Recommendation for Torque Wrenches and Multimeter

[jgeoffr]

I am looking for recommendations for torque wrenches and a multimeter.

For the torque wrenches I am thinking to get both an foot-pound and an inch-pound wrench.

For the multimeter I would like one with a continuity tester.

Do you guys have any recommendations on what worked for you?

-Geoff

 

[1911]

Craftsman torque wrenches used to be OK, but I can't recommend them any more - they use cheap plastic handles and locking rings that break easily. If you're only going to use them once in a great while they might still be OK, but personally I would rather spend more initially and have a quality tool that you can pass on to your children. To this end, buy from a quality source like Snap-on or Matco. You can save some money by buying second-hand on eBay.

Same deal on multimeters - buy cheap junk ones over and over, or buy a Fluke once. You can buy Flukes second-hand as well. I bought mine from a guy here on Mud.

 

[LAMBCRUSHER]

fluke, hands down. spend a bit of coin, and you can get one that has a DC amp clamp...I use cheaper multimeters too, like in the spare tool kits for the rigs, but the fluke comes out when the voltage has death potential...
second hand Big Name brand torque wrench is solid advice...

 

[Spike Strip]

Since you're in The Kingdom, it all depends on what is available to you. Probably can't go wrong with made in Japan, Germany, USA, etc. tool or Multimeter.

 

[toyotaspeed90]

So.... the auto industry has a different look on certain tools than professions that require actual precise figures.

Any torque wrench could be good/bad - and what will make them good is keeping them calibrated. Most automotive things, being 10% off is probably fine. However, I do know of people working in certain industries where equipment being built is scrutinized by the FDA and as such - those companies spend thousands on both torque wrenches and monthly calibrations (and you would be surprised how often they change).

If you're a mechanic, maybe something that's built a little better (less plastic/rubber, more metal) might have more durability, but the accuracy isn't guaranteed to be significantly better than one 1/4 it's price..... so for most at home mechanics, most torque wrenches will do.

As for multimeter - if all you want is a continuity tester..... and that's all you plan to need, a Fluke might be a bit overboard. I've personally had a plethora of them (and there's a good chance it's because I'm hard on my tools) but the one that has outlasted them all is only branded with circuitspecialties.com which came with a good quality digital soldering station.

Take what I say with a grain of salt - for example I prefer a cheap sockets over expensive ones because there's a chance I will lose or break it anyways (and/or retool it for something else if need be).

 

[ducktapeguy]

If you've got the money, then buy the best. But for working on a 40, I think it might be overkill. I have a few flukes, but most of the time they stay in the drawer and I grab the free HF multi-meters. 99% of the time you're either measuring continuity or voltage. Neither of those really require a lot of precision, it usually a yes or no answer. Also doesn't hurt as much when you forget to switch the leads from amps to volts and blow the fuse. The fluke fuses cost more than a cheap multi-meter.

For torque wrenches I am probably one of the few people who still likes the beam style. Simple, durable, and no batteries or springs to wear out. Again, can't think of anything on the 40 requires high precision, so the beam style is it's durable enough that you don't have to worry about damaging it or calibrating it. I have 2 ft-lbs torque wrenches, a 1/2 drive good for 250 ft-lbs (for head bolts and axle nuts), one for mid level readings up to 100 ft-lbs (for most everything else). Then a 1/4 drive in-lbs for stuff like oil pans and timing cover. If you were to only get 1, a 3/8 drive 0-100 ft-lbs would cover most of your needs