jvanbrecht

So, may cheap craftsman ($100, so much for lifetime warranty) torque wrench failed me a little while back.

With that in mind, I need to replace it. I have been looking at various brands and reviews for each, while most of the reviews are decent, I tend to read the 1 and 2 star ones because I want to know if there are problems, how the companies resolve them.

Sadly, they all seem to have some serious problems (and accuracy is a big problem it seems.

I had originally wanted a digital torque wrench with built in angle check. CDI (a brand owned by Snap On now) has 3 varying sizes, but I would need to purchase 2 to cover the torque specs needed for most of our vehicle (the wife has veto'd the 2 item option). These (and for the most part all of the digital and cheap sub $100) have an accuracy range of 20% to 100%, meaning a wrench with spec 0nm to 100nm would only be accurate for a range above 20nm. Some of the specs for bolts on our car are in the 10nm range.

So, the question is.. looking for a single torque wrench, which is accurate from 10nm to 50nm (taking into account the actual accuracy range for which the wrench is certified)
Does not have to have the angle gauge anymore, I will purchase a separate unit, and does not have to be digital.
Oh and less than $300

Any ideas..

Oh, and to keep the post semi on topic, I cannot for the life of me figure out whether or not the Valve cover bolts are TTY or reusable, any ideas.

The spec sheet provides the torque specs, but that is it, and I cannot for the life of me find the part number.

Merc63

I reused valve cover bolts, I don't think they are tty.

Get a good quality torque wrench and keep it for life.

shades

Spend the extra and go with snap on. Expensive yes, but piece of mind when dealing with a 70k plus car

jvanbrecht

I went with CDI Torque 2401CI3 Drive Computorq wrench for $260 on Amazon. More expensive then the regular click/dial/bar types in the same range but includes angles (and I went with the 2 to 20 f.lb one for now as the bolts I will be working for for now are all 4 to 20 nm range).

I will pick up the 3/8 or 1/2 one later on, but will probably go with the Brownline one, the reviews seem pretty favorable, although the ratcheting mechanism seems pretty loose at 32t. Or maybe one of the gearwrench ones

abcut973

Sorry for reviving this but i was wondering where can I get a complete spec sheet with torque values for every single bolts on our cars?

I would really appreciate any members' inputs

zibby43

+1

Snap-on or bust. I think most of tools meet aviation certification standards (which are rigorous). Plus there is also a lifetime warranty. If one breaks you can mail it in despite no receipt, etc. If it is a genuine Snap-on tool, they'll replace it immediately - no questions asked.

They're expensive but if you have to rely on the tools constantly, you'll want the best. If your usage will be casual, Craftsman is a good alternative.

motoman

Ivanbrecht, Sorry to hear the Craftsman let go. I've got one that is about 40 years old still going strong. Did you try to deposit on the Alfa 4C? Looks now like that car may not even make it here.

Ingenieur

I have a Proto for <100 lb-ft and a Craftsman for >100 lb-ft
both are over 30 years old and have been calibrated every 5 years or so and have never drifted out of spec


granted I am a shade-tree mechanic and use them a dozen times a year at most, the Craftsman more often since I use it for lug bolts


prepping the fastener, using the wrench properly and having it calibrated are just as important as the actual brand of the tool

motoman

Re calibration. My local America Tire shop offered to calibrate my craftsman free. Never took it in , but try that at your good tire shop. They do a lot of clicking.

Afterthought: Although Sears has been battered and is in decline they still honor the craftsman replacement promise. Take failed wrench in. You might get a free replacement. I have taken back some obviously abused wrenches and they never blink.

roadtalontsi

What bolts in particular. Benz doesnt just make a huge list and put them all together like your old school haynes manuals

Id go with a snap on personally. You can always get it recalibrated as needed, most of the tool trucks have a generic tester to see if it's close or way off. Whether you choose electric of old style. Torque angle gauge isnt really necessary. 180* and 90*s are pretty easy to eye ball. it's not like they tell you to do 34* angles or something weird. Not to mention most of the newer style electric ones have the built in angle- not sure how that works but must be good to have snapon put their name on it.

abcut973

Any bolts related to suspension and brakes.

bhamg

My calibration unit arrived today so I tested my three 1/2" torque wrenches. All were tested set at 90 lb/ft a total of ten times each and then averaged.

Craftsman #1 - 4 years old, cost new $130.
Actual torque 78 lb/ft

Craftsman #2 - 6 mos old, cost new $120.
Actual torque 82 lb/ft

Mastercraft - Same mfr as Husky and identical to Home Depot's 1/2" wrench of 2 years ago, cost new $85.
Actual torque 104 lb/ft

Pretty poor performance across the board if you ask me for "quality" products.

jvanbrecht

That is some pretty sad accuracy....

I have decided to stick with Snap On/CDI (I know the CDI is Snap on Budget Brand but quality and accuracy is there)

bhamg

Agreed, my 3/8" is CDI.

dubzAMG

I have a snap on, 3/8" & 1/2, very happy with both of them.

motoman

It well known that the (lowly) beam type torque wrench is best at retaining accuracy. Cheapest, but hard to read.

Ingenieur

what is the full scale range of each?
I assume tested CW (as tightening)

bhamg

Craftsman #1 20-120 lb/ft
Craftsman #2 25-250 lb/ft
Mastercraft 20-250 lb/ft

CW, pulled up.

Ingenieur

Accuracy is rated 2 ways
Full scale
Indicated value

Pretty sure these are full scale +/- 5%
The 250 range is +/- 12.5 lb
They appear to be in spec or close
The low range is out

Snap on is indivated value