Recommendations for what type of torque wrench to get?

[idrivemopar]

So i am fast approaching assembly of the car, all sorts of various things will need proper torque, so anyone recommend a particular torque wrench? Do i need two, one that does inch pounds and another that can do up to i believe 185 ft pounds which is highest torque i have seen for my car?

Please suggest.

Thanks!

 

[MarPar]

whatever you do, DONT buy a cheap torque wrench!!! i bought 2 harbor freight ones, 1/2" and 1/4", and they are garbage. DAMHIK

if you can afford it, get a snap-on, matco etc. i would say even a craftsman one is better than the harbor freight ones. {not sure bout the craftsman one nowadays, they may be as crappy as the harbor ones. im sure somebody will chime in}

 

[snakeyes]

I use snap on tools ,most of the tool companys make them that go up the scale ,craftsman should also ,have you tried going too one of our sponsor s here atoolcrib in the column to the right , sears has one that goes 25 ft.lbs-250ft.lbs-1/2 drive $119.99 in there cat.

 

[67 coronet]

buy name brand(snap-on,matco,cornwell)prof level stuff,if you wanna do things right.i have taken apart cheepo torque wrenches and they are total garbage inside.this is one of the few tools you really should spend big bucks on.

 

[idrivemopar]

I read some reveiws on the craftsman ones, and lot of breakage people were reporting, and now they are made in China.

Do i need a different one for inch pounds and one for foot pounds?

 

[snakeyes]

being in the buisness we need all types and sizes for the different applications ,but you will need a good one ,don`t buy junk ,I have mine checked every 30 days for calibration .

 

[ga66mopar]

Years ago I broke down and bought a snap on torque wrench. Never regretted it.

 

[ws27]

Years ago I broke down and bought a snap on torque wrench. Never regretted it.

X2

 

[coloradodave]

Yes, you need two different wrenches for inch pounds and foot pounds. I agree with the other guys. Buy decent quality.

 

[snakeyes]

try staying away from used ones unless you no who`s it was and condition and have it calibrated , its best to buy a new one !

 

[RustyRatRod]

Used torque wrenches are fine as long as they are Snap On, Mac, etc. The dealer will calibrate them for free. I bought an OLD Snap On Torue O Meter off Ebay a while back. Mine is similar to this.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Snap-On-TOR...260?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51a1550b84

But mine is a 1/2" and goes to 250 pound feet. Some of the older ones (mine does) had a light on them with an outside dial. You set the dial to the desired torque and the light lit up when you reached it. This is really helpful when it is inconvenient to read the gauge while pulling. Also, another excellent choice and very affordable is the old beam type torque wrench. There are some applications still today which require them. In fact, we have a Honda Element in the shop right now doing an engine rebuild on it. Part of the cylinder head torque sequence requires using a beam type wrench. Good ones can be found very reasonably. They work very well.

 

[daredevil]

I found a half inch mac used to do one motor on craigslist for 50.Still like brand new. SCORE!

 

[Meep-Meep]

You can't go wrong with a beam type torque wrench. Only problem I have to report is reading the scale may be difficult in certain positions, but if you want pure simplicity and reliability this is it. They are also dirt cheap! Oh, and it was invented by Chrysler! Now how cool is that!?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torque_wrench#Beam_type

 

[71 Meep Meep]

SNAP-ON.......only the best

 

[idrivemopar]

Snap-On would be nice, but pricy. I decided to go middle of the road, and am trying out the craftsman digi-click. I got a 3/8 5 to 80 ft/lb and a 1/2 50 tp 250 ft/lb set. I guess it was good timing as both were normally $120, but on sale for $100, and with joining their rewards program got another $20 bucks off each , so not bad. I tried them out last night, and worked really well. The digital readout is nice. Both do inch or foot pounds and the smaller one does 1/4 increments and the larger does 1/2 increments. With the savings also got the 3 year protection plan ($15)so if they break after the 90 day warranty at least i will get a refund of the purchase price.