Anybody have a good cheap torque wrench you like ?

[fastfredracing]

I had this great cheapo one that lasted for 3 years, replaced it with the exact same model, and have not had one make 2 weeks yet. Ratchet strips out . They warrantied it for me each time, but I give up. I think it was around 75$ They probably switched to plastic inside .
This is just for wheels. shop beater wrench. Its kind of hard to justify snap on$ for something to grind lug nuts on all day with , but maybe it will pay off in the long run. He comes tomorrow, maybe Ill just throw him a bone .
75-150 ft lbs range . Had any luck with the ones at hf? Craftsman? I will be using the hell out of it, and putting it away wet .

[flipper35]

I have a HF 1/2 drive for checking the wheels and not much else. Had it for years and still works fine but it doesn't get the use you would put it through. I would double check the settings with my Snap On unit, but it is broke and they won't fix it, not even for a fee.

[speeder]

No but I have a couple of Snap-ons that aren’t too bad. Why on earth would you be using a cheap torque wrench when you are a professional working on other people’s cars?

[asphaltgambler]

I have an old Snap-On that I've had for 20 + years. Had it checked / recalibrated twice.

[fastfredracing]

Originally Posted by speeder

No but I have a couple of Snap-ons that aren’t too bad. Why on earth would you be using a cheap torque wrench when you are a professional working on other people’s cars?

Because they get the living **** beat out of them daily and often damaged, or destroyed, get wet and salty, dropped, banged around etc.
I keep the good ones in the drawer for intricate work, and always have a beater wrench out for wheels.
I should be clear, Im looking for a decent wrench, just not a $500.00 wrench
Better than torque sticks, or running it on with a gun. I torque every wheel, every time .
The last one I liked , was accurate to within a few pounds of my $800 digital snap on wrench.
I just need something that works every day .
Im not torquing rod bolts with it .

[DanielDudley]

People swear by the HF 1/2'' wrench.

[RWebb]

used Snappy is the cheapest I'll go for - I get them recal'd

[1990C4S]

My Harbor Freight wrenches seem to be pretty good for repeatability, not sure about accuracy.

I have also used one of these, it was quite good and was calibrated properly:

https://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-ARM602-4-Digital-Adapter-4-147-6/dp/B004VYURT0/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3NAGDPZTFQ0SD&dchild=1&keywords=torque+gauge+digital&qid=1593553809&sprefix=torque+ga%2Caps%2C171&sr=8-2

[pete3799]

I had a Sunex 1/2 inch drive that lasted many many years but alas the gears pooped the bed a few years ago. Haven't replaced it as my brother retired and his Snap-on tool box now lives in my garage with 3 torque wrenches to choose from.

[Por_sha911]

I wouldn't do a motor rebuild with HF but the HF 1/2" I've had works great since 2005 for lug nuts (infrequent use). Dunno if the "quality" is the same today.

[pwd72s]

For torqueing wheel lugs only? Go an old fashioned beam type. No springs that need setting. No parts to wear out...actually more accurate than click types.

https://www.zoro.com/gearwrench-beam-torque-wrench-150ftlb-12-drive-2957n/i/G7044838/?msclkid=80c7a7c020b1123b1d9bf93b9aa8a593&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PLA_US_L1%20Hand%20Tools&utm_term=4586337877736398&utm_content=All%20Products&gclid=CMqkwPDIquoCFYZkfgode1EGpg&gclsrc=ds

(edit)

Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=supn8C3enZg

[fastfredracing]

A beam would be a total pain in the arse. Today , was a slower day at the shop, and I still torqued 96 lug nuts. Can you imagine being 50 years old, and kneeling down, trying to watch a a beam while you twisted 32 dually lug nuts to 130 ft lbs each?
I need a clicker . this is like production level work . Thanks though

[masraum]

I've got an SK 1/2" 20-150#. I think I paid $100-150 15 years ago. You can get it from the sk website on sale for $177 right now. I pretty much only use it for wheels, but I wouldn't give it near the workout that you do.

I'd probably give one of the Husky models from the big box stores a shot. That stuff seems OK.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

A beam would be a total pain in the arse. Today , was a slower day at the shop, and I still torqued 96 lug nuts. Can you imagine being 50 years old, and kneeling down, trying to watch a a beam while you twisted 32 dually lug nuts to 130 ft lbs each?
I need a clicker . this is like production level work . Thanks though

HOLY CARP! That's a lot of friggin' tight lugnuts.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I have one of these and have tested it up to 125 ftlb against my new digital Snap-On. It's been bang on the few times I have. If you want high quality lower cost, pawn shops are great places to visit. People buy stupid expensive stuff all the time that they don't really need.

Icon
1/2 in. 50-250 ft. lb. Professional Torque Wrench

[speeder]

Originally Posted by RWebb

used Snappy is the cheapest I'll go for - I get them recal'd

That’s how I roll as well. I’m cheap but I have expensive taste.

For lug nuts only, Fred is right. He needs a blunt instrument that works and doesn’t break easily. Torque wrenches by nature are somewhat delicate.

[1990C4S]

Why would you not use these for lug nuts???

https://www.amazon.com/Capri-Tools-30083-Limiting-Extension/dp/B015NI2NP8/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=URDAEZAOC1OV&dchild=1&keywords=torque+extension+1%2F2+drive&qid=1593558810&sprefix=torque+exte%2Caps%2C164&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyQVFERlZBMFg3TFBJJ mVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjE0NTY1M0ZLSjlYVUM5RTQwUyZlbmN yeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNTEyNDE1MlBCWUlKMDYzVjlOMCZ3aWRnZ XROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05 vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=


I would never do all those lug nuts with a torque wrench. Twenty is my daily limit....

[Shaun @ Tru6]

^^^ i was wondering the same.

[cabmandone]

I've been pondering those torque extensions for an impact. Don't know if they're worth a damn or not though. A few of my cars have 80 ft lb torque for the lugs. My truck I think is 160. A few others take 100 ft lbs.

Good to see a mechanic that still torques lug nuts. It drives me crazy when I hear a guy changing tires just hammering away on the lug nuts.

I have a 1/2" and 1/4" torque wrench made by K tools or Klein or something like that.

[fastfredracing]

I worked at a sears auto as a kid, and they made those torque sticks mandatory. Wheels were falling off left and right . I can remember coming into work for the late shift, and right in the middle of the mall lane, was a sweet Blue/ sliver mustang gt with 3 brand new wheels, and one bent up fender and door .
I honestly just do not trust them . I dont mind clicking off lug nuts by hand. Wheels never ever fall off this way, and I have made it my routine . I gun them down with a lower power 1/2 inch impact, to right about a sweet spot, roughly 65-70 ish, then final torque each one by hand . Its like a 2 step process, that never lets me down, and I cant miss or forget one . I start at the left front and work my way around clockwise, every car. If you have ever had a wheel fall off, this ritual will not seem so sillly .