What brand torque wrench??

[kd3yt]

2001 Blazer (Trailblazer options) 70500 miles.

Am on the verge of buying a torque wrench and was wondering what brand torque wrench you are using. Have looked at ones from Harbor Freight to SnapOn. i will mostly be doing just routine maintenance, not rebuilding the engine. Also should I get a 1/2" or 3/8"? Or both?

Thanks in advance

[goser]

I use both 1/2 and 3/8 to cover the whole range of torque requirements.

[alblogg]

I tell you this day and time it really don't matter what the name brand is because 9 times out of 10 it don't matter if it is Craftsman, Snap-on, Mac or Crornwell something like a torque wrench is probably bought from an outside supplier and their name is stamped on them, same wrench twice the money because it says snap-on. Take the high back rolling work seats you can get two at Sears for what one costs at Snap-on and they are the same thing except for the name on them.
Well back to the torque wrench if for general maintenance I would get a 1/2 in drive don't get the old one with the bar and the pointer they are not the accurate. A 1/2 is big but will serve your needs a 3/8 is just smaller has about the same lower torque setting just a lower upper setting and when you are pulling on a grade 5 or 8 to 75 or 100# that extra six or eight in of the 1/2 torque bar comes in handy. If you do a lot of transmission work then you need a inch pound and no more pull you need on that 1/4 in drive will do, So It is up to you it's how you want to spend you coin you can buy a big name brand and do like some of the guys I use to know a keep it wrapped up in their tool box and just pull it out and show it to everyone or spend the same money and get say a 1/2 and a 3/8 and use them when you work on you car or truck.

[Brian R.]

Here's my pick:

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...seBVCookie=Yes

and

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...seBVCookie=Yes

[RJ MALIBU]

Definatly go with a name brand because a cheap one will not keep calibration. I know from experience that name brand is way better .Not all tools are made the same PERIOD. If you look closely Most name brand tools look nothing like cheap tools that are not made in America. Just my 2cents.

[alblogg]

Originally Posted by RJ MALIBU

Definatly go with a name brand because a cheap one will not keep calibration. I know from experience that name brand is way better .Not all tools are made the same PERIOD. If you look closely Most name brand tools look nothing like cheap tools that are not made in America. Just my 2cents.

Yes I am saying stick with something like Craftsmen or something but for just doing routine work on your own stuff I don't see spending 2 to 3 hundred $$ on one wrench. I own a whole big box of Snap-on tools box is as tall as I am and five feet long packed full of snap-on tools and a bunch of other brands. Snap-on is some of the best tools I have ever owned I bought them when I was running my body shop wide open with three to four other guys working for me but that was also when I was needing tax write offs too. I have a Snap-on 1/2 drive with a 24 in handle I think I love it so easy to pull 250# with it and I have a 1/2 and a 3/8 Craftsman. I have had the 1/2 Craftsman for 30 years,sent it off once and had it calibrated but now you can buy a new wrench for what it cost to get them reset shipping and all just like that one in Sears is just under $70.

[Brian R.]

Actually, I bought a $300 20-150 ft-lb wrench, but I thought it would pay for itself since I use it so damn much. I recommend the cheaper wrenches to most everyone.

[alblogg]

Well that old Craftsman I bought it when I was about 17-18 years old and at that time 30 some odd years ago I think it ran for about $80 or 90 which was big bucks for me then. But that thing has rebuilt a lot of motors thru my years on things I have restored had it recalibrated once but now it sits in the back of the drawer so ever time I open my 1/2 socket drawer I see it and can remember some of the good ole days.

[Black97GST]

Yeah i bought a Craftsman I'm pretty happy with it. What is everyone talking about 200-300 dollars??? Mine was $80 at Sears just a few months ago!.... I was at PepBoys the other day and i saw a basket of 1/2" torque Wrenches for 18 dollars!!! lol I was like RIIIIGHT..... But yeah, deffinantly get a 1/2" you can always just get a reducer to 3/8".

[alblogg]

Speaking of wrenches the Snap On man came by today and I swaped a few busted sockets and got me a big new catalog to look at and see all the new stuff I wish I had.