Quality torque wrench for =\- $100??

[dntsdad]

Can't really afford a Snap On or another top of the line brand right now.

Anyone recommend a quality/accurate TW for this price neighborhood?

[a plumber]

We have a couple to choose from...

Torque


If you choose a model, shoot me a PM, see if i can help you out a bit..

[Valkyrie Rider]

Quite a bit more then $100, but not nearly as much for a tool truck brand. Tis is who used to, and may still make Snap-on split beam wrenches.

They are EXCELLENT quality and a super value.

Precision Instruments torque wrench

[D60]

I still like my 1/2" drive SK torque wrench, goes to 250 ft lbs which is plenty for u-bolts, etc. The handle looks a bit different now. Looks like around $125 retail, not sure if these Google results will link up properly:
http://www.google.com/products/catal...=0CI8BEPMCMAI#

[Loftis61]

What size, and how high do you want them to go? How often are you going to be using it?

[Todd W]

Originally Posted by dntsdad

Can't really afford a Snap On or another top of the line brand right now.

Anyone recommend a quality/accurate TW for this price neighborhood?

I feel like I say this a lot in here... have you monitored Craigslist or Yard Sales ? You can normally find some nice older ones for a good price, and check calibration/adjust and good to go.

[Zi]

I have been using the craftsman ones with no problems so far. I checked the 150 ft*lb one at work and it was within 1% after having it for about 3 years. Surprised the calibration tech; he said the Craftsmans used to be junk.

(I have all 3, they go on sale for like 60 occasionally)
25-250 in*lb: http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-m...p-00944593000P

10-75 ft*lb http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_101...enches&prdNo=4

20-150 ft*lb http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_101...nches&prdNo=14

[Benny]

a friend has This one. it actually seems to be a decent unit. I might get one.

[gatorgrizz27]

As much as I bitch about the plummeting Chinese craftsman quality these days, my torque wrench from them from about 6 or 8 years ago is at least mediocre. It does click consistently, which is the most important bit so that you don't overtighten things, but the locking mechanism on the adjusting handle sucks and binds up rather often, and the torque setting indicator marks dont seem to line up accurately. If you treat it with the same rules as a micrometer, by setting it at a higher torque rating and counting down it seems alright but it is a bit of a hassle. I'll sell it to you for $99 though

[Mattnatti]

This one is still going for $99 including shipping.

I don't know much about it.

http://forum.ih8mud.com/merchandise-...y-special.html

[TorqueRanger]

I have 2 of these in 3/8 and 1/2 torque wrenches.

[D60]

MSC is listing their Paramount brand for $95, 1/2" drive, 50-250 ft lbs. All metal, looks promising. Catalog says liftetime warranty, not sure how that works.

http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT...ERM=dg62343546

The Paramount standard ratchets they show look suspiciously like Blackhawk/Proto.

[cemeyer]

Originally Posted by TorqueRanger

I have 2 of these in 3/8 and 1/2 torque wrenches.

I have the same and would recommend against them. Over time and especially in the high torque range, the rubber on the handle slips, twists and doesn't stay put. You end up not knowing where to set the torque value. A new, different brand will be in my future.

[EMG7895]

Check out the vendors forum, theres a new brand i've seen advertised on multiple sites that seems very reasonably priced for what you get. I was holding out on buying one until a few decent reviews came in. Brown line was the name I think.

[Sean H]

I bought one from Lowes because I was out and needed one and was too far from home to run back. Surprised me how well it works. Plus since there are lowes everywhere you can return/exchange them easily if it ever acts up with the Kobalt lifetime warranty. Haven't checked it yet to see how accurate it is.

[D60]

Originally Posted by cemeyer

I have the same and would recommend against them. Over time and especially in the high torque range, the rubber on the handle slips, twists and doesn't stay put. You end up not knowing where to set the torque value. A new, different brand will be in my future.

Yeah, are those the DigiTorks from Cman? If so, RUN AWAY! The handle will spin and you're fawked. Cman won't do a thing about it.

[Mud Slayer 2.0]

Ive never owned gearwrench but heard from a few they're the same the as Matco and my Matco ones are awesome ! So I would say gearwrench is a good bet.,

[cemeyer]

Originally Posted by D60

Yeah, are those the DigiTorks from Cman? If so, RUN AWAY! The handle will spin and you're fawked. Cman won't do a thing about it.

Yes, they are. I talked them out of one replacement after the super, 1 year, warranty, but I doubt i can again. I've been borrowing my buddies MAC one, it has been a great torque wrench. I believe he has had it for about 20 years, and it has torqued hundreds of engines.

[NC-Fordguy]

Lowes has 1/2 drive kobolt brand with lifetime guarantee rated at 250 pounds. I've only used it a couple times setting up output shafts on dana 20 t-cases on my broncos--so far so good

[YJTypeR]

Originally Posted by D60

Yeah, are those the DigiTorks from Cman? If so, RUN AWAY! The handle will spin and you're fawked. Cman won't do a thing about it.

+1. I used mine less than 20 times before my handle moved. I'll give you a deal on it if you're interested.

That being said, I recently bought the precision instruments torque wrench mentioned above and love it. The dial is very fast to set torque, much better than twisting a handle!

[Hooligan]

Thread hijack- how often and where do you get yours calibrated?

[DDM motorsports]

Originally Posted by Hooligan

Thread hijack- how often and where do you get yours calibrated?

It is either up to where you work (i.e. I.S.O. or some over standards) or I personally have my 3 snap-on & 2 matco's calibrated every year. I am a little anal about stuff like that. I also have my Snap-on & Mac multimeters calibrated once a year, also. The dealer will send your torque wrench off and have them calibrated, or you can Google up a tool service.

[dntsdad]

Thought that I would update this.

I ended up buying the Brownline Digital here:
http://www.brownlinemetalworks.com/

I looked at the PI, and looked HARD at the CDI/Snap On

Final factor was the 15-150 ft.pd. range vs. the 30-100 on the CDI

I read lots of good reviews and it seemed a good deal. $99 at Amazon without case and free shipping and no tax.

$99 via their website WITH case, no tax and free shipping. Just will take 5 days to get here rather than the 2 that my Amazon Prime gets me. Oh well. I am patient........sometimes.

I post up a review after I use it more.

[[486]]

For 100? You can get a snap on tqr250e at a pawn shop pretty easily. Just yesterday on one of my runs I saw a couple for 100, and a flex head one for 120.

Just bought one of the parent brand's ones for $55 out the door.
http://www.amazon.com/Precision-Inst...2261470&sr=1-6
Figure I'll have either the snap-on guy calibrate it, or some hardware store.