Mini Torque Wrench??

[NoLift911]

Anybody have one of these - what are the good brands? I can find a ton of full size ones...

-Jeff

[aigel]

I have a Craftsman click style. Do NOT buy this one! It is a piece. Their warranty is only one year on the torque wrenches, unlike the life time warranty on basic hand tools. My experience is that they break after about 2 years of light hobby use and then you are hosed.

I would only consider snap on or matco. Both have websites where you can buy them directly. Buy them used if you can't afford them new. If you break down and go to Sears, make sure you keep the receipt.

Hope this helps?

George

[NoLift911]

George -

I usually run from Craftsmen for anything but hand tools with no moving parts.

I will try the other sites.

-Jeff

[thabaer]

Are you talking about a 3/8" drive 15-75ft-lb or a 1/4" in-ozs ??

[NoLift911]

I need something that is acurate for anything under 25 ft. lbs...and small in size. Basically the size of a regular, ratchet 3/8.

-Jeff

[88-diamondblue]

Check at Home Depot. They have a lifetime warranty on there torque wrenches. I don't know what the torque range is on their wrenches.

[randywebb]

I'll bet you don't need a torque wrench for < 25 ft-lbs -- at least for a 911....

[aigel]

Originally posted by randywebb
I'll bet you don't need a torque wrench for < 25 ft-lbs -- at least for a 911....

You definitely need one. Even torque of 8Nm ~ 6 ft/lb is essential on getting valve covers to seal! The nylock M6 have even less torque. While the acutal torque on the nylocks may not be essential, getting them even is a must and can only be achieved with a torque wrench... I use the small wrench as much as I use the big one on the 911 ....

George

[aigel]

Originally posted by nolift911

I usually run from Craftsmen for anything but hand tools with no moving parts.

Excellent, Jeff. Same thing here. Unfortunately their excellent (earned) rep on the hand tools gets people into buying their electrical and more involved tools. They are all not worth what they cost IMHO.

Try www.thetoolwarehouse.net for some name brand stuff that is in between Home Depot and Snap On or Matco.

George

[masraum]

I know Pelican or DriveWerks sells low torque torque wrenches, but I don't know how big they are. Check here. Wayne sells top notch tools.

[buster73]

You can get cheap 1/4" and 3/8" torque wrenches at HarborFreight.com but don't expect the best quality. Makes sense to calibrate them before using them on Magnesium valve covers or other sensitive stuff.

[Rufblackbird]

Originally posted by 88-diamondblue
Check at Home Depot. They have a lifetime warranty on there torque wrenches. I don't know what the torque range is on their wrenches.

Husky torque wrenches are crap as well; my 3/8" broke on me and I barely used it. Closer inspection of the warranty certificate states it's only one year...

[jluetjen]

I'll go counter the flow and point out that I use the standard beam type torque wrenches and have not had a problem. They never fail and are virtually impossible to over-torque. There are also very few situations where I can't see enough get the information that I need while tightening a bolt.

Calibration? Make sure that the pointer points to zero when you start.

Accuracy? Accurate enough. I've never had a problem with over- or under- torquing a bolt while using a bar style. Done it lot's of time with the clicking style -- especially on low torque value bolts.

So after busting a few ratchet style torque wrenches, I still have (a broken) one that I use as a breaker bar. For anything that I want done right, I use the beam style.

[Bill Verburg]

I use a 35yr old Sears 1/4" beam for small stuff, here's a pic w/ a 3/8" ratchet for comparison.

[NoLift911]

Originally posted by randywebb
I'll bet you don't need a torque wrench for < 25 ft-lbs -- at least for a 911....

There may not be much on the 911 that requires it but when you are trying to track down an issue and a higher authority asks if things were torqued properly I would like to answer yes. Valve covers come to mind as do tranny plugs (no pun intended)

This is actually not for my 911 at all but for my Jeep and the universal joint straps on my rear driveshaft. The joint failed due to an incorrect torque setting from the factory. It was suppose to be 17 ft lbs and it was set to 25 ft lbs. The joint failed with only 15k on it and created a wretched vibration.

Torque settings are very important for certain things. I have a full size half inch torque wrench from Griot's (25-150 ft lbs)and the quality is insane. Plus they test it for free for life whenever I send it in. Cheap it was not - but quality never is cheap.

I used to work on jet ski's and now my motorcycle and a small torque wrench is indespensible. I wanted to by a small "mini" torque wrench both in size and in readings that will last forever basically a small version of the Griot's.

I guess Snap-On is the way to go...

-Jeff

[yelcab1]

I have three Sears Torque wrenches that I use often, and they have not failed me yet. The plastic collar on the smallest one broke but that did not bother me. I did re-calibrate them myself this summer and they are pretty much right on.

Because of the way our hands fit over the torque wrenches, I would be very surprised if any torque wrenches can deliver anything more than 5% accuracy.

[steve911]

I'll second jluetjen & Bill Verburg. I recently took my 25+ year old 1/2" drive beam torque wrench into Sears and walked out with a brand new one (it even was the exact same model # as the old one).

No questions asked whatsoever.

FYI, Craftsman beam-type torque wrenches still have the lifetime warranty; can't speak to the click-type ones.

[randywebb]

"trying to track down an issue and a higher authority asks if things were torqued properly I would like to answer yes"

- OK, if the access if reasonable just get a beam type - cheaper and more accurate. Mine looks just like BV's and is the same age... You don't need the Snap-On...

- If the access is tight and you need a click type, then find out what they are suing at Boeing, etc. these days - it will surely be good enough. It will be easier to buy Snap-On -- you might check into SK, Mac, and Cornwall (the latter is trying to grab market share from Snap-On - at elast around here).

I rarely torque the drain plugs or valve covers...

[Grady Clay]

There is a size for every job.

The critical one for the small torque wrench is rocker arm shafts.
Note the calibration decals.




Best,
Grady

[911pcars]

Overtightening a small size fastener with an inaccurate clicker torque wrench can yield interesting results.

I'd agree with the others to go with a beam-type torque wrench at this level of torque unless you can periodically verify the accuracy of the click.

Sherwood