Best Torque Wrench?

As stated, in your opinion what is the best type of torque wrench, the Click style, the digital beep style? and of course they have the needle style which i find to be harder than hell to read. So moral of the story i guess is.. i bought a snap-on digital read/beep style and im thinking i should have gotten the Click Style.. What is your guy's/girl's Opinion? Also.. do the click style still allow you to torque past the Specified amount even though its clicking? or the click basically tells you stop? cause my digital will beep and i can still torque past.

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Originally Posted by vtechkiller

As stated, in your opinion what is the best type of torque wrench, the Click style, the digital beep style? and of course they have the needle style which i find to be harder than hell to read. So moral of the story i guess is.. i bought a snap-on digital read/beep style and im thinking i should have gotten the Click Style.. What is your guy's/girl's Opinion? Also.. do the click style still allow you to torque past the Specified amount even though its clicking? or the click basically tells you stop? cause my digital will beep and i can still torque past.

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Yes you can torque past even after it clicks.

click style is fastest and easiest to use imo. In any event you should use a torque wrench in nice slow fluid motions, no jerky or bouncy motion. That will kill accuracy

Right, don't jerk, bounce.. Smooth action only, i got the thing for $110, its a $250 torque wrench and when i used it it beeps but when i checked the rating some of them showed like 10-15 pounds more, guess i need more practice with it, i've personally never owned a torque wrench and finally said shit for $110 i can't go wrong! thanks guys for your opinions.. its a snap-on 25-250 pound rating..

I own a $80 Craftsman 1/2" drive TQ Wrench, bought it on sale for $40, it doesn't even click it just slips when you reach the setting. Can't say much for it's durability/accuracy. I'll probably get something better when I can afford it.

the beam type wrenches are good for certain things, the advantage of them is they basically never go out of calibration, I'm talking about a good one not a china special, the clicker are good when you can't see the top of a beam wrench, they both have their uses, if you've had one for a long time you need to send it off for calibration once in a great while.
http://www.maxprocorp.com/store.asp?...FQODnQodeA9r2w

If you want a good torque wrench and can't afford a snap on, look for armstrong tools, I have one myself and I used it for years, it also needs to be calibrated then I'll use it again. They are US made and excellent tools, well worth the investment

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Originally Posted by lostforawhile

the beam type wrenches are good for certain things, the advantage of them is they basically never go out of calibration, I'm talking about a good one not a china special, the clicker are good when you can't see the top of a beam wrench, they both have their uses, if you've had one for a long time you need to send it off for calibration once in a great while.
http://www.maxprocorp.com/store.asp?...FQODnQodeA9r2w

If you want a good torque wrench and can't afford a snap on, look for armstrong tools, I have one myself and I used it for years, it also needs to be calibrated then I'll use it again. They are US made and excellent tools, well worth the investment

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Right Right, we'll for me i know prices are scary, but in the end you get what you pay for. dont get me wrong dont over pay, but basically i couldnt pass up a snap-on digital 25-250 1/2 drive for $110 this digital read out one just beeps once you are at the specified torque rating.. i know it really doesn't matter you have to calibrate them all once in a while.. just scary paying a good chunk of money for stuff that really isnt good/worth it.. but i know snap-on is always good stuff.. i guess i just want justification on buying it.. its a $250 torque wrench.. and like i said i paid $110.

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Originally Posted by vtechkiller

Right Right, we'll for me i know prices are scary, but in the end you get what you pay for. dont get me wrong dont over pay, but basically i couldnt pass up a snap-on digital 25-250 1/2 drive for $110 this digital read out one just beeps once you are at the specified torque rating.. i know it really doesn't matter you have to calibrate them all once in a while.. just scary paying a good chunk of money for stuff that really isnt good/worth it.. but i know snap-on is always good stuff.. i guess i just want justification on buying it.. its a $250 torque wrench.. and like i said i paid $110.

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I think my 3/8 drive armstrong was just over 100 through MSC, and I paid around 400 for my snap on of course I depend on them for work too

http://www.all-spec.com/products/64-041.html

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Originally Posted by lostforawhile

I think my 3/8 drive armstrong was just over 100 through MSC, and I paid around 400 for my snap on of course I depend on them for work too

http://www.all-spec.com/products/64-041.html

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Yeah.. i just find it hard to believe people would buy a cheapo torque wrench cause of the accuracy you tighten to say 100ft pounds that means it could be off by around probably 30pounds negative or positive.. meaning you probably just ruined the project you are working on.. i rely on tools as well i don't rely on saving a buck buying china bs. i own nothing but Craftsman and snap-on and if i am not mistaken snap-on owns craftsman now.. this is the first time i have bought/owned a torque wrench.

That snap-on one you've got is awesome! I've used it numerous times, without any problems :thumbup:

I've had good luck with my GearWrench clicker style. I used a cheapo Chinese, Harbor Freight job before that and it was fine too. To tell the truth, if I had to choose between Harbor Freight and Craftsman, I would choose Harbor Freight. The Craftsman stuff is mostly re-branded Harbor Freight that costs a lot more. I bought an electric impact wrench from Sears and found the exact same one (different color) at Harbor Freight the following day for half the price. The Craftsman stuff that isn't Chinese is so massively over-built that it's too clumsy to use. My Craftsman 19mm impact socket barely fits into my lug holes. It is considerably fatter than the Harbor Freight socket it replaced. I also have a Kobalt torque wrench that is newer and sees less use. The handle has already fallen off it. That's what I get for buying American.

For my purposes, torque accuracy isn't hugely important. I just need the bolt not to rattle out nor to strip. You can have a fairly inaccurate wrench and still meet those needs. I ended up replacing my Chinese torque wrench when it became inaccurate. I felt the inaccuracy in my hands before it started impacting my work.

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Originally Posted by vtechkiller

Yeah.. i just find it hard to believe people would buy a cheapo torque wrench cause of the accuracy you tighten to say 100ft pounds that means it could be off by around probably 30pounds negative or positive.. meaning you probably just ruined the project you are working on.. i rely on tools as well i don't rely on saving a buck buying china bs. i own nothing but Craftsman and snap-on and if i am not mistaken snap-on owns craftsman now.. this is the first time i have bought/owned a torque wrench.

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snap on doesn't own craftman, most of craftsmans stuff is simply other manufacturers stuff with their name on it, they make nothing, there is also the question going on now if their made in USA stuff is really made here, their quality has gone to crap the last ten years or so

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Originally Posted by Dr_Snooz

I've had good luck with my GearWrench clicker style. I used a cheapo Chinese, Harbor Freight job before that and it was fine too. To tell the truth, if I had to choose between Harbor Freight and Craftsman, I would choose Harbor Freight. The Craftsman stuff is mostly re-branded Harbor Freight that costs a lot more. I bought an electric impact wrench from Sears and found the exact same one (different color) at Harbor Freight the following day for half the price. The Craftsman stuff that isn't Chinese is so massively over-built that it's too clumsy to use. My Craftsman 19mm impact socket barely fits into my lug holes. It is considerably fatter than the Harbor Freight socket it replaced. I also have a Kobalt torque wrench that is newer and sees less use. The handle has already fallen off it. That's what I get for buying American.

For my purposes, torque accuracy isn't hugely important. I just need the bolt not to rattle out nor to strip. You can have a fairly inaccurate wrench and still meet those needs. I ended up replacing my Chinese torque wrench when it became inaccurate. I felt the inaccuracy in my hands before it started impacting my work.

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I've gotten some stuff from HF recently, and honestly have never been as disappointed in my life! Both ratchets that I bought literally got fucked first time using them! Then went back to use my old shitty craftsman and did the job just like nothing :dunno:

I still love HF though :flash:

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Originally Posted by gfrg88

I've gotten some stuff from HF recently, and honestly have never been as disappointed in my life! Both ratchets that I bought literally got fucked first time using them! Then went back to use my old shitty craftsman and did the job just like nothing :dunno:

I still love HF though :flash:

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Yep. I've bought my fair share of crapola from them, but I'm always surprised at how good a lot of the stuff is.

wouldnt waste my money on snap on, its way over priced for what it is and isnt any better than stuff thats less than half the price.
i payed $400 nzd for a 250 piece tool kit complete with a 1/2 drive vernier torque wrench, click/yield type, 30-150lb/ft
had the torque wrench checked and its calibration is fine.
for joe average, a cheap one is fine for most things

newer craftsman tq wrenches work okay but the quality has gone downhill. Surprisingly, if your using a 1/2" Harbor Freight tq wrench the accuracy is very good for what the tool costs but on the lower end of the scale they are marginal, the higher the bolt tq the more accurate they are. So skip the HF one for medium tq critical fasteners like rod bolts, but for something like axle nuts or lug nuts its more than adequate. If you want a decent quality tq wrench id get an SK, Mac, Matco, Proto, Snap On. Stick to your decent name brands and BE CAREFUL and DONT DROP IT or ITLL BE OUT OF SPEC.

all 3 of my torque wrenches are click/micrometer style. I have always found the click type to be handiest (no scale to look at, no batteries, good, simple, reliable. I like that).

If you are buying, buy once cry once. Really happy with the Proto ones (in addition to the 1/4" and 3/8" drive new Proto in the box, I have my great uncles 1/2" that has been passed down through a couple generations of mechanics in my family and it still is an accurate well working wrench. I am guessing it is roughly 1960's era). Don't mind my SnapOn 1/2" drive but there is no way I would have bought it off the truck, snagged it at the local pawn shop in minty shape, in the case with paperwork for $125. Helluva score for a normally $400 wrench.

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Originally Posted by dieselgus

all 3 of my torque wrenches are click/micrometer style. I have always found the click type to be handiest (no scale to look at, no batteries, good, simple, reliable. I like that).

If you are buying, buy once cry once. Really happy with the Proto ones (in addition to the 1/4" and 3/8" drive new Proto in the box, I have my great uncles 1/2" that has been passed down through a couple generations of mechanics in my family and it still is an accurate well working wrench. I am guessing it is roughly 1960's era). Don't mind my SnapOn 1/2" drive but there is no way I would have bought it off the truck, snagged it at the local pawn shop in minty shape, in the case with paperwork for $125. Helluva score for a normally $400 wrench.

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you might want to have it calibrated, they go out from use over time, it's not much to have it done, just a normal part of owning a quality one.

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Originally Posted by Hauntd ca3

wouldnt waste my money on snap on, its way over priced for what it is and isnt any better than stuff thats less than half the price.
i payed $400 nzd for a 250 piece tool kit complete with a 1/2 drive vernier torque wrench, click/yield type, 30-150lb/ft
had the torque wrench checked and its calibration is fine.
for joe average, a cheap one is fine for most things

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even if you are joe average,using a torque wrench that's not accurate can screw things up, if theres a torque spec, it's accurate for a reason, if you work on cars for a hobby,spend the money and get a quality one, it's cheap insurance you don't screw up something

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Originally Posted by dieselgus

all 3 of my torque wrenches are click/micrometer style. I have always found the click type to be handiest (no scale to look at, no batteries, good, simple, reliable. I like that).

If you are buying, buy once cry once. Really happy with the Proto ones (in addition to the 1/4" and 3/8" drive new Proto in the box, I have my great uncles 1/2" that has been passed down through a couple generations of mechanics in my family and it still is an accurate well working wrench. I am guessing it is roughly 1960's era). Don't mind my SnapOn 1/2" drive but there is no way I would have bought it off the truck, snagged it at the local pawn shop in minty shape, in the case with paperwork for $125. Helluva score for a normally $400 wrench.

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I paid $110 for mine, regardless of the price. i never skimp on money when it comes to tools, and I'm just your average Joe mechanic who fixes his own problems on his car no matter what it is i tackle it, and get the job done.
you won't find anything but Snap-on, S-K, Mac, Craftsman in my tool collection. Harbor trash items do work. but you get what you pay for IMO.

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Originally Posted by vtechkiller

I paid $110 for mine, regardless of the price. i never skimp on money when it comes to tools, and I'm just your average Joe mechanic who fixes his own problems on his car no matter what it is i tackle it, and get the job done.
you won't find anything but Snap-on, S-K, Mac, Craftsman in my tool collection. Harbor trash items do work. but you get what you pay for IMO.

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this is why I mentioned the armstrong, they are excellent tools but don't cost nearly as much

The HF torque wrench is rated accurate +/- 4% out of the box. I've checked mine against a beam type, and it was dead on for anything I need a 1/2" drive for. I have a 3/8" torque wrench for that stuff.

There are times to spend a lot of money on something, but unless I'm assembling the space shuttle, I feel comfortable using my pair of HF torque wrenches, even in an engine.

Craftsman buys tools out of the Danaher Tools bins. They may be made in America, but I've sourced better quality stuff from HF. I tend to buy used tool truck hand tools whenever possible, that way I get a good tool at pennies on the dollar.

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Originally Posted by Vanilla Sky

The HF torque wrench is rated accurate +/- 4% out of the box. I've checked mine against a beam type, and it was dead on for anything I need a 1/2" drive for. I have a 3/8" torque wrench for that stuff.

There are times to spend a lot of money on something, but unless I'm assembling the space shuttle, I feel comfortable using my pair of HF torque wrenches, even in an engine.

Craftsman buys tools out of the Danaher Tools bins. They may be made in America, but I've sourced better quality stuff from HF. I tend to buy used tool truck hand tools whenever possible, that way I get a good tool at pennies on the dollar.

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with all the cheap harbor freight tools they've bought and broke quickly at work, I would say the quality is also hit or miss, You might have just gotten lucky, but I wouldn't trust any spec they say, I've seen a few harbor freight tools last, but most are broken within a couple of weeks, some are outright dangerous, like the multi tube fluorescent area light they bought,it promptly melted and caught fire, the hand tools you might get by on, buy I've heard too many horror stories on the electrical tools spontaneously combusting

I do avoid most electrical tools from there, but their torque wrenches do have the same accuracy range of Snap-On, and you can calibrate them. If it breaks after a decade of use, you're out $20. I've had mine for about 5 years now, and if I measured it against my beam torque wrench, I bet it would be just as accurate as the day I bought it.

Really, it's harder to mess up some tools, even precision tools.

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Originally Posted by Vanilla Sky

I do avoid most electrical tools from there, but their torque wrenches do have the same accuracy range of Snap-On, and you can calibrate them. If it breaks after a decade of use, you're out $20. I've had mine for about 5 years now, and if I measured it against my beam torque wrench, I bet it would be just as accurate as the day I bought it.

Really, it's harder to mess up some tools, even precision tools.

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don't buy their calipers, I have my own personal ones but David buys the cheapo ones from there for the plant, we have a caliper graveyard with about a hundred pairs of calipers laid to rest in a box

Which type? I've had this one for years. It doesn't see shop use, but I haven't had an issue with it.