I need a new torque wrench. What brand, model, type do you guys recommend?
No particular brand. But accuracy is important. If you are looking for accuracy, then whatever brand you buy you need to have it tested and certified.Most quality tool dealers can provide this.
Accuracy would have to go the beam style of tq wrench, but requires a bit more know how in it's use. click type require calibration fairly frequently depending on usage and need to be reset to zero when not in use, there is a risk of over-torque by the operator as the detent does not stop the applied tq value. Lastly and more expensively is the strain gauge digital units. I'd suggest for the casual user looking for accuracy and willing to spend a bit more, get the digital strain gauge type. Sears brand is decent and deceptively similar to the snap-one. I have a couple of each, the strain gauge is useful for area's that have little room to operate in. I prefer the beam type any time I can use it.
I vote against the digital unit from Sears, only because mine crapped out with very little use. I paid $200 for it and I did not get $200 worth of use. I would suggest buying a mechanical clicker from Snap on. I know that lasts forever.
It really depends on what you'll be using it for. For most things a $60 clicker from Sears will get the job done.
That sucks, I have a sears one in the trailer that gets used once in a blue moon that so far has had zero issues, however the sears Al floor jacks I've bought over the yrs have all been junk. Well actually I bought 1 and they have replaced 3 times before no longer offer to do so anymore. I'd suggest hitting up ebay, tools for pennies on the dollar.
Well, it really depends on what your objective is. Intended use, including frequency, precision level & type ? Price? Quality ? Range ? etc... I have 4 different (all mechanical and periodically calibrated) size/range/types from Snap On along with few different range old school fish scales allowing me to perform most vintage vehicle related tasks requiring torque or resistance spec tightening I come across at the shop, yet still could probably use 1 or 2 more...
While we are on this topic, I have 2 quality torque wrench for years which I use them seldom occasionally. I always stored them at zero after each use. Once I talk to the company regarding testing them for accuracy, They responded as long as you return them to zero the spring stays okay, I would like to know your comments. Thanks, Sark
It is mandatory to return to zero after use. Left at the torque level the spring weakens and takes a set. Not good. And just for the record...I have both Snap-On and Harbor Freight torque wrenches. I have had both calibrated/tested. The HF torque wrench holds its calibration as well as the Snap-On unit. If your looking for a decent unit at a economical price...consider the HF units.
I bought Snapon, and a buddy bought these amazingly priced click type. We worked in A/C maintenance and had access to the torque calibration stands in the hangars. We decided to check them out to see what's what for all the price difference. The Snapon click type could have been used to calibrate the calibrators ---- the super-duper cheapos were random number generators. We tried to create a written chart so that he could've at least used them, but it was impossible! 35 was 60 or 70 the first time, reset, and try again, and 35 was 12. I don't know what he did with them - probably in the bottom of a drawer, or just tossed them. I'd say consider the price of the hardware you're working on, and consider safety before cutting costs on a torque wrench.
I have the digital snap-on wrench and I really like it. It addionally comprises angle measurement for nuts and bolts, which must be tightened by adding a defined angle after a defined torque had been achieved. Further, the head swivels a few degrees and this is very helpful for torqueing wheel nuts or bolts.
+1 I've been very happen with both of the units I've bought from Sears. I didn't have to replace one, I bought two different ones to cover the differing ranges I needed. For automotive/motorcycle work, they certainly get the job done nicely.
I have 15 torque wrenches, I have the original Sears clicker wrench from 1982, I have inch lb 1/4 & 3/8 drive, and small, medium, and large range ft lb in 3/8 & 1/2 inch drive. I have three click type square Snap on that don't have to be backed off after use. I have a Snap On digital (unscrew the cap to keep the batteries from going dead). I use them all. For minor service work you need to find a Ft Lb click type 3/8 drive that reads from 20-100 ft lbs. That will cover most of what you need. Oh, look on Ebay. I have several from Ebay and have had them tested before use and all were good.
I use CDI, I believe these are the torque wrenches you get if you order Snap-On these days. I've always used the click type wrenches, but lately have been thinking I should replace them all with digital (load cell) versions because of their ability to stay in calibration for longer, better repeatability, and other features like angle measurement. CDI torque wrenches bought through Amazon are reasonably priced too. As others have alluded to above, using a cheap torque wrench is the same as not using a torque wrench at all.
No torque wrenches are guaranteed for life. The electronic ones are guaranted for only 90 days. The mechanical ones are only for 1 year.
I have two one from Sears and one from CDI (snap-on) One is an inch/pound 3/8" drive the other is a foot/pound 3/8" drive I have found that with these two, I can torque just about anything EXCEPT wheel bolts, and both work extremely well. (mechanical type, not digital) HMMM, now that I think about it, maybe I need one more... OH BOY!! OFF TO SEARS!!! D
I like the Precision Instruments dial type with memory pointer. They are the OEM for Snap-On's dial types. They're accurate, don't need to be set up to use or turned down before putting away, and are made in the United States. No one wrench can cover all the bases. I have six torque wrenches in my toolbox.
