Torque wrench?

Sicoupe

Sicoupe

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Hello everyone, have a question, what size and brand of torque wrench do I need for home use. I would like to do wheels off details on my personal cars but need a torque wrench to put lugs back on to spec. Thanks for your help. Kyle
 
Go to Sears and get a Craftsman 1/2" drive.
Good quality; good price.

While there pick-up a non-marring (impact)
socket to fit your lug nuts, if you don't already
have one, that is.


Bob
 
It's really going to depend on how worth it is to you and what are the torque numbers for your wheels? Some torque wrenches only go up to 80 or so ft/lbs, so make sure it torque to your wheels requirement. For example mine are 89 ft/lbs.

You can go with a cheaper Harbor Freight version but it will likely have a wider grade of tolerance (the difference between what you tell it to torque to and what it actually does). This will run around 20-30, or you can go with a mid level consumer version like Husky that runs around $75, but this is going to be person dependent.

For size that's based off what sockets you have, if starting from scratch I'd probably go with 3/8" or 1/2". If you want to go a bit better quality but online nationaltoolwarehouse is a pretty good site for quality brands.
 
Something I refuse to cheap out on is torque wrenches. I don't feel like craftsman can get them calibrated as well or stay calibrated as long. Especially if they can't even get their sockets within a decent tolerance.

Spend the extra and get a Snap-on or a Matco
 
HF has one for an extremely low price (21.99). While I'm sure it's not the best out there...for serving the purpose it's like pasta, white, whole grain, whole wheat, protein...whatever makes you enjoy your spaghetti...Torqueing lugs matters little as long as the tool does it correctly. I've used it for my own vehicle with no issues. I do not use it on a daily basis as I only use on personal vehicles.
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1/2 in. torque wrench provides a range from 20-150 ft. lbs

Only: $29.99
Sale: $21.99
 
DasBurninator said:
Something I refuse to cheap out on is torque wrenches. I don't feel like craftsman can get them calibrated as well or stay calibrated as long. Especially if they can't even get their sockets within a decent tolerance.

Spend the extra and get a Snap-on or a Marco
Click to expand...
Don't get fooled:
Craftsman and Matco are both made by Danaher Tools...
from the same forgings...in the same plants.


Bob
 
A while ago I looked into this.

When I was teching for a living - I had a Crafstman one. But, it since fell apart.

From the research I did, for the home user using these for wheels, nothing beats the HF for $20. My reasoning is, it prolly costs at least $80 (IIR) to have Mac or Snap On calibrate one of their torque wrenches.

For $80, I could by 4 HF torque wrenches. In fact, I got my 1/2" HF torque wrench on sale for $9.99. So, if I waited for a sale - I could buy 8.

The HF torque wrench is +/- 4%. Most high dollar ones are a little more accurate, but for wheels it isn't going to matter. If your worried; torque 5 ft lbs higher. You'll want to get a 1/2" drive.

If you read around, the HF torque wrenches actually reviews pretty good.

These days, I wouldn't buy anything made by Crafstman - unless they were almost giving it away.
 
Thank you all very much! I appreciate it.
 
I use the torque sticks to get close, then finish with a click torque wrench, both from HF.
 
DasBurninator said:
Is that all of their lines or just torque wrenches
Click to expand...

I would venture to say that it depends on the tool and the line. Country of origin plus specifications vary between consumer and "professional" lines for the big box store items.

But re-branding can be found and save you quite a bit of money. I know Husky ratcheting wrenches are the same as Gearwrench.

For a torque wrench for home use though I'd just stick with the Harbor Freight one though.
 
I have a kobalt from lowes that I use, homedepot has husky.
My f150 torques at 150 lbs.
 
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