Torque Wrench
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 627
Likes: 195
From: St. Louis
The problem with the 3/8 versus 1/4 is that the leverage is so much greater with the 3/8 that it is easy to over torque, even though you have it set correctly.
Btw, I checked the accuracy of my 3/8 Craftsman with the link I displayed earlier and found that I'm pretty close to specs--that's a good thing. If anything my wrench indicates strong when I'm not really getting that much torque. This tells me that when the service manual says 38-42 ft lbs that I should absolutely torque at 42. Easy calibration to perform. My 1/4 drive should be here this week.
Btw, I checked the accuracy of my 3/8 Craftsman with the link I displayed earlier and found that I'm pretty close to specs--that's a good thing. If anything my wrench indicates strong when I'm not really getting that much torque. This tells me that when the service manual says 38-42 ft lbs that I should absolutely torque at 42. Easy calibration to perform. My 1/4 drive should be here this week.
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,580
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From: The Internet (& Dyer, Indiana)
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,473
Likes: 15
From: River City Western Canada
I would go with the HF if its just used on occasion but what ever wrench you decide on remember to always set the wrench back to zero when storing it, this will help keep its accuracy
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,675
Likes: 95
From: Billings,Mt.
This is what I use for my 3/8" drive inch pound Craftsman.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,182
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix
Okay. I can relate. I'll even add to your point,.....
At least all the bolts on a given cover would all be equal tightness, discouraging leakage at the gasket.
SC-Longhair,
I was not aware of the (advertised) HF accuracy range. Thanks for pointing that out.
My opinion was based on their reputation for cheap tools and also on my experience with a few of their cheap tools. I personally would not buy one of their torque wrenches based on HF reputation in general, not specifically on their torque wrench. I do a LOT of torquing and I take that portion of the job as high priority.
I torque most everything religiously and I also follow the sequence recommended in the book. I can't even remember the last issue I had with leakage, it has been so very long ago. The money I have spent on my TQ wrenches has been the best money I had ever spent (relating to tools).
I still vote "no place to skimp" in regards to TQ wrenches.
At least all the bolts on a given cover would all be equal tightness, discouraging leakage at the gasket.
SC-Longhair,
I was not aware of the (advertised) HF accuracy range. Thanks for pointing that out.
My opinion was based on their reputation for cheap tools and also on my experience with a few of their cheap tools. I personally would not buy one of their torque wrenches based on HF reputation in general, not specifically on their torque wrench. I do a LOT of torquing and I take that portion of the job as high priority.
I torque most everything religiously and I also follow the sequence recommended in the book. I can't even remember the last issue I had with leakage, it has been so very long ago. The money I have spent on my TQ wrenches has been the best money I had ever spent (relating to tools).
I still vote "no place to skimp" in regards to TQ wrenches.
It all works just fine. Does some of the cheaper stuff break? Sure. I've also seen Snap-On, Craftsman, Kobolt, Great Neck, you name it, break. Difference is that if it's out of warranty or "tool abuse" the HF stuff is cheaper to replace.
Plus, due to the cost, if you need to take a grinder to a tool to make a "limited use specialty tool" to fit somewhere, it's alot less painful to do it to a cheap tool than an expensive one.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
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Likes: 0
From: Phoenix
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,182
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix
I have bad news for you. Even Snap-On sells DOA tools sometimes.