View Poll Results: What brand torque wrench should I get? (in/lbs)
Sears/craftsman
15
60.00%
Snap on (can you get them in single pieces?)
6
24.00%
high end from home depot (kobalt, husky)
1
4.00%
Use the great neck one I bought for $20
3
12.00%
Voters: 25. You may not vote on this poll
Torque wrench
Legend
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,843
Likes: 13
From: DFW, Texas
If you have to be deadly accurate, a beam type is the only way to go.
The "clicky" types are really pretty accurate, but most people don't know how to take care of them, so they get improper torque, which they blame on calibration issues.
here's a few tips on care and use of those torque wrenches.
1. After use, you must ALWAYS relax the torque back down to the minimum.
2. If you've just torqued something to 250 in/lbs., you aren't going to get an accurate 30in/lbs. torque for about 5 minutes. There's a thick fluid in those wrenches that will need time to relax back to the correct torque spec.
3. If it's bitter cold or really hot, take the wrenches inside for an hour or so before you need them. That will get the fluid to the correct temp and give you a more accurate torque.
4. As with all torque wrenches, re-torque the bolts every 10 minutes or so to the correct spec until the bolt won't move any more. This is especially important on things like cylinder head bolts or hub bolts that take heavy torque, and you want to to be absolutely certain you have a snug hold. Bolts "stretch" as they fit the threads they mate with. To get the correct torque, it may take several re-torques. I had about 3 cylinder head bolts that took torque for about an hour (in 15 minute interval checks) after the initial "final" torque sequence. Some people aren't that **** about cylinder head torque, I am.
5. Never, ever over torque a bolt. Especially "just to be safe". Not only do you overstretch the bolt and actually lessen the clamping force, but you stretch the threads in the block, hub, etc. to a new torque spec and possibly fatigue them to the point of failure. You could also shear a bolt straight off in the threads, which is equally as sucky.
I've had great luck with the Craftsman clicky wrenches. Bought both I have on sale around Christmas for about $40.
The "clicky" types are really pretty accurate, but most people don't know how to take care of them, so they get improper torque, which they blame on calibration issues.
here's a few tips on care and use of those torque wrenches.
1. After use, you must ALWAYS relax the torque back down to the minimum.
2. If you've just torqued something to 250 in/lbs., you aren't going to get an accurate 30in/lbs. torque for about 5 minutes. There's a thick fluid in those wrenches that will need time to relax back to the correct torque spec.
3. If it's bitter cold or really hot, take the wrenches inside for an hour or so before you need them. That will get the fluid to the correct temp and give you a more accurate torque.
4. As with all torque wrenches, re-torque the bolts every 10 minutes or so to the correct spec until the bolt won't move any more. This is especially important on things like cylinder head bolts or hub bolts that take heavy torque, and you want to to be absolutely certain you have a snug hold. Bolts "stretch" as they fit the threads they mate with. To get the correct torque, it may take several re-torques. I had about 3 cylinder head bolts that took torque for about an hour (in 15 minute interval checks) after the initial "final" torque sequence. Some people aren't that **** about cylinder head torque, I am.
5. Never, ever over torque a bolt. Especially "just to be safe". Not only do you overstretch the bolt and actually lessen the clamping force, but you stretch the threads in the block, hub, etc. to a new torque spec and possibly fatigue them to the point of failure. You could also shear a bolt straight off in the threads, which is equally as sucky.
I've had great luck with the Craftsman clicky wrenches. Bought both I have on sale around Christmas for about $40.
Last edited by aim4squirrels; Apr 2, 2010 at 08:21 AM.
Champion
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,363
Likes: 1
From: ohio
not on tq no more my buddy bought one last year and i went with he,,,, my buddy was like "free replacement right?"... the guy said within the frist 6moths or year and thats it
kinda sucks
kinda sucks
Grand Champion
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 7,055
Likes: 7
From: Lee County, North Carolina
1. After use, you must ALWAYS relax the torque back down to the minimum.
2. If you've just torqued something to 250 in/lbs., you aren't going to get an accurate 30in/lbs. torque for about 5 minutes. There's a thick fluid in those wrenches that will need time to relax back to the correct torque spec.
3. If it's bitter cold or really hot, take the wrenches inside for an hour or so before you need them. That will get the fluid to the correct temp and give you a more accurate torque.
2. If you've just torqued something to 250 in/lbs., you aren't going to get an accurate 30in/lbs. torque for about 5 minutes. There's a thick fluid in those wrenches that will need time to relax back to the correct torque spec.
3. If it's bitter cold or really hot, take the wrenches inside for an hour or so before you need them. That will get the fluid to the correct temp and give you a more accurate torque.
I have Craftsman Digitorque or Digitork, can't remember the proper name, inch pound and foot pound torque wrenches and the only problem I've had is that I've used the inch pound torque wrench so much that I've almost rubbed the numbers off completely. I need to engrave them into the plastic with the dremel before they're gone for good.
Wow...years ago I bought one of those cheapy type clicker wrenches from...a pawn shop?!. I think it was like 10.00
I've used it for adjusting my bands in my truck several times and never had a problem. The time I didn't adjust them helped cause my tranny to die.
I'd say if you were screwing together a space shuttle, mars lander, or 757 something of higher quality and price might be a better choice.
I've used it for adjusting my bands in my truck several times and never had a problem. The time I didn't adjust them helped cause my tranny to die.
I'd say if you were screwing together a space shuttle, mars lander, or 757 something of higher quality and price might be a better choice.
good for well over 500 ft lbs lol 
Banned
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,667
Likes: 1
From: Burnsville, mn - Pensacola, fl
R u ****in kidding me man ? i havent bought anything from sears for awhile cause the closest one to me is 30 min away so i either goto home depot or northern tool " harbor freight on steriods".
Im sure the fact that Kmart bought sears out has something to do with it, ****ing cheapskates
Im sure the fact that Kmart bought sears out has something to do with it, ****ing cheapskates
R u ****in kidding me man ? i havent bought anything from sears for awhile cause the closest one to me is 30 min away so i either goto home depot or northern tool " harbor freight on steriods".
Im sure the fact that Kmart bought sears out has something to do with it, ****ing cheapskates
Im sure the fact that Kmart bought sears out has something to do with it, ****ing cheapskates
Banned
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,667
Likes: 1
From: Burnsville, mn - Pensacola, fl
Sear has been going down hill for awhile now anyways, they'er turning into a home furniture store. If i cant have a life time replacement then theres no point in paying that much for tools when im just going to have to buy another one when i break it. Autozone has pretty good tools, greatneck is a decent brand. Only problem iv had with them is the ratchets but i beat the hell out of them so i could see why they fall apart.
say what you want man but at this point you're only paying for the name because with out the life time unconditional warrenty they'er no better than the knock offs
say what you want man but at this point you're only paying for the name because with out the life time unconditional warrenty they'er no better than the knock offs
Huh? All Craftsman hand tools have a lifetime warranty. Most torque wrenchs degrade over time anywat, so Sears wouldnt want to lose much money on that, its simple business.
I can agree with you that Sears has been degrading over the years.
I can agree with you that Sears has been degrading over the years.