Torque Wrench Recommendations wanted

[modelageek]

I have a cheap Greatneck TW. it is 3/8 inch and measures torque in inches...I think I paid $25 at AZ for it.......I think I need a better one..........I have to re-torque the heads on my other vehicle and I am looking for some recommendations on what TW would be best........Price is an issue............all feedback would be appreciated........TIA

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I have owned/own two click style 1/2" torque wrenches. Both Canadian Tire pro series. The first lasted me about 15 yrs before the plastic handle broke and made it useless except as a breaker bar [ the ratchet portion also screwed up after ~ 6 months of use as a breaker bar - to be expected ]. I also couldn't get replacement parts to fix it. The second is also C.T. and is a year old, seems fine, but is about 10" longer than the first. I'm a hobby mechanic and don't use these every day, that's why I chose to go with C.T. I'd prefer to use a Sears brand if it was cheap enough as their warranty is also lifetime but the Sears warranty is better in that you don't have to produce a receipt. I really dislike C.T.'s return policy as I can never find the receipt but at the time the C.T. wrench was at 1/2 price [ ~C$65.00]. Apparently you should get the wrench checked occasionally but I never have as I don't know where to take them. The beam style wrench would never have to be checked but it's a little harder to get a consistent torque with compared to the click style as I can't seem to move my head at the same angle and speed that the wrench is traveling, but tape does help. I do have a cheap 3/8" click style... I don't think I've ever used it. Eventually I'll get a dial indicator inch-pound wrench for when I start doing rear gears. I'll be looking for used when I do.
Hope I helped,

Richard

 

[pillen140]

i have an older (maybe 6yrs old) great neck one, the newer ones are cheap junk like the ones at walmart for $25. works great as long as you take good care of it. solid built as well. craftsman are pretty decent as well, but you get what you pay for.... get the better craftsman one. and go with click style, they needle ones suck!

 

[wahlstrom1]

Borrow one until you can afford to buy a good one. No sense in buying junk twice, get a good professional quality tool and it will last you a lifetime = Mac/Snapon/Matco etc.

 

[modelageek]

thanks for the feedback...........I don't know anyone with a good one.........maybe the parts stores loan out good ones....not sure............I am not sure if there are Canadian tires here in the states?

 

[wakingtowinter]

i'm with wahlstrom. you can usually find awesome deals on snapon, mac tools, etc. in pawn shops and on craigslist or at swap meets. they're used but it doesn't matter because they're high quality and if anything's wrong with it, just warranty it because they all have lifetime warranties.

As far as borrowing one, o'reilly's and other parts stores usually carry loaner torque wrenches. Not sure of the quality since I've never had to borrow one.

 

[martin]

If you have a beam type you can use it to check the accuracy of your clicker style. Whatever the quality, if it's not reasonably accurate there's no point in using it. Another thing worth mentioning is always unwind it after you use it so that the spring does not get stretched, it will stay accurate for a longer time.

 

[pillen140]

I wouldnt trust one i borrowed from a parts store.... No body takes care of those things!

 

[alaskan155]

walmart has a decent 1/2 inch one for 25 -30 dollars its what i use

 

[pillen140]

walmart has a decent 1/2 inch one for 25 -30 dollars its what i use

Those will WORK, but very poor quality.

 

[COPPERHEAD85]

The Excalibur of torque wrenches.......Had it for over 25 years.
Paid a little over $300 to Snap-On and it was worth ever penny.I send it back every year or so to have it calibrated.

 

[robertc1024]

There are LOTS of places to get torque wrenches re-calibrated (I work in pressure calibration.) I realize most people couldn't afford it but look for an ISO-17025 certified calibration lab.

 

[gbadgley]

You can buy a good used Snapon, Mac, or Matco, they are all Pro quality tools. you can also go to Sears and pick up a Craftsman. Stay away from Harbor Freight (cheap tools inc.) unless you plan on buying a new one every few years.

Many Tool trucks have torque meters on board to check the calibration

 

[COPPERHEAD85]

My Snap-On guy doesn't charge me.................I take care of the batteries on his truck..lol.

 

[CHKNFKR]

I have to recommend an Armstrong reaction bar. I have a 1/2" drive 0 - 300 lbs/ft bar with a 26" handle, calibrated both directions every year.