Buying a new torque wrench?

[kurtis500]

I saw the thread on torque wrenches and had a quick question. If you were to buy one today in 1/2" drive that is quality and will last 20 years without breaking the bank what would you get?

 

[HB2Havasu]

I just purchased this one. It seems to be good quality for the money. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MKSJ4SG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Harbor Freight Icon line.

The Husky one I got at Home Depot has also lasted 20 years.

 

[sintax]

i'm sure the quality has gone down hill, but i've had good luck with my 12 year old Craftsmen click wrenches. They seem pretty good.

Maybe check out some youtubes? I know there's a lot of guys on there that obsess over details that I'd never think about. So i like watching some of those reviews before making a call. I've been happy so far.

 

[rivermobster]

Snap-On.

Harbour Freight would be my very last choice.

I do have a couple of low torque ones from Mac that have served me well too.

 

[ramos45]

This guy, it was $30 cheaper when i picked it up in 2018 but i like the range and don't have to reset it to zero( i do anyways)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002XMSFIM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Orange Juice]

unless you’re into torquing the lug nuts on your car, I’d ask a friend if it’s possible to borrow it. He might just sell it to you for half off.

Those things take up good space.

 

[lbhsbz]

Split beam type…

Precision Instruments PREC3FR250F Silver 1/2" Drive Split Beam Torque Wrench with Flex Head https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002XMSFI...abc_3JT02YFV1TCXGG7ZGFSR?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Same as snap on, but blue instead of red.

 

[67Charger]

Split beam type…

Precision Instruments PREC3FR250F Silver 1/2" Drive Split Beam Torque Wrench with Flex Head https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002XMSFI...abc_3JT02YFV1TCXGG7ZGFSR?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Same as snap on, but blue instead of red.

I have this one in 3/8ths and use it for everything. Just used it last week to do head gaskets on a BBM. VERY nice wrenches.

 

[lbhsbz]

Whatever you do, don’t one of those electronic beeping fucking things that talk to you unless it’s getting used daily. The batteries will be dead whenever you need them to not be, and you’ll say fuckit and use yore impact anyway…

 

[jailbird141]

Go to a swap meet and buy a used one. You may come across a used Snap-On, Matco or older Craftsman, then have it calibrated. Old tools last way longer than the new crap.

 

[SoCalDave]

Split beam type…

Precision Instruments PREC3FR250F Silver 1/2" Drive Split Beam Torque Wrench with Flex Head https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002XMSFI...abc_3JT02YFV1TCXGG7ZGFSR?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Same as snap on, but blue instead of red.

This. We have the 3/8, 1/2 & 3/4 drive ones at work and they serve us very well.

 

[lbhsbz]

Go to a swap meet and buy a used one. You may come across a used Snap-On, Matco or older Craftsman, then have it calibrated. Old tools last way longer than the new crap.

I would not recommend this…many older torque wrenches have been “obsoleted” and you can’t find anyone to calibrate them or service them. If it’s critical enough to grab a torque wrench for, it’s critical enough to buy a new quality torque wrench for

 

[ElAzul]

Side question, how do you guys store yores? No tension, little tension or whatever it was last time you used it? I tend to do all 3

 

[dribble]

Either this one.

1/2 in. Drive, 50-250 ft. lb. Professional Click Torque Wrench

Amazing deals on this 1/2In Dr Click Type Pro Torque Wrench at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

or this one

Proto Micrometer Ratcheting Head Torque Wrench, 1/2 in Drive Size, 50 ft lb to 250 ft lb torque increments J6014C | Zoro

Order Proto Micrometer Ratcheting Head Torque Wrench, 1/2 in Drive Size, 50 ft lb to 250 ft lb torque increments, J6014C at Zoro.com. Great prices & free shipping on orders over $50 when you sign in or sign up for an account.

www.zoro.com

 

[D19]

I bought this one a few months back to assemble a jet ski engine. No complaints

TEKTON 1/2 in. Drive Click Torque Wrench (10-150 ft.-lb.) 24335 - The Home Depot

Equip your cars, trucks and SUVs with the selection of this Drive Click Torque Wrench from TEKTON. Offers lasting durability.

www.homedepot.com

 

[Blubyu]

Snap-On.... If budget is an issue, HarborFrieght Icon line.

 

[DLC]

I bought a crapsman 30 ok 28 years ago works great today! Also have a snappy flex head in 3/8 I got used off a snap truck

id go tekton or icon for the amount you actually use it.

 

[Your ad here]

Side question, how do you guys store yores? No tension, little tension or whatever it was last time you used it? I tend to do all 3

I set mine back to the lowest setting and put it in its case.

 

[lbhsbz]

Side question, how do you guys store yores? No tension, little tension or whatever it was last time you used it? I tend to do all 3

Split beam?…throw it in the drawer. Micrometer type…back it off to no spring tension and put it in its case.

 

[stingray11]

You will need more than one. Inch pounds 0-150- foot pounds in 3/8 15-100- foot pounds in 3/4 100-600
Snap-on only way to go
Think about it?

 

[C08H18]

Few months ago i bought hte Tekton 1/2" off of Amazon. Liked it so much i also bought their 1/4"

 

[TPC]

I had an expensive Strap On but someone with light fingers walked off with it.

Kobalt at Lowe’s with coupon
Seems like I’m always the only guy in camp with one.
It’s served RDP members well.

 

[TimeBandit]

Whatever you do, don’t one of those electronic beeping fucking things that talk to you unless it’s getting used daily. The batteries will be dead whenever you need them to not be, and you’ll say fuckit and use yore impact anyway…

The trick is to take one battery out and leave it in the case that way none of them go dead due to the keep alive circuit, I've had digital wrenches for 20 years no issues by doing that... And the wizardry that keeps the angle counter working even in tight spaces is a miracle a lot of bolts are stretched to yield and getting an accurate 180° in an engine compartment is impossible without a digital torque wrench with this feature.

 

[lbhsbz]

getting an accurate 180° in an engine compartment is impossible without a digital torque wrench with this feature.

A paint pen cost a dollar....put a dot on the bolt head towards the front of the motor, stop turning them when the marks are towards the firewall....use a breaker bar. I probably did 200+ VO6 headgasket campaigns at toyota this way...worked fine. That was actually the procedure written in the campaign service information IIRC. Its been 20 + years though...I might be wrong

 

[SixD9R]

It’s hard to find a better tool for the money than Tekton right now.
Is Snap-on or the other pro grade stuff better? They probably are but for occasional homeowner type use that level really isn’t needed.
$135 for the whole set.

1/4, 3/8, 1/2 Inch Drive Torque Wrench Set | TEKTON®

Includes 3 torque wrenches covering the torque ranges 20-200 in.-lb., 10-80 ft.-lb., and 25-250 ft.-lb. Each wrench comes in an individual storage case. Free Shipping.

www.tekton.com

 

[77charger]

Have an older craftman i got the first when they warrantied them for life.It suddenly went out and i didnt have receipt and found out now limited on torque wrenches luckily the guy honored it as a favor and got another one its been in my box for a while forst one i got around 98.

I rarely use it unless i decide to work on an engine and now that i no longer have a vw powered sand rail its only used on my jet ski.Just used other day for impeller.

 

[monkeyswrench]

I have a 3/8's Husky that I've have for 27yrs...first one. I usually have it checked in spring, rape van has a measuremometer thing. He knows one of these times one will be off and he'll get a sale. I have clicker and digital 1/2 and 3/8 Mac, and a snap-on 1/4 inch pound clicker. Need to get a beam inch pound though.
If you get a digital, I pull batteries. Same with my nice digital calipers...the HF ones I don't more worried about battery corrosion.