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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Jan 2014 Posts: 3,684 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2014 Posts: 3,684 | 1/2 drive model.
Seems to have some reasonably positive reviews for accuracy and repeatability. Have a coupon that brings the price down to $10. At that price, I can't hardly not buy it.
Anyone here have one?
1951 3100
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | Search this forum on "torque wrench"
I received today a 3/4" HF torque wrench.
My 1/2" HF torque wrench gave the same "readings" as a recently calibrated Snap-On torque wrench. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2000 Posts: 3,399 Gas Pumper | | Gas Pumper Joined: Dec 2000 Posts: 3,399 | I use mine alot lately. Works great! | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | $10 for a precision instrument may or may not be a deal. If it let's you down when you're counting on it what could the damages cost you? Say you torque some rod bolts and the $10 wrench gets it wrong.
Not that high quality often expensive tools never fail, but the odds of continued sucess are better.
I work with a lot of precision measuring tools and even though a cheap one might work, to me it is usually not worth the trouble and worry of second guessing. Spend a little more and enjoy using the tool instead of waiting for it to fail. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 872 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 872 | A torque wrench can run $200+ for an annual certification. How many home garages gonna do that?? I sure don't.
Reading the reviews the HF wrenches that are tested do get high marks and do give rated torque. For $10 buy a new one every year... but unless you damage it or use it constantly I can't see them 'going bad'.... but unless you calibrate them you'll never know.
My view is that its better to use a tool that gets you close than simply guessing. Can you tell 20ft/lbs from 30ft/lbs??? I can't.
Last edited by pfarber; 07/18/2015 1:41 PM.
| | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 Sir Searchalot | | Sir Searchalot Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 | Just to be a know-it-all. A reminder for new first time owners: After finished using torque wrench, dial to zero to relieve spring pressure during storage. If it is a clicker type.
Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,961 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,961 | My Snap On 3/4 drive torque wrench went bad. I think someone used it for a breaker. Anyway, Snap On wanted $400 to take it along and maybe fix it. I bought a new CDI which is owned by Snap On on eBay for $400. I kept the ratchet head out of the Snap On and threw it in the dumpster. We have a lot of bolts that require around 350 ft. lbs. I just don't trust anything other than a USA or a German made one.
I have a couple of 50+ year old beam type that were guaranteed for life. We have quite a turn over in Snap On route men and the young guys are always amazed that these old beam type torque wrenches are still right on. They only read up to 150 ft. lbs., but that is enough for my old GMCs. I would trust a used beam type off of eBay before I would trust a Chinese one. | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 Sir Searchalot | | Sir Searchalot Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 | I'll have to check my two beams against my clicker on my lug nuts. (that does sound dirty?) As you know, it's way more convenient to hear a click that to try to read sideways. Plus I can't see anyway.
Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 872 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 872 | Don't dismiss Chinese made tools so quickly.. there are some really good deals out there for quality parts. Just like there are junk American tools.. and tools that rely on name more than quality. What happened to Craftsman is happening to SnapOn.
All you gotta do is google... blindly following a brand for 'quality' will disappoint you. For any significant tool purchase I will spend an hour or two researching online.
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