Torque wrench recommendation needed
 

My torque wrench was liberated from my garage and that puts me in the market. I need a 1/2 in drive. I prefer a long handle but I guess that is just habit.

I’ve been looking on line and see prices from under $20 to over $200. Some have accuracy specs, and +/- 4% seems too high (100 ft-lbs could actually be 96-104). Maybe I’m overthinking that; torque sticks used at tire shops are pretty inaccurate.

Would also like it to hold accuracy for some time so I don’t have to recalibrate very often. Primary use is wheel lugs on BMWs.

Thoughts?

I've used a Kobalt (Lowe's house brand I think) with good results for awhile now. Cost was reasonable @ $70 IIRC. Used one from Harbor Freight once... threw it away after that. Was garbage. Had to re-do a head gasket.

I used to have all kinds of torque wrenches:
- Dial type (The $15 type).
- The "Click" type: the problem is you have to make sure it is properly maintained and not locking up.
Some people destroy their nuts/bolts simply bc the torque wrench does not "click" when reaching the torque. This is a good tool but requires some maintenance, which we tend to forget.
- The electronic type (it beeps when at the torque). Just like the above but instead of "clicking noise", it beeps.

I already got rid of other types and keep ONLY the dial type.
If you want to keep your life simple, then get the dial type, it is $15-$20 at hardware store.


PS: For lug nut...I usually tighten snug by hand then go another 45 degrees (such as from 1:30 o'clock ---> 3 o'clock. I did this 45-degree experiment years ago and this amounts to about 80 ft*lb. Do your own experiment and you will see the beauty of this 45-degree thingy.

I like the Craftsman Digi-Click 1/2" 25lbs-250lbs torue wrench. $100 off right now. $69.99

https://www.sears.com/craftsman-1-2-...000P?rrec=true

Thanks - appreciate the recommendations so far. The one that disappeared was a Mountain, kept in its plastic case. Had it for about 12 years without issue, click type. I never had it recalibrated but always stored it properly and used it properly.

Couldn’t find accuracy spec on this. How long do the batteries last?

Great tip in the PS!

I can’t find a dial type for under $100 on line (including ACE and True Value); do you have anything you can point me to?

I have multiples but the one that gets the most usage is the 1/2 drive sears unit 20-150 ft pounds with metric settings
https://www.sears.com/craftsman-micr...1&blockType=G1

Lugnut torque is not overly critical, so most anything that is close to accurate will suffice. For one of the better value wrenches, take a look at Tektron. Decent quality tools with excellent warranties and reasonable prices. Regardless what you buy, I'd check it for reasonableness against either a known calibrated wrench, or at least using the string/weight test (google) to make sure it's in the ballpark. If you buy a "click" type, be sure to back off the spring tension after each use.

AM.

- Sorry I said "Dial type". I meant "beam style"...

- I am a minimalist, so I am getting rid of stuff I don't find essential to my life...For < $20, you can get a beam style as shown...


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I have one of those but it is so old (1970s) that I don’t trust its accuracy any more at all, so it is a back-up breaker bar now!

I agree about being a minimalist. Being older than my beam style torque wrench, I’m decluttering as much as possible and focusing on only the things (tools included) that I need. Unfortunately can’t swap winter/summer wheels without a torque wrench.

I have been swapping summer and winter tires for > 15 yrs using the 45-degree thingy. Zero issues.

Test your beam style torque wrench using weights etc. at 1 foot length.
Search youtube for "calibration procedure for beam style"...

The video below shows "click" type but you get the idea of using weight to test:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGbCzm8lrKE

I have Craftsman and Tekton. My 1/2" Craftsman has a plastic handle and started falling apart a few years ago. I purchased Harbor Freight. Threw them away as they were junk. Bought the Tekton. They seem well made and they have held up well. Come with a plastic case. The 1/2" is 25-250 ft/lbs and has metric markings as well. I've been quite happy with them. $57 on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-24340-...s%2C207&sr=8-6

Do you think 50% error might be too much? I think that tool is best used as a breaker bar still; I ought to grind off the indicator so no one uses it for torque accidentally!

- What I meant was: use common household tool to calibrate your tool, no matter what tool you have (click or beam style).

- Let's assume the weight measurement tool is accurate (the tool they used to measure luggage weight as in the video above)...you don't even need a vise.

- Attach the 1/2-inch torque wrench + socket to the wheel lug. Then pull let's say 50 lbs at 18" area on the torque wrench, this is the same as 75 ft*lb (= 50 lb x 1.5 ft). So the beam style it should read around 75 ft*lb at that time.

- Very simple way to check the beam-style torque wrench.

I went a different route and happy I did.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...1f2c3e7ad5.jpg

ACDelco ARM602-4 1/2" Digital Torque Adapter (4-147.6 ft-lbs) with Audible Alert https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004VYURT0..._rSncEbBXCY4ST

Range of about 4-150 ft·lb. (but I think you can only set as low as 10 ft·lb).


Every once in a while I can't fit the thing into a tight spot but I'm definitely happy with going this route.

Often I don't set a value (it beeps and lights come on at set point), I just set the level to higher than I need and use the peak torque setting to read the value.

I did something similar to get the 50% error on my old beam wrench. I knew it was bad but had no idea it was that bad!

That little feller is pretty accurate, and very portable.

I want a 3/4 torque wrench for things like axle nuts. I've considered getting one of those (in 3/4 size) along with a big 3/4 breaker bar. That way I'd have a nice big breaker bar for those occasions where the 1/2 bar is not quite enough.

Good to hear you're happy with yours.

AM.

Similarly I keep a 1/2 to 3:8 adapter in the case for the torque adapter.

A 3/4 torque wrench won't be very useful or smaller stuff.

I would get a digital torq4ue adapter and a 4:1 planetary torque multiplier.

Not only do you get 3.3:1 torque multiplcation it has 3/4 output for tings like axle nut or crank bolt.

The fmax output is typically 1100 ftlb but better yet you can use a torque wrench for input and get 3.3x the reading of the wrench.

One of my favorite tools for sure and it's always in my mechanic toolbox so any time I work on a car I have with me.

Expensive but the ultimate torque wrench - torque wrench with exchangeable heads:thumbup:. You won't need any other, ever! If you've ever done suspension work, you'll appreciate these for the difficult to access fasteners.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Capri-To...50FL/206975720

That's really cool. On suspension parts where I don't have room for the torque adapter I can often use my impact wrench and torque stick.

Well now my wife is mad at you! That converts to about $427 plus shipping and fees. There is a guy selling it on ebay https://www.ebay.com/p/12025059833?i...SABEgL48_D_BwE that brings it down to $300 and I think I am going to roll the dice and buy it in January.

The fill plug on the ATC500 transfer case!!! ;)

Can't you achieve the same thing simply by buying a set of crows foot wrenches to go with your already owned torque wrench?

Obviously you don’t buy tools just because they are AWESOME...


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https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...1c96454a8d.jpg
There was this one time I didn’t have the correct wrench size I needed (24mm) so I ordered a set that went to 24 and then ordered an expansion of my current set that goes to 25mm just so next time I am not caught with my pants down.


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You can find them at HomeDepot for $179.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Capri-To...50FL/206975720

I love my Tekton 1/2 and 1/4 torque wrenches....but that Capri looks nifty. Wish it was cheaper....but in fairness...I wish everything was cheaper.

Torque wrench recommendation needed
 

If you put the crow foot on at a 90° angle it will be close.

If the foot extends past the center of the drive of the torque wrench the value will read low and if it angles back the wrench will read high.

I've used a 1/2" combination wrench grabbing a torque wrench that came back towards the handle. Then I put a socket drive adaper in the box end of the wrench.

The torque wrench i was using at the time didn't go low enough. It's all about ratios: if you had 18" tq wrench and a 6" combination wrench, set the tq to 30 ft·lb and you apply 20 ft·lb to the fastener.

Snap on has an extender for their torque wrench and an app to calculate the offset.

I have multiple tool boxes full of awesome tools, but I don't buy them just because they're awesome. I buy them because they provide a value beyond something I already own. What's the point in owning multiple torque wrenches when one will do the job quite nicely? Now, if my torque wrench wasn't doing a job I needed done and this thing would, I'd probably buy it.

I guess my point is that for me tools are tools. I love tools and have a ton, but for me they're not toys that I need.

Fair enough.


But my mentality is if I find a tool that does a better job / makes that job easier. Then why not buy it and stuff it in the tool chest. Normally I buy these kinds of things AFTER I have fought my way through a project that I never plan on doing again, but just in case I will be more prepared next time:dunno:

Not quite other than altering the overall torque values - I've gone that path when I did suspension work on my E39, E92 and E53. These interchangeable heads are low-profile compared to torque wrench + crow foot, thereby giving you that critical extra room to torque those difficult to access fasteners. And the torque you apply is valid.

True about the purpose built crow foot lower profile but if you already HAVE a torque wrench and crow foot, you can pair them and have a much lower profile than a socket!

Also that combination (tq plus crow) has an advantage over either sockets or the special tool: you can add an extension in the mix to get to impossible places.

I've used my crow foot sockets in numerous places that a socket couldn't touch and the special tool also couldn't touch. (example: far side of an inline brake line connector). You need both a 90° bend and open end. (my crow feet are actually flare so you do need to get over the fitting not just from the side)

I'm glad the concept was brought up, im sure I could find uses for the combination. I might have to borrow av torque wrench by brain hurt itself trying to figure out if the 90° offset works with the torque adapter.

Torque wrench recommendation needed
 

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...015999ab.plist

This was the insane combination I came up with to measure CCW torque with a torque wrench that only went CW (for cam shaft work on M62)

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...6f9f940fad.jpg

And how to measure lower torque than your whench goes.

Actually notice the torque wrench is upside down, it's backwards and set to reduce torque.

I recently used a 19mm crows foot on a regular torque wrench to torque the M54 VANOS oil line banjo bolts recently. Very slight, and easy adjustment to the torque wrench setting.

In general, I've found the main need is for options. Even that $400 open end set pictured earlier will surely find its limitations in many applications. I'd expect a drawer full of weird adapters (like those shown in AndrewWynn's post #36) to be more used and useful than the $400 set.

My backup plan, in case I ever really really need to get accurate torque in a near impossible case, is to get an old/cheap/disposable combination wrench and custom fabricate a solution using a welder, cutoff wheel, grinder, whatever it takes. Still waiting for that moment though. ;)

And BTW, whenever I buy something that comes with its own little (or big) wrench, included for people that don't have any tools, I save them. They're typically 2mm thick or less, will get the job done, and may one day be the only thing that fits in the application at hand.

Torque wrench recommendation needed
 

You must mean this crazy set of adapters.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...71647567d4.jpg
It was likely midnight when I went to torque down the reluctor rings and discover that the torque wrench only went CW and it's lowest setting was far too high.

So I go though my toolbox (which came with from home 3 hours away) and discover I can use a 1/2" combination wrench, a 1/2" to 3/8 drive adaper (meant to turn ratcheting box intro a ratchet wrench), a 3/8 socket then a 3/8 to 1/4” insert bit adapter, then finally a 1/4” hex to socket drive adapter.

Most of those adapters I keep in a small zipper pouch. I bought a set of four pieces that includes 3/4 box to 1/2 square and similar for 1/2 to 3/8 and 3/8 to both square male and 1/4 hex female. I also have an impact set of flex joints 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 which actually see little use as my impact extensions are all wobble and when you use a couple in series you get around things a little better than a flex joint.