Torque Wrench?

[slag]

I also have a Harbor Freight 1/2" and works wonders for lungnuts and even oil drain plug. A valuable tool no doubt!

Ditto. Its also a pittsburgh tool and has a lifetime warranty vs the 1 yr from Craftsman.

Don't get me wrong, 95% of my hand tools are craftsman, but their quality has suffered in the past 15 yrs imho.

 

[WackyDan]

pawn shops in industrial areas usually have pretty good deals on tools. i nearly picked up a set of 2 black hawk torque wrenches for 100 bucks. did not really need them though.

Problem with that is you don't know how they were treated... While there are some newer designs that you can store away set for say 77 pounds, do that with most any other and the whole unit will be out of calibration in no time.

 

[bbs lm-r]

Damn I didn't know that could mess them up. I have a Snap-On 1/2'' (click type) and I think I've been storing it at 100lb.ft. since I got it (~8 months ago)...

 

[twinrider1]

I use a micrometer and measure how far the bolt has stretched.

 

[Kaervak]

I have the Harbor Freight 1/4" 3/8" & 1/2" drive torque wrenches. For $10 each, and multiple people at the garage journal forums saying they've calibrated as good and sometimes better than Snap-On and other high end gear, why not. I use the 1/2" drive one all the time for lugnuts.

 

[Doppel]

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

$15, bought it a few weeks ago. haven't used it so i can't comment on it yet.
plan to use it to redo my suspension next weekend.

Been using that one for years. I have nothing to test it against but I like it.

 

[Gillbot]

I've had one of those $15 elcheapo's (click type) for several years and done many rods, mains & headbolts with it... The main thing to remember is to always set it to the lowest setting (think it takes the spring pressure off so it wont lose calibration...?)

I do own 3 others of various ratings a Snapon and two Proto's (one of the Proto's goes to 600ftlbs)... But the elcheapo still gets the job done and is quite close on torque after 20+ years...:thumbsup:

Yes, it keeps them from losing tension.

I have a HF one myself, got it for $9 on sale w/ coupon and it's been tested accurate still after ~8 or so years.