Topic: Buying tools
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
When it comes to torque wrenches, the specs for whatever you're tightening will tell you which drive torque wrnch you'll need. You should have both the 3/8" and 1/2" drives to cover all the bases.
One thing a Mac toolman told me years ago is that well designed tools are designed to do specific things properly...if you're using a tool and it hurts, then you're using the wrong tool. They're designed in a certain way for efficiency...use it wrong and you'll know it.
Personally you really need three torque wrenches to do everything correctly.
1/2" for the big stuff, 3/8" for the middle range, and a 1/4" for the inch lb stuff.
Biggest thing to look for is the range on the wrench. My 3/8" starts off at 10 ft lbs and goes to 75. My 1/2" starts at 25 and goes to 150 and unfortuately I don't own a 1/4" sized one at this time. Its on my list of tools to get.
I got to see a really cool digital one from Snap on that had me all tore up. I don't know if I will let loose of the much cash or not, but it was so nice.
You also want to look at the deviation on the wrench and I belive some of us may remember a tread we had going about a year ago about torque values. Most torque wrenches have a +/- 3% error factor others (cheapies) are much larger +/-5% or more. Look for the lower number.

I always heard torque wrenches need calibration every so often. How do you know it's time? I'm sure the cheap ones need it more.
JR


Moderator




I agree.......buy the best you can afford, and it won't bite you on the bo-bo. I have a 1/2", and a 1/4", but not a 3/8".(Don't really use them much, but I have them!

If you ain't busted a knuckle lately, you ain't workin' hard enough!! Get some good quality tools, even if you have to space out your purchases. You'll use those dirty, nasty words much less, and the pain will go away!


Joel Adams
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