Torque Wrenches

[M20F-1968]

What have you all found to be a good collection of torque wrenches.  What ranges of wrenches do you use, and how long.  I have one dial torque wrench that is 1-350 in/lbs for gear rigging.

Some people prefer 0-250 for that task.  Should I go for the Snap On stuff?  What about buying used and sending the tool out for calibration?

 

John Breda

[kerry]

I will vent about the craftsman torque wrench I bought.  It broke and I took it to Sears to replace because of their lifetime warranty on their tools.  I was disappointed to find out that Sears does not warranty their torque wrenches.

[FoxMike]

I bought torque wrenches from Harbor Freight and took them in for calibration.  They have been used a little during the 5 years I have owned them and each time they are calibrated they pass with some adjustment.  I have a 0-250" for small stuff and one that is 0-820" for over center torque checks.  A dial gauge is best for that job but a breakover will work if you have a little extra time.  

[jetdriven]

The gear is 250-280 for the checking procedure and not over 325 INLB when electrically extended (with motor overrun).

[Shadrach]

Check these out. I think that Matco makes excellent pieces that are of the same quality of Snap-On, but not hyped to the same degree.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=matco&_from=R40&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=matco+torque+wrench&_sacat=0

[wpbarnar]

Check out http://www.protorquetools.com/. You should try and buy a wrench that is mid scale for your typical torque needs. Torque wrench are as not as accurate on the high and low ends of their ranges. Some times you need multi able wrenches, such as a 1/4" drive that ranges up to 150 lb/in and a 3/8 drive that goes to 500 lb/in..

[DaV8or]

I've been using the Craftsman break over type for years with no problems. I've never done a calibration and I'm not even sure where I'd go for that.

[M20F]

I torque spark plugs mostly because I bought a torque wrench (Craftsman) and it is fun to use, for the most part though really not a lot of use in normal pilot maintainence (obviously if you are gluing an engine back together it's a bit more exact).

[helitim]

I've been using the Craftsman break over type for years with no problems. I've never done a calibration and I'm not even sure where I'd go for that.

Dave,

Carolyn at LVK has a calibration shop. She is super easy to deal with. Located right beside RedSky Aviation in the hangar nearest the road.

Tim

[MB65E]

I had a 5 year old click type Craftsman FTlB torque wrench that failed Calabration a few years ago. Pissed me off too when Sears wouldn't warrantee it. I have an older type craftsman scale wrench. 0-250 ft lb for the landing gear. A Klein 25-250 ft lb click type wrench. A Pittsburg big Jesus torque wrench that I have only needed on car stuff. Finally, a little electric buzz type Snapon 40-240inlb. It works good for daily use but I don't feel it's as accurate as the old click types. I mean say a wheel torque is 90inlbs it will buzz at 87 all the way until 96 if you let it. It's nice as it records the maximum torque, but the Buzz really will throw you off if you don't look at the gauge. All have passed yearly calibration test for the last 10 years except the craftsman. I had my Dads Harbor Freight in lb wrench calibrated, it passed too. I would be totally happy with the Klein and a smaller click Snapon 25-240 inch pound wrench if I were to buy them new again. Can not really recommend the electric Snapon.
-Matt

[DaV8or]

So, to those that have had your wrenches calibrated, how much do you find them off by?

[Sabremech]

I have both Snap On and Proto torque wrenches that are calibrated every year with my Snap On's being over 20 years old with no adjustments needed to date. I'm with Matt and wouldn't spend the money on Snap On electric torque wrench.

David