Recommend me a 1/2" drive torque wrench
#1
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Recommend me a 1/2" drive torque wrench
Time to buy more tools! I need a specific recommendation for a torque wrench:
It needs to be
Example: Front hub nut 123-159 ft/lbs, rear hub nut 174-235 ft/lbs (According to the FSM)
Tell me what you own, what you have used, what to avoid. Bonus points given for links to specific wrenches. "Affordable" means $100, but I don't mind spending more if its something I can pass on to my kids some day.
I used to have an older "Made in the USA" Craftsman clicker until some cocknose bastard stole it, and the reviews on the newer Craftsman stuff indicate they are now Chinese junk. I currently own a KD Tools in/lb clicker that has served me well, and a (don't laugh) Huskey 100ft/lb 3/8" drive clicker, but I need something I can use to torque giant hub and axle nuts.
I'm not opposed to a beam type wrench. They tend to be quite affordable and the technology has been around forever. I just always seem to be some stupid angle where I can't put consistent pressure on the wrench and see the gauge at the same time.
Thanks gays
It needs to be
- 1/2" Drive
- accurate
- durable
- affordable
- goes up to at least 200ft/lbs
Example: Front hub nut 123-159 ft/lbs, rear hub nut 174-235 ft/lbs (According to the FSM)
Tell me what you own, what you have used, what to avoid. Bonus points given for links to specific wrenches. "Affordable" means $100, but I don't mind spending more if its something I can pass on to my kids some day.
I used to have an older "Made in the USA" Craftsman clicker until some cocknose bastard stole it, and the reviews on the newer Craftsman stuff indicate they are now Chinese junk. I currently own a KD Tools in/lb clicker that has served me well, and a (don't laugh) Huskey 100ft/lb 3/8" drive clicker, but I need something I can use to torque giant hub and axle nuts.
I'm not opposed to a beam type wrench. They tend to be quite affordable and the technology has been around forever. I just always seem to be some stupid angle where I can't put consistent pressure on the wrench and see the gauge at the same time.
Thanks gays
Last edited by EO2K; 09-28-2013 at 02:18 PM.
#4
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Ok, i'll go look at the Craftsman stuff at Sears or OSH, or pick up another Huskey as the Home Despot is actually closer to me.
Nah, I gotcha, I've done that on more than one occasion. I guess I'm too oldschool, spent too much time wrenching on things with my Grandfather. I work hard for my money and I expect the products I buy to last. Hell I have some of his SK and Craftsman stuff in my toolbox thats probably 40-50 years old at this point and still going strong.
I hate the disposable-ness that everything has today. It used to be that you bought Craftsman for quality, now you buy it for the warranty because you know that no matter where you buy it, that ***** gonna break, so you might as well get the one you can exchange. I honestly think this is why Harbor Freight does so well, because everyone has given up on quality.
Ok, so beam or clicker? What do you guys prefer?
I hate the disposable-ness that everything has today. It used to be that you bought Craftsman for quality, now you buy it for the warranty because you know that no matter where you buy it, that ***** gonna break, so you might as well get the one you can exchange. I honestly think this is why Harbor Freight does so well, because everyone has given up on quality.
Ok, so beam or clicker? What do you guys prefer?
Last edited by EO2K; 09-28-2013 at 03:36 PM. Reason: past tense
#6
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Harbor Frieght is crap, my friend was using his near it's max for wheel torquing and would skip/jump occasionally after 6 months or so of usage. Would not trust that.
I do like my Craftsman wrench, however like anything it needs maintenance. Get it calibrated every year.
I do like my Craftsman wrench, however like anything it needs maintenance. Get it calibrated every year.
#7
http://www.ebay.com/itm/271284712125
I picked this Armstrong / KD 250 ft/lbs one a few months ago. I haven't used it enough to say a lot about it but for then price I don't think it can be beat. You can usually get one for minum bid if you wait and watch a bit. Armstrong and KD are both quality names, USA made, 250 ft/lbs.
I picked this Armstrong / KD 250 ft/lbs one a few months ago. I haven't used it enough to say a lot about it but for then price I don't think it can be beat. You can usually get one for minum bid if you wait and watch a bit. Armstrong and KD are both quality names, USA made, 250 ft/lbs.
Last edited by druz; 09-30-2013 at 12:21 PM. Reason: fixed link
#9
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Eeyeah, um, not interested in Harbor Freight torque wrench.
Correct. It appears to be 1 year, but I just read that some models are now 90 days?
druz: your link is broken, can't even get a PN. FAIL
Regardless, great big son-of-a-bitch Husky 1/2 drive torque wrench acquired :
Husky 1/2 in. Click Torque Wrench-H2DTW at The Home Depot
It was $85 and goes to 250ft/lbs so that should cover the 235ft/lb listing on the rear hub nut in the FSM. Packaging clearly states "1 Year Limited Warranty" so I dunno what happened to the super pimpin' "Lifetime Replacement Warranty" HD/Husky loves to advertise, so its no better than Craftsman at this point. If it fails and HD won't replace it, I'll beat the cashier to death with it. Its like 12lbs and 2.5ft long
I actually wanted this one because it matches my 3/8 drive torques wrench and I'm crazy like that, but it wasn't in stock.
druz: your link is broken, can't even get a PN. FAIL
Regardless, great big son-of-a-bitch Husky 1/2 drive torque wrench acquired :
Husky 1/2 in. Click Torque Wrench-H2DTW at The Home Depot
It was $85 and goes to 250ft/lbs so that should cover the 235ft/lb listing on the rear hub nut in the FSM. Packaging clearly states "1 Year Limited Warranty" so I dunno what happened to the super pimpin' "Lifetime Replacement Warranty" HD/Husky loves to advertise, so its no better than Craftsman at this point. If it fails and HD won't replace it, I'll beat the cashier to death with it. Its like 12lbs and 2.5ft long
I actually wanted this one because it matches my 3/8 drive torques wrench and I'm crazy like that, but it wasn't in stock.
#12
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I have this. Was $100 shipped with case:
Professional Grade Digital Torque Wrench | Brown Line Metalworks, LLC
Professional Grade Digital Torque Wrench | Brown Line Metalworks, LLC
#14
Here is the one I recently got ---> http://www.summitracing.com/parts/wmr-m199bg/overview/
It seems to be decently made and of reasonably good quality. I had some "Summit Bucks" to use so that's why I went with this one. I haven't actually used it much yet, but it "seems" to be decent.
#15
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Is Snap-On still "the ****" with this kind of stuff? Back when I was working in the machine shop I had a bitchen oldschool Snap-On torque wrench for changing the tool holder turrets in the lathe. It belonged to the shop, but it stayed locked in my toolbox. I may return the Husky and pick up the one DaveC linked.
#16
For anyone thinking the Craftsman lifetime warranty will cover their torque wrenches, think again. They have a very limited warranty; just 1 year.
http://www.craftsman.com/cswarranty/...227082#point3a
http://www.craftsman.com/cswarranty/...227082#point3a
#17
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Why get four of those "good enough" torque wrenches when you get one that is too expensive to loan to your friends?
(I love mine--I have a shitty one I loan out--it is, naturally, broken because of a borrower)
(I love mine--I have a shitty one I loan out--it is, naturally, broken because of a borrower)
#18
My understanding (most of which I invent as needed) is that Snap-On tools, or at least some of them, are made by CDI. That's not proof that everything made by CDI is awesome...
The one I linked to is a good piece. I don't think that exact wrench is sold with a Snap-On label, and I don't know if it comes with a life time warranty, but I will say that in my hands it seems life time quality, if you know what I mean.
The one I linked to is a good piece. I don't think that exact wrench is sold with a Snap-On label, and I don't know if it comes with a life time warranty, but I will say that in my hands it seems life time quality, if you know what I mean.
#20
My understanding (most of which I invent as needed) is that Snap-On tools, or at least some of them, are made by CDI. That's not proof that everything made by CDI is awesome...
The one I linked to is a good piece. I don't think that exact wrench is sold with a Snap-On label, and I don't know if it comes with a life time warranty, but I will say that in my hands it seems life time quality, if you know what I mean.
The one I linked to is a good piece. I don't think that exact wrench is sold with a Snap-On label, and I don't know if it comes with a life time warranty, but I will say that in my hands it seems life time quality, if you know what I mean.
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