Snap-on torqometer, bought when I was 17 and still use it today. I have the calibration checked every so often.
Favorite Torque Wrench
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More Turbo
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 603
Likes: 3
From: San Antonio
Favorite Torque Wrench
What is your favorite brand or model or style of torque wrench? I am ready to replace my old school beam/rocker wrench with one that clicks when it reaches the correct torque. Brought my current torque wrench to work on a motorcycle and it was good for that. Now I have body work to deal will it is a pain.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,305
Likes: 18
From: Boulder Creek, Ca
Recently reassembled the 302 and found both of my vintage torque wrenches, digital, and 'click' type unreliable. Came across a digital torque wrench that includes a buzzer that can be programed for up to 5 torque values where it can be set sequentially, for working up to the torque spec's, or a value for each item; i.e., intake, water pump, timing chain cover, etc., or both, with the push of a button. Sometimes find it difficult to determine a desired torque by the sound of a click; especially at the lower values and found the buzzer is very handy. Having said that, the topic came up in the ' Garage Forum' and I may have gone a different route had I not already purchased the torque wrench.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-wrench-2.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-wrench-2.html
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,375
Likes: 5
From: seattle
torque wrenches come in many shades of gray...but the key to them all is keeping them calibrated...and when you use it, resetting it back to zero after you are done..not beyond zero...zero..my dads got a Craftsman hes had since eons before i was thought of...and still works fine...calibration was checked a few years back...works perfect and is as accurate as it can be.
I prefer the clicker type wrenches...and the other thing...though its a ratchet type head...dont use it as a breaker bar...thats what breaker bars are for...
- cs65
I prefer the clicker type wrenches...and the other thing...though its a ratchet type head...dont use it as a breaker bar...thats what breaker bars are for...
- cs65
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More Turbo
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 603
Likes: 3
From: San Antonio
Thank y'all for the feedback. Most of the bolts I have been and will be torqueing in the near future are 2-30 ft/lbs so I think I will look for a 0-300 inch/lbs wrench. Most or the wrenches I have seen start at 20-30 ft/lbs and are most accurate at 80-100% of their rating. Later, if I build a tranny or axle I will need to get a bigger wrench. The last bolts I torqued were to 9 ft/lbs on an oil pan.
I had not heard of wrenches with a buzzer. I do not hear so well and my hearing is not getting better so that is an attractive feature.
I had not heard of wrenches with a buzzer. I do not hear so well and my hearing is not getting better so that is an attractive feature.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
Good engineering practice is to have the desired reading in the 1/4 to 3/4 range of the dial, this goes for guages as well due to problems with calibrations over a large range. I am thinking a 0-100 is the best all around wrench. If and when you need higher borrow one from the parts house or a friend.
My craftsman clicker is getting so old the numbers are hard to read through the tiny window or my eyes are getting bad.
I prefer using the swing pointer type when I can see it. They are both 20 plus years old and accurate to each other which is good enough for hobby work.
The more fancy the wrench, truck, woman, etc/ the more chance it will cause you problems... buzzers are a concern as batteries corrode and will fail at the most critical point. Will the buzzer wrench still buzz in 20 years???
My craftsman clicker is getting so old the numbers are hard to read through the tiny window or my eyes are getting bad.
I prefer using the swing pointer type when I can see it. They are both 20 plus years old and accurate to each other which is good enough for hobby work.
The more fancy the wrench, truck, woman, etc/ the more chance it will cause you problems... buzzers are a concern as batteries corrode and will fail at the most critical point. Will the buzzer wrench still buzz in 20 years???
Last edited by old broke prospector; May 13, 2013 at 09:14 AM. Reason: add comment
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 707
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From: Sauk City, WI
I have a Craftsman Digitork Im pretty happy with. Checked against my buddies high dollar Snap On awhile back and I think Im 1 lb off at 100 ft lbs. Good enough 99% of the time.
I do want to buy a decent in lb beam style for setting up rear ends, and other odd things like that. KD Tools has a decent one for like $40 if I remember right.
I do want to buy a decent in lb beam style for setting up rear ends, and other odd things like that. KD Tools has a decent one for like $40 if I remember right.
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Watertown, WI
I used to work part @ a calibration shop that had the contract for calibrating all of snap-on torque wrenches... I would say for garage use craftsman or snap-on have the best. Whatever you get... find a local calibration shop that can calibrate it once a year for you. You take it in and pay cash its maybe 5 bucks. They can do it while you wait. If you buy a snap-on and give it back to the driver to have it calibrated you are waiting 3 weeks and expect to pay 15 to 20 for having it calibrated.
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More Turbo
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 603
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From: San Antonio
This wrench caught my eye because it has the range for most of the bolts I tighten. The first set point 3.7 ft/lb according the reviews. I will not torque the valve covers on the old 64 but it handle the other small engine bolts. The valve covers torque 2ft/lb and I do that with a socket and 2 fingers which seem to be right.
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