CDI torque wrenches

[jlee]

I've heard less-than-stellar things about the Craftsman click-type torque wrenches and I am not a fan of the beam wrench I have, so I'm considering getting one of these or these. Thoughts?

 

[Bartman39]

jlee... I have almost the same thing but is an older Proto made just like those and it has never let me down... I have it checked every so often by my snapon dealer who would love to sell me a new one... The key to making it stay in calibration is to store it on its lowest setting always... Just realized I have had it for almost 20 years...:thumbsup:

 

[Gillbot]

/flamesuit on

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-drive-click-stop-torque-wrench-239.html

I got two of these, paid $9 each after sale/coupon. Before the flamers come in here, I checked them at work on our bench device and they were accurate within a few %. Actually, they were more accurate than my old craftsman one so I sold it on craigs list and kept the cheapies!!

 

[sontakke]

Buy the cheapest one you can afford and run your own calibration on it. I used bathroom scale but one can use exercise weights or fishing scale. I posted one method on BITOG. If you google it, you will find it.

I have HF ones and they are frighteningly accurate!

- Vikas

 

[Howard]

Yes, I've also heard that the HF units are just about as good as Snap-On's.

 

[fstime]

I bought the click type HF posted above from autozone a few years ago for around 20 bucks.

All I use it for is tightening my oil drain plug once or twice a year and it works fine.

If its something you use weekly or daily (or tightening something that needs to be very accurate like head bolts) then yes, the one you linked is probably worth it, for small tasks, probably not.

 

[PottedMeat]

/flamesuit on

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-drive-click-stop-torque-wrench-239.html

I got two of these, paid $9 each after sale/coupon. Before the flamers come in here, I checked them at work on our bench device and they were accurate within a few %. Actually, they were more accurate than my old craftsman one so I sold it on craigs list and kept the cheapies!!

i've heard it's important to store them loose, do you store them like that?

it would be interesting to see one stored with a setting and one without then tested after a while of non-use.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

/flamesuit on

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-drive-click-stop-torque-wrench-239.html

I got two of these, paid $9 each after sale/coupon. Before the flamers come in here, I checked them at work on our bench device and they were accurate within a few %. Actually, they were more accurate than my old craftsman one so I sold it on craigs list and kept the cheapies!!

I have a very good friend who is an aircraft machinist. He has tested both of our HF torque wrenches as well as a couple other buddies.. I would guess 5-6 of them, and all were what he considered fairly accurate.

He did say they started to drift at the upper and lower ends of the scale but that's normal - the key is that they're consistent.

 

[Gillbot]

I bought the click type HF posted above from autozone a few years ago for around 20 bucks.

All I use it for is tightening my oil drain plug once or twice a year and it works fine.

If its something you use weekly or daily (or tightening something that needs to be very accurate like head bolts) then yes, the one you linked is probably worth it, for small tasks, probably not.

I never claimed that it was a good item for a mechanic. If that were the case, I'd recommend a real brand like Snap-On due to their repair/replacement policies. (If they are as good as they used to be)

i've heard it's important to store them loose, do you store them like that?

it would be interesting to see one stored with a setting and one without then tested after a while of non-use.

I always store them on the lowest settings.

I have a very good friend who is an aircraft machinist. He has tested both of our HF torque wrenches as well as a couple other buddies.. I would guess 5-6 of them, and all were what he considered fairly accurate.

He did say they started to drift at the upper and lower ends of the scale but that's normal - the key is that they're consistent.

I've heard a lot of people claim they are quite accurate. For the price I couldn't pass it up. I ended up getting a couple at $9 each and if one breaks/fails I can just toss it or use it as a long/big ratchet.