| Author |
 Topic Search  Topic Options
|
WC7610 
Orange Level
Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: Sioux City, IA
Points: 764
|
 Post Options
 Thanks(0)
 Quote  Reply
 Topic: Torque wrench
Posted: 28 Mar 2010 at 10:02pm |
Hi,
Looking at getting my own torque wrench rather than borrowing continually. Would like any advice on brands or stores. Was thinking of going to local NAPA store. Was leaning to the "guage" type rather than the ones that click, but open to advice.
|
|
Thanks
Most Bad Government has grown out of Too Much Government- Thomas Jefferson
|
 |
|
Sponsored Links
|
|
|
Denis in MI
Orange Level
Joined: 15 Sep 2009
Location: Norvell, MI
Points: 832
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 28 Mar 2010 at 10:10pm |
|
I like the click type, but when I bought my craftsman torque wrench the sales man said only the old poiner type had a life time warranty, and my clicker had a 1 year.
|
|
1938 B, 1945 B, 1941 IB, 1949 C, 2 1938 WCs, 3 1950 WDs, 1951 WD, 2 1955 WD45, 1957 D-14
|
|
Leonard
Orange Level
Joined: 06 Nov 2009
Location: Deer Park, WA
Points: 558
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 28 Mar 2010 at 10:18pm |
|
The click type are most accurate in my opinion. Have used all three types building engines and airplanes. have a click type and love it.
Leonard
|
|
Osage_Orange
Orange Level
Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: SW MO
Points: 1593
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 28 Mar 2010 at 10:19pm |
I have a beam (pointer) type, 1/2" drive made by Wards. Always liked it. Had it for about 20 years. Also have a 3/8" drive "click" type, but I trust the beam type more.............FWIW.............O_O
|
|
Why is there never time to do it right the first time, but always time to go back and fix it?
|
|
Burgie
Orange Level
Joined: 13 Sep 2009
Location: Scottsburg, IN
Points: 1192
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 29 Mar 2010 at 5:39am |
|
I have 3 and all are click type. That is the only type I`d use. The Snap On is over 30 years old. Had is calibrated and it was still right on the money. You need a 250 lbs and one for inch pounds.
|
|
"Burgie"
|
|
JoeO(CMO)
Orange Level
Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: Cent Missouri
Points: 2694
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 29 Mar 2010 at 6:35am |
I have the Craftsman 1/2 and 3/8 drive for foot pounds and inch pounds respectfully, have had for 30 years and would like the click type to be more "professional" appearing.
Problem with the beam/pointer is looking squarely at the pointer to scale, would rather listen to audible sound when proper torque is attained.
|
|
kip in cny
Orange Level
Joined: 29 Nov 2009
Location: Jordan NY
Points: 538
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 29 Mar 2010 at 6:45am |
I have the click type its a ftlbs snap-on. Also have a inch-lbs craftsman I like the snap-on one better
|
|
160 CA 920diesel 5020 HD-3
|
|
DonDittmar
Orange Level
Joined: 15 Sep 2009
Location: MIllersburg, MI
Points: 2484
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 29 Mar 2010 at 7:05am |
|
No matter if you have the click or beam type, all torque wrench need to be calibrated every so often. I never liked the beam type because all the ones I have seen, the scale is in 10ft/lb increments. If you have to torque to an uneven number, like say 47 ft/lbs, the beam style leaves you guessing. My 1/2 drive snap-on goes to 250 ft/lbs in 1 ft/lb increments and my 3/8 drive snap-on goes to 75 ft/lbs in .5 ft/lb increments. I also have a 3/4 drive SK that goes to 600 ft/lbs, dont use that one a bunch, but nice to have for the heavy stuff
|
|
Experience is a fancy name for past mistakes. "Great moments are born from great opportunity"
1968 D15D,1962 D19D
Also 1965 Cub Loboy and 1958 JD 720 Diesel Pony Start
|
|
Kevin(Alabama)
Orange Level
Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: N.W. Ala.
Points: 578
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 29 Mar 2010 at 7:57am |
|
If you are in a tight spot the click type works better because you have to have room for the pointer type to bend. Also you have to watch it but just listen to the click on the other.
|
|
"I would die a thousand deaths before I would betray a friend."...Sam Davis, Nov. 27, 1863.....DEO VINDICE
|
|
mlpankey
Orange Level
Joined: 13 Sep 2009
Location: Vols country
Points: 4580
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 29 Mar 2010 at 8:02am |
|
beam type or a adjustable needle typ is the most accurate. If the needle points to zero with no torque applied its correct. the click type takes a 20,000 dollar machine to give a tolerance percentage for each torque rating measured.
|
|
Max(ia)
Orange Level
Joined: 15 Sep 2009
Location: Polk County,Ia
Points: 536
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 29 Mar 2010 at 8:58am |
|
Clicker types are good, but if you jerk them up to torque, then accuracy left. I like those with a Dial Indicator, but they are pretty expensive.
But after having said the above, I use a Beam type. lol
|
|
injpumpEd
Orange Level Access
Joined: 13 Sep 2009
Location: Walnut IL
Points: 4952
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 29 Mar 2010 at 10:19am |
|
invest in a good quality click type for torquing faseners, use the beam type for checking rolling torque on bearing preload. And as stated above, avoid jerking it. smooth application of force. Personally I have several Snap-On, and one Matco. Craftsman should be ok for a hobbyist, just avoid the cheapo $20 types. Better off guessing with just a rachet!
|
|
210 "too hot to farm" puller, part of the "insane pumpkin posse". Owner of Guenther Heritage Diesel, specializing in fuel injection systems on heritage era tractors. stock rebuilds to all out pullers!
|
|
Rogers
Orange Level Access
Joined: 16 Sep 2009
Location: Georgia
Points: 2176
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 29 Mar 2010 at 11:56am |
I have three click type torque wrenches. One is a 1/2" drive in foot pounds that is a no name brand from a tool sale like Harbor Freight (It was a gift). The second is an AmPro 3/8" drive in foot pounds that came from Advance Auto Parts, and the third is a Craftsman 3/8" drive in inch pounds.
I like them all. I did have to check the 1/2" el cheap o tool sale one out by checking it against my AmPro 3/8" before I would use it. They were dead on each other. If I were buying more I would probably get all Craftsman. I just believe that you cant beat Craftsman tools.
|
|
Think for yourself and be your own expert. Be willing to change your mind; however, willingness to change your mind doesn’t mean that you will. Blindly following any path is the pinnacle of insanity.
|
|
KurtDE
Silver Level
Joined: 19 Sep 2009
Location: Hilton New York
Points: 81
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 29 Mar 2010 at 7:32pm |
|
Read the reviews for the new Craftsman's. Plenty of bad ones due to the plastic lock ring. You guys with the metal lock rings have a nice unit.
|
|
mlpankey
Orange Level
Joined: 13 Sep 2009
Location: Vols country
Points: 4580
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 29 Mar 2010 at 7:54pm |
|
In the nuclear industry we use the click style torque wrenches for this reason and only this reason . All torques have to be witnessed and verified by a second party verification . So if youre watching the guy pull steady and hear the click you have satisfied youre obligation. Now every click style torque wrench has to be tested and some are as much as 30 percent plus or minus the scale value. The beam or pointer always have a tighter tolerance when checked with the torque machine.
Edited by mlpankey - 29 Mar 2010 at 7:55pm
|
|
Freewheelin
Silver Level
Joined: 29 Sep 2009
Points: 60
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 29 Mar 2010 at 9:55pm |
|
I have a set of Snap-on dial wrenches and they are always right on. A tad expensive but bought them back when I was racing. In my traveling tool box I have a beam type because it can take a beating. For an antique tractor it's all you need. Keep in mind that most of the farmers who kept these babies running used a cresent or monkey wrench.
|
|
Brian Jasper co. Ia
Orange Level
Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: Prairie City Ia
Points: 10508
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 30 Mar 2010 at 12:47pm |
Gonna do anything on late model engines? I have a Snap On Techangle electronic torque wrench. It has a digital display so you can see how tight you're pulling and has an audible warning when you're approaching your specification. It measures FT Lbs, IN LBS, Newton Meters, and does degrees for those torque to yield fasteners.
Otherwise, the click type are easier to use than all others.
|
|
"Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the government take care of him better take a closer look at the American Indian." Henry Ford
|
|
Coke-in-MN
Orange Level Access
Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Afton MN
Points: 41731
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 30 Mar 2010 at 2:33pm |
So true of that Craftsman plastic ring , took several back and then just gave up as they all cracked again. have Snap on dial in lb unit, Craftsman 3/8 and 1/2 click, and couple beam type
On the beam type be sure to back down to 0 when done using
|
|
Faith isn't a jump in the dark. It is a walk in the light. Faith is not guessing; it is knowing something.
"Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful."
|
|
ScooterBuck
Bronze Level
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
Points: 76
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 30 Mar 2010 at 4:41pm |
|
Wow! Who do you believe? I'm confused after reading all of those post. Here is my 2 cents. If you need an inch pound torque wrench and can afford a dial indicator type that is the way to go. They are the most accurate in my opinion. Treat it with care. If you want a 0-250 foot pound torque wrench it is hard to pass up the click type ratcheting torque wrench. The bar style are harder to read and usually don't ratchet but are accurate and easy to recalibrate. I own a flex head Matco clicker and have never had any problems with it. However I've never dropped it and it is always stored in its case set at 25 foot pounds. I also use a flex head 3/8 drive snap-on techwrench that has the digital read out, noise alarm, and vibration warning. It works good but be careful of the automatic shut off. That got me one time. Luckily I caught it and did no damage. The good news is it is real easy to check your torque accuracy (I just have the tool guy do it).
|
|
