Torque Wrench in my Future

MFL · Oct 7, 2005

Gents,

I'm replacing a no-name bar style torque wrench I bought about seven years ago at Pep Boys. I don't use it much, so I'm looking for something with 'fair' accuracy in 1/2" and in the $100-150 range.

HD sells the Husky brand for about $70 and Northern Tool has an SK model for about $110.

Anyone have any experience with either of these? Any other wrenches I should look at in this price range?

Thanks in advance.

Jarrett · Oct 7, 2005

I'm planning to get this Craftsman 1/2" drive 25-250 ft-lb one in the near future. I have the 3/8" drive 10-75 ft-lb one and it's worked out well.

timb · Oct 7, 2005

I've got the S-K 1/2 25-250 and it seems to me to be just a little better made/finished than the Craftsman's I had, came with a cert test paper (and an address in WV to re-cert) and a blow molded case for about what Sears wanted for just their similar wrench. So far so good.

ejtaylor822 · Oct 7, 2005

I'm with Jarrett on this one. I am a huge Craftsman fan. I have the 3/8" 10-75 lb as well. It's well made and is holding up well. If I were to have to get another one, or, 1/2", it would definitely be Craftsman.

My next tool choice is Kobalt. It's sold around here at Lowe's. I have a couple of their 1/2" sockets, screwdrivers and large wrenches that I leave on the tractor. I have beat the wrenches (mechanic's hammer /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) pretty good at times (out in the field removing busted shear pins, etc) and they are holding up great - well made, have a lifetime warranty and half the price of Craftsman. They use to have torque wrenches, but, have not noticed any lately.

MFL · Oct 7, 2005

Thanks guys. Hadn't thought about Craftsman. We don't have a Sears close, so out of sight out of mind. I may make the trip up to Sears this weekend and take a look. I remember going with my Dad to the tool dept. at Sears. He still has all his Craftsman gear!

SK makes some mean stuff too! I've ordered some single impact sockets from their site when I 've needed an odd size, and I really like the finish on their stuff.

You'd think it be easier to buy a torque wrench!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

slowrev · Oct 7, 2005

Something that works for me:
I just buy 2 el cheapos and compare them every now and then to check the torque. I have 2 1/4", 2 3/8", and 2 1/2 " torque wrenches . All for a little over $100.
The main thing is to run the adjustments back to zero when not using the torque wrench. If you leave them set up while stored their accuracy will rapidly decrease.
As I said , works for me, but perhaps not for everyone.
Ben

KAB · Oct 7, 2005

I found a "broken" Snap-On on E-bay, sent it out to a Snap-On man to be repaired/calibrated. have about $140 total in it.

Most used Snap-On were running about $150.

Kurt

ejtaylor822 · Oct 7, 2005

( I remember going with my Dad to the tool dept. at Sears. He still has all his Craftsman gear! )

That's what sold me on Craftsman. My dad was a mechanic (oldsmobile & GM) from the time he got out of the Navy until his late 40's, then became a machinist. He's now getting ready to retire - can't believe how time flies. He still has all of his Craftsman tools. Most of them are now 30 to 40 years old, and they are still as durable and reliable as the day he bought them. They are expensive, but hard to beat - back then as well as today.

If you don't have a sears nearby, you can still check out the Craftsman gear on-line.

Good luck and let us know how your search goes.

-Eddie

_RaT_ · Oct 7, 2005

They are expensive, but hard to beat - back then as well as today. 

You don't want to know how much Snap-On cost. While much, much , much more costly then Craftsman, it is also superior in build quality of not just Craftsman, but most anything else. Almost all my tools are Craftsman. I have some Snap-On hand me downs from my dad. They are indeed, superb.
I'm not good enough for Snap On. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

HonourMe · Oct 7, 2005

Back in the 1960's the Craftsman and the Snap-On torque wrenches were made by the same manufacturer. Back then the Craftsman came with a lifetime warranty and the Snap-On came with a one year warranty. If you bring your lifetime warranty torque wrench into Sears today, the will tell you that the lifetime warranty has expired. If you are able to cajole them into giving you a replacement, the replacement comes with a 3 month warranty. I have both and they are both as accurate today as they were 45 years ago. No matter what the brand, if you take proper care of your tools, they will last your lifetime and more.