TQ Wrench advice

[DGStrate]

Hi...

Have a question for the more experienced "wrenching" crowd here...



Received a TQ wrench for Christmas and am wondering what is the best range to have for the most usage???



I received a 10-75 ft/lb model (craftsman) but they also offer a 25-250 pound model... which one will I need more often? (I can exchange it and they are the same cost)



I am sure in the future, I will have both (and an in/lb model too) but for now, where I am best to have for the most diverse range of use on our trucks???



Thanks for your input!!

 

[Rams-n-Hogs]

Hi...

Have a question for the more experienced "wrenching" crowd here...



Received a TQ wrench for Christmas and am wondering what is the best range to have for the most usage???



I received a 10-75 ft/lb model (craftsman) but they also offer a 25-250 pound model... which one will I need more often? (I can exchange it and they are the same cost)



I am sure in the future, I will have both (and an in/lb model too) but for now, where I am best to have for the most diverse range of use on our trucks???



Thanks for your input!!

Ideally, you will want both. It will all depend on what you are doing to the truck. i. e. you would want the larger one for lug nuts, or head studs, but the smaller one will work to replace injectors.

 

[DGStrate]

Ideally, you will want both. It will all depend on what you are doing to the truck. i. e. you would want the larger one for lug nuts, or head studs, but the smaller one will work to replace injectors.

Thanks for the reply... initially, I will probably be looking at mostly engine work as I am coming up rapidly to the 100k mark where I do not have to worry about warranty concerns...



As mentioned, I will eventually have both sets, but for now, I need to decide to keep or exchange this one...



I would be looking at doing injectors, head studs, valve adjustment(s), replacing intake horn and other basic engine maintenance or enhancements.



I have been doing tire rotations by hand without one for quite a while, so lug nuts are not a big concern, but I know on the engine that some things have torque specs that need to be followed to the T in order to not strip/stretch bolts...



Thanks again for the reply!

 

[PRattenbury]

Ideally you want to be close to the middle of the range of your torque wrench to get the best accuracy. The 25-250 ft/lb wrench would be best for you. It would give you the ability to torque the huge nut on the end of the front axles (around 220 ft/lbs). And head studs would be right where you want to be in the range of the wrench. It is a good idea to have a smaller one, too, like mentioned above. But if I had to choose... .

 

[DGStrate]

Ideally you want to be close to the middle of the range of your torque wrench to get the best accuracy. The 25-250 ft/lb wrench would be best for you. It would give you the ability to torque the huge nut on the end of the front axles (around 220 ft/lbs). And head studs would be right where you want to be in the range of the wrench. It is a good idea to have a smaller one, too, like mentioned above. But if I had to choose... .

Good advice... Thanks!

 

[Dave M]

Are you sure about the 2 TQ wrenches costing the same? I usually get the clicker style... is that what you are talking about? The 20-250 Tq wrench is a common in-lb size. Is the wrench a clicker style. Usually a 250 ft-lb wrench is much more expensive than a 10-75 ft-lb. I have a craftsman 20-150 ft-lb wrench ($75) and anothe 20-250 IN-lb wrench for small stuff. A 20-250 in-lb would equate to 1. 67-20. 83 FT-lbs.



Could you verify that we are talking FT-lbs for both sizes?



Dave

 

[DGStrate]

Are you sure about the 2 TQ wrenches costing the same? I usually get the clicker style... is that what you are talking about? The 20-250 Tq wrench is a common in-lb size. Is the wrench a clicker style. Usually a 250 ft-lb wrench is much more expensive than a 10-75 ft-lb. I have a craftsman 20-150 ft-lb wrench ($75) and anothe 20-250 IN-lb wrench for small stuff. A 20-250 in-lb would equate to 1. 67-20. 83 FT-lbs.



Could you verify that we are talking FT-lbs for both sizes?



Dave

Hi Dave,



Thanks for the feedback and double check... We are talking the same Ft/Lbs for both wrenches... See below for model info... AND I was mistaken... it is not 25-250, it is 20-150 lb/ft



These are the two I am looking at (I actually had received the in/lb one and exchanged it as it would not work for much at all on our trucks :



Craftsman TQ Wrenches



1/2" TQ Wrench $79. 99 (Part #44595)

1/2 in. square drive Wrench measures 20 to 150 ft. lb. in 1 ft. lb. increments. Superior internal mechanisms reduce friction and provide accurate and consistent measurements.



Micrometer-type scales stamped into housing show torque settings in both English and metric units. Accurate to + or - 4 percent on clockwise or right-handed reading greater than or equal to 20 percent of capacity. Larger ergonomic handle easily turns to set torque.





3/8" TQ Wrench $79. 99 (Part #44594)

3/8 in. square drive Wrench measures 10 to 75 ft. lb. in 0. 5 ft. lb. increments. Superior internal mechanisms reduce friction and provide accurate and consistent measurements.



Micrometer-type scales stamped into housing show torque settings in both English and metric units. Accurate to 4 percent on clockwise or right-handed reading greater than or equal to 20 percent of capacity. Larger ergonomic handle easily turns to set torque.



So, fellow TDR members, please keep your questions and feedback coming!! THANKS for all the INPUT so far!! I am leaning towards the 20-150 wrench above...

 

[tgordon]

IMHO go for the larger of the two.



You may also want to consider going for a bit better brand as I have heard several paople say they have are not the most accurate, and personally had problems with them on durability. EX ratcheting mechanism won't hold, spring mechanism for tourqe fell apart#@$%!.

 

[dseabaugh]

I have an inch lb torque wrench, that I use to adjust the bands in the transmission at every change, a Snap -on 1/2" drive 250# for general wrenching and a KD 3/4 drive for the big wrenching. cant' ever have enough quality name brand torque wrenches. I generally don't like the swivel head kind. Only thing my son has told me over the years he wants when I die is my torque wrenches.

 

[DGStrate]

IMHO go for the larger of the two.



You may also want to consider going for a bit better brand as I have heard several paople say they have are not the most accurate, and personally had problems with them on durability. EX ratcheting mechanism won't hold, spring mechanism for tourqe fell apart#@$%!.

Appreciate the input... Since it was a gift originally, I am stuck with the brand unless I want to use the $$$ for something else, but I cannot afford to sink hundreds into a TQ wrench right now... Also, it will only be used on my personal vehicles (so infrequently when I have time to work on them



When/if it goes, I will buy a better one... Any preferred brands without breaking the bank?

 

[DGStrate]

I have an inch lb torque wrench, that I use to adjust the bands in the transmission at every change, a Snap -on 1/2" drive 250# for general wrenching and a KD 3/4 drive for the big wrenching. cant' ever have enough quality name brand torque wrenches. I generally don't like the swivel head kind. Only thing my son has told me over the years he wants when I die is my torque wrenches.

So can I get in line for when it is time for your son to pass them on??? :-laf

Nice collection!!

 

[Dave M]

I'd go with the 20-150 ft-lbs.



That's all I've had for years till recently when I got a 20-250 in-lb for my son to use on his motorcycle and I also got a 4 ft 0-400 ft-lb torque wrench on ebay to torque 275 ft-lbs on the metal barn we built last year. It has a dial and not a clicker. Wish I got a clicker cause it takes 2 to torque... one on the end of wrench and other looking at needle on gauge... . geeez. I've used it on truck pitman arm and front hub nut torque.



Dave

 

[Dave M]

IMHO go for the larger of the two.



You may also want to consider going for a bit better brand as I have heard several paople say they have are not the most accurate, and personally had problems with them on durability. EX ratcheting mechanism won't hold, spring mechanism for tourqe fell apart#@$%!.

I agree with you. I bought a craftsman 20-150 TQ wrench last year and the plastic locking ring broke immediatly. I have not tried returning it but past experience with them TQ wrenches have just 1 year warrenty I think.



Anyhow, the next TQ wrench I buy will be better and not plastic.



Dave

 

[PGAdams]

Hi...

Have a question for the more experienced "wrenching" crowd here...



Received a TQ wrench for Christmas and am wondering what is the best range to have for the most usage???



I received a 10-75 ft/lb model (craftsman) but they also offer a 25-250 pound model... which one will I need more often? (I can exchange it and they are the same cost)



I am sure in the future, I will have both (and an in/lb model too) but for now, where I am best to have for the most diverse range of use on our trucks???



Thanks for your input!!

I have had the sears tq wrench for many years, ft/lbs used many times.

I also have an inch/lb tq wrench, which I recieved many years ago as well.

I used the inch/lb torgue wrench this past weekend, (cam-cover gasket set to 72 inch/lb) I can't even recall the time I used it before.



go with the larger ft/lb tq wrench, you'll use it many more times than the inch/lb wrench, IMO.

 

[Heavyweight]

The only thing I can add,,, stay away from the Home Depot POS. (Husky me thinks)... . Over.

 

[Dave M]

I found this digital TQ wrench 20-200FT-LBS with case for $250 at Sears. Cost more but looks like a good wrench. If you are in the Craftsman Club It's $187 thru 1/12/8



Craftsman 1/2 in. Electronic Torque Wrench with BONUS Case - Model 47712 at Sears.com



Here is a copy of the Craftsman Club Sale for the TQ wrenchs:



Sears



Dave

 

[Loren]

DGStrate,



I agree with most of the others: Trade for the larger wrench.



When I got the 1995 truck, I bought a torque wrench in inch-pounds to adjust the bands on the transmission. As it turned out, that's about the only thing I've ever used it for in 12 years.



My 25-150 ft-lb wrench gets used all the time.



One more thing: You should torque your lug nuts with a torque wrench. You are almost certainly over-torquing them yourself. If your lug nuts are tightened by the guys at a tire shop, they will be about twice the required torque. I no longer allow them to tighten my lug nuts; I torque them myself before I drive the truck away.



I admit I'm a fanatic about lug nuts. My dad crashed our 1954 Chevy station wagon into the ditch when a wheel came off. The lug nuts had been overtightened by the tire guys with an air impact wrench. I was only about nine years old, but I still remember it, and I wasn't even in the car.



Loren

 

[DGStrate]

DGStrate,



I agree with most of the others: Trade for the larger wrench.



When I got the 1995 truck, I bought a torque wrench in inch-pounds to adjust the bands on the transmission. As it turned out, that's about the only thing I've ever used it for in 12 years.



My 25-150 ft-lb wrench gets used all the time.



One more thing: You should torque your lug nuts with a torque wrench. You are almost certainly over-torquing them yourself. If your lug nuts are tightened by the guys at a tire shop, they will be about twice the required torque. I no longer allow them to tighten my lug nuts; I torque them myself before I drive the truck away.



I admit I'm a fanatic about lug nuts. My dad crashed our 1954 Chevy station wagon into the ditch when a wheel came off. The lug nuts had been overtightened by the tire guys with an air impact wrench. I was only about nine years old, but I still remember it, and I wasn't even in the car.



Loren

Loren,



Thanks for the input...



Luckily, the guys who I go to to change tires when they are wore out or I upgrade _do_ actually use TQ Wrenches to fasten them all once the snug the lugs with a mild air socket...



I may or may not be overtorque-ing them, I don't usually make 'em very tight, as I don't want hassles getting them off... The consistency of the tension is where I would see the benefit mostly...



As mentioned earlier, you (and all the others) are making me take a trip to exchange the wrench this weekend... !



Glad you dad was ok!!



Thanks again!

 

[DGStrate]

I found this digital TQ wrench 20-200FT-LBS with case for $250 at Sears. Cost more but looks like a good wrench. If you are in the Craftsman Club It's $187 thru 1/12/8



Craftsman 1/2 in. Electronic Torque Wrench with BONUS Case - Model 47712 at Sears.com



Here is a copy of the Craftsman Club Sale for the TQ wrenchs:



Sears



Dave

Dave,



Thanks for the links...

I am going to take a run over there on the weekend, so I will check it out!

(and I am a member in the Craftsman club, so it works!!)



-DGStrate

 

[DGStrate]

I have had the sears tq wrench for many years, ft/lbs used many times.

I also have an inch/lb tq wrench, which I recieved many years ago as well.

I used the inch/lb torgue wrench this past weekend, (cam-cover gasket set to 72 inch/lb) I can't even recall the time I used it before.



go with the larger ft/lb tq wrench, you'll use it many more times than the inch/lb wrench, IMO.

Thanks for the advice!