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Thread: Torque wrench recommendations please

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    t3h ch33se Wiscon_Mark's Avatar
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    Torque wrench recommendations please

    I'm looking for some people's recommendations on 3/8ths or 1/2 torque wrench. I figure I should probably start doing things right since I have all the torque specs for my car. I'd like to keep it under 100 bucks, but I'm open to any brand that's decent.
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    Re: Torque wrench recommendations please

    http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Lugnut-TW-5001 ... 949&sr=8-1

    I have had this one for two years now and it has been great, i have checked it with my new snap on a few times and its been right on.
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    Re: Torque wrench recommendations please

    Any torque wrench will do it all depends on how much you are going to use it. I have a harbor freight one.
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    t3h ub3r m3mber Garrison's Avatar
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    Re: Torque wrench recommendations please

    I too have a harbor freight wrench. Well, had. It lasted me through 3 motorcycles (complete dissembly and reassembly on one of them) and worked awesome the entire time. One small screw backed itself out though and locked the wrench up, which ruined it (obviously), and I ended up trashing it.

    But that was nearly 2 years of essentially weekly (ab)use.
    I've been to boost and back again my friends... and it was good

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    Re: Torque wrench recommendations please

    Harbor freight. Theyre cheap enough that if they bust you just buy another. No warranty haggles.
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    Re: Torque wrench recommendations please

    +1 on the harbor freight. I have the 1/2" torque wrench from there.. sometimes you can get it for as little as $15. Works great, and hasn't let me down yet!
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    t3h ub3r m3mber StatGSR's Avatar
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    Re: Torque wrench recommendations please

    I have had good luck with my wrench from Northern Tool for the last couple years..

    DO NOT buy a Craftsmen though, mine turned into nothing but an oversized 1/2" ratchet after a couple years of light use...
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    SLi O.G. d1giPhux's Avatar
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    Re: Torque wrench recommendations please

    Hey.. got figure! The HF torque wrench is on sale for $15 right now. You should definitely grab one of these.. i love mine.

    http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-i ... h-239.html

    Read some of the reviews as well..
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    t3h ch33se Wiscon_Mark's Avatar
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    Re: Torque wrench recommendations please

    There's a 20% off coupon on tools right now, too, so I picked up a 3/8ths and a 1/2"

    Thanks!
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    t3h ch33se Wiscon_Mark's Avatar
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    Re: Torque wrench recommendations please

    Got it them in the mail today, awesome!

    They actually seem pretty decently made for being so inexpensive. Included case was a bonus.
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    Re: Torque wrench recommendations please

    Quote Originally Posted by Garrison
    I too have a harbor freight wrench. Well, had. It lasted me through 3 motorcycles (complete dissembly and reassembly on one of them) and worked awesome the entire time. One small screw backed itself out though and locked the wrench up, which ruined it (obviously), and I ended up trashing it.

    But that was nearly 2 years of essentially weekly (ab)use.
    The HF torque wrenches have a lifetime warranty, take it back and get a new one.

    Yeah, it's only $15 for a new one, but you can use that $15 to buy more tools...
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    Re: Torque wrench recommendations please

    If you want to take a step up from the HF stuff I've been happy with my GearWrench torque wrenches. They're the same wrench as a Matco (both are brands of Danaher Tool Group) at a fraction of the price (~$100 vs ~$300). They're made in the USA and come with the calibration records.

    I have their 85053 1/2-Inch 20-150 Foot-Pound and 85051 3/8-Inch 25-250-Inch-Pound models, giving me coverage from 2-150 Foot-Pounds.

    KD Tools is another Danaher brand name for the same wrenches (they even use the same model numbers).
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    Re: Torque wrench recommendations please

    here's a coupon for a torque wrench from harbor freight if anyone wants one for dirt cheap!

    http://widgets.harborfreight.com/wswidg ... ycode=1002
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    t3h ub3r m3mber Garrison's Avatar
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    Re: Torque wrench recommendations please

    Quote Originally Posted by Hocrest
    Quote Originally Posted by Garrison
    I too have a harbor freight wrench. Well, had. It lasted me through 3 motorcycles (complete dissembly and reassembly on one of them) and worked awesome the entire time. One small screw backed itself out though and locked the wrench up, which ruined it (obviously), and I ended up trashing it.

    But that was nearly 2 years of essentially weekly (ab)use.
    The HF torque wrenches have a lifetime warranty, take it back and get a new one.

    Yeah, it's only $15 for a new one, but you can use that $15 to buy more tools...
    Ah, see now I wish I had remembered that!
    I've been to boost and back again my friends... and it was good

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    Re: Torque wrench recommendations please

    yep that is the exact wrech i picked up my self. i gathered up all the online and weekly coupons. and picked up great deals on 3 ton jack and 4 jack stands and creeper board etc. i think all togther i picked up close to 700 bucks in stuff adn only paid right around 300. great couponing

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    Re: Torque wrench recommendations please

    CDI makes a very nice torque wrench for right around $100. They are the same thing as a snap on (same parent company). I do not trust HF torque wrenches on the internals of my engine, there is too much to lose.
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    Re: Torque wrench recommendations please

    I'm problem a little too hard core for this thread... but this is what I have...

    Snap-On 1/2 in drive click type= $405
    http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp ... ir=catalog

    Snap-On 3/8 in drive click type= $272
    http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp ... ir=catalog

    I have never had a problem in the 12 years I have had them, as a mechanic and body man. I got these when I was in school so I didnt pay full price, more like 50% of the listed price. I do love these things though! The 1/2 in is pure awesome!

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    Re: Torque wrench recommendations please

    Quote Originally Posted by Dead91silvia
    I'm probably a little too hard core for this thread... but this is what I have...
    erm... haha I have you beat, this is what I have:
    Snap on 3/8 tech angle torque wrench $470
    snap on 1/2 tech angle torque wrench $535

    These are so nice, no zeroing it out all the time and they have a much larger range than click type. I also got them at half price though, otherwise I would have stuck with the traditional click type, still snap-on of course lol. My mom calls me a tool snob because i only buy name brand stuff.
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    Re: Torque wrench recommendations please

    I'm rocking the husky home depot brand 1/2" and I wouldn't get a 3/8" if I were you. Get a 1/2" I had a 3/8" and it went to 120 ft lbs I think but I torque the crank bolt to 130 ft lbs every time so that was pushing it and eventually I broke the 3/8" one so I took it back (lifetime warranty) and I got the 1/2" 250 ft lbs torque wrench and it was about $120 vs $90 I think of the 3/8" so I just paid the price difference and it's been great.
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    Re: Torque wrench recommendations please

    Quote Originally Posted by httrdd
    Any torque wrench will do it all depends on how much you are going to use it. I have a harbor freight one.
    Mine is also from Harbor Freight, always worked well for my needs

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    Th3 EviL OvErLORd Reason's Avatar
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    Re: Torque wrench recommendations please

    Both of mine are from harbor freight, no issues so far.
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    Tool snob also, have both wrenches that Dead91 has. Great wrenches. You could always look on your local Craigslist too, for retiring techs to sell their expensive tools.

    Normally, I'd say stay away from precision tools from HF, but if these guys all have good experiences, go with it. Can't hurt for $15, just don't be surprised if you get burnt.
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