torque wrench recommendation
 

My 15 year old Craftsman click type torque wrench is acting funny. It seems to work properly as a torque wrench, but the ratchet part of it locks up. The Sears lifetime warranty doesn't apply to torque wrenches, or so I'm told.

$100 over 17 years is reasonable as far as I'm concerned so I don't mind getting another Craftsman. I'd just like to hear if folks have a favorite brand of 1/2" click type torque wrench for around the same money.

I have the Griot catalog. $180 for a torque wrench is a little high if I can get a Craftsman for $100. I also prefer the distinct numbers in windows over a vernier scale.

Thanks,
Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD

Sixto:

Here is a group of recent recommendations

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/23494-torque-wrench-recommendation.html?highlight=torque+wrench

BTW, I searched the Sears and Craftsman sites - they state a 90 day limited warranty on current Craftsman torque wrenches! But they are on sale for 60-90 dollars.

I have a new Craftsman that works 25-150 /# works great #44562. It`s a clicker. It was $69.00 when I bought 2 years ago.
Has a newton meter scale also.

John

If anyone is looking for torque wrenches, check out the link below.

1990 Mercedes-Benz 300E Base Sedan - Tools - Page 3


-Dmitry

You could do with looking at them , as some are not very clear as the chrome covers the markings .The more you pay, the better the product gets ,.

sixto, I use a Craftsman click-type torque wrench that I have had for 20 years. If I had to replace it I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Craftsman. Since I do not use it very often I expect it to last my lifetime and then some. I keep it in the original box.

Stanley Black & Decker bought Craftsman Tools so their torque wrenches should still be available. You may be able to get one on sale at a Sears or Sears Hardware Store near you that is closing.

I, too, have a Craftsman "click" type torque wrench that I have used successfully for almost 40 years. Some things that are necessary for a long and accurate life:
1) Be certain to reset the torque value to zero before returning the unit to storage.
2) Do not bang or jar the unit in any way.
3) Never use a torque wrench to loosen any fastener.
That being said, I have no idea about the quality of the current Craftsman product and would be somewhat hesitant about purchasing same given the huge decrease in quality suffered by all Craftsman tools over the past 15-20 years. Compare brands carefully prior to purchase.

Depends on the range. The Snap-On electronic one 3/8" drive, 5 - 100 ft pd., and also does conversion to nM and inch pounds can be found for under $600 new and really nice used ones in the ball park of $200.

Send me your address and after the Easter hubbub, I'll send you one of my spares gratis, just pay for shipping. I used to have a TW calibration business for the local precision tool dealer. Still have and rarely use the equipment.

At the MoPar National Swap meet in January I sold about a dozen for 75-100 depending on drive size- 1/2 vs 3/4"

I'd rather see them used than sit there.

If you REALLY want a Craftsman, I'll look in the inventory. Most of these are CDI, which is the Industrial arm of Snap-On.

Let me know.

Resurrection is realy in the air! I've been doing just fine over the 16 years since the original post with the same no-longer-ratcheting Craftsman plus a pocket change Harbor Freight unit that stays in the car for wheel changes.

Sixto
83 300SD
98 E320 wagon

I'd considered mentioning the age of the post but then I thought, "Nah, let's just sit back and see how this plays out".:D

Dmitry is just being zealous with his Pelican Parts promoting. Hard to fault the guy for being ambitious.

Mike, I missed the fact the original post was in 2001.

ejboyd5 makes a good point about resetting the torque wrench to 0 before storing it. I do that religiously, according to the instruction manual as I recall. But these days I am not sure how many folks bother to read instruction manuals, at least not my kids who are in their 30's.

Actually, they should be set at the lowest functional setting, so if the torque range is from 20 to 150 foot pounds, it should be stored at 20. I suppose this is to keep a minimal amount of tension so that things inside don´t shuffle about.

My recommendation is "Kraftwerk" - German brand (I know it is also a German Band from the 1980's but I don't mean them!)

The do some nicely made items for a reasonable price (not calibrated by astronauts - but hey you can't have it all)

A ratchet rebuild kit may have been promoted free from craftsman. They did not warranty the torque portion and this may be understandable.

Old thread but something to keep in mind. I assume everyone knew that rebuild kits are probably also cheap if you need one for most their ratcheting items. This also might be history now with craftsman.