Torque Wrench Recommendations?

[ipapilot]

I am in the market for a torque wrench or two for doing routine Porsche and VW stuff and was hoping I could get some recs. I am on a budget, so don't even think about the $200 and up variety!
Brian

[Joeaksa]

Get a good 1/4's (inch pounds) and 3/8's (foot pounds) and press on! Ebay has some descent ones from time to time. Picked up a new Proto 1/4 with a IBM label on it a few months back for $28. Have also seen some good prices at Harbor Freight.

Do a search on torque wrenches on this forum and believe its been discussed before...

Joe

[caliber60]

Sears 3/8 torque wrench for 59.95 does the work well. I have four other Snap On $350 torque wrenches to measure against Sears. Sears works fine. I have the Sears Torque wrench for 10 years. Great buy.

[911pcars]

Beam-type torque wrench. Cheap (~$12) and very accurate. Shop Sears or equivalent. Get one that places your torque readings in the middle of its range. In other words, don't buy a torque wrench with a 0-150 ft.lb range if the majority of your torque applications are around 20 ft.lbs. It's not as accurate. You might end up with two TW's each with a different measuring range (e.g. 0-50 ft.lb and 0-100 ft.lb)

Click-to-release torque wrenches loose calibration after awhile, especially cheap ones. Accuracy when new might be +/- 2-5% as well. Good ones are more accurate and consistent but they too must be recalibrated periodially for accuracy.

Sherwood Lee
http://members/rennlist.org/911pcars

[Joeaksa]

Sherwood is correct on the calibration. We have our click types checked every 6 or 12 months.

Chermac Services corp. Torque wrench calibration 405 340 9326

NAYYY, just a happy customer...

Joe

[ipapilot]

I plan on using the wrench/wrenches to do wheels,valve covers, cv joints/axles, etc. Am I better off getting two? I'm not sure what the settings are for these types of items (other than the lug nuts-94). Sears/Harbor Freight works fine for me if you guys think they will do the job and are affordable.

Oh and Joe, thanks for the rec for the calibration place. I'll keep their name filed away!

[COLDBASS]

I recently purchased 2 from Sears. I like the fact that I can take them back for recalibration when necessary. Thought about Snap-on but decided that for my use (one for each P-car to be used for tightening lugs on the Fuchs), I could purchased 2-4 from Sears vs. 1 from Snap-on...I also noticed that my limited quantity of Snap-on tools has been dissapearing from my toolbox at home, while the Proto and Craftsman remain complete...typically a neighbor will come by and borrow, then I will forget who has what...I lost a Snap-on puller several years ago and both neighbors claimed innocence... its time to quit being the good sumaritan...

Good Luck,

Bob

[Joeaksa]

Brian,

The valve cover bolts are in values so low that you need a inch pound torque wrench, while most of the rest are in foot pound values.

Really need two and need to use a wrench in the middle of its value. If you need to torque something that is 50 foot pounds you should use a wrench that is 25-75 or so and not a 50-150 unit as Sherwood mentioned above. Working at the extreme upper or lower region is not really as accurate as you would want.

The company I posted does all the aircraft mechanic's tools so they are certified and good to work with.

Bob, there is a way around people borrowing tools. I ask for a drivers license or credit card to hold onto everytime someone needs to borrow a tool. It ALWAYS gets returned for some reason... My Snap-On stuff is too expensive to lose!

Joe

[COLDBASS]

Joe,

Good advice. In addition to my Snap-on puller, I just realized that I am also missing the following Snap-on tools : 3/8 drive ratchet, 1/2 drive ratchet, 1/2 breaker bar, complete set of standard open-end/socket-end wrenches, assorted flat head and phillips...jeez...its too painful to do a complete inventory...

[ZOA NOM]

Just bought an 18" 1/2" drive with digital readout from Sears for $99. Love it.

[304065]

Agree, it's more important to get it properly calibrated every few months (and to avoid dropping it in the meantime!) than it is to spend $$$ for a Hazet or a Stahlwillie.

[toolman]

Don't go to Harbor Freight !!! They sell nothing but junk tools. Good tools cost good money, never scrimp on a precision tool like a torque wrench. My (professional) recomendation is a S-K, Proto, KD, or KTI usa made. Get a good one made in America

[thomschoon]

Stay away from the Harbor Freight type units as they are tough to certify and have larger tolerance. I prefer Snap-on but a Sears unit will work, dial then click type and the beam types are the best, I stay away from digital as they have greater tolerance ranges. No matter what you buy, have it checked before you use it, even a new one.

[Doug E]

Call me crazy but I bought the HF 1/2" clicker type of torque wrench for use on lug nuts, etc.. I paid $19.95 but in the most recent catelog it was going for only $9.99.

[Eugene at Pelican Parts]

how do you calibrate a clicker type torque wrench?

[ChrisBennet]

Originally posted by COLDBASS
I recently purchased 2 from Sears. I like the fact that I can take them back for recalibration when necessary. Thought about Snap-on but decided that for my use (one for each P-car to be used for tightening lugs on the Fuchs), I could purchased 2-4 from Sears vs. 1 from Snap-on...I also noticed that my limited quantity of Snap-on tools has been dissapearing from my toolbox at home, while the Proto and Craftsman remain complete...typically a neighbor will come by and borrow, then I will forget who has what...I lost a Snap-on puller several years ago and both neighbors claimed innocence... its time to quit being the good sumaritan...

Good Luck,

Bob

I lend lot of tools out and I keep a little book so I know who has what. Keeps me sane.
-Chris

[thrown_hammer]

I have a harbor freight and paid $10. I am going to have it calibrated here at work by our gauge dept. (Yes I am super cheap)

[91C2wrencher]

Free recalibration at Sears? Never heard of this. How do you get it done? do they do it right there? send it out? Inquiring minds want to know.

[COLDBASS]

I believe that the first 3-6 months the service is free (warranty), after that, its billable...probably just send it out to one of their regional service/repair centers...

[scottb]

Anyone have a good used 1/2" torque wrench they'd like to sell? If so, send me an e-mail. Thanks.