Torque wrench
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 142
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From: Oklahoma
Torque wrench
Has anyone owned or used craftsman torque wrenches? I'm needing one and leaning that direction.
Also preference on beam type or click type would be helpful. thanks, Ron
Also preference on beam type or click type would be helpful. thanks, Ron
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
I have serviced many Craftsmen torque wrenches, and found them to be fairly reliable, if taken care of. All of these wrenches have been used in commercial businesses, so they tend to get very heavy usage compared to a home garage.
As for type of wrench, beam type probably would be adequate for most all applications. Their uncertainty (accuracy) is not as good as a break action (click) type wrench, but they are virtually maintenance free. Very easy to reset your 'zero' on these too. Problem with a beam type wrench is trying apply steady force to it when using it at higher torque settings. Your hands tend to shake a bit, very easy to over or under torque a fastener. Kind of hard to read the scale when using one in a awkward position too. Good point is most beam type are calibrated for both clockwise and counter-clockwise use.
Break action wrenches are for the most part more accurate, but very susceptible to damage from dropping and improper storage. Very sensitive to how you apply your force when tightening a fastener. They will break at different points if you apply the torque rapidly verses slowly. I have watched countless numbers of people that will continue to apply force to a break action wrench AFTER it 'breaks', over torqueing a fastener by a significant amount. Generally these are not user servicable.
One type of torque driver not mentioned is the dial type torque wrench, which is nothing more than a beam type with a dial indicator mechanism attached to a beam. As the beam deflects, it moves the gears to move the dial needle. These are generally very good drivers, but are the most sensitive to proper care and handling. These can be hard to read as well. If the 'zero' off, you simple turn the bezel until the pointer aligns with '0"! That is if it is only off a minor amount. Go way over range with one, and you'll likely screw it up big time......
Which ever type you decide to use, do read the instructions and follow them. It will save you a lot of grief. Hope I have helped, and not bored you to tears.....
As for type of wrench, beam type probably would be adequate for most all applications. Their uncertainty (accuracy) is not as good as a break action (click) type wrench, but they are virtually maintenance free. Very easy to reset your 'zero' on these too. Problem with a beam type wrench is trying apply steady force to it when using it at higher torque settings. Your hands tend to shake a bit, very easy to over or under torque a fastener. Kind of hard to read the scale when using one in a awkward position too. Good point is most beam type are calibrated for both clockwise and counter-clockwise use.
Break action wrenches are for the most part more accurate, but very susceptible to damage from dropping and improper storage. Very sensitive to how you apply your force when tightening a fastener. They will break at different points if you apply the torque rapidly verses slowly. I have watched countless numbers of people that will continue to apply force to a break action wrench AFTER it 'breaks', over torqueing a fastener by a significant amount. Generally these are not user servicable.
One type of torque driver not mentioned is the dial type torque wrench, which is nothing more than a beam type with a dial indicator mechanism attached to a beam. As the beam deflects, it moves the gears to move the dial needle. These are generally very good drivers, but are the most sensitive to proper care and handling. These can be hard to read as well. If the 'zero' off, you simple turn the bezel until the pointer aligns with '0"! That is if it is only off a minor amount. Go way over range with one, and you'll likely screw it up big time......
Which ever type you decide to use, do read the instructions and follow them. It will save you a lot of grief. Hope I have helped, and not bored you to tears.....
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,628
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From: Albuquerque
I had bad luck with my Craftsman. I think a friend may have turned the adjustment too far. It turned up 10 pounds low on the reading. After breaking a rod bolt. It's hard to find anyone to calibrate one and the cost is as much as a new one. I heard the Husky model is good.
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 48
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I have had 2 craftman torque wrenches. The first 1 bought about 25 years ago and after storage in a bad enviorment it gave out. The guy at Sears replaved it with a new wrench. As for the qualitity I can't complain. For the price the are good and will serve the home user well. But like all T. wrenches the need tested for accuracy. If I were going to use it alot I would buy a Snap On.
