Sears 1/2" torque wrench

[klenger]

I am considering breaking down (financially, not mechanically) and buying a 1/2" torque wrench. I need one this weekend for the 5th wheel hitch installation on my new ride, but the long term justification would be to check lug nut torque on the truck and camper. I think the specs are 155 ft-lbs for the truck and 120 ft-lbs for the trailer. I am looking at a Sears P/N 44597 for $99. 99. Are Sears torque wrenches any good and is this one in particular any good. I don't want to buy some really cheap one as I doubt that they are any better than torquing by feel, but I don't want to pay $300 for a Snap-On either. This one from Sears seems to be a good compromise between price and quality. Any other suggestions would be appreciated also.



Sears 44597 1/2" Troque Wrench.



tanks

 

[TFabian]

I use a non-digital 1/2" Craftsman torque wrench. Very happy with it.

 

[Eric_77]

Yeah that is a good wrench. I have three different sizes for different applications. Take care of it and be sure to reset to zero for storage and they will last a long time.

 

[RustyJC]

Ken,



I have an old 1/2" drive bending beam Craftsman I've used for 40 years and a 1/2" drive "click" Craftsman torque wrench I've used for at least 30 years. Just a few months ago I bought a 3/8" drive "click" Craftsman inch-pounds wrench for the injector install. They're almost certainly not as good as Snap-On's, but they've been perfectly adequate for my recreational needs.







Rusty

 

[TowPro]

Give Harbor Freight a try. There is one in your town



they have serveral, do a search on Torque Wrench on the above URL



I don't beleve sears makes there own, they probably get them from the same suppliers Harbor Freight does.

 

[QRTRHRS]

A couple of notes on Craftsman torque wrenches. First, the warrenty is very limited which should be factored into the cost. I have a 1/2" micrometer adjust style that the ratchet broke on and per Sears, no longer has parts available for. I have a 3/8" that the low end "clicker" is not very sensitive on.



I replaced that one with a Husky 3/8". Husky is not known to be the end all to be all either but I am happy with it.



My 1/4" micro Snap On that a fellow TDR member helped me get (thanks Tom) is like handling fine jewery. Any torque wrench replacements in the future will likely be Snap On.



FWIW, Sears is my mainstay due to $$.

 

[nickleinonen]

the husky version from homedepot is a nicer torque wrench. i had a sears version and the head shattered. they refused warrenty, so i traded it in at home depot for their top line 0-250... happy with it...

 

[JSmith]

Ditto on the Husky, I got mine from HD also

 

[JohnE]

Check out CDI torque wrenches. They are a very nice quality wrench and now owned by Snap-On, but don't have the inflated pricing.

I'm not sure if Danaher produces torque wrenches for Sears. Danher produces Craftsman® wrenches. Well, Armstrong is the top of the line from Danaher for wrenches, but the torque wrenches and ratchets are not top quality.

We also have great luck with Proto.

 

[jwilliams3]

My Sears 1/2" has served me fine.

But there is better out there.

Just depends on how much cash you want to plunk down.



--Justin

 

[Got Smoke?]

I have a 3/8" and 1/2" click style TQ wrenches from Sears and both work fine for me.

 

[TowPro]

I have a snapon 3/8" drive one, every time I turn it up above aournd 60 lbs it rips the teeth of the ratchet head. I must have had this rebuilt 6 times!

 

[klenger]

How long does Snap On warranty their torque wrenches?

 

[Will24]

I believe lifetime





-Will

 

[jtisdale]

I have the same wrench. A little over two years, and no trouble. Works excellent for what I do with it. I also have the 3/8 drive digitorque for smaller jobs. You can buy red hard plastic cases for them through the catalog. I know a lot of people dont like Craftsman tools, but I cant find any problems with them.

 

[slo-ryde]

I have two of the Craftsman torque wrenches with no complaints. Craftsman torque wrenches have a 1 year warranty, I think a lot of people assume they have the life time warranty and get a little torqued a few years later when it breaks.



Snap-On makes awesome tools but you need deep pockets if you want to fill a toolbox with them.

 

[tpuig]

I'm happy with my 1/2" click type Craftsman, but don't use it that often. As long as you don't drop or beat on them, they seem to be of good enough quality to last quite a while. My brother used to race and his torque wrenches (also Sears) are still in great shape after 30 years of use.

All things considered, the Snap Ons will be the best tool, but are priced accordingly. Hope this helps.

TP

 

[HEMI®Dart]

I have a Crapsman T-Wrench that I have been happy with too.



There was a discussion awhile back about torque wrenches. In a nutshell the lower priced ones were not real accurate. You should use them in the middle of their range.



With a Crapsman 1/2 drive wrench set at 120 Ft lbs, you probably are not at exactly 120 lbs torque. I think they are +/- 10%?



For most us us this is not a big deal.

 

[klenger]

Thanks to everyone for your feedback. Based on your input, I probably would have bought the Sears, but a very nice TDR member offered to buy a Snap On model at his school's bookstore at less than 1/2 price, and ship it to me. I couldn't pass up a deal like that. I'll have to will it to my son-in-law when God is done with me here.



BTW, the Sears and Snap On have a 90 day warranty.

 

[Fireman Dave]

Originally posted by klenger

a very nice TDR member offered to buy a Snap On model at his school's bookstore at less than 1/2 price, and ship it to me.

1/2 PRICE!! Oo.



This guy could be in for a lot of PMs regarding TDR favors if you ever reveal his name, Ken!