nomuseo Posted March 17, 2005 Share Posted March 17, 2005 I'm looking for some guidance on which brand / type of Torque wrench to buy. I will only be using it for odd jobs (wheel torqueing etc), general bike/car maintenance, so not planning on heavy usage like engine rebuilds etc...... As i'm not familiar with the US brands, I just wondered which ones are good, which ones to steer clear from etc. Given the use i'm likely to put it to, I think I need the 10-150 ft/lbs range, but would appreciate someone's 2 cents worth...... BTW, don't want to spend a fortune, but similarly, don't want one that will fall apart in no time. thanks Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rockmeupto125 Posted March 17, 2005 Share Posted March 17, 2005 Path of least resistance. Stop at Sears, pick up a Craftsman, and go about yer business. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXTi Posted March 17, 2005 Share Posted March 17, 2005 I'm really happy with my Snap-On 3/8" drive click type torque wrench. It's about 25 years old and has never failed me. I had the calibration checked recently and it's almost perfect. Joe's right though about convenience. It's always easy to find a Sears store and it's usually tough to find your area Snap-On dealer. The Craftsman stuff is good too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickrad Posted March 17, 2005 Share Posted March 17, 2005 Plus the cost issue. Snap ons are quite expensive where as the craftsman are ALOT less. You don't really compromise much quality, if your craftsman breaks or is out of calibration take it back, get a brand new one. Done. Don't get me wrong, I like snap-on but I really don't see the point in paying that much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rockmeupto125 Posted March 17, 2005 Share Posted March 17, 2005 I have a Snap-on also.....and its served me well......but you wouldn't find me buying another one simply because I no longer have the need to pay for that level of quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airborneXX Posted March 17, 2005 Share Posted March 17, 2005 I bought a Husky from home depot years ago. 1/2" drive clicker type and it has served me well. It was the same as the Craftsman, but at the time it was cheaper with the same warranty. I use mine for wheel lugs and other small jobs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red J Posted March 17, 2005 Share Posted March 17, 2005 If you have a SK dealer close by, they make a nice clicker for close to the same price as a Craftsman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jetpilot5 Posted March 17, 2005 Share Posted March 17, 2005 Whatever brand you decide on, go with a click type, not a beam type. The click type is so much easier to use it's worth the extra money. I've got Craftsman and they've worked fine for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northman Posted March 17, 2005 Share Posted March 17, 2005 Whatever brand you decide on, go with a click type, not a beam type. Â The click type is so much easier to use it's worth the extra money. Easier to use, yes, but the beam type is more accurate, and never requires calibration. I own only Snap-On, but have them calibrated yearly. Don't trust a cheap click-type torque wrench unless you've paid to have its accuracy checked, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrdxx Posted March 17, 2005 Share Posted March 17, 2005 And you probably won't find a single wrench that will adequately cover the ranges you desire. I have four torque wrenches, and am looking to add a couple more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBadExxample Posted March 17, 2005 Share Posted March 17, 2005 I have two craftsman digitork (clicker type) torque wrenches one is 5-80 ft/lbs the other is 80-250 ft/lbs. I'm pleased with both of them. You can get new ones from ebay much cheaper than retail - just my $0.02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jetpilot5 Posted March 17, 2005 Share Posted March 17, 2005 Whatever brand you decide on, go with a click type, not a beam type. Â The click type is so much easier to use it's worth the extra money. Easier to use, yes, but the beam type is more accurate, and never requires calibration. I own only Snap-On, but have them calibrated yearly. Don't trust a cheap click-type torque wrench unless you've paid to have its accuracy checked, IMO. Yup, I've heard the beam types are more accurate too. But I have to wonder how accurate they are when you're trying to stand on your head to read it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nomuseo Posted March 17, 2005 Author Share Posted March 17, 2005 Thanks all, plenty of food for thought here........ I agree on the quality of Snap-On stuff, but for the amount i'll use it I can't justify the cost, so Sears here I come it seems........ Cheers Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vetteman Posted March 18, 2005 Share Posted March 18, 2005 nothing wrong with craftsman, but if you have some time to wait you might want to hold out for a snap-on or matco from ebay. better quality and can sometimes be had for about the same price as craftsman. higher resale value too if you ever want to get rid of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iceman_40 Posted March 18, 2005 Share Posted March 18, 2005 I've got two mastercraft pro series ones that are great. No sure if you have crappy tire in the states but they got a great warrenty and well swap them at any store. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackhawkxx Posted March 18, 2005 Share Posted March 18, 2005 Where do you take it to have the accuracy checked? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northman Posted March 18, 2005 Share Posted March 18, 2005 Mine get done through my Snap-on dealer, but if you check with a local machine shop, they should know of a place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXTi Posted March 18, 2005 Share Posted March 18, 2005 I got mine checked in the calibration lab at work (for free). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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