Choosing a Torque Wrench
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: North of Tulsa, Oklahoma
Choosing a Torque Wrench
Sears is having a sale that ends today, and I plan on getting one of their torque wrenchs. It is their twist to lock design, in both english and metric. They come in three torque ranges; 3/8" at 25-250in/lbs, 3/8" at 10-75ft/lbs, and 1/2" at 20-150ft/lbs.
I do all the work on my vehicles, from bumper to bumper. My question is which of those three would best suite my uses?
I do all the work on my vehicles, from bumper to bumper. My question is which of those three would best suite my uses?
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Joined: Mar 2000
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Choosing a Torque Wrench
Glad to see another all-DIY guy!
I have had both the 3/8 inch-pound and the 1/2 foot pound Craftsman's for years. Each has their own use. The 1/2 footpound is for general use, I use it a lot. The 3/8 inchpound is for gasketed stuff, I finally stopped over torquing valve covers and things like that once I got it. The 3/8 inchpound is also very useful for lighter torque's that would be off the low end of the big wrench, or way down in it's accuracy at the low end. For example, something needing 10 foot pounds, use the inchpound wrench, as 12 inchpounds equals 1 footpound, so set the inchpound wrench to 10 x 12 = 120 inchpounds.
Before I got the 3/8, I had been over torqueing the light stuff for years, I just couldn't get a feel for light torques.
So my suggestion is get both! With all the work you do yourself, you will pay them both off in no time at all! With labor at $45-50 an hour and up, and all the parts marked up 25%, and poor quality work at that, I no longer feel guilty about buying decent tools.
I have had both the 3/8 inch-pound and the 1/2 foot pound Craftsman's for years. Each has their own use. The 1/2 footpound is for general use, I use it a lot. The 3/8 inchpound is for gasketed stuff, I finally stopped over torquing valve covers and things like that once I got it. The 3/8 inchpound is also very useful for lighter torque's that would be off the low end of the big wrench, or way down in it's accuracy at the low end. For example, something needing 10 foot pounds, use the inchpound wrench, as 12 inchpounds equals 1 footpound, so set the inchpound wrench to 10 x 12 = 120 inchpounds.
Before I got the 3/8, I had been over torqueing the light stuff for years, I just couldn't get a feel for light torques.
So my suggestion is get both! With all the work you do yourself, you will pay them both off in no time at all! With labor at $45-50 an hour and up, and all the parts marked up 25%, and poor quality work at that, I no longer feel guilty about buying decent tools.
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Joined: Mar 2001
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Choosing a Torque Wrench
I am by no means a mechanic but do some of the work on my own vehicles. I have the Sears 1/2 drive 20-150lb torque wrench. This has the greatest number of uses for a vehicle, but I agree that the 3/8 would be better for the lower ranges. I finally broke down and bought the one you are looking at a copuple of years ago (used to use one that had the metal dial indicator as you tightened), the new one was a great buy and worth every penny. Last thing I want to do is snap a bolt.
Slowsix
Slowsix
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Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 11,496
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From: Kansas
Choosing a Torque Wrench
I'll second that. A 1/2" is the main one to use but everynow and then you need the smaller one. Sure bets having to do it all over again because you squished everything.
98 F250LD 4X4
Slotted Rotors
98 F250LD 4X4
Slotted Rotors
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: North of Tulsa, Oklahoma
Choosing a Torque Wrench
Thanks for the advise ya'll. I ended up buying the 1/2" at 20-150ft/lbs. Unfortunately I can only afford one at a time. (Especially since the wife was with me. hehehe) Now I've got to go find something on my truck to torque.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Northern Virginia
Choosing a Torque Wrench
No, no, no. You have to find something on HER car/truck or kitchen to torque. And I'm thinkin' that it's low torque and you will need to get the in-lb wrench. THAT's how you buy tools, man. I thought everybody did it like that. :-)
Kidding aside, both wrenches are a must.
Raul
w/ 81 F-100, I6, SROD, Carter 1V non-feedback carb, no A/C, no PS, no PB, but it gets me where I need to go
Kidding aside, both wrenches are a must.
Raul
w/ 81 F-100, I6, SROD, Carter 1V non-feedback carb, no A/C, no PS, no PB, but it gets me where I need to go
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