What is the best name brand Torque Wrench...that is good

[THE BLACK MAMBA]

Going to assemble my engine soon and i want to buy a good accurate torque wrench..what to get? are the craftmens any good?

 

[toofastforyou]

Mine is an "OTC"...but one from MAC Tools should be great too!...

Claude...

 

[BlackBandit]

I wouldn't hesitate to use a craftsman. If not that then MAC, Snap On, or something in that league.

 

[bmackinnon]

Snap-On, without a doubt. It's what we used at GM (hundreds, if not thousands of them in the tool rooms), and what we use in nearly every nuclear plant I have worked in (and that's a bunch of 'em!! ). If it's good enough for multi-thousand hp nuclear safety-related pumps, valves, piping systems, and supporting equipment, I would trust it for the ole' Buick! Mac and Matco are good also.... if you can swing it, I would choose either of those three over a Craftsman, any day.....

 

[jhanson1750]

I use a snap-on BUT I had it calibrated after I had it for about 4 years and it was off by a lot. I will find the sheet and post back. Jon Hanson

 

[87action]

torque wrench

Just borrow one from a local buddy, shop,etc. You don't want to purchase one as these can be pricey ($275-$325) Also make sure it's been calibrated if they look at you funny. Test it on something of a known torque value.

 

[87-TURBO-T]

snap on is one of the best but pricey, mac is just about as good, and quite a bit cheaper price wise.

 

[Dreamcar86]

Seems to me anything would work for a one time application now if you are going to make a living with it or rebuild many engines than spare no money and get the best. I purchased one from a local auto parts store which worked well, then again I am not using it everyday or making a my living with it.

 

[Bobs rare 6]

Snap-on 3/8 that goes to 100# with flex head. Great for re-torque heads with exh. and rocker shafts on car! Later, Bob.

 

[1of1547]

Our shop uses Snap On exclusively also. We have to get them calibrated every year. I usually bring my Craftsmen in to have it checked. So far for the last 5+ years it has been dead nuts. It is 18 years old and still going strong. But I do not use it everyday like the shop does with the Snap On wrenches. We tried some Armstrong torque wrenches. Most broke with in the first six months. When the remainder went in for calibration one was so far out we though we were going to have to recall the parts it was used on. That would of be a real disaster. Imagine trying to figure out what jobs a specific torque wrench was used on and which ones it wasn't.

 

[fuzzyGN]

I used to work at the Cal shop here at work so one day I brought in a handfull of the "cheaper" brands and tested them. My Craftsman was perfect all the way top to bottom. I have had that one since 1991. I then found an old something-or-other and it too tested really close. Not perfect but well within .5% of reading. It was REALLY old. Later I found out it was a Harbor Freight model. The real secret to longevity is to reduce the spring pressure after every use. Do not store the wrench "adjusted". I am a hobbist so it gets used 10 times a year on average. Not sure I would go that route for everyday use but very good for the weekend warrior.

 

[Just a Six??]

I used to work at the Cal shop here at work so one day I brought in a handfull of the "cheaper" brands and tested them. My Craftsman was perfect all the way top to bottom. I have had that one since 1991. I then found an old something-or-other and it too tested really close. Not perfect but well within .5% of reading. It was REALLY old. Later I found out it was a Harbor Freight model. The real secret to longevity is to reduce the spring pressure after every use. Do not store the wrench "adjusted". I am a hobbist so it gets used 10 times a year on average. Not sure I would go that route for everyday use but very good for the weekend warrior.

How do they calibrate them?? Thanks!

 

[TURBOPOWERED68]

I have a new S*K goes to 250 FT pounds
But after a few uses the handle just came loose.
I actually sent it to Angle yesterday for readjustment.

 

[A2000RICH]

How do they calibrate them?? Thanks!

with a calibrator--------there are several different kinds but basically they are designed to present a socket that the wrench is attached to and you can select an amount of force to apply to the wrench-------the display (analog or digital) will display the force and you compare that display to what the wrench displays--------a good calibrator should have accuracy at least ten times the accuracy that you require for your wrenches-----------i have one in my shop and i check my wrenches before every engine build--------good practice is to have calibrators themselves checked once a year.............RC

 

[gunslinger]

I've go two.
This one for lower torque and precision.

And

This one for higher torque.

I have them both checked 3-4 times a year, and have never had to make any adjustments to either one. I use them professionally, so they do get used.

 

[Darkcyde]

I've go two.
This one for lower torque and precision.

And

This one for higher torque.

I have them both checked 3-4 times a year, and have never had to make any adjustments to either one. I use them professionally, so they do get used.

your serious? 700$ plus for both of those, dam baller!

it would be funny to check those VS harbor

 

[THE BLACK MAMBA]

I've go two.
This one for lower torque and precision.

And

This one for higher torque.

I have them both checked 3-4 times a year, and have never had to make any adjustments to either one. I use them professionally, so they do get used.

did not know that snap on cost that much i`m just a baller on a budget type dude...guess i`m going to have to stick with craftsmens i quess..

 

[gnbooster87]

snap on FTW!!

 

[Eticket]

For a guy that does this maybe a handful of times in your life, Summit racing has a nice american made torque wrench, I think for ~$100.

Check into it and talk with one of their reps to make you feel better.

 

[Dabigguy]

Hey, I've got 2 snap-on torque wrenches, 3/8 and 1/2" that are 20 years and still rock !!!! They will be the last ones you will ever have to buy.

Talk with your local Snap-on salesman and maybe he will hook ya up with a $25 a week payment plan. Times are tuff and they may want to make a deal.......I know this because I nearly bought a Snap-On route years ago. There's room to haggle, if they want to.