What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

School me on torque wrenches

79rustyk10

79rustyk10

3/4 ton status
Joined
Sep 21, 2008
Posts
6,796
Reaction score
1,346
Location
Bikini Atol
Im not really sure what to look for. I was thinking snap on, as I know they make good stuff, but that means $$$$$$. I am not a mechanic and I will never use it daily, but I want something good that I can assemble bottom ends and what-not and not worry about accuracy.

My old crapsman beam type has done well fo far, but now its time to step up to something of quality, now that Im to the point of spending some actual money on engine parts. Price is somewhat of a factor, I wont spend $600 on one, but this is an investment I plan to have forever.
 
I have a Husky Brand, it starts at 20ft-lbs and goes up to about 250ft-lbs. It is a click type, and the click is very obvious. The tools seems to be pretty good quality, I'm sure to clean it up and store it back in the case at the lowest torque setting. Not sure on the price, I got it as a gift and have had it for a good 5 years, but it couldn't be more than $100.00. I'm sure it is nothing compared to a Snap-On, but it is definitely one of the "nicer" tools in my collection.
 
Snap on makes awesome torque wrenches. I use them every single day. There pricy though.
 
rdn2blazer said:
Snap on makes awesome torque wrenches. I use them every single day. There pricy though.
Click to expand...

truth.

me to. i have the dual beam style. with the thumb adjustment, because i hate hate hate the twist handle and haveing to release it every time i'm finished with it.

for instance a buddy of mine that I worked with for a while too, was a flat rate automotive mechanic for 15 years before flipping to HD. but his 3/8s snapon dual beam was just as old. never had it calibrated the whole time he owned it. we the shop we were working at paid for a mobile tool calibration truck to come to our shop every year. and do all the shop tools. bonus was we got all our own tools done for free. so he kicks his 15 years old 3/8 in. and it comes back bang on calibrated. no need for adjustment. quality does that. the snapon 3/8 dual beam isn't more than a couple hundred IIRC. WELL worth that investment. I've used snapons digital units, with the integrated torque turn angle finder. I just don't like them. and THOSE are big dollar units.


I have husky 3/8 and 1/2 at home...... I used at work before I bough snapon. my 1/2" will not calibrate over 200ftlbs. by the 2nd year useing it. Junk. and that was my 2nd one already on warrantee.
 
All of my torque wrenches are Snap-on (all 6 of them) Look on e-bay, that's where i bought all of mine and then if they are used you can have them sent out for calibration and be money ahead over buying them new from Snap-on.

The most i paid for any of my Snap-on torque wrenches off of e-bay was $142.00 delivered to my door for a 3/4" drive 200-600 ft lb. wrench. This wrench from Snap-on was a little over $700.00 at the time i bought it.
 
I will tell you Matco torque click type and digital torque wrenches have a closer allowable tolerance than Snap-ON(Matco is 3% Snap-On is 4%). And if you want a dual beam, buy Precision Instrument. They finally are able to sell to the general public, it is THE wrench that Snap-On sells for a lot less.
 
Will the Snap-On prices be cheaper on the truck than they are online?

Either way, Off to ebay to see what I can find.

And is there a range that would be better than the others? I know of nothing other than my tractor that would need more than 200 ft. lbs. ever.(The cylinder head nut are tightened to 308 ft lbs)
 
i have a Mac 3/8" 25-150 and a Mac 1/2" 50- 250 ft. lb. and they both work well. I think the 1/2" was $250 and 3/8" was $200, that was about 4 years ago. they are both still accurate and when i use them its usually head bolts or ring gear bolts. i recomend them, but that depends on your budget and what tool maker u prefer.
 
79rustyk10 said:
Will the Snap-On prices be cheaper on the truck than they are online?

Either way, Off to ebay to see what I can find.

And is there a range that would be better than the others? I know of nothing other than my tractor that would need more than 200 ft. lbs. ever.(The cylinder head nut are tightened to 308 ft lbs)
Click to expand...

Snap-on online is the same price as your local dealer. I just placed an order from Snap-on online and while i did have to pay sales tax it was free shipping.

What are you needing to torque? A torque wrench is typically the most accurate halfway between its range. For someone at home i would suggest a 3/8" drive clicker that goes from 20-100 ft. lbs. such as this one...http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...1&group_ID=958&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog and then also a 1/2" drive that goes from 50-250 ft. lbs such as this one...http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...7&group_ID=958&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Here is a nice one on e-bay for the 3/8" drive. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SNAP...tZMotors_Automotive_Tools?hash=item45f0cffefa

Here is a nice one on e-bay for the 1/2" drive. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SNAP...tZMotors_Automotive_Tools?hash=item35a6ddc64e
 
those ebay 3/8 and 1/2 ones are both the ones I use at work, the shop toolroom has the 3/4 drive. and the hydraulic torque wrenches.
 
The hydraulic torque wrench for when its really really gotta be tight. After seeing a 2 and 1/2 inch drive socket it was like a six and a half inch socket:eek1: You know that took some torque to get tight
 
Whats it cost to get one calibrated? Luckily, i don't do anything too demanding on mine accuracy wise.....but i just have a 1/2" drive craftsman click type. Mostly used for torquing lug nuts, etc.
 
dhcomp said:
Whats it cost to get one calibrated? Luckily, i don't do anything too demanding on mine accuracy wise.....but i just have a 1/2" drive craftsman click type. Mostly used for torquing lug nuts, etc.
Click to expand...

All depends on where you take it. I had Snap-on calibrate a few from my shop and they charged like 70.00 each but there are mobile calibration people that are far cheaper.
 
I usually get them calibrated between $25-45 a shot, plus shipping. Takes a few weeks, but plenty reasonable and good work.
 
TQR250E....... i regret buying this...

i wouldve rather bought the click style wrench from the "snap on guy"

For the price i paid, to only have 5 lb increments and no reverse, no thx.

Even though ive never needed, and will probally never need reverse, it would be cool to have the option.

And the head on the ratchet doesnt sit flush with the main shaft (if that makes sense) kinda of irks me. The snap on guy said "if its still accurate, then nothing is wrong." But something kinda pisses me off about paying top dollar for a tool, and to having it look janky.
 
Silver84k5 said:
TQR250E....... i regret buying this...

i wouldve rather bought the click style wrench from the "snap on guy"

For the price i paid, to only have 5 lb increments and no reverse, no thx.

Even though ive never needed, and will probally never need reverse, it would be cool to have the option.

And the head on the ratchet doesnt sit flush with the main shaft (if that makes sense) kinda of irks me. The snap on guy said "if its still accurate, then nothing is wrong." But something kinda pisses me off about paying top dollar for a tool, and to having it look janky.
Click to expand...

Most torque wrenches cannot be used in "reverse" thus why they don't have an option for reverse.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom