Torque Wrenches...

[OreoGaborio]

I was looking at the Craftsman Digitork but have been seeing a lot of negative reviews and it looks like it's only got a 90 day warranty, not lifetime guarantee.

Any other suggestions in the sub 150 dollar range? Looking for something with similar specs (3/8" drive, 5-80, 10-100 ft lbs. Somewhere in that range)

Hell, if anyone's got a used Snap-On or knows where I can get one for a great deal, I'd even consider shelling out a few more bucks if it means getting something that'll last forever.

[BluGixxer]

I have never heard anything good about craftsman torque wrenches, some are lower priced and some are up there. .but none of them seem to hold correct accurate calibration for long that I know of , even if you take care of them ,, I have 1 good one,3/4 snappy with swivel head , bought used about12 yrs ago,paid about $120 ,always unwind and left spring tension off when not in use, just checked it against 2 others to check calibration, and its still on. I don't think you will find a craftsman that would keep that long.
If your not using it for a daily trade,money maker. Check out the ones at advance, autozone orpboys, they have a brandTDC I think, I heard ok comments, save reciept,for warrenty but they are under $50. And I cantsee them being off far enough to ruin anything.

[OreoGaborio]

Yeah, thinking maybe a used Snap-on might be the way to go if I wanna spend a little more money.

On the other end of the price scale, how bout the Kobalt ones at Lowes?

[Cerberus]

beam type torque wrenches are the most accurate of the mechanicals.. clickers kinda suck.

but a quality electronic will be the most accurate of all

thats all i've got for ya

[gadget]

Here's one.
You did say torque wench, right?

[Rada]

Item number 5387A22 at Mcmaster-Carr will likely be the last torque wrench you ever buy. For that size.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#torque-wrenches/=aep7bo

[DaSarge]

I have the Digitork....No issues here

[joeswamp]

Don't get a Snap-on, they just buy quality torque wrenches and mark them up by 100%. Snap-on sells great stuff, but they're really sort of a micro-loan bank masquerading as a tool company, their prices are crazy high because they're selling tools on time "interest free" to very risky customers -- you do the math.

Not sure if they still sell them, but Snap-on used to sell torque wrenches made by "Precision Instruments". You can order them on line for less than the cost of a used Snap-on on eBay. They are very high quality and designed to last a lifetime.

Also, it's pretty dangerous to buy a used torque wrench, esp a small one, because they could be overtorqued beyond the calibration range (and thus are junk). Don't ask me how I learned this lesson...

[Rambunctous]

beam type torque wrenches are the most accurate of the mechanicals.. clickers kinda suck.

but a quality electronic will be the most accurate of all

thats all i've got for ya

I like my electronic a lot. But they do not always function well at the track. Seeing the dots change color and hearing the electronic beep is tough in daylight and with the noise of the track. But the electronic is nice.

[lrrs182]

I owned a truck repair and fabrication shop for 10 years and had great luck with SK torque wrenches. I always used clickers from 1/4" in/lbs to 3/4" 600 ft/lbs turning a 3to1 torque multiplier. I used to send them out every year or two for calibration (or when I found one returned to the cabinet fully wound up!) and they werre rarely off. I do have a snapon 3/4" thats really nice because the ratchet head is removable and can be used with a handle so only the torque handle sits in the cabinet doing nothing.
Snap on and Mac only make wrenches, ratchets, sockets and screwdrivers. Basically they have the best chrome. Their quality is top of the line but if you can buy a product that has 95% of the quatily with a lifetime warranty then the only 2 reasons to buy snapon/mac is for the financing or the bragging rights! go into a Midas muffler and check out the kids making 9 bucks an hour with 10K toolboxes! open them up, 4 wrenches each drawer! Understood, everything they sell is top quality. The really nice reversable snap ring plier set in a bright red box? Same exact set, red box and handles included, KD tools for 2/3 the price, same warranty. I buy alot of Williams, Proto,SK, all american, all industial duty, all warrantied. If you really like Snapon and know someone that is in maintainance in a factory setting we buy direct from factory for approx 30% less, and if youre not hung up on chrome, the black wrenches can be had for even less.
Wow, did I digress! Try SK, I think NAPA can get them

[slammp]

2nd on SK, good quality tools, similar to snap on. I picked up an nice one last year on line for $99 with free shipping.

[darkduc7]

i use all snap on tools at work, but i use craftsman at home. ive had no issues with either...i even dare to say 90 percent of the time, craftsman is of similar quality. it gets the job done.

[Rada]

Be aware that SK is now owned by Ideal and you may or may not get warranty service on your older SK product. I have a SK torque wrench that will likely become a hammer at this point. It is broken and I don't hold out hope for replacement.

[lrrs182]

Rada, don't give up hope! Ideal makes decent electrical tools and i've gotta believe, at least hope, that they bought SK knowing their business model was a good tool at a fair price and a good reputation. If they wanted to just sell cheap tools they could have launched their own line. I don't remember the company but there is one huge company who makes all the handtools for craftsman, NAPA, and 20 other good quality hand tools. Ideal could have just had them make some with Ideal labeling. There are only a handful of tool factories left. I one blew the pawl out of my expensive Snapon 3/4" ratchet. Pulled the parts out of my spare craftsman ratchet (Was shorter handled, needed the snapon) and the parts were identical! Just like Detroit, they probably use independent job shops to make parts. Although NOBODY warranties the torque mechanism, just the ratchet portion. Unless you do something wrong that SK will be an inheritance to your grandchildren, I have 2 that are 30 yrs old and one I got from my Dad that I think may be 40 or more years old.

[Charlief]

The two craftsman that I own (3/8& 1/2)have been great. Of course I only use them a handful of times a year and have had them for 5-6 years. Over this pass summer I brought them to a friend, who does diesel work, and had them calibrated. He said there was no need. They were within 2% with all those years of use.

[Garandman]

I split the difference between no-name and Snap-On. I bought a Matco clicker torque wrench on ebay. It's marked in Ft Lbs and NM.

MSRP is nearly $300, believe I paid around $125. I've had it a while, should probably be recalibrated.

[OreoGaborio]

So it seems that GearWrench and KD Tools are affiliated? Most of the GearWrench brand torque wrenches have KD in their name or title.



Gearwrench(KD?)http://www.tooltopia.com/gearwrench-85052.aspx 10 to 100 ft/lbs.

KD http://www.tooltopia.com/kd-tools-3460.aspx 10 to 100ft/lbs

SK http://www.tooltopia.com/sk-hand-tool-74531.aspx 20? to 100 ft/lbs

SK Flex head http://www.tooltopia.com/sk-hand-tool-74436.aspx 5? to 75ft/lbs

Armstrong Flex head http://www.tooltopia.com/armstrong-64-146.aspx 5-75 ft./lbs

Precision Instruments split beam http://www.tooltopia.com/precision-i...-c2fr100f.aspx 20 to 100 ft/lbs (Webbikeworld likes this one)

Precision Instruments split beam http://www.tooltopia.com/precision-i...-c2fr600h.aspx 10-50ft/lbs

Or should I splurge and go electric http://www.tooltopia.com/k-tool-inte...nal-72130.aspx 10 to 100ft/lbs details




Unless someone's got a better idea.

[catamount]

I have 3/8" and 1/2" made by Husky (Home Depot). Really great wrenches that get good reviews online.

Definitely check them out.

http://www.sporttruck.com/techarticl...hes/index.html

[joeswamp]

The Precision Instruments split beam is a really nice wrench, and it will stay in calibration even if you forget to back off the adjuster. I think Snap On still sells these under their label (marked way up of course).

Remember that you really need more than one torque wrench, as it's pretty much impossible to find just one with the total range you need.

[TTD]

I already have 2 wrenches... is there a place or way to get them calibrated?

[joeswamp]

There are places you can send them to (google to find) but if you know someone who works in a big factory that has access to a tester you can of course get it done for cheaper or free. I think the snap on truck might be able to calibrate wrenches as well -- they probably only do their own though.

[OreoGaborio]

Or should I splurge and go electric http://www.tooltopia.com/k-tool-inte...nal-72130.aspx 10 to 100ft/lbs details

Word. I found the same wrench under the name "Northern Industrial" for $99. Think I'm gonna go that route and let them sucker me outta 7 bucks for the extended 1 year warranty as well, since it covers all defects & failures. Comes with a case.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...5177_200365177