Moparchat - Home of MOPAR enthusiasts worldwide!



Go Back   Moparchat - Home of MOPAR enthusiasts worldwide! > Technical Forums > Performance Talk

Click here to search for Mopar cars and parts for sale.


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 12-16-2001, 08:23 AM
ttraut@unlockit's Avatar
ttraut@unlockit ttraut@unlockit is offline
Inactive User
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Merrimack, NH
Posts: 359
Red face Torque wrench

I'm making out my Christmas list and want a torque wrench. They come in a lot of varieties (and prices); my question for you elves/experts is, "for the average shade-tree MOchanic, what would you recommend? (ft/lb range, beam/click/digital, brand)"
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 12-16-2001, 12:36 PM
Ausydad's Avatar
Ausydad Ausydad is offline
Inactive User
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Ft. Wayne, In.
Age: 57
Posts: 1,024
Default

Just because I don't use mine all the time, I stayed away from the "Snap-on" truck. I got one recently from Harbor Freight Tools with an adjustable clicker (up to 150 ), lockdown for the adjuster, in a 1/2" drive for $20.00. Just bring the torque adjustment back to 0 when you're done using it to help keep it in calibration.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12-16-2001, 01:28 PM
sanborn sanborn is offline
Inactive User
 
Join Date: May 1999
Location: shelbyville,tn,USA
Posts: 2,880
Default

Torque wrenches come in all shapes, sizes and prices. If you are going to use a torque wrench only occasionally for stock or semi stock engine work, the Harbor Freight unit is as good as a $150 unit. What Ausydad said is absolutely correct, always release the pressure on the unit when storing. As cheap as they are, I suggest you request(if your been really good) two torque wrenches, a 1/2" and a 3/8" drive unit. I probably use the 3/8" unit more than the 1/2" one.

I've got several torque wrenches, the original Proto unit(40 years old), a Craftsman dial unit my son bought for me several years ago(because he didn't like the Proto unit), two 3/8" drive units, one 1/4" drive unit and a Harbor Freight 1/2" drive unit we carry in our race trailer tool box. All were checked(tested) about two years ago. The Harbor Freight was within 2% @100 Ft./Lbs. All were within 3-4% except the Craftsman unit. It was about 10% over. What's worse, I know how to adjust all but the Craftsman unit(SOL). Needless to say, the Craftsman unit is only used for initial torque during assembly.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 12-16-2001, 02:07 PM
DartMan360's Avatar
DartMan360 DartMan360 is offline
Inactive User
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Akron Ohio
Age: 39
Posts: 514
Default

I have the Craftsman Digi Tork. Goes from 25 to 250 ftlbs. It was 120 and came with a free case. I think it was well worth it as it does get used amost everyday in the shop.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12-16-2001, 02:11 PM
Ausydad's Avatar
Ausydad Ausydad is offline
Inactive User
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Ft. Wayne, In.
Age: 57
Posts: 1,024
Default

The only parts about Craftsman that suck are they're too expensive to calibrate and it's about the only Craftsman item that's NOT covered by the lifetime warranty.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 12-16-2001, 02:14 PM
DartMan360's Avatar
DartMan360 DartMan360 is offline
Inactive User
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Akron Ohio
Age: 39
Posts: 514
Default

How much does it cost to re calibrate it? The only thing that has the lifetime warenty is general hand tools and thats it.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 12-16-2001, 05:13 PM
Christopher's Avatar
Christopher Christopher is offline
Inactive User
 
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: fl
Posts: 2,018
Default

I use a older Craftsman beam type torque wrench.It's been checked several times for accuracy,and has never let me down.I have 2 click type wrenches, an S-K and a Matco.Both of these are good too,I just like using the beam type.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 12-16-2001, 05:56 PM
TOOL MAN's Avatar
TOOL MAN TOOL MAN is offline
Inactive User
 
Join Date: May 1999
Location: GREAT STATE OF MO.
Posts: 161
Default

SPEAKING AS A TOOL DIST. FOR PROTO TOOL, I WOULD START WITH GETTING ONE THAT MEETS YOUR NEEDS. MOST AUTO STUFF CAN BE DONE WITH A 1/2 DRIVE CLICK TYPE WITH A 30-150 FT/LBS RANGE. IF YOU HAVE A BUISNESS THEN THATS STILL A GOOD ONE, BUT I MYSELF HAVE A 3/8 DRIVE CLICK 0/100 FT/LBS AND A 1/2 DRIVE 50/250 FT/LBS. THAT COVERS ALMOST ANY REGULAR NEEDS

THE DIAL AND THE DIGITAL ARE MORE EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR AND HARDER TO MAINTAIN. THE DIAL IS SOMETIMES HARD TO READ WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO PUT A LOT OF TORQUE ON SOMETHING. THE BEAM TYPE , GOOD AS A BREAKER BAR,

BRANDS
PROTO, SNAPON, WRIGHT TOOL, MAC, MATCO, CORNWELL ARE ALL GOOD. ALSO CHECK WITH THE DEALER ON RECALABRATION. MY SHOP SENDS THEM BACK FREE OF CHARGE IN MOST CASSES. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE ACCURACY OF CRAFTSMAN TOOL, ALL I CAN SAY IS YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.

CRAFTMAN TOOL HAS COME A LONG WAY IN THERE QUALITY, BUT I CAN'T ADVISE YOU TO GET A CRAFTSMAN BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE ANY REFERENCES TO GIVE YOU FOR THEIRS..

HOPE THIS INFO HELPS YOU MAKE A DESISION.......

TOOL MAN
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 12-16-2001, 10:12 PM
ttraut@unlockit's Avatar
ttraut@unlockit ttraut@unlockit is offline
Inactive User
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Merrimack, NH
Posts: 359
Default Thanks

Thanks! I think Santa's going to bring me the 1/2" and 3/8" Harborfreight wrenches. I KNEW the elves would have some great advice!

Terry
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 12-17-2001, 12:26 AM
PRO PRO is offline
Inactive User
 
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Grand Junction,CO.USA
Posts: 1,573
Default

It cost me $40 to have mine recalibrated which I have done every 2 yrs,also always remember to set it back to zero when done,if you leave it set at any torque level it will become less accurate sooner...........PRO........
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 12-31-2001, 07:59 PM
5thAve 5thAve is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Canada
Posts: 406
Default

I've been told before and also read a couple times now here and there that you should leave them set at a low setting, but not zero when not in use. At zero quite often there is no force applied to the internals (something like that anyway) which isn't all that good for them either.

For the few times that I've actually had to use a torque wrench I've never gotten one of my own, have always used someone elses.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 12-31-2001, 08:09 PM
dl79's Avatar
dl79 dl79 is offline
Inactive User
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Cullman, AL - Heart of Dixie
Age: 66
Posts: 127
Post

I got a 1/2" drive 0-150 on e-bay made by Pittsburg Tool. It cost 16$ + shipping, and came with a hard plastic case. Haven't use it so can't tell you how it works, but judging by the way it looks and feels, seems to be good quality. Well worth 16$, no more than I will be using it. I think they also had smaller and larger units.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 01-01-2002, 02:37 AM
pishta's Avatar
pishta pishta is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Tustin, CA
Age: 55
Posts: 3,987
Default

Pittsburgh Tool is Harbor Freight
Anyway, http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...itemnumber=239

Anyway, Im looking for an inch lb wrench for trans and diff. work. I like my Harbor Freight clicker too! Im running downstairs right now to relieve the spring tension!!
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 01-01-2002, 11:53 PM
dl79's Avatar
dl79 dl79 is offline
Inactive User
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Cullman, AL - Heart of Dixie
Age: 66
Posts: 127
Thumbs up

Hey pishta,
Looks like I lost 7 bucks on the deal. Oh, well... Anyway, thanks for that website.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 01-02-2002, 12:29 AM
5thAve 5thAve is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Canada
Posts: 406
Default

Anyone know if they ship to Canada or even how much shipping costs?? They got some nice prices
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Torque wrench 69 Polara Restoring your MoPar (Tricks & techniques) 9 09-12-2007 09:55 AM
Now THAT'S a torque wrench! 72Challenger Joke Forum 2 04-15-2006 07:31 PM
Torque Wrench Question vincentw56 Dakota Truck Forum 5 04-18-2001 11:36 PM
TORQUE WRENCH JANDJ Performance Talk 2 02-10-2001 06:35 AM
shadow and wrench a go-go shadowpk Street Warrior Forum - great street race stories..... 0 05-09-2000 02:32 PM




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:55 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
. . . . .