Cheap Torque wrenches
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,580
Likes: 7
From: The Internet (& Dyer, Indiana)
Quality tools are great for open end wrenches, box end wrenches, sockets, ratchets, crescents and all hard use tools, no doubt... However, for seldom used torque wrenches I prefer ACCURACY above all else. I'd rather pay $20 for an accurate torque wrench than $120 for an equal that will perform the same or worse. I trust independant labs more than off-the-cuff responses in making my buying decisions.
So far I have not been convinced that the torque wrenches being sold by HF are inferior to any others. In fact, my findings were that they were as good or better than most others costing many times more.
That being said, go ahead and spend as much as you want for a tool, it's your money. On the other hand, by spending $20 on a torque wrench, I can also buy an air butterfly wrench, an angle grinder, a peanut grinder and a few other tools with the money saved.
Go figure.
So far I have not been convinced that the torque wrenches being sold by HF are inferior to any others. In fact, my findings were that they were as good or better than most others costing many times more.
That being said, go ahead and spend as much as you want for a tool, it's your money. On the other hand, by spending $20 on a torque wrench, I can also buy an air butterfly wrench, an angle grinder, a peanut grinder and a few other tools with the money saved.
Go figure.
I'm surprised you didn't have room to buy a Rolex with the money saved!
Club Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 14,564
Likes: 9,223
From: the 50s & the 60s
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....going back to quote from the original posting in this thread..................
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the above is not debatable.
it is good advice.
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....going back to quote from the original posting in this thread..................
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**********
my own stupidity got me this time
since I should have known better than to buy a precision item like a torque wrench there
(or anywhere for less than $30).
***********************
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Anyhow for anyone out there wanting to buy a cheap torque wrench,
.
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"don't".
.
.
**********
my own stupidity got me this time
since I should have known better than to buy a precision item like a torque wrench there
(or anywhere for less than $30).
***********************
.
.
.
Anyhow for anyone out there wanting to buy a cheap torque wrench,
.
.
"don't".
.
the above is not debatable.
it is good advice.
.
.
.
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,580
Likes: 7
From: The Internet (& Dyer, Indiana)
Do it by feel.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,614
Likes: 9,068
From: Snow Hill, NC
y'ALL ARE WAY OVERDEBATING THIS...It's just a freakin tool... spend what you wanna spend... if you want a expensive or over priced one and you can afford it... buy it...If you feel a cheap one works fine.. then fine. It ain't no big deal.
Been using the same HF torque wrenches for two years without a problem. Built a high compression chevy LS6 last summer used my hf torque's for it all.
My 1/2" is still within 2lbs of my dad's digital mac that beeps - wow. lol and he has double in his 1/2" than what I have in all three.
It goes to show you you DO GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. You pay for a tool, you get a tool. You pay for a "Name" with bells & whistles, you get the exact same tool for 5 times the price...sad.
My 1/2" is still within 2lbs of my dad's digital mac that beeps - wow. lol and he has double in his 1/2" than what I have in all three.
It goes to show you you DO GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. You pay for a tool, you get a tool. You pay for a "Name" with bells & whistles, you get the exact same tool for 5 times the price...sad.
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,580
Likes: 7
From: The Internet (& Dyer, Indiana)
Been using the same HF torque wrenches for two years without a problem. Built a high compression chevy LS6 last summer used my hf torque's for it all.
My 1/2" is still within 2lbs of my dad's digital mac that beeps - wow. lol and he has double in his 1/2" than what I have in all three.
My 1/2" is still within 2lbs of my dad's digital mac that beeps - wow. lol and he has double in his 1/2" than what I have in all three.
Do you get off on having the most accuracy?
or
Do you get off on having the lowest price tool?
At least you admitted that it was "off".
Did you opt for the cheapest pistons and gaskets in that LS6?
Do you run the cheapest fuel in it? (Does it run?) He he!
Many seem to forget that they only have to buy the tool once. One time! You have the good one for life. Don't you deserve the best?
Y'all must not like yourselves.
Last edited by Faast Ed; Nov 23, 2010 at 04:54 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,382
Likes: 4
From: Kennewick, WA
It's all a matter of priorities.
Do you get off on having the most accuracy?
or
Do you get off on having the lowest price tool?
At least you admitted that it was "off".
Did you opt for the cheapest pistons and gaskets in that LS6?
Do you run the cheapest fuel in it? (Does it run?) He he!
Many seem to forget that they only have to buy the tool once. One time! You have the good one for life. Don't you deserve the best?
Y'all must not like yourselves.
Do you get off on having the most accuracy?
or
Do you get off on having the lowest price tool?
At least you admitted that it was "off".
Did you opt for the cheapest pistons and gaskets in that LS6?
Do you run the cheapest fuel in it? (Does it run?) He he!
Many seem to forget that they only have to buy the tool once. One time! You have the good one for life. Don't you deserve the best?
Y'all must not like yourselves.
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 683
Likes: 3
From: Florida
Calibration follow up
Wow I am amazed at the number of posts this thread keeps producing. Anyhow I think everyone (including me) has pretty much decided where they stand in this area, that admittedly does have variables of decision.
But I thought I would follow up on the calibration thing. I have called several mechanic shops and emailed several calibrators online. So far here are my results. It appears to depend on "who you are" in this area.
1. Snap On (online) told me they don't calibrate any other brand of wrench except Snap On. Price starts at $75, usually is more depending on shipping.
2. Mechanics told me (most of them) that their tool supply truck K-E, etc. (SnapOn included) would calibrate their wrenches of most any brand, slightly more for other brands. They also said they got it done for around $40 a wrench, picked up and delivered.
3. Independent online calibrators are very slow to respond, so far not much back from them. (have no idea why this is except maybe they also mainly work with pro shops or companies) I did get a response from one wanting more information on brand and type of wrench, which I sent back and still waiting on return.
4. Calling around town on the phone, I was not able to find one "local" parts house etc (NAPA included) that could offer or tell me where to get a calibration.
5. Sears online said if their wrench needed calibration to take it back to the store. The guy in the local Sears tool department told me Sears does not calibrate wrenches. (Hey the world is crazy now a days, I'm telling you just what I found)
6. It would appear to me if your not in a pro shop, that calibration is not an option and just buy a new wrench in comparable price ranch of personal decision.
Just thought I would share this. You guys have a great Turkey Day.
But I thought I would follow up on the calibration thing. I have called several mechanic shops and emailed several calibrators online. So far here are my results. It appears to depend on "who you are" in this area.
1. Snap On (online) told me they don't calibrate any other brand of wrench except Snap On. Price starts at $75, usually is more depending on shipping.
2. Mechanics told me (most of them) that their tool supply truck K-E, etc. (SnapOn included) would calibrate their wrenches of most any brand, slightly more for other brands. They also said they got it done for around $40 a wrench, picked up and delivered.
3. Independent online calibrators are very slow to respond, so far not much back from them. (have no idea why this is except maybe they also mainly work with pro shops or companies) I did get a response from one wanting more information on brand and type of wrench, which I sent back and still waiting on return.
4. Calling around town on the phone, I was not able to find one "local" parts house etc (NAPA included) that could offer or tell me where to get a calibration.
5. Sears online said if their wrench needed calibration to take it back to the store. The guy in the local Sears tool department told me Sears does not calibrate wrenches. (Hey the world is crazy now a days, I'm telling you just what I found)
6. It would appear to me if your not in a pro shop, that calibration is not an option and just buy a new wrench in comparable price ranch of personal decision.
Just thought I would share this. You guys have a great Turkey Day.
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,580
Likes: 7
From: The Internet (& Dyer, Indiana)
Oh I get it alright. I buy one wrench to spend my life with, and every time I reach for it, I know it's not the one that's a "few pounds off".
I get rewarded every time I reach for it.