Decent Torque Wrench
TECH Addict
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,417
Likes: 0
From: Waldwick, NJ
I've used Craftsman, 3/8 when I did head gasket work, bought a 1/2 inch for suspension work. The 1/2 was on sale for $65.
I'm a little worried though, I dropped the 3/8s one when I moved out of the barracks when I finished my time up with the Navy, where can I get a Craftsman torque wrench recalibrated??
I'm a little worried though, I dropped the 3/8s one when I moved out of the barracks when I finished my time up with the Navy, where can I get a Craftsman torque wrench recalibrated??
Originally Posted by 2002 Trans Am
Originally Posted by mrdragster1970
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The fancy ones can get crazy. Sears seems to have the best bang for the buck.
Plus they have sales once in a while, keep ur eyes open.
.
The fancy ones can get crazy. Sears seems to have the best bang for the buck.
Plus they have sales once in a while, keep ur eyes open.
.
Craftsman 1/2 inch drive Digitork 25-250 ft-lbs +
Craftsman 3/8 inch drive 10-75 ft-lbs (SALE) +
Metric 1/2 inch drive socket set 12-21mm
Throwing them on top of the huge piles of parts I have sitting in my room.
TECH Addict
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,417
Likes: 0
From: Waldwick, NJ
Originally Posted by Beaflag VonRathburg
I just got these today:
Craftsman 1/2 inch drive Digitork 25-250 ft-lbs +
Craftsman 3/8 inch drive 10-75 ft-lbs (SALE) +
Metric 1/2 inch drive socket set 12-21mm
Throwing them on top of the huge piles of parts I have sitting in my room.
Craftsman 1/2 inch drive Digitork 25-250 ft-lbs +
Craftsman 3/8 inch drive 10-75 ft-lbs (SALE) +
Metric 1/2 inch drive socket set 12-21mm
Throwing them on top of the huge piles of parts I have sitting in my room.
Staging Lane
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
I read this thread as I was looking for an electronic torque wrench, well I came across one at sears for $229. It's a 3/8ths drive. It came with a calibration sheet as well. It all showed to be under .3% tolerance.
After using it to torque some flywheel bolts, I am thoroughly pleased. It gives you the torque reading as you wrench, then a green, yellow, red light as you near the torque setting, Plus an audible tone. It also gives the high reading. If you set it at 25 ft. lbs and went a little over it'll show that.
I am not sure of the other brands as far as feachers go, but I almost baught one from the snap on man, but he didn't have one on the truck, and I believe it was $300.
After using it to torque some flywheel bolts, I am thoroughly pleased. It gives you the torque reading as you wrench, then a green, yellow, red light as you near the torque setting, Plus an audible tone. It also gives the high reading. If you set it at 25 ft. lbs and went a little over it'll show that.
I am not sure of the other brands as far as feachers go, but I almost baught one from the snap on man, but he didn't have one on the truck, and I believe it was $300.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,401
Likes: 0
From: MA
I have to disagree. My craftsman tq wrench was barely used and the adjuster broke. Turns out they don't have the lifetime warranty(weak)...I went online to sears to see about a users manual, and happened upon the reviews of the wrench, I have linked it below. Most of the reviews are people complaining that it was barely used and broke the same way and no warranty do not buy junk. That's why I'm in this thread, I'm searching for info on which one to buy, but I know not craftsman.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...+torque+wrench
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I have craftsman 3/8" ft/lb and 3/8" inch/lb and they have both been excellent for me. How accurate they are, I do not know. I do know my head gaskets do not leak. I have been mulling around to buy a 1/2 " one but i will probably buy another craftsman. I have the ones where you spin the handle to get to desired torque setting and then it clicks. I like it, the locking thing does come loose sometimes so i just make sure I watch what i am doing. I working on cars was my job I would probably dish out the money for a really nice one; but I just sort of screw around in my garage. for the record, i have never torques my lugs, but if i had the torque wrench that went up to 100ft/lb i definitely would. Ingersol Rand power three is what i use 
its a bad idea, i know
for the record, i have had the ft/lb one for about 7 years, the inch/lb one for about 4 years
its a bad idea, i knowfor the record, i have had the ft/lb one for about 7 years, the inch/lb one for about 4 years
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,401
Likes: 0
From: MA
I think I might order a $20 from harbor freight and see how long it lasts and test the accuracy occasionally. I know it's cheap, but can't be worse than the craftsman. The other thing I'm thinking of doing is getting a fish scale and pulling from a foot out on the breaker bar and torque that way, then I won't have to worry about a good vs cheap tq wrench.
anyone had any experience with this northern tool one? Limetime warranty sounds nice, if it is accurate.
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...3524_200263524
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...3524_200263524
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,401
Likes: 0
From: MA
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,401
Likes: 0
From: MA
Does anybody have any feedback about the torque sticks? I had one in my shopping cart at snapon.com, went to check out, and the link gives me an error, and I can't find it on the site anymore...looks like they discontinued it or something...but anyway, checked ebay and there are a ton of sets of them on there. Anybody know how reliable or unreliable or reasons to or not to buy these?
6 & 8 Second Club
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,284
Likes: 0
From: Illinois, RT 66 dragway area
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I'm sure there are stories about just about anything breaking. Even $400 professional models will break once in a while. I stand by what I said. I personally have never seen or heard about anyone have a problem with a Sears wrench. As I said, I only know about the $100-150 model's. Even a local Pro-Stock guy I know uses one. Just don't think buying a $20-40 wrench is even worth risking. That's just me. I've seen too many rods come loose from guys trying to be cheap. Be safe everyone.
.
I'm sure there are stories about just about anything breaking. Even $400 professional models will break once in a while. I stand by what I said. I personally have never seen or heard about anyone have a problem with a Sears wrench. As I said, I only know about the $100-150 model's. Even a local Pro-Stock guy I know uses one. Just don't think buying a $20-40 wrench is even worth risking. That's just me. I've seen too many rods come loose from guys trying to be cheap. Be safe everyone.
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Believe it or not I've had a Craftsman beam torque wrench for 45 years. Had it since I was 16 years old. I now only use it for lug nuts. I'm not a real fan of Craftman tools these days, I think their quality has been compromised.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,401
Likes: 0
From: MA
The good part about craftsman is their warranty, which of course doesn't apply to the torque wrenches. I have an old beam one, and looking at other beam ones, but a clicker is so much easier to use because you don't have to line up your eye with the scale.
I'm still looking for some feedback on those torque sticks made by whoever, and also specifically the ones on ebay...
http://search.ebay.com/search/search...ick&category0=
for one thing, I don't see how they slip, in the pictures they all look like one piece per stick. I must be missing something. Anybody know how repeatable and accurate the torque sticks are?
Also, what is the recommended torque for our lug nuts?
I'm still looking for some feedback on those torque sticks made by whoever, and also specifically the ones on ebay...
http://search.ebay.com/search/search...ick&category0=
for one thing, I don't see how they slip, in the pictures they all look like one piece per stick. I must be missing something. Anybody know how repeatable and accurate the torque sticks are?
Also, what is the recommended torque for our lug nuts?
