Quick torque wrench recommendation

[DanDombrowski]

I have a 1/2 in drive craftsman torque wrench (big sucker) that does about 40 ft-lbs up to 250 ft-lbs, but I'm looking for something a bit smaller for my next job. Anyone have a recommendation for a torque wrench, preferrably something that does say 5-50 ft-lbs and I can pick up at a local store?

Around me I have a Home Depot, Lowes, Autozone, Discount Auto Parts and Sears (as well as walmart and such).

Thanks all, have a good one!

[SRR2]

Harbor Frt wasn't on your list, but they have a variety of torque wrenches most of which are reasonably priced. I have a 1/4" and 3/8" that cover your approximate range. I've tested them against each other and against my Craftsman "big sucker". They're pretty close, within 5% of each other more or less.

[632 Regal]

I got a cobalt one from home depot, same makers as snapon but less expensive.

[Kobe Diesel]

Try Proto

[dacoyote]

Craftsman has one..... I have one at home.....

I think it does 5 to 60 something.... I would have to look to be sure....

They carry it in the stores...

There are better things the craftsman however

[Akhil]

Its just came in new, I haven;t seen is physically but saw in craftsman club member catalog I got in mail just 2 days ago. It has digilat read out dispaly to ready setting. I thought its kinda cool.


Akhil

[DanH]

I haven't seen anything as good a deal as the Harbor Freight ones. Usually can get 3/8" or 1/4" ones on sale for $11.99 every few weeks.

The 1/4" and 1/2" ones that I have work good enough for me.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=807
Probably still cheaper than elsewhere with the shipping if you dont have a store nearby.



Harbor Frt wasn't on your list, but they have a variety of torque wrenches most of which are reasonably priced. I have a 1/4" and 3/8" that cover your approximate range. I've tested them against each other and against my Craftsman "big sucker". They're pretty close, within 5% of each other more or less.

[Akhil]

go for this

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=No&vertical=TOOL&pid=00944563000&tab=ser#tab

Torque Wrenches is a very sensetive tool and if you strip one engine block or any other expansive thread because of error in tool, You will regrate for that.Right?


Akhil

[ryan roopnarine]

speak of the devil...

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=2696


i was going to start a thread sometime soon about whether or not to get the harbor freight 1/4 inch drive unit, as its only $20. i don't know if i'd try to do crank bearings or anything with it. i want to do my oil pan gasket, and the 1/2 inch torque wrench cant go that small. i had to eyeball my valve cover gasket because my torque wrench just wasn't predictable enough for me. as far as i can see, its the only place that keeps "inch lb" accurate torque wrenches stocked on a regular basis. i called sears, and they didn't even have one in stock. autozone, discount, et cetera don't have them.

do you live in WPB?


CASSELBERRY,FL 1442 SR 436, UNIT 1040 407-681-8100
FORT MYERS,FL 9131 COLLEGE PKWY STE 14 239-415-8808
FT. LAUDERDALE,FL 5365 WEST ATLANTIC BLVD 954-935-9241
JACKSONVILLE,FL 9861 BEACH BLVD. 904-998-4503
LAKELAND,FL 5115 US HWY 98 N. 863-816-2100
LARGO, FL 3665 EAST BAY DR STE#160 727-531-9667
MELBOURNE,FL 1954 N. WICKHAM ROAD 321-752-9203
MIAMI,FL 18401 S. DIXIE HWY #18517 786-242-0068
OCALA,FL 3741 E SILVER SPRINGS BVD 352-369-9797
ORLANDO, FL 7089 S. ORANGE BLOSSOM TR 407-438-5470
PENSACOLA, FL 2 EAST NINE MILE RD #300A 850-477-0045
SARASOTA,FL 3532 CLARK ROAD 941-929-9464
STUART, FL 3424 SE FEDERAL HWY 772-220-9414
TAMPA,FL 154 W. FLETCHER AVE 813-930-0774
W. JACKSONVILLE, FL 8102 BLANDING BLVD, 27A 904-573-9825
WEST PALM BEACH,FL 3335 S. CONGRESS AVE #7 561-439-3432

[SRR2]

Digital torque wrench? That sounds like a solution in search of a problem. I can't think offhand of any better way to use a torque wrench than the 'clicker' type. One of the great benefits of this type is that you can use it easily in situations where you can't easily see it. How would you use a digital type when it's stuck underneath and behind something? Even if it uses some kind of beeper to announce the limit, that's just another electronic gadget to require a battery and break when you need it most.

[Alexlind123]

I use a snap-on 1/4'' torque wrench for smaller applications.

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

I break it, I bring it back and I get a new one.....

No fooling with a salesman in a truck, or mailing to Timbuktu

[Alexlind123]

Most of the wrenches/sockets/ratchets in my fathers collection are craftsman, probably for that very reason.

[Bill R.]

They aren't a lifetime warranty item like the sockets and wrenches.




I break it, I bring it back and I get a new one.....

No fooling with a salesman in a truck, or mailing to Timbuktu

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

is no longer working at Sears.

I could return anything....


Oh well...another career makeover (would you like fries with that?)

P.S Checked out the box on my wrench, and it only has a 1 year warranty. I guess I won't be driving any nails with it.

[DanDombrowski]

Yeah, I live in Boyton Beach, off Congress, so I'll head to to the WPB one. I didn't even know there was a Harbor freight around here.

Thats exactly the reason that made me want to get a smaller torque wrench in the first place - my big one was too big for the 11ft lbs I needed to the VC nuts.

I'll probably head up there this weekend and pickup one from HF. I have my bigass one if I need to do rod bearings (please don't have to do rod bearings....please don't have to do rod bearings....)

[DanDombrowski]

Wow, thanks for all the responses.

I was wrong about the brand of wrench I have, its a Husky. Do those have lifetime warranties? Man, I am such a n00b when it comes to tools these days.

So I went to autozone, they had a greatneck 3/8" (I want a 3/8 since I already have a 1/2) 5-100 for $19, clicky type (my fav). Out of stock. Went to home depot, only had 1/2" for $75. Went to sears, they had the lever type (don't like) for 25, or the clicky type for $75. For the $20 one at autozone, I can replace it 4 times if it breaks.

Went to discount auto, didn't have squat. Then they gave me crap for having a BMW. "Why don't you just take that Beeaaameeer to the dealership?" Ugh. Anyone ever have the urge to use a 2' breaker bar for a slightly different application than it was intended?

So I'll run up to harbor freight sometime this weekend. Thanks for the suggestions everyone, and thanks for letting me know about no lifetime warranty on the craftsman ones!