Torque wrenches

[JulesMaximus]

Anyone have a CDI torque wrench? When working on my Ducati I had picked up a Harbor Freight brand torque wrench for $70 but I was skeptical about the accuracy of this tool so I ended up returning it and buying a CDI torque wrench on Amazon.com onsale for $150 (shipped). It was originally $350.

CDI advertises that it makes Snap-On precision tools and this torque wrench actually came with a certificate of calibration which the HF torque wrench did not come with.

I have to say, I was really impressed with the quality of this tool for the price I paid. It is a 1/2" drive 30-250 ft-lb and the fit and finish on it is very high quality.

Anyone have any experience with this brand? I know Snap-On is the go to tool for mechanics but what other brands are worth looking at? I have a Craftsman 3/8" torque wrench but this one appears to be much better quality.

 

[Ferzerp]

I have the craftsman 25-250 ft*lbs 1/2" drive "digi-click" one. It works fine, but does say that it is supposed to be recalibrated every so many uses in the manual. I can't remember off the top of my head, but it was something like 200 or so torquings of all my wheels, so I promptly forgot about it because that will take a long time to do.

 

[tortoise]

Amazon link.

 

[bigi]

I always calibrate two of mine with digital one.

Very useful tool.

 

[vshah]

I have a precision instruments wrench that my wife got me. Supposed to be pretty good, came with a calibration cert as well.

 

[Gillbot]

I took my harbor freight one to work and put it on the checker, it was more accurate than my craftsman. Not saying they are ALL good, but the ones I have were well worth the $6.99 I paid for them.

You can also compare them to a know good one if there is that big of a concern. Especially if you have a beam type available. Those seem to be fairly accurate.

 

[T2urtle]

I have a 1/2 HF one for wheels and a 3/8 bluepoint one (might be made by CDI). Snap-on isn't always the best to go. As i've learn that snap-on often does a lot of rebadging like everyone else.

My bluepoint does feel 10x better then HF. the Craftsman one with the plastic locking ring will break on you. Its not if but WHEN will it break.

HF is great for big items that dont need to be exact but ballpark. I use it on many wheel/tire/suspension stuff. But my 3/8 bluepoint is what is used with my engine bay.

 

[repoman0]

I've got these two, both CDI:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It was around $250 for both. Also very impressed with them, although I haven't used them too much. I love being able to buy tools like this though for less than the price difference vs. taking it to a mechanic!

 

[her209]

How are the Craftsman brand micro clique torque wrenches?

 

[JCH13]

I've got one. So far it's worked just fine.

 

[deadken]

I own a Snap-On torque wrench and as you noted, it is a well made tool. I work in the maintenance department for a State Agency. Since they want to be sure that everyone is torquing all of the fasteners to the proper spec, they send around a mobile calibration lab every few months. I'm able to get my torque wrench re-calibrated for free when they come around, so I sometimes do.

An important thing to consider is that you should NEVER store your torque wrench while it is set to anything other than the lowest setting. There is a spring that is inside that compresses when you dial up the torque setting. If you crank up the torque setting and then leave the wrench for a long period of time it can affect the tension of the spring. Simply put: If you want to mantain the most accuracy, dial down the tension BEFORE putting the tool away.

 

[andylawcc]

I always calibrate two of mine with digital one.

Very useful tool.

wait, but does that thing itself need caliberation???

 

[NutBucket]

EVERYTHING needs calibration at some point.