Restoration-Mini

Technical Forums => Restorations => Shop Tools And Equipment => Topic started by: tmsmini on August 24, 2019, 09:49:20 AM

Title: Torque Wrench
Post by: tmsmini on August 24, 2019, 09:49:20 AM
Any suggestions on a torque wrench. I see prices all over the place.
Looking for 3/8 drive, reading in NM and ft/lbs.

I have an older Craftsman that has worked well, but the rubber handle has broken free and it uses small plastic windows in the handle for read outs.
Summit has their inhouse brand(who knows who makes it) for about $89 and a few others in varying prices.
I don't need or want anything with an electronic readout.
Terry
Title: Re: Torque Wrench
Post by: MiniDave on August 24, 2019, 09:57:00 AM
I bought mine from Harbor Freight..... since I also have their digital torque wrench I tested it for accuracy and it was spot on. Might be worth a look @ $20 They also have a "Professional" model for $90.

I guess it really depends on the degree of accuracy you need......Snap On makes a "beam type" torque wrench that is very accurate but $250. Pick your poison......
Title: Re: Torque Wrench
Post by: 94touring on August 24, 2019, 11:00:46 AM
I've used a HF one for years with no issues.  I also have one of their giant 300lb wrenches that has held a jesus nut together on my rotary with no issues. 
Title: Re: Torque Wrench
Post by: tmsmini on August 24, 2019, 11:34:35 AM
I will have to find a 20% coupon and go check it out.
Title: Re: Torque Wrench
Post by: gr8kornholio on August 24, 2019, 12:23:01 PM
I bought one off amazon that's allegedly the snap on tool but branded as the manufacturer of snap on. Can't remember the name but it feels well made. Of course now I've inherited an array of real snap on ones from the father n law.
Title: Re: Torque Wrench
Post by: MiniDave on August 24, 2019, 12:42:48 PM
Quote from: tmsmini on August 24, 2019, 11:34:35 AM
I will have to find a 20% coupon and go check it out.

All you have to do is call one up on your phone at the register, they'll take it.
Title: Re: Torque Wrench
Post by: gr8kornholio on August 25, 2019, 08:29:45 AM
That's the one. Mine was less than 150 and came with a hard case. I just didn't like the feel of the HF ones.
Title: Re: Torque Wrench
Post by: tmsmini on August 25, 2019, 11:34:40 AM
I went for the CDI, found some online coupons which brought the price down. I may need to buy a case as it may not come with it.
Title: Re: Torque Wrench
Post by: tmsmini on September 04, 2019, 07:21:19 PM
Wrench came today. It was from SunCoast Hardware or Tools. They sell direct, on ebay and Amazon. If you look around you can find a lower price at one of the places. This was $117.

Came with a case.
Title: Re: Torque Wrench
Post by: Willie_B on March 31, 2020, 07:08:29 PM
250 ft lbs. That's a serious tool there. Mine only goes to 150. 4.gif
Title: Re: Torque Wrench
Post by: John Gervais on March 31, 2020, 08:08:12 PM
Nice wrenches! 

I've been considering a heavy-duty wrench for some time now and was ready to pull the trigger on an American-made Precision Instruments M3R250FX or M3F250F from (https://www.tooldiscounter.com (https://www.tooldiscounter.com)).  At that time, the retailer wouldn't ship overseas and I never looked at alternatives.

I use mainly a Stahlwille 730NR20QRFK (30-150lbs/ft) , and have SnapOn torqometers TE25A and TE50FUA, a small SnapOn QD1R200 (a QDI wrench I believe, which with my poor garage lighting I can barely read the etched scale) and an old Craftsman that I use for spark plugs.
Title: Re: Torque Wrench
Post by: BruceK on March 31, 2020, 08:31:38 PM
Quote from: Willie_B on March 31, 2020, 07:08:29 PM
250 ft lbs. That's a serious tool there. Mine only goes to 150. 4.gif

These go to 11.
Title: Re: Torque Wrench
Post by: MiniDave on April 01, 2020, 08:34:35 AM
I don't understand why so many people are so down on HF tools (other than the China connection) I have a 1/2" torque wrench from there and I have a digital tester - it always tests out OK, every time I've checked it - which is always right before I do an engine build where I'm torqueing rods, mains and head bolts.

Their new Icon line of tools is quickly approaching the price point of major brands, even some of the made in USA stuff. Oh, and some of their stuff IS made in USA now. The compressor I bought from them is for example - well everything but the electric motor, that was Hecho en Mexico.
Title: Re: Torque Wrench
Post by: MiniDave on April 01, 2020, 10:18:09 AM
Right, I follow you.....my only point was that my HF has worked well for me and stayed in calibration.

I'd like to get one of the electronic "beam type" torque wrenches - we finally had to go to those for the shop at school as no matter how many times I told the students to unwind the tension off the click type torque wrench when they were done - they NEVER did! So going to the electronic type ended that issue.

The only problem I have with the electronic ones is that sometimes you can't see the window with the readout in it, and if the shop is noisy enough you can't hear the beep either. I don't have the latter issue in my shop of course....
Title: Re: Torque Wrench
Post by: John Gervais on April 01, 2020, 03:51:55 PM
Quote from: bikewiz on April 01, 2020, 05:22:18 AM
Quote from: John Gervais on March 31, 2020, 08:08:12 PM
Nice wrenches! 

I've been considering a heavy-duty wrench for some time now and was ready to pull the trigger on an American-made Precision Instruments M3R250FX or M3F250F from (https://www.tooldiscounter.com (https://www.tooldiscounter.com)).  At that time, the retailer wouldn't ship overseas and I never looked at alternatives.

I bought this CDI 250MFRMH from www.toolup.com (http://www.toolup.com) for $148 w/free freight. I don't know if they ship to the EU but for $40 more than a Horror Freight wrench I feel it was a deal. All of my torque wrenches are CDI click type now. I originally bought the 1/2" 50 -150 for lugnuts figuring I'd never need something that went higher, then along comes the mini front hub nut.....

I do like it a lot and the price is nice (Tools Delivered:  CDI Torque 2503MFRMH (https://www.toolsdelivered.com/cdi-torque-2503mfrmh-dual-scale-adjustable-preset-click-torque-wrench)).  How good is the scale etching 'in real life' - it photographed well, but is it really that good?  My small SnapOn is of CDI descent, and I can hardly make out the scale etching.  As such, I barely use it and just grap the 'old-fashioned', not-so-sexy dial-type deflection beam wrench. 
Title: Re: Torque Wrench
Post by: 94touring on January 01, 2021, 04:24:40 PM
My HF torque wrench bit the bullet yesterday so I made a stop into home depot to buy something "better".  Went with a husky 20-100ft lb model.  Put it to use this afternoon and I'm pleased with it.  Easier to set torque values and not only is the arm longer but the handle is much nicer.  I think it was normally $59 but it was on sale for $49.
Title: Re: Torque Wrench
Post by: MiniDave on January 01, 2021, 04:37:33 PM
Only 100 ft lbs?
Title: Re: Torque Wrench
Post by: cstudep on January 01, 2021, 05:00:50 PM
I bought one of the HF Icon 1/2" torque wrenches some time back because I needed a 1/2" drive 250lb wrench. I managed to get it on one of the rare icon tool sales at the time so it was about $80 out the door. It's pretty nice and supposedly is guaranteed for life. Came with a real nice case as well.
Title: Re: Torque Wrench
Post by: 94touring on January 01, 2021, 05:33:36 PM
Quote from: MiniDave on January 01, 2021, 04:37:33 PM
Only 100 ft lbs?

It's a 3/8 size replacement, my 3/4" goes to 300.