Torque wrench
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 619
Likes: 0
From:
I went to sears yesterday, their inch lb tq wrench is on sale for $79.95. Yikes! I went to Harbor Freight and got one for $20. If I was gonna use it a lot, would probably get the craftsman but figure I'll use it less than ten times in my lifetime, HF is fine...
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 127
I bought a Sears "beam" type 25 years ago to use in the shop. It has more than enough capacity for anything I have ever used it on, even axle bolts and lug nuts. Call me old fashioned but if I need to convert to inch pounds or foot pounds I simply divide or multiple by 12. Too simple? Maybe.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,780
Likes: 69
From: Al Bu Ker Key, New Mexico
Not a mechanic and have never used a torque wrench, could someone explain the proper procedure? I get it that you attach your socket or bit and proceed to "tighten" the target bolt or screw, but how do you "read' the torque wrench? Do you "set" it to some reading or do you tighten until you reach a certain setting?
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,764
Likes: 50
From: Gilbert, AZ
I've had these two Harbor-Freight wrenches for about 10 years and find them reliable and accurate. Tested them along with a $325 Snap-On and an old Torsen and the Harbor-Freight wrenches were the most accurate of the group by far. They also have a lifetime guarantee, and I know of no other torque wrench that has one. You can buy both for about $36.
HF 1/4"-drive in/lb wrench
HF 1/2"-drive ft/lb wrench
BTW, the in/lb wrench is on sale now at the lowest price I've ever seen it offered.
HF 1/4"-drive in/lb wrench
HF 1/2"-drive ft/lb wrench
BTW, the in/lb wrench is on sale now at the lowest price I've ever seen it offered.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 4
From: Central Coast CA
I have all 3 from HF 1/4" 3/8" and 1/2" drive clicker torque wrenches and I also had dads old craftsman beam type. I did have to take the 1/2" drive back and get it replaced it was not working right it clicked once then never again. I had heard mixed feeling about the HF torque wrenches but have checked them with other viable sources before using and mine are good and have a life time warranty! I got he 1/2" on sale for 9.99 and the other two for the 20% with the coupon just check them with a viable source before you use them and always readjust back to 0 everytime even if incrimenting up to the next torque level in a sequence is what I do. Most torque setting are a range I shoot for the middle and the wrenches say they have a .04% + or - accuracy.
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 4
From: Central Coast CA
Made my own set took some old wrencehs and sockets cut one end off the wrenches and welded the sockets on making sure that the shaft drive of the socket was oreiented with the shaft of the wrench for squarness so 90 degrees could be found easily I found I have one that was a little off but by adjusting the torque wrench and puting the socket part on the wrench one way I can still acheive the 90 dgree portion.