Your Torque Wrench?

Sears has Craftsmen torque wrenches on sale quite often. Mine has worked well for 7 years.

westend wrote:
Bruce,
There was a review of torque wrenches in a popular auto magazine (can't find the link) and they concluded that the HF wrench was as accurate as the Snap-on model. The review didn't cover durability, though.

I think you are right. I will buy the Craftsman that is on sale. As far as that article; is it the one in this post from the first page of this thread?

gbopp wrote:

nomad297 wrote:

gbopp wrote:
Torque Wrench Posts

Being the idiot I am, I didn't even think to do a search. There is a lot of information here about torque wrenches, but not many posts stating the preferred make and model.

Bruce

You will get a lot of opinions on preferred wrenches.

Here is an article, I think it's a couple years old, from Car Craft Magazine on Torque Wrench Testing.

Let us know what you decide to buy. I don't own a torque wrench so, I can't give you my opinion.

Enjoy your travels.

I got two from Harbor Freight since they run specials on a regular basis (torque wrenches for little $$). I have a 1/2" and 3/8"…but make sure you know that the smaller ones are usually in inch pounds and the larger ones are foot pounds. You need to make the conversion (if needed) to ensure you get the right torque.

Bruce,
It sounds like you are locked onto getting a torque wrench so the only decision left is what wrench is going to give you the best economic value for your intended use. Having aircraft accuracy is not going to be a deciding piece of the puzzle although a wrench that is somewhat accurate is needed. Even the cheapest HF and Sears wrenches will be accurate enough for your purpose.
I would suggest that you get not the lowest priced model but slightly above that tier.

There was a review of torque wrenches in a popular auto magazine (can't find the link) and they concluded that the HF wrench was as accurate as the Snap-on model. The review didn't cover durability, though.

That Craftsman on sale wrench should work out well for you, IMO.

Tom/Barb wrote:
The most accurate torque wrench is a bending bar style. never buy a cheap wrench. were i buying new torque wrench I'd get a digital load cell type. one in inch pounds and one in foot pounds.

What do you consider to be a cheap torque wrench?

Bruce

The most accurate torque wrench is a bending bar style. never buy a cheap wrench. were i buying new torque wrench I'd get a digital load cell type. one in inch pounds and one in foot pounds.

I keep a set of Harbor "Frights" in the MoHo, but compare them to my old Snap-on dial indicator wrench occasionally. I have been pleasantly surprised by their accuracy!

That said, I had a cheapie (not Harbor Freight) stick (didn't click!) one time when I was torqueing down a water pump on my '92 F-250 460. Had to extract a bolt before I figgered out that I really wasn't that weak!

As I recall, taking out the unbroken bolts required about 150-ft.lb. for 3/8 bolts! Scary!

I've never owned a torque wrench but plan to get one soon since I'm having all the tires replaced on my fifth wheel. I want to be sure the mechanic torques the lugs to spec since most like to use impact wrenches. Additionally, I want to recheck the torque shortly thereafter, as recommended. I looked at a Craftsman model today and will also check Harbor Freight.

From what I understand, it's best to get a model that
is good for twice the torque you expect to use (IOW, if your lugnuts take 110 lbs it's best to get a torque wrench rated for about 250 lbs). The reason is that they are more accurate if not used towards the end of the scale. (from what I've read).

I keep a 1/2" torque wrench fro Harbor Freight handy for checking lug nuts before traveling. I got it and a set of 1/2" sockets for a good deal. Both came with a lifetime warranty but so far haven't needed to test it.

Mootpoint wrote:
I remember when we were kids, yes I can remember that far back, we would rebuild several engines over the course of the summer. We didn't have a torque wrench. We measured by the grunt. 2 grunts to loosen it - 2 grunts to tighten it.:B

A lot depends on who is doing the grunting..:B

And/or how to measure the "grunt factor" from one guy to the next.

I worked with a guy... "Big Mitch".
If Mitch tightened something *hand* tight, it was *wrench* tight for you to loosen.

Years later I met a guy who went to HS with Mitch.
Everybody was a hot-rodder - or at least thought they were.
Mitch was a nice helpful guy - but they would turn down his assistance for working on engines or replacing transmissions,etc.

Said Mitch would either break bolts - or bend/break their open-end wrenches...:B

Don't think he ever grunted, LOL!

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