Good torque wrench for occasional use
 

I'm on the tail end of putting my engine back in my car. I was installing the new axle shafts today and went to torque the CV joint bolts (8mm 34 ft/lb). I quickly realized that my 3/8 and my 1/2" (Pittsburgh & Klein) torque wrenches were registering at what should be 34 ft/lb. I took both to a stand that I have, loosened one of the bolts and then retorqued it. Still felt heavy. So I'm in the market for a decent torque wrench.

I'm going to go 3/8 because most start at around 15-20 ft/lb and go up to 100. That should cover me for most of what I do except for lugs on my F250. I saw a Craftsman 3/8 (non digital) at Lowes for $80 which didn't seem too bad. It reviews well on most sites. I thought about Proto but they run about $130 or up to $150 depending on the torque range. I guess I'm not adverse to paying that much but again this isn't going to be a frequent use tool. I won't go with the Harbor Freight torque wrench again as the Pittsburgh was a bit flakey from the day I bought it.

So what say you?

Even if you don't buy on Amazon I've always found the reviews useful there. I'll check to see which is popular and then source locally sometimes.

Is this the one at Lowe's?
https://www.amazon.com/CRAFTSMAN-Torque-Wrench-8-Inch-CMMT99433/dp/B07VZZDFL9/ref=sr_1_2?crid=A1CLRN6RHQ70&dchild=1&keywords=cra ftsman+torque+wrench+3%2F8+drive&qid=1619880467&sp refix=craftsman+tor%2Caps%2C228&sr=8-2

^^^
Yep! That's the one. I looked at the reviews there as well as on other sites and it seems to review very well.

I have a 1/2” drive CDI and it’s been great for the 10 years I’ve owned it.

https://www.amazon.com/CDI-1002MFRMH-8-Inch-Handle-100-Ft-lbs/dp/B002LA19P2/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=cdi+torque+wrench +3%2F8+drive&qid=1619881851&sprefix=cdi+&sr=8-3

But then there's this
https://www.menards.com/main/tools/hand-tools/ratchets/masterforce-reg-3-8-drive-mechanical-torque-wrench/67282/p-1524810584978-c-1538157527058.htm?tid=-3920241579172400289&ipos=4

Masterforce with a lifetime warranty. I figure anything I buy in the lower price range is going to be a product of China so I might as well get one with a lifetime guarantee.

CDI seems to run about what Proto does in price. Not sure I can source locally.

"The coefficient of static friction for steel is around 0.6–0.15 and the coefficient of kinetic friction is around 0.09–0.6." - https://hypertextbook.com/facts/2005/steel.shtml

This is why I find it amusing when people fuss over torque accuracy.

If you have a corner case, where the safety factor is small, sure, a torque wrench makes sense. - stretch bolts and mars rover stuff.

I took my three Harbor Freight torque wrenches to the testing guys at the local airport, in advance of rebuilding the 911 engine. These guys test and certify the wrenches used by aviation mechanics. The HF wrenches passed. I think they were about $20 each at the time, new. Mine were not new.

Used precision instruments off ebay. They make 'em for Snap on

Where does one find a local place to have torque wrenches calibrated? My SnapOn torque wrenches are: 1/2” = 30 years old, 3/8” = 20 years old and my 1/4 = 15 years old.

When not using them, I leave them at 20% of the max.

Not sure how I learned. Perhaps I Googled it. Or go to the airport and ask the mechanics. The tester I found was at a small local airport. There is an office at this airport. They might know.

The guys who tested mine, in all candor, did not run them through the entire certification test. They probably measure them at several different settings. And they would charge a fee. For me, they just tested each wrench once and said it was within aviation spec at that setting. We chatted and I left. No fee.

Not for almost 20 years. Snapon currently owns CDI.

You could buy a digital interface to check your torque tools.

I've had these calibrated before, they were always very good.

https://www.amazon.com/Neiko-20741A-Digital-29-5-147-5-Foot-Pound/dp/B009GLISI0/ref=sr_1_35?crid=1BFCWRBO2CLFH&dchild=1&keywords=t orque+wrench+1%2F2+drive&qid=1619894484&sprefix=to rque+wrench%2Caps%2C208&sr=8-35


Do you leave your torque wrench set to zero?

Re. coefficient static vs dynamic friction - isn't this why a torque wrench is supposed to be used in the dynamic friction realm? E.g. a continuous motion until you get the click.

The cheapest "local place" is a bolt clamped in your vise. measure the distance to a hanging wt. on the handle & see if it matches the reading.

Check it mid-scale. Torque wrenches are an in-between accuracy method - better than your iron wrist, not as good as angle measurements.

Or google up places you can ship them to.

I do zero mine before they go back in the toolbox.

BTW, I snagged one from Menards tonight. I'm going to set it and see how my other two do against it. I did some looking and found a video of how to check calibration. I might mess with that tomorrow on my 1/2 Klein.

I bought a Husky at Home Depot after my Craftsman broke. I have been very pleased with it. No plastic bits all metal. The Craftsman had a plastic lock that failed, it was 20+ years old and had been used frequently.

Tested both against the one from Menards. The Klein was WAY off and the Pittsburgh from HF was off as well. The Klein has an adjustment screw on it that is visible. The HF is under the handle. I'm going to adjust the Klein when I get a chance but so far the Masterforce feels pretty good other than I'd like something with a little finer tooth for the ratcheting action.