[OneMoreTime]

i am going to need to get another torque wrench..any ideas on brands would be good..

Snap on is a bit out of the picture as we do not have the snap on truck out this way..

OMT

[Don Lyon]

Harbor Freight is a reasonable source for torque wrenches. I have two of their "click-stop" type and had the calibration checked yearly when I was an aircraft mechanic. Never a problem, and the calibration shop said they are a good item as long as they are set to zero when not in use. They are about 10 years old.

[oldred]

Harbor Freight has genuine S/K 1/2" for $89.95 and well worth the extra cost. I would never trust a $10.00 Chinese torque wrench myself since too much depends on it.

[matt167]

I have a dynaforce 1/2" torque wrench that I paid 25 bucks for at wal mart. It came with a certificate card stating it was calibrated to +4%. I don't think I'm gonna use it on any engine parts that require very little torque, it seems like it is sloppy below like 30 Ft/lbs. I'm gonna get a good 1 when I get the money and then use this 1 for a backup. I haven't needed it for anything more than torquing lug nuts to 100 ft/lbs ( what else am I going to use it for )

Oh, and theres an easy way to check there calibration but you need a dial torque wrench too, this is how my auto teacher checks them. you take your torque wrench, put it on a lug nut that hasn't been tightened to the spec, take this collar he made that slips over the end of the handle, there is a spot where the drive clicks in on it. as many should know, 1 ft/lb of preassure put over a 1' span is 10 ft/lbs of preassure, when you do the test you measure the contraption ( dial torque wrench and all ) from tip to tip, then figure out how much added ft/lb is there from the extra length of the dial torque wrench, then set it to the equivelent of what it would be on the spec ( you just subtract the extra, a lug that needs 95 ft/lbs would only be set to 85 ft/lbs or so, depending on the handle size ) then you get a person to watch the dial as you tighten it up, if the dial reads the correct number when it clicks, than it is good, if not you could figure out if it is high or low to a percent and figure out how much should be subtracted or added to the settings to make it correct.

[sha_ba_do_bang]

I know you said snapon is out of the picture but i would definatly get it for your torque wrench, buy it on ebay i just got a 3/8" foot lbs snap on for 78.00, Your life and parts depend on an accurate torque wrench, don't cheap out

[oldred]

Sha, Right on, A torque wrench is definitely NOT the place to cheap out and those Snap-On torque wrench's are about the best.

[1931 steve]

Just scored a great buy One of my friends is always broke and selling things off, very cheap Just bought a Snap ON Tech2FR100 digital 3/8 torque wrench for $150.00 he just paid $320.00+ less than a year ago. Its nice to have broke friends. This matches my 1/2 inch Snap On Digital.

Buy the best you can afford, I used a old Snap On that I bought from a pawn shop for $25.00 for the last 14 years, just had it calibrated about once a year.

Steve

[johnsongrass1]

In case you didn't know. Beam types are harder to use but much more accurate. Be sure when using one you don't get the handle cocked at a angle. Applying a bind. It float's for reason.