Torque wrench preferences

[Drew Pojedinec]

So..... my trusty ole micrometer torque wrench finally became not so trusty.
Sadly this happened on an important bolt.
It is a 50-150ft lb wrench, and apparently it works perfectly until you hit 100ft lbs and then won't click anymore.

I have a perfect inch/lb dial torque wrench, a 50-150ft lb beam wrench.  I don't like using the beam wrench on everything tho as it's hard to see the needle when going over 100ft lb (ie, I'm weak and shaky)

Anyway, my choice for a replacement:
https://www.amazon.com/Precision-Instruments-PREC3FR250F-Silver-Torque/dp/B002XMSFIM

What do you use?
Any issues/experiences with my choice?

Thanks,
Dp

[Heo]

I have Snap on my dad bought in 58 still
works like a clock its with a gauge but im
big and strong so no shake at 100

[chris401]

I had the Snap On version on loan for about two weeks. Easy to set but the click was not as pronounced. Seems your saving over a hundred dollars vs Snap On.

[GJCAT427]

I have 3 Snap-on torque wrenches all clickers that I have had for 20 yrs and never had an issue with. Some place I inherited my dads New Britian beam wrench but never use it. Mostly because its arkward to handle.

[jayb]

I have one of the Craftsman clickers, think I paid around $150 for it a few years ago.  Since 1978 I've had three Craftsman clickers of various designs, and still have all three, but the first two aren't adjustable any more; I think the rod inside broke, or I unwound them too far, something like that.  Anyway I have regularly tested all of them (see the link below) and they have all seemed to hold calibration pretty well.  So, the Craftsman torque wrenches get a thumbs up from me!

http://fepower.net/simplemachinesforum/index.php?topic=352.0

[turbohunter]

X2 on the Craftsman. I unload it every time I finish with it.
I'm just to cheap to buy a Snap on. However in the future I'm not so sure. I believe in the past few years their manufacture was moved off shore.

[BruceS]

I have Snap-On and Craftsman clickers. Snap-on 3/8" drive 50-150 was bought in the 70s and still going strong; had it calibrated a few years ago and otherwise no issues. Craftsman is a 1/2" drive 50-150 and is also still in good shape.  Only issue on the Craftsman is I've noticed it has seeped a little fluid over time but has not affected the operation.  IMO would recommend a 1/2" drive, especially for the larger fasteners on our FEs.   

[chilly460]

I like my Wright 4477.  Made by CDI, same people that make them for Snap On

https://www.amazon.com/Wright-Tool-4477-Micro-Adjustable-Torque/dp/B00279JLOI

Honestly, seems like a great deal for that Precision split beam, don't think you'd go wrong there.

[shady]

an old girlfriend bought me a craftsman clicker for Christmas back in the late 70's . I always return it to zero & put it back in the orig. box when finished. Works wonderfully.

[cammerfe]

Almost fifty years ago I bought a Snap-On dial-type TW. I also have an old Craftsman beam/needle type and in a fit of abandon I bought both a foot and an inch clicker at Harbor Freight. I use an extension and socket to link both the dial or clicker wrenches with the beam and run them against each other to see if the more complicated ones read the same. So far, so good.

The benefit to the clickers is that you don't have to get your head in the right place to 'read' while pulling.

KS

[chris401]

Bought my Proto 6014 used in 96. It stayed calibrated about 16 years then it was too tight by 7lbs at 100. Most tool trucks around here have a torque gague mounted on the wall.

[Falcon67]

Here's LOL for you - I have three 1/2" units (among other sizes).  Two C-man units and a nice Snap On.  I use my load center to check the cal on them.  The cheapest C-Man with the plastic handle to dial in the torque was nearly spot on to 120 ft/lbs.  The others were off, the snappy the worst.

[turbohunter]

That is pretty damn funny Chris. And you pay more for that.

[Falcon67]

I need to get the Snappy calibrated because it's a pretty nice wrench.  A gimmie from an in law.  Along with a wrench that I can't really test - big one the goes to 600 ft/lbs.  Used for torquing wind tower base bolts! 

[Drew Pojedinec]

Yeah, we have some massive ones at work.
Of course some of the crab nuts require 2800ft lbs of torque.

Gear reduction time!


I don't buy the wrenches at work tho, I typically spend time researching, order the best one, and some dude in purchasing sends one from Harbor Freight.
Shoot... it's only $350k to rebuild one of these engines, lets save a little on a torque wrench..... 


Anyway, thanks for the input on newer wrenches.