What Torque Wrench?

ekj · **Joined:** Tue Nov 03, 2009 3:55 pm **Posts:** 100

I'll be looking for a torque wrench to use on the KJ mainly. What measurement range would you suggest for this purpose?

candpliberty · **Posted:** Mon Dec 14, 2009 2:06 pm

Here's a affordable, nice one 20-150 foot pounds. Micrometer style is easier to use.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00944595000P?vName=Tools&cName=Auto+%26+Mechanics+Tools&sName=Torque+Wrenches

Others for comparison

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/s_10153_12605_Tools_Auto%20&%20Mechanics%20Tools_Torque%20Wrenches

ihatemybike · **Posted:** Mon Dec 14, 2009 2:29 pm

My Microtork fell apart in my hands and the torque wrenches aren't guaranteed for life. Upgraded to the Digitork. Love the way the Digitork adjusts torque settings compared to the Microtork.

For many things on the Jeep you'll need the torque range of a 1/2" drive wrench.

If you want a cheap one to keep in the Jeep, check out Harbor Freight.

oddball · **Posted:** Mon Dec 14, 2009 8:14 pm

And if you want one which is calibrated and will last for years, there's only one - Snap On.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Mon Dec 14, 2009 8:26 pm

oddball wrote:

And if you want one which is calibrated and will last for years, there's only one - Snap On.

Maybe 2 years with heavy of use,they have had to replace all 6 of our snap on torque wrenches at least once(some twice) since I've been working at Firestone(14 months).You must have it recalibrated at least once a year under heavy/moderate use and every 2 years with light use.Do not drop or rough handle them,knocks them out of calibration no matter what the brand.

Oh those HF ones are junk.

oddball · **Posted:** Mon Dec 14, 2009 8:29 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

oddball wrote:

And if you want one which is calibrated and will last for years, there's only one - Snap On.

Maybe 2 years with heavy of use,they have had to replace all 6 of our snap on torque wrenches at least once(some twice) since I've been working at Firestone(14 months).You must have it recalibrated at least once a year under heavy/moderate use and every 2 years with light use.Do not drop or rough handle them,knocks them out of calibration no matter what the brand.

Oh those HF ones are junk.

Yeah dropping a TW is never a good thing. Mine is still right on after 2 years (light use). Snap-On man told me recal cost is around $86.00

candpliberty · **Posted:** Mon Dec 14, 2009 9:29 pm

Us non profeshes are not ready to dish out bewkew bucks for a Snap On TW! :cry:

What's out there that is decent for the occasional user? I'm still using a Craftsman bar TW!

oddball · **Posted:** Mon Dec 14, 2009 11:34 pm

One word regarding Snap-On Torque Wrenches = ebay.

KJ04 · **Posted:** Tue Dec 15, 2009 10:39 am

candpliberty wrote:

Us non profeshes are not ready to dish out bewkew bucks for a Snap On TW! :cry:

What's out there that is decent for the occasional user? I'm still using a Craftsman bar TW!

For the average Joe, that's just going to use it occasionally to torque suspension bolts and lug nuts, the Harbor Freight 1/2" dr. will sufice. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... number=239

Boiler · **Posted:** Tue Dec 15, 2009 11:00 am

Not sure that I'd buy a used torque wrench. I supposed if you were prepared to shell out for calibration right off the bat and just hoped that there was no damage to it. Torque wrenches get replaced often and I'd worry that I was buying someone's scrap tool.

My Craftsman Microtek is nice for occasional use, except the little locking collar already is getting a little weird. I don't expect it to last another year. My next purchase will be a similar style by SK. Still pretty cheap $100-$170 new, can buy at amazon, ebay, tons of tool websites. I think their quality is very good for other hand tools, so I thought I'd give them a shot. I'm really not happy with Craftsman lately. Seems like anything they make is getting really cheap besides their basic tools like wrenches, sockets, etc.

candpliberty · **Posted:** Tue Dec 15, 2009 1:58 pm

Thanks guys. 20 bucks at HF seems like a good way to go for occasional users. Replace every couple of years.

ls6jay · **Posted:** Tue Dec 15, 2009 2:29 pm

I've got a mac 1/2 flex head 20 to 250 and a 3/8 mac. Love em both. You pay for what you get. I don't think the hf would be dead on. Might be good for general things like wheels and stuff. When I built my ls6 small block I wanted don't right.

candpliberty · **Posted:** Tue Dec 15, 2009 2:33 pm

How do you tell if the TW is in calibration? Is there a test or do you just have it calibrated?

ls6jay · **Posted:** Tue Dec 15, 2009 4:05 pm

When you buy one it comes with a paper and how it calabrated at the factory. I just give mine to the mac guy every two years and he sends it out.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Tue Dec 15, 2009 4:26 pm

Ive had this one for a couple years and so far so good.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1260 ... cycle=true

Use it for wheels and suspension, does what I need it to.

Boiler · **Posted:** Tue Dec 15, 2009 4:54 pm

candpliberty wrote:

Thanks guys. 20 bucks at HF seems like a good way to go for occasional users. Replace every couple of uses.

Fixed

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Tue Dec 15, 2009 6:34 pm

candpliberty wrote:

How do you tell if the TW is in calibration? Is there a test or do you just have it calibrated?

Most tool trucks(MAC,SnapOn and such) have a tester in there truck.

candpliberty · **Posted:** Tue Dec 15, 2009 6:41 pm

Boiler wrote:

candpliberty wrote:

Thanks guys. 20 bucks at HF seems like a good way to go for occasional users. Replace every couple of uses.

Fixed

LOL! When I was Sears to trade in my 1/2 inch ratchets, I was looking at that TW that Jeepjeppster linked to.

candpliberty · **Posted:** Tue Dec 15, 2009 6:43 pm

[/quote]Most tool trucks(MAC,SnapOn and such) have a tester in there truck.[/quote]

Cool. I can't see a pro sending his TW away for even a day.

oddball · **Posted:** Tue Dec 15, 2009 7:16 pm

Boiler wrote:

Not sure that I'd buy a used torque wrench. I supposed if you were prepared to shell out for calibration right off the bat and just hoped that there was no damage to it. Torque wrenches get replaced often and I'd worry that I was buying someone's scrap tool.

My Craftsman Microtek is nice for occasional use, except the little locking collar already is getting a little weird. I don't expect it to last another year. My next purchase will be a similar style by SK. Still pretty cheap $100-$170 new, can buy at amazon, ebay, tons of tool websites. I think their quality is very good for other hand tools, so I thought I'd give them a shot. I'm really not happy with Craftsman lately. Seems like anything they make is getting really cheap besides their basic tools like wrenches, sockets, etc.

Chip - Not sure if your reference regarding a used torque wrench was in reply to my post regarding ebay, but you can often find new Snap-On tools including torque wrenches there, for less than half the "truck price".

candpliberty - Most mechanic's (especially in a shop) would have more than one torque wrench.

What Torque Wrench?

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