Buying a New Torque Wrench

[Wreckless Warren]

After I built the 445 back in 2008 I gave my torque wrench to my youngest son who is not close by and I need to buy another one for the P-Code engine.  I want a reliable one but I don't want to invest a fortune, it will see very little use.  I think 20-150 ft/lbs will be my range.  Your suggestions are appreciated. ww

[afret]

How about looking for a good used Snap On like this one?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Snap-On-3-8-Drive-Click-Type-Torque-Wrench-Ratchet-20-100-Ft-Lbs-TQFR100A-/170787216355?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27c3b61be3#ht_500wt_1129

[jayb]

A used Snap-On is a great idea.  Last time I bought a torque wrench it was a Craftsman clicker, and I've had good luck with it.  Think I paid around $150 for it, and as far as I can tell it still works well, at least by gauging it against a rod bolt stretch gauge.  Same torque seems to still give the same amount of bolt stretch on the Crower rods I usually use.

[afret]

I check the calibration of the wrenches from time to time and I've only had one Snap On that I had to adjust.  The cheap beam type wrenches that I've tested seem to be pretty accurate but one click type from Harbor Freight was way off.  LOL
This thing is pretty useful:

[jayb]

How much did that checker cost, Earl?  I have a set of Intercomp scales for weighing cars, and have had good luck with them.

[rcodecj]

Jay, they go for around $540. I want one!
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ICP-102028

[afret]

Looks like rcodecj answered the question.   

[jayb]

Somewhere I have a set of plans for making one of those checkers, using some parts from Graingers, that costs around $150 IIRC.  Never got around to building it, though.  I will have to try to dig those out...

[Rory428]

If you ever attend a NHRA National event, Tim Hyatts semi trailer in the manufacturers midway offers free torque wrench testing. Tim`s trailer is normally sporting signage from McLeod, MSD, & Autometer.

[CDXXVII]

Precision supplied Snap On up til about 8-9 years ago. Seems like a pretty good value.

http://www.tooltopia.com/precision-instruments-c2fr100f.aspx

Don't the tool trucks carry torque wrench testers? A snap on driver might test yours even if it isn't Snap On?

[machoneman]

Most big cities have a shop or two that offer torque wrench testing for a nominal fee like $20. Look up "torque wrench calibration service" on the Web, Yellow Pages, etc. Or, one could mail it in to a service like this one which just happens to be in Seattle:

http://www.robbprecisiontool.com/

Only problem here is about $20 for round-trip shipping and the $20 fee makes this a kinda' expensive option.

[cammerfe]

FWIW, I'm told that the inexpensive beam deflection sort of torque wrench is very accurate up to the point where the beam is overloaded and takes a permanent set. I, therefore, simply use, every-once-in-a-while, a 1/2 inch socket into which I can 'jam' the 1/2 inch drive on my Snap-On dial-type Torque wrench and use one against the other. What shows on one has, so far, showed on the other. And, at least around here, you can buy a beam-style for about $15.

KS