Torque Wrench Recommendations please

[linuxgod]

If I was rebuilding an engine I would buy (or borrow) a $200+ torque wrench without thinking twice

I have two $40-50 wrenches right now. They're similar to the Tekton or (in that video) the Lexivon. For tightening lug nuts and suspension parts I believe they are sufficient. Might they over-tighten by a few pounds? It's possible, but if you believe most shops actually use torque wrenches for 95% of their work you'll be sadly disappointed.

If I was going to go back and do it again now based strictly on this video I'd buy the $125 Icon. That said the wrenches are mechanical and it's entirely possible that each wrench is different, so just because one tested well (or poorly) in this video doesn't necessarily mean your results will be the same.

I do recommend having a few wrenches. In the video they're testing 25-250# wrenches at 50#, but it's my understanding that the wrenches are more accurate in the middle of their range and less accurate at the extremes so to do 50 ft lbs I would use my 10-120 not a 25-250 unless I didn't have anything else on hand.

 

[doru]

AFAIK all mechanical wrenches require periodical calibration.
Quality electronic ones less so, but if you are really OCD they to have to be checked from time to time.

 

[doru]

I used to use mechanical wrenches. Now I use electronic wrenches as they do not require unwinding the springs while stored and they stay calibrated much longer due to electronics sensor not getting out of tune so easy. For a home mechanic they get out of tune mostly because of rough handling. The more advanced ones also have compensation for all kind of stuff so more goodness.
But your under $100 budget is unrealistic for a high quality tool even before COVID.

Now, if you are looking to tighten suspension bolts then you are not looking for precision. If you are looking to build an engine then just pay up.

Just make you mind what you want to use it for.

 

[doru]

My general use wrench is a ACDelco ARM601-4 tried and true. It is a general use wrench not a very high precision ±1.5% CW, ±2.5% CCW but good enough for most of the jobs and happy with it.
For higher torque I use ACDelco ARM303-4A-340 (250ftlb, ±1.5% and ±2.5%).
Other option is GEARWRENCH 85077 (250ftlb, ±2% and ±3%) less precission but better reviews - I do not own it.
All are available on amazon from $109 to $200.

 

[doru]

P.S. if you really like the click on the handle you will miss it with electronic wrenches as they make a sound and you have to be disciplined enough not to continue turning it after the sound. You are going to know if you overtorqued by looking at the display after.

 

[LegendaryKing]

AFAIK all mechanical wrenches require periodical calibration.
Quality electronic ones less so, but if you are really OCD they to have to be checked from time to time.

Depending on what you are torqueing depends on what kind of precision you need. Check the manufactures specifications and get the proper tool for the job. Lug nuts have a much different precision requirement than a head gasket than PCB mounting. Even within the same brand you will find different ranges and precisions.

I have multiple sizes, brands, and calibrations depending on what I am torqueing. CDI, Snap-On (yes, it is made by CDI), Proto, and OLD Craftsman USA torque wrenches and the above quote is the MOST important information you can take away from this thread. Buy a quality torque wrench(s) and then ensure you get it calibrated on the manufactures schedule.

 

[radman]

has anyone used this?
Amazon product ASIN B004VYURT0
And thoughts about using it to calibrate torque wrenches?

Jason (I think) at Bud Built has said that you shouldn't trust a torque wrench under 50ft-lbs if it's less than $300. Would this little guy be an exception to that comment?

 

[bloc]

You can easily calibrate them with a bench vise. And as long as the $75 model calibrates fine, I see no reason to spend more unless you are gaining function or convenience, such as a split beam model vs a “clicker”

 

[Markuson]

If yall stop by a Discount Tire…they’ll let you test your wrench against their own tester…which is regularly calibrated. While this will not adjust your wrench’s accuracy…it will let you at least see where your wrench needs to be set for a given #.

For example…to know your lug nut torque is correct, adjust your wrench until their tester reads the proper value. Also an easy way to see how close your wrench generally is (if you don’t have an easy vise/weight solution set up as @bloc references).

 

[LegendaryKing]

Jason (I think) at Bud Built has said that you shouldn't trust a torque wrench under 50ft-lbs if it's less than $300. Would this little guy be an exception to that comment?

It depends on the range the torque wrench is made to operate in, not necessarily the price of the tool. If the torque wrench is designed to operate from 200-900 lb-ft then yes, it's not going to do well at 50 ft-lb. I personally own a torque wrench that has a range of 5-75 lb-ft and I wouldn't think twice about using it to torque at 50 ft-lbs.

The problem Jason see's is probably related to people purchasing a cheap 1/2" torque wrench and expecting it to accurately torque to everything printed on the handle.

 

[Docwyte]

CDI Torque wrenches. They cost about $120-140 each and are the company that makes Snap On wrenches. Mine, in fact, say Snap On on the box but I was able to buy three of them to cover all torque ranges, at the same cost as one Snap On wrench