $65.00.

 

I typically use the Craftsman beam-style wrench and it has worked great for me for the past 2 years or so.

I also occasionally use my Harbor Freight Clicker-type I got for cheap, and it's been dead accurate and reliable, and it feels extremely solid.

 

just remeber that torque wrenches are most accurate in the middle of the range.

I have found the 0-75 ft-lbs snap on wrench to be very good. Most of the bolts are in the middle of the range.

 

Snap-On digital torque wrench here and love it!

-Victor

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 97 TYPE-R 312 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Snap-On digital torque wrench here and love it!

-Victor</TD></TR></TABLE>

same here. I am getting rid of my snap-on clicker because I never use it anymore. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...74354

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mstewar &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

it's either 20-100 or 20-200, IIRC.. I'll have my dad check tonight to confirm, as it currently is in our barn..</TD></TR></TABLE>

confirmed it's 20-200.. this style:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...&rd=1

 

I think the digital TechWrench form SnapOn are great.

However, for wheels, I prefer 'clickers' instead of the beep/vibrate of the digital Techwrenches.

I spoke to a SnapOn rep, and he says SnapOn reccomends rebuilding/recalibrating the mechanical 'clickers' about every 6000 clicks. They aren't just calibrated, rather, the mechanical cliker and spring mechanism (you'd know what I'm talking about if you know how a torque wrench works) are rebuilt/replaced and the wrench is tested. Digital torque wrenches, the rep told me, do not need to be rebuilt because they dont use a mechanical means of measuring/controlling the torque; its digital.

For precise work, like putting engines and transmissions together, I'd use nothing but a dial-indicator torque meter.