Questions about torque wrenches

[ArmenK]

What range of settings should I look for in a torque wrench? I have 3/8 in sockets already so im looking at getting a 3/8 in drive wrench. These things are damn expensive. Can anyone recommend a decent one?

 

[RagingBITCH]

Seeing as how you'll probably rarely use it, just get the least expensive one. Sears sells a "bottom level" torque wrench for about $70.

 

[acemcmac]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
Seeing as how you'll probably rarely use it, just get the least expensive one. Sears sells a "bottom level" torque wrench for about $70.

lol, you must not own a force outboard.... I have a pre-honda and I use the torque wrench more often than the ignition

 

[ArmenK]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
Seeing as how you'll probably rarely use it, just get the least expensive one. Sears sells a "bottom level" torque wrench for about $70.

Well I wanna get into doing my car's maintenence myself. I got the repair manual and I'd like a decent wrench that will get the job done.

 

[QuitBanningMe]

I frequently find myself using above the average 75ft/lbs. (companion flanges, balancer bolts, etc...). Depends on what you plan on doing.

Get a Craftsman.

 

[Heisenberg]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
Seeing as how you'll probably rarely use it, just get the least expensive one. Sears sells a "bottom level" torque wrench for about $70.

There's nothing wrong with the $70 Craftsman wrench for weekend mechanic type use IMHO. I'd stay away from the $15 Harbor Freight ones though.

 

[Black88GTA]

I got this one at Harbor Freight for $10. 1/2" drive, 10-150 ft-lb range. Obviously not the best wrench on the market, but mine seems to be decently put together, and came with a carrying case.

They also have a 3/8" wrench for $7.49 - I got that one too, for jobs where the bigger wrench wouldn't fit. THat one goes from 5-80 ft-lb, and didn't come with a case.

I don't use the torque wrench that often, so I couldn't really justify spending the $$$ for a really nice one. I'm very happy with the ones I got, given what I paid for them.

Most fasteners won't require above 150 ft-lb, so you should be fine with a wrench under that...although there are some that require more. For example, I have 2 bolts holding my front struts on that require 203 ft-lb (I have to rent the wrench from Autozone to take care of those).

You could get a Craftsman, Snap-On, MAC, etc...but those are very expensive. Very nice wrenches though.

 

[Safeway]

Originally posted by: ArmenK

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
Seeing as how you'll probably rarely use it, just get the least expensive one. Sears sells a "bottom level" torque wrench for about $70.

Well I wanna get into doing my car's maintenence myself. I got the repair manual and I'd like a decent wrench that will get the job done.

Whoa whoa. We have about 7 torque wrenches all from Pawn Shops. They can be had for $10-$20 for high quality. I mean, Snap-On, etc. We buy Snap-On from Pawn Shops for 10% MSRP.

 

[So]

Originally posted by: ArmenK

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
Seeing as how you'll probably rarely use it, just get the least expensive one. Sears sells a "bottom level" torque wrench for about $70.

Well I wanna get into doing my car's maintenence myself. I got the repair manual and I'd like a decent wrench that will get the job done.

IIRC, from my time there, sears has torque wrenches for much less than $70.

 

[91TTZ]

Just break the bolt off. It was probably just for looks anyway.

 

[Actaeon]

Originally posted by: Black88GTA
I got this one at Harbor Freight for $10. 1/2" drive, 10-150 ft-lb range. Obviously not the best wrench on the market, but mine seems to be decently put together, and came with a carrying case.

They also have a 3/8" wrench for $7.49 - I got that one too, for jobs where the bigger wrench wouldn't fit. THat one goes from 5-80 ft-lb, and didn't come with a case.

I have a Harbor Freight one as well. It is cheap and works fine. Change the tires every couple of weekends.

 

[OrganizedChaos]

Originally posted by: Safeway

Originally posted by: ArmenK

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
Seeing as how you'll probably rarely use it, just get the least expensive one. Sears sells a "bottom level" torque wrench for about $70.

Well I wanna get into doing my car's maintenence myself. I got the repair manual and I'd like a decent wrench that will get the job done.

Whoa whoa. We have about 7 torque wrenches all from Pawn Shops. They can be had for $10-$20 for high quality. I mean, Snap-On, etc. We buy Snap-On from Pawn Shops for 10% MSRP.

:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q

 

[QuitBanningMe]

Originally posted by: Safeway

Originally posted by: ArmenK

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
Seeing as how you'll probably rarely use it, just get the least expensive one. Sears sells a "bottom level" torque wrench for about $70.

Well I wanna get into doing my car's maintenence myself. I got the repair manual and I'd like a decent wrench that will get the job done.

Whoa whoa. We have about 7 torque wrenches all from Pawn Shops. They can be had for $10-$20 for high quality. I mean, Snap-On, etc. We buy Snap-On from Pawn Shops for 10% MSRP.

Damn...I get a lot of tools from pawn shops but never that cheap..

 

[ArmenK]

Originally posted by: Safeway

Originally posted by: ArmenK

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
Seeing as how you'll probably rarely use it, just get the least expensive one. Sears sells a "bottom level" torque wrench for about $70.

Well I wanna get into doing my car's maintenence myself. I got the repair manual and I'd like a decent wrench that will get the job done.

Whoa whoa. We have about 7 torque wrenches all from Pawn Shops. They can be had for $10-$20 for high quality. I mean, Snap-On, etc. We buy Snap-On from Pawn Shops for 10% MSRP.

7 wrenches??? How about I buy one off you, im sure you could get by with 6

 

[Safeway]

Originally posted by: OrganizedChaos

Originally posted by: Safeway

Originally posted by: ArmenK

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
Seeing as how you'll probably rarely use it, just get the least expensive one. Sears sells a "bottom level" torque wrench for about $70.

Well I wanna get into doing my car's maintenence myself. I got the repair manual and I'd like a decent wrench that will get the job done.

Whoa whoa. We have about 7 torque wrenches all from Pawn Shops. They can be had for $10-$20 for high quality. I mean, Snap-On, etc. We buy Snap-On from Pawn Shops for 10% MSRP.

:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q

I'll take pictures to prove it. We got a brand new ractcheting driver for $5. We have about 4 of those. Full Snap-On ratchet sets for $10-$15. Snap-On scanner (computer for reading diagnostic codes on cars) for $350, it is $5000 new + extras.

 

[Safeway]

Originally posted by: QuitBanningMe

Originally posted by: Safeway

Originally posted by: ArmenK

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
Seeing as how you'll probably rarely use it, just get the least expensive one. Sears sells a "bottom level" torque wrench for about $70.

Well I wanna get into doing my car's maintenence myself. I got the repair manual and I'd like a decent wrench that will get the job done.

Whoa whoa. We have about 7 torque wrenches all from Pawn Shops. They can be had for $10-$20 for high quality. I mean, Snap-On, etc. We buy Snap-On from Pawn Shops for 10% MSRP.

Damn...I get a lot of tools from pawn shops but never that cheap..

My dad worked at Big State Pawn a long time ago, it is now called Cash America. We also make the rounds often, and everyone knows us, Good legitimate friends with the managers.

I got a APS XS 800 Battery backup brand new for $10 out the door.