1/2 Torgue wrench recommendations

[rhyary]

My wrench is 20 years old and time to think about replacement.

Needed range is 50-150

The one that click is fine. I don't need electronic one. I prefer a quality one. Expensive Snap-On did not got a very good reviews.

[Kelse92]

This is the one recommended by a few of my technician friends. Its basically the SnapOn one but at half the price https://amzn.to/2USKb1z

[BayE30]

Originally Posted by Kelse92

This is the one recommended by a few of my technician friends. Its basically the SnapOn one but at half the price https://amzn.to/2USKb1z

this is a very good torque wrench. biggest benefit of this style torque wrench is that you can leave the desired torque setting in storage with no ill effect. With the conventional torque wrench you have to zero out the setting every time you put it away, which can be annoying.

[rhyary]

Originally Posted by BayE30

this is a very good torque wrench. biggest benefit of this style torque wrench is that you can leave the desired torque setting in storage with no ill effect. With the conventional torque wrench you have to zero out the setting every time you put it away, which can be annoying.

oh, I like that feature a lot

[pbonsalb]

I have the precision and like it. An angle torque can be useful for newer cars but is more costly. The HF Icon
Brand tested well against more expensive competitors.

[WhiteM3EMC]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

I have the precision and like it. An angle torque can be useful for newer cars but is more costly. The HF Icon
Brand tested well against more expensive competitors.

I have the HF Icon 3/8 torque wrench and I think its a very well built piece. As you said, the comparisons are very favorable and seems to do the job quite well.

[kjchristopher]

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

ON edit - it's the same one Kelsey posted.... Precisions are gold standard.

[dparm]

Related question -- how do I get an existing torque wrench re-calibrated? I have my trusty Craftsman that is probably almost a decade old at this point, would like to get a tune-up so I know it's still accurate.

[rhyary]

Thank you all. ordered the precision. never heard of them.

[ThunderMoose]

Originally Posted by dparm

Related question -- how do I get an existing torque wrench re-calibrated? I have my trusty Craftsman that is probably almost a decade old at this point, would like to get a tune-up so I know it's still accurate.

Let me know what you find. I went to a local place and calibration was more than cost of a new one. At least at the place I went to.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by ThunderMoose

Let me know what you find. I went to a local place and calibration was more than cost of a new one. At least at the place I went to.

That's been my experience. The calibration is intended for a $2000 device, not my $150 Craftsman.

[rhyary]

Originally Posted by dparm

That's been my experience. The calibration is intended for a $2000 device, not my $150 Craftsman.

My experience too

[dparm]

I just spammed about a dozen different companies who apparently do it with ISO/NIST certification. Looks like $50-100 plus shipping which isn't terrible. I actually wonder how accurate these things are from the factory...is buying a brand new one for $150 going to get you something better?

[DRLane]

Originally Posted by dparm

I just spammed about a dozen different companies who apparently do it with ISO/NIST certification. Looks like $50-100 plus shipping which isn't terrible. I actually wonder how accurate these things are from the factory...is buying a brand new one for $150 going to get you something better?

If you're using a 1/2" torque wrench for engine work, best practice is to get it certified even purchased new. If it's for 90 lbs lug nuts, meh I think it's pretty safe.

I have a 3/8" digital snapon that I bought used, and have a recert. Not that I'm building engine, haha. But I like everything from seats, brakes, suspension, etc properly torqued.

[kyippee]

Agreed, been using the precision brand one since my past cheap one failed and over-torqued some bolts. Convenient and worth it!

[rhyary]

Originally Posted by kyippee

Agreed, been using the precision brand one since my past cheap one failed and over-torqued some bolts. Convenient and worth it!

good to know. Thanks for the confirmation.
Looking forward to getting it.
What does split beam means?

[Grip Addict]

I use some Craftsman digitals in the garage and a Harbor Freight one at the track.

[kyippee]

Originally Posted by rhyary

good to know. Thanks for the confirmation.
Looking forward to getting it.
What does split beam means?

I honestly don't know. It operates like a normal torque wrench, aside from the more convenient set-and-forget torque level.

[roastbeef]

I've been eyeballing the Milwaukee powered digital torque wrench. Fun thread!

[dogbone]

I've been using a CDI torque wrench for many years. (CDI is owned by Snap On. The torque wrenches are made in the USA.) I like it. I can't make any "gold standard" claims. But it's done well for me. Actually, I own two of them--one for my garage and one for the trailer.

https://www.amazon.com/CDI-1503MFRMH...70&s=hi&sr=1-1

[pbonsalb]

You can check the calibration yourself without any special tools. Then just remember the % off of any. You can also buy digital torque boxes that will do the same but easier.

When grassroots Motorsports tested torque wrenches last year, the HF Icon was more accurate than the Precision. And most or all of the rest.

[rhyary]

Originally Posted by dogbone

I've been using a CDI torque wrench for many years. (CDI is owned by Snap On. The torque wrenches are made in the USA.) I like it. I can't make any "gold standard" claims. But it's done well for me. Actually, I own two of them--one for my garage and one for the trailer.

https://www.amazon.com/CDI-1503MFRMH...=hi&sr=1-1

I like this one too.
Can a trackday driver own too many torque wrenches?

I think the the precision instrument tool is attractive because I don't have to set it back to zero every time. Which is a big plus. Here is why.

So I use my current one, which has to be set to zero, and I set it to zero when done. But I want to double check lug number 3 on the driver front, because I got distracted thinking about tires, , so I set the torque, and check lug number 3, and I set it back to zero. Then I have dinner, and I go to bed, and then I think, "Did I set the torque wrench to zero?", so just because the thought went into my head, now I don't remember if I did. So I get up, go to the garage and verify that the wrench is at zero. Go back to bed and start thinking about 18" wheels. All because a torque wrench I am now second guessing about 19" wheels.

It get's to be very tiring to have a torque wrench that needs to be set to zero.

So I think I will be happy with the Precision Instrument.