Torque Wrench suggestions

"Ilike_cougars" (rohitvenkat01) 02/22/2016 at 15:06 • Filed to: Wrenching, Idontknowwhatimdoing, help

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Can any one tell me a good torque wrench for a noob wrencher. I dont want it to be too expensive, but should be usable for my need. I spotted a Pittsburgh brand one for about 20 bucks at a local Harbor Freight. Don’t know if any one on here uses one. let me know what you think about it, its a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Are the AC delco Digital adapters any good? I have a good breaker bar already.

I was thinking about getting one for some time, so that I can start doing some of my own maintenance on the Z4M. Apparently 18lb/ft for the oil drain plug and 24 for the oil filter nut. I may be doing up my wheels also which is apparently around 88lb/ft.

crowmolly > Ilike_cougars 02/22/2016 at 15:08

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I have a Husky Pro for “normal” stuff. Manifolds, suspension parts, etc. Pittsburgh 1/2" for wheels only. I borrow a really good one for head bolts/studs and stuff like that.

Always back it off before you put it away.

Quadradeuce > Ilike_cougars 02/22/2016 at 15:09

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I bought a Craftsman torque wrench and it is garbage. I can barely hear the *click*. The Pittsburgh wrench I found amongst a box of tools at work seems to work find, but I have no idea how accurate it is. I would love to hear other people’s opinions on this.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > Ilike_cougars 02/22/2016 at 15:11

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i have that Pittsburgh one from harbor freight. i only really use it for larger torque specs like lug nuts and spindle nuts, works well enough for me

The Ghost of Oppo > crowmolly 02/22/2016 at 15:14

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I use the Husky Pro as well, I think it is pretty suitable for an amateur weekend wrencher

crowmolly > Quadradeuce 02/22/2016 at 15:14

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I believe they are rated at +/- 5 lb-ft

Ilike_cougars > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s 02/22/2016 at 15:15

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how accurate are they?

Urambo Tauro > Ilike_cougars 02/22/2016 at 15:16

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Get one with a good range. Many have a 20 lb-ft minimum, which just misses your drain plug spec. Some have a 75 lb-ft maximum, which wouldn’t be good for your wheels, either.

Or just buy multiple torque wrenches. I have four.

Quadradeuce > Ilike_cougars 02/22/2016 at 15:20

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Anyone in the miltary that can comment on CDI wrenches?

Edit: my snooping turned up that CDI is owned by SnapOn. Hmmmm.

luvMeSome142 & some Lincoln! > Ilike_cougars 02/22/2016 at 15:22

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I like a basic beam style. But, it does take some skill and you have to be able to look at the indicator while you are using it. Advantages -cheap, durable, inherently calibrated.

Urambo Tauro > Ilike_cougars 02/22/2016 at 15:23

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Most manufacturers claim to be within 4% of accurate.

Urambo Tauro > luvMeSome142 & some Lincoln! 02/22/2016 at 15:28

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Another advantage of beam-style is that it can be used to measure rotational resistance. This is necessary for tightening nuts that establish bearing preload, such as on a differential pinion.

Ilike_cougars > Urambo Tauro 02/22/2016 at 15:34

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Yeah I was thinking I might get one for general maintenance, and borrow if I need to do the wheels..

Urambo Tauro > Ilike_cougars 02/22/2016 at 15:41

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Wheels were what spurred me to buy my first torque wrench. I couldn’t change my own tires thanks to the shop’s use of an impact gun. So I bought a 20-150 range clicker.

I later needed one for my transmission that would register lb-in, so I bought a clicker for that. Afterwards, while rebuilding my differential, I found that I needed to measure rotational resistance. So I bought two more beam-style wrenches... Good thing I was saving enough money by doing my own wrenching to offset the cost.

GUYMANDUDE > Ilike_cougars 02/22/2016 at 15:42

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Get 3/4 for the small bits and a 1/2 inch for the rest. They are accurate enough for most jobs. I wouldn’t use them for internal engine components or anything that requires that level of accuracy. You will need both 1/2 and 3/4 though.

Ilike_cougars > GUYMANDUDE 02/22/2016 at 15:48

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I probably will by looks of things.. thanks

Brickman > Ilike_cougars 02/22/2016 at 15:49

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I have a 3/8 craftsman beam style in/lb for light stuff

and a 1/2 drive kobalt for the heavy duty. It’s an old one thats a rebadged SnapOn. Not sure who makes the new ones.

Theres also those torque adapters that you put on the end of your wrench that makes any wrench a torque wrench if you dont have the room to store a big wrench.

luvMeSome142 & some Lincoln! > Urambo Tauro 02/22/2016 at 15:49

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Good point. You can also use it to get a rough idea of a fastener’s existing torque. First you break it loose and then re-tighten to the starting position. Turn the wrench at a constant, smooth speed and note the torque as you get to the original position.

luvMeSome142 & some Lincoln! > Urambo Tauro 02/22/2016 at 15:51

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Don’t digital torque wrenches allow you to do this, too? I’ve never used one.

Urambo Tauro > luvMeSome142 & some Lincoln! 02/22/2016 at 17:00

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I’ve never used one either. I know you can preset them to beep (or flash) when it reaches proper torque, but if they display a real-time reading, then that ought to work just fine.

luvMeSome142 & some Lincoln! > Urambo Tauro 02/22/2016 at 17:09

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Just found this on the ‘tube. Cool!

shop-teacher > Ilike_cougars 02/22/2016 at 23:27

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Get a 1/2" drive torque wrench. The Harbor Frieght ones are fine for general maintenance stuff. They often go on sale for $12 or $15