I posted this on another board but thought some here might find it valueable information.

I had been looking for a torque wrench for about 4 months and was about to buy a Snap-On since I didn't want to have to buy another one for a long time. I just turned 22 and I may not do this for a living but I want my tool collection to last my lifetime.

However nice a Snap-On seemed it didn't seem worth it to me. Especially when I figured out I need at least two torque wrenches. I then started looking into the Craftsman (all my other tools are Craftsman and I buy their Professional line of that tool if available). I didn't like the fact that these didn't come with a lifetime warrantee and the case had to be purchased separately. I then ran across the SK wrenches and the lower priced ones were more in my budget.

http://www.skhandtool.com/pc_subsection.cfm?FamilyID=35

You can buy them here for $90 each with case.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=46691
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=3750


I then ran across a couple of posts here about the Husky brand wrenches carrying a lifetime guarantee and costing about $60, so a trip to Home Depot was in order. 15minutes later I was the owner of the 1/2 inch drive Husky wrench.

In the month or so I have had it I have only been able to use it to torque lug nuts on three cars. Today I headed out and got the 3/8-drive model for $55.

I'm pretty happy with my purchase and would like to thank you guy's the posted the recomendation to the Husky branded torque wrenches. I'll be doing my g/f's Miata timebelt in a few weeks as well as a full 5.0 engine rebuild soon so these suckers should get some more use. Just wanted to also mention that these wrenches look a lot alike the craftsman, and look identical to the S&K branded variants, take a look at the above links and the one below for the Husky.

-use the link below-

http://homedepot.com
And search
SKU #749342 and
SKU #749261

L8RZ,
Jose

Ohh yeah one more thing I'm probally going to get that HF 1/2 drive torque wrench to keep in the trunk of my car for $10 you really can't beat it.

 

Thanks for the info

 

Jose,
I was selling Mac tools in the mid 80's, and at that time there were only 4 manufacturers that built torque wrenches. Everyone else just gets their name stamped on them. The clicker type wrench should be sent in periodically to be recalibrated, otherwise you don't know how accurate it is. Suprisingly, the beam type with the rod pointer is far more accurate for a longer period of time. Be sure to have the clicker checked every once in a while (manufacturers recomendation) so you don't start losing engines or breaking bolts.

 

Good peice of knowledge guess I was right. I also have a Craftsman beam type torque wrench that I'll use to check the clickers I got whenever I do an important project. I also have a pretty good feel for torque by hand. Once in while I'll send them in. Incase you guys need to know a good place to rapair and get torque wrenches worked on these people are the best.
http://www.anglerepair.com/

 

My Craftsman torque wrench ***** the bed on me! It mysteriously started reading ten pounds low! Didn't realized it untill we stripped a couple of rod bolts on a buddies rebuild.

Here's the kicker. I found a place to check it and yes it's off 10 # across the entire range. Problem is they don't calibrate them and I cannot find anyone who can or will without shipping it cross country and paying more than a new one cost. All I get from the tool salesmen is Duh! calibrate?

Its the only Craftsman tool I can remember having a problem with.

Oh well it make a nice breaker bar. I wonder if I could get it apart?

 

I just remembered that Sears is offering a pressure transducer type attachment that goes between a breaker bar and a socket. It wire to connect to a DVM and give a digital torque reading.

Anyone tried that?