Torque Wrench Question

[Kurt B.]

My "click" style torque wrench broke and I would like recommendations on a replacement.
I have heard negative comments about Sears torque wrenches (mine was not Sears) and would like suggestions on affordable but accurate replacement wrench in 1/2 inch drive.
Thank you,
Kurt

[Edward Boyd]

Re: Torque Wrench Question

No "good" torque wrench is cheap. Craaftsman has become much more expensive over the years but still offers good value for the price. I have had three of them (different torque ranges) for years and all stick very close to calibration values (of course, I try to be very careful with their use and not do things like drop them or use them to loosen nuts or bolts).

[Frank P.]

Re: Torque Wrench Question

Kurt:
Go to www.wrighttool.com and view their selection. You can get information on local stocking distributors. Wright Tool is in Ohio, and a family run business. They are american made.

[Donald L.]

Re: Torque Wrench Question

Get a Snap On thru EBAY. About $70 and the best quality.

[Clem Z.]

i have used sears torque wrench for years

and found they hold calibration as good as anyones.i had mine checked every year and never found it out of calibration. just make sure the rotating collar that shows the numbers does not come loose our you could be off by + or -10#. one thing to remember with a "clicker" torque wrench ALWAY back off the setting to the lowest when not using the wrench. my sears wrench is at least 30 years old and has torqued a lot of fasteners.

[Duke W.]

Re: i have used sears torque wrench for years

I have a Craftsman 0-150 lb-ft "clicker". About fifteen years ago I had it calibrated. It was fine, but the cost of the calibration was about equal to the price of a new one.

Duke

[Gary C.]

Snap On & MAC recalibrate for $0 charge *NM*

[Clem Z.]

duke you need to make friends with someone

who works in a standards lab.

[Joe L.]

Re: Torque Wrench Question

Kurt-----

Without a doubt, Craftsman offers the best value in a torque wrench. I have many of their torque wrenches in all sorts of different ranges, drive sizes, and configurations (beam, micrometer scale clicker, digital scale clicker). If you do go Craftsman, though, absolutely FORGET they're "top-of-the-line" Digi-Torque models. You need to have the eye of an eagle to read the torque setting on these. Actually, I'm amazed that they still sell these things; I'd think that folks would have wised up to this by now. With Craftsman, their Micro-Torque line is the way to go.

Regardless of all these Craftsman torque wrenches I have, I don't use them too often. Why? Well, quite some time ago I bought a couple of Snap-On torque wrenches of their "TQ" series. Mind you, I'm not really big on Snap-On tools since I generally don't think that they're a good value or wise investment for the limited use that most hobbyists get from their tools. But, there are exceptions and these "TQ" series torque wrenches are among them. Once you use one of these things with their effortless torque setting ease, you're "spoiled for life". Expensive? Of course. All Snap-On tools are.

[Jim W.]

Re: Torque Wrench Question

I agree with buying a new Snap-On on eBay. Get it for less than you will pay buying directly from the manufacturer and you're set for a long time.

[Dick W.]

Re: Torque Wrench Question

Always compare the eBay prices with the Snap On online catalog. I have noticed that quite a few tools bring more on Ebabes than you can buy it off the truck. Plus iffen yer are friendly with you local SO dealer he may cut you a little deal for cash

[Joe L.]

Re: Torque Wrench Question

Dick-----

Also, a lot of the eBay torque wrenches are USED. The only way I EVER buy a used tool is if the tool is not available new.

[Randy G.]

Re: Torque Wrench Question

I have Snap-On, Mac and Craftsman torque wrenches in use for our racing operation. Which one keeps it's calibration the best? The old Craftsman. Which one has let us down the most? The Snap-On.

Buy a Craftsman and invest the rest of your money in good quality parts found in the back of "DRIVELINE."

[Jim W.]

Re: Torque Wrench Question

I'm only talking NEW Snap-On on eBay, not used. Hard to beat the savings over buying online from Snap-On even with their free shipping.