Torque Wrench
#1
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Troy, MI, USA
Posts: 1,041
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Torque Wrench
Well, I am going to be purchasing a torque wrench soon, and was looking for suggestions (with support, of coarse!) and and input in general. Thanks!
#2
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Northern CA.
Posts: 5,321
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Car: '82 Z28
Engine: 350
Transmission: TH400 4,000 stall
Axle/Gears: Currie 9", 4.56 gears
Make sure you back off the adjustment when you're done to keep an acurate reading the next time it's in use
#3
TGO Supporter
if price isn't a consideration i'd buy snap-on wrenches. i have 2 in ft/lbs with the thumb wheel dial adjustment and flex head, one micro adjustable type in in/lbs and a dial type in in/lbs. for a budget one i'd look at sears craftsman
#5
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Troy, MI, USA
Posts: 1,041
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I wasnt planning on taking shortcuts or buying a cheapo. I probably should have been more specific. I was wondering not only brand, but also type/style prefrences (and arguments, if possible). Great replies so far though!
#6
Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Centreville Va
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 92 RS
Engine: 350
Transmission: auto
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Craftsman is all I buy. Havent tried any Snap-on tools before so I have no idea if they are better or not. I do know that I rarely have problems with craftsman tools, and when I do then I just walk back to sears and hand them the pieces and walk away with a new one As for holding up, my dads had 2 craftsman torque wrenches for at least 10 years now and I just used both today.
Oh, and I doubt youll break anything often. We only managed it when we were using a 24 inch breaker bar with I think a 1 inch or thereabouts socket on the tractors lug nuts. We was still popping the torque wrench maxed out at 320 something so we went to the bar and put a 5 foot pipe over the end of the bar as well.. dad and i heaved and BANG! Pieces of bar and socket everywhere
So, trip down to sears, new bar and socket later allong with a new 4 foot breaker bar and we were back in business.
Just go get craftsman, great for tools etc. Stop when you get to power tools though.
Oh, and I doubt youll break anything often. We only managed it when we were using a 24 inch breaker bar with I think a 1 inch or thereabouts socket on the tractors lug nuts. We was still popping the torque wrench maxed out at 320 something so we went to the bar and put a 5 foot pipe over the end of the bar as well.. dad and i heaved and BANG! Pieces of bar and socket everywhere
So, trip down to sears, new bar and socket later allong with a new 4 foot breaker bar and we were back in business.
Just go get craftsman, great for tools etc. Stop when you get to power tools though.
#7
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Malvern, OH
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
OK- Craftsman is decent on hand wrenches. Their ratchets are a joke! My dad is also a Craftsman fan because of the guarantee. And by the way, the guarantee doesn't apply to torque wrenches, there is a $50.00 re-calibration fee on them.(I know, I have my dad's old one.)
But about there ratchets.... lifetime guarantee is nice, but that's not gonna help you when you bust a knuckle cause the thing slipped....
Snap-On ratchets, best ratchets money can buy. They also have a lifetime guarantee. Yes, you have to wait for the Snap-On man to come around, but you won't have to go see him near as much as you will have to go to Sears for Craftsman ratchets. I don't know about Snap-On Torque wrenches, never used one, but as far as they're regular ratchets, they blow Craftsman away.
I guess it all depends on how much you use your tools. If you only use use them now and then, Craftsman is fine. My dad doesn't do much and his tools work fine for him. I use and abuse my tools on a daily basis. I own Craftsman ratchets and it's funny, right now my 3/8" ratchet is slipping and needs to go back to Sears and my 1/2" ratchet is brand spanking new....again!
My torque wrench also needs re-calibrated, again! I use a friends Snap-On ratchets and they are great! Only downfall to Snap-Ons, the socket is a little harder to get on and off then the Craftsman, but other then that they beat Craftsman in every aspect.
But about there ratchets.... lifetime guarantee is nice, but that's not gonna help you when you bust a knuckle cause the thing slipped....
Snap-On ratchets, best ratchets money can buy. They also have a lifetime guarantee. Yes, you have to wait for the Snap-On man to come around, but you won't have to go see him near as much as you will have to go to Sears for Craftsman ratchets. I don't know about Snap-On Torque wrenches, never used one, but as far as they're regular ratchets, they blow Craftsman away.
I guess it all depends on how much you use your tools. If you only use use them now and then, Craftsman is fine. My dad doesn't do much and his tools work fine for him. I use and abuse my tools on a daily basis. I own Craftsman ratchets and it's funny, right now my 3/8" ratchet is slipping and needs to go back to Sears and my 1/2" ratchet is brand spanking new....again!
My torque wrench also needs re-calibrated, again! I use a friends Snap-On ratchets and they are great! Only downfall to Snap-Ons, the socket is a little harder to get on and off then the Craftsman, but other then that they beat Craftsman in every aspect.
Trending Topics
#8
Get a micrometer adjust, click type torque wrench, they are about the best because you don't have to look at them for torque, they let you know when you're there. The bar type torque wrench has its uses but very few and is a pain to use if you can't easily see the pointer and the numbers on the face.
And I take exception to the notion that Craftsman ratchets are junk. I own all Craftsman ratchets, 6 total, and have never had a problem with them and I use them professionally (I'm an aircraft mechanic). I have 3 of them that I got back in 1979 when I was in A&P school that have served me well, the 1/4" drive one needs to be rebuilt (I put a lot of torque on it), after 23 years I'd say that is acceptable.
The only real advantage that Snapon has over Craftsman is they make a wider range of tools, the disadvantage is they cost 4+ times as much.
~M~
P.S. Snapon doesn't guarentee their torque wrenches either and they darn sure don't calibrate them for free.
And I take exception to the notion that Craftsman ratchets are junk. I own all Craftsman ratchets, 6 total, and have never had a problem with them and I use them professionally (I'm an aircraft mechanic). I have 3 of them that I got back in 1979 when I was in A&P school that have served me well, the 1/4" drive one needs to be rebuilt (I put a lot of torque on it), after 23 years I'd say that is acceptable.
The only real advantage that Snapon has over Craftsman is they make a wider range of tools, the disadvantage is they cost 4+ times as much.
~M~
P.S. Snapon doesn't guarentee their torque wrenches either and they darn sure don't calibrate them for free.
Last edited by Morley; 05-20-2002 at 10:06 AM.
#9
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Troy, MI, USA
Posts: 1,041
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have a bunch of craftsman tools, and I am fairly happy with em, so I'll prolly get a craftsman TW... Now, to find time (hmm...next week perhapse)...
#10
Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: New Iberia, Louisiana
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1987 Camaro
Engine: V6 2.8L
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: stock?
Re: Torque Wrench
Wow!
This is a REALLY old post!
But, I don't see the harm in NOT posting a whole new thread for the same question.
I'll be doing a 2.8-3.4 swap...
My questions about buying torque wrenches include:
Will I need one of every size drive?
What's the highest torque I'll need to use?
Thank you in advance.
This is a REALLY old post!
But, I don't see the harm in NOT posting a whole new thread for the same question.
I'll be doing a 2.8-3.4 swap...
My questions about buying torque wrenches include:
Will I need one of every size drive?
What's the highest torque I'll need to use?
Thank you in advance.
Last edited by Crux; 06-11-2008 at 02:53 AM.
#11
Junior Member
Re: Torque Wrench
If your going to swap cylinder heads or do bottom end work, your going to need one with 50-250ft-lbs capacity. Harbor freight tools has an Icon 1/2 " p/n 64064 for $100
#13
Re: Torque Wrench
Do a search, Hot Rod or Car Craft tested quite a few torque wrenches side by side. Believe it or not the Harbor Freight torque wrenches are right up there. I have a few Snapon that I've had for years in all ranges. But I also have a couple of the HF 1/2" drive ones. The adjustment on a torque wrench is dependent on the pressure on the spring inside. If you back the tension off every time it will prevent the spring from losing tension.
I did notice HF now has a professional line of torque wrenches.
I did notice HF now has a professional line of torque wrenches.
#14
Supreme Member
iTrader: (15)
Re: Torque Wrench
Do a search, Hot Rod or Car Craft tested quite a few torque wrenches side by side. Believe it or not the Harbor Freight torque wrenches are right up there.If you back the tension off every time it will prevent the spring from losing tension.
I did notice HF now has a professional line of torque wrenches.
I did notice HF now has a professional line of torque wrenches.
#15
Junior Member
Re: Torque Wrench
Speaking of Autozone, if your only going to use the torque wrench a few times, you could get away with renting or borrowing one from Autozone or Advance Auto Parts, or a good buddy.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
no green
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
11
01-09-2016 09:22 PM