Torque Wrench Recommendations
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,001
Likes: 1
From: Pirmasens Germany
Torque Wrench Recommendations
I need to break down and buy a torque wrench so I need some advice. I won't be using this torque wrench for anything other than my bike and very light applications. I also won't be using it very often. I don't need the best one made but I want a decent one. I would prefer to have an electronic one that can operate in both foot pounds and inch pounds if possible. I don't want to have to purchase two different wrenches if I can avoid it. Thanks for your help.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
From: Buckeye, AZ
I would say get a craftsmen, they're in the middle of the price range. I wouldn't buy a precision tool from harbor frieght but I also wouldn't pay $400 for a snap-on. Craftsmen has a lot of digital ones but I don't know if there's such one that does inch and ft\lbs. You could just divide or multiply by 12 depending on the one you get. Just joking.
I would say get a craftsmen, they're in the middle of the price range. I wouldn't buy a precision tool from harbor frieght but I also wouldn't pay $400 for a snap-on. Craftsmen has a lot of digital ones but I don't know if there's such one that does inch and ft\lbs. You could just divide or multiply by 12 depending on the one you get. Just joking.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,852
Likes: 2,493
From: Decatur, Alabama
I'll vote for Craftsman as well. However; you really should buy two torque wrenches. One in ft/lbs and one in in/lbs. Some of the torques are really light and that is getting on the bottom of the scale with the ft/lb wrench. If it were me and I was on a budget, I would go for the ft/lb wrench now and think about getting an in/lb wrench in the future. "Most" but not all critical torques have a relatively high value. I've had a ft/lb torque wrench for years and put an in/lb wrench on my Christmas list this year.
Carl
Carl
Tourer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
Start checking craigslist, I can't count the number of mechanics selling tools right now. I'd rather have a used snap on than a new craftsman. Craftsman tools use to be great tools, but in the last few years their quality control had dropped. They're still find for the hobbyist, but if you have the chance to score a used matco, snap-on, MAC, or cornwell wrench for a similar price, jump on it.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 2
From: scurry, TX
I have a Harbor Freight model that is much cheaper and all metal (unlike Craftsman that has a plastic handle). It works as well as my Craftsman did (before the handle became brittle and broke.
Oh yeah...Craftsman does NOT give a warranty on those.
Oh yeah...Craftsman does NOT give a warranty on those.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 964
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From: Savannah, TN
I got one from Autozone... and I need to upgrade.
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 868
Likes: 4
From: Warwick, RI
The harbor freight ones are fine. They are warrantied and I know more than a few people who have had them calibrated and been told they are near dead on and just as good as a craftsman by the calibration tech.
I bought my father two torque wrenches a few years ago from ACE. I was working there at the time and got them for cost, but even without my discount they were around 100 bucks each. Warrantied for life.
I bought my father two torque wrenches a few years ago from ACE. I was working there at the time and got them for cost, but even without my discount they were around 100 bucks each. Warrantied for life.
Supporter
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,419
Likes: 90
From: Vermont
I have a Craftsman Foot Pound and Inch Pound wrench. I don't have the digital, but I bought the top of the line Craftsman at the time. The handle rotates to the torque spec. It is well made and a very good accurate tool. I have compared it to a Top Line professional Snap On and it seems to be darn close to the same.