Topic: Torque Wrenches

[Wallace]

On the market for a torque wrench, looking for suggestions  .  What brands have you used, do use or won't use?   

[emsvitil]

Harbor Freight ones are fine.

Go on sale frequently

Cheap

Have lifetime warranty

[Wallace [OP]]

http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=23529.0

read trough this, good stuff...

[TheChewMaster]

I have a harbor freight, but I'm on my second one. First one stopped "clicking" after a few months. Got a new one immediately no problem

[Dr Phat]

Go with a quality tool. If you really need a torque wrench your using it because you dont trust doing it by "feel" or its a very critical component. I have one made by CDI which is a sub company of Snap On so its still quality but not Snap On $$$.

And sure you could get a Harbor Freight one with lifetime warranty and just replace it eveytime it breaks but do you want to drive out to Harbor Frieght to torque a few bolts during a project?

Also Craftsman are spotty on there "life time warranty" when it comes to torque wrenches.

[Wainiha]

I havea Harbor Freight.  Dr. Phat makes a good point though.  I would have bought a better one if I could have afforded it.

My friend bought a 3 foot long Snap On for work, a beast.  Kind of spendy...

[TheChewMaster]

I agree with dr. Phat too. If I'm using it a lot I'd definitely buy a nicer torque wrench. Was pretty pissed when it broke because I had to over torque a bolt to figure out it wasn't working. So that sucked. If I did that on something aluminum like a tcase that would have been a guaranteed strip. So take every harbor freight tool with some skepticism IMO

[2manytoys]

I used mine to make a living so I have Snap-On, Mac and Matco. My company requires a quarterly check on all torque wrenches and multi meters because they have to warranty our work. My torque wrenches have always passed calibration checks and have never needed adjustment and I bought them in the mid 80's.

My point is, if you care enough about your work to use a torque wrench, buy something you can trust. Think of it as a lifetime investment. You'll only be buying it once if it's a good one.

Maybe the HF ones are OK. I don't personally know. Read the reviews. Whatever you buy, take good care of it.

[81 shortbed]

snap-on all the way

[mudmaster]

I have Snap-On and Mac.

[jrock]

Check your pawn shops for a SnapOn or Mac or Matco. I picked up a SnapOn for 120

[jssgbsn]

Just say NO!!! to Harbor Freight 

I dare you to find anything in there that isn't manufactured in China

It's gonna be a garbage tool.  I would only use that in an emergency.  Or really short term.  Purchase something high quality and it will last until you die.  Made in the USA, Germany, Japan.


Harbor Freight = 

[tgmaul88]

I bought my 250 ftlb snap on from CL for 150 from an old man, its never failed me

[OOPS]

Don't forget even the best torque wrenches need to be re-calibrated over time.

[mudmaster]

Don't forget even the best torque wrenches need to be re-calibrated over time.

This is true!

[twistedtoy92]

Snap-On for sure. I use mine professionally on a daily basis, check it every month and I have never had it go out of calibration in the 6 years I have been using it. Good old click style, key is to zero them out after use so they dont have constant pressure on the spring!

[jimbo74]

if you have the budget, get a snap-on (we used the snap ons with a spinning dial, click style when I worked at america's tire company and wheel works)

I have a harbor freight torque wrench, it is just fine, my wheel isn't going to fall off for being 5 foot/pounds +/-

[Prismo]

My old Craftsman has been a good tool. I have no idea what the new ones are like though.

[Wainiha]

Sears left my island.  Lame.