Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] Torque wrenches

From: John Innis <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2021 09:56:18 -0600

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Here are my thoughts on torque wrenches.  I bought my first "clicker"
torque wrench in 1997.  Actually two of them, a 3/8" inch-pond and a 1/2"
foot-pound.  Both Craftsman.  I was in A&P school at the time and we
checked calibration on our torque wrenches at least once a year.  The
duration of my time in school I never needed to adjust the calibration on
these.  There was one thing about these that I always hated.  The lowest
rating on the foot-pound wrench was 20 (240in/lb), and the highest rating
on the inch-pound wrench was 225.  So there was a range of 15 in/lbs
between the two wrenches that I could not reliably measure.  Added to the
fact that I was sceptical of both wrenches at the very ends of their range
(they were always calibrated at midpoint).  That1/2" unit failed in 2015
and I bought a CDI 1/2" 10-100 foot-pound unit to replace it.  I took the
CDI unit to work and checked calibration on it when I bought it, and it was
dead on at center of range.  I have been pretty happy with this unit and it
fits the range of torque values a lot better than the craftsman I had
before.  Aside from a trailer ball I don't think I have ever torqued
anything to more than 100ft/pounds.  I still have that 3/8" craftsman, and
I have checked it on home-made calibration tester and it still seems to be
pretty close to accurate at mid-range.  But I like the CDI a lot better and
if I need another I will probably buy another CDI.  I was told that CDI is
the company that builds wrenches for Snap-On, but I have no way to confirm
this.

On Thu, Feb 4, 2021 at 9:30 AM Scott Hall <[email-masked]>
wrote:

> I need a new torque wrench. The last time I bought one was 25 years ago--a
> Snap-On 1/2" dial model.
>
> I don't expect to ever need to buy another one, and I want to like using
> it/them.
>
> What's the current opinion on type and model? I don't think I want
> beam-type, and I never trusted my clicker 3/8" one, but here's my shot to
> buy my last torque wrench(es, I should probably get 1/4 - 1/2").
>
> Scott
>
> _______________________________________________
>
> [email-masked]
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-- 
=================================
= Never offend people with style when you   =
= can offend with substance --- Sam Brown  =
=================================

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<div dir=3D"ltr">Here are my thoughts on torque wrenches.=C2=A0 I bought my=
 first &quot;clicker&quot; torque wrench in 1997.=C2=A0 Actually two of the=
m, a 3/8&quot; inch-pond and a 1/2&quot; foot-pound.=C2=A0 Both Craftsman.=
=C2=A0 I was in A&amp;P school at the time and we checked calibration on ou=
r torque wrenches at least once a year.=C2=A0 The duration of my time in sc=
hool I never needed to adjust the calibration on these.=C2=A0 There was one=
 thing about these that I always hated.=C2=A0 The lowest rating on the foot=
-pound wrench was 20 (240in/lb), and the highest rating on the inch-pound w=
rench was 225.=C2=A0 So there was a range of 15 in/lbs between the two wren=
ches that I could not reliably measure.=C2=A0 Added to the fact that I was =
sceptical of both wrenches at the very ends of their range (they were alway=
s calibrated at midpoint).=C2=A0 That1/2&quot; unit failed in 2015 and I bo=
ught a CDI 1/2&quot; 10-100 foot-pound unit to replace it.=C2=A0 I took the=
 CDI unit to work and checked calibration on it when I bought it, and it wa=
s dead on at center of range.=C2=A0 I have been pretty happy with this unit=
 and it fits the range of torque values a lot better than the craftsman I h=
ad before.=C2=A0 Aside from a trailer ball I don&#39;t think I have ever to=
rqued anything to more than 100ft/pounds.=C2=A0 I still have that 3/8&quot;=
 craftsman, and I have checked it on home-made calibration tester and it st=
ill seems to be pretty close to accurate at mid-range.=C2=A0 But I like the=
 CDI a lot better and if I need another I will probably buy another CDI.=C2=
=A0 I was told that CDI is the company that builds wrenches for Snap-On, bu=
t I have no way to confirm this.<br></div><br><div class=3D"gmail_quote"><d=
iv dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr">On Thu, Feb 4, 2021 at 9:30 AM Scott Ha=
ll &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]" target=3D"_blank">s=
[email-masked]</a>&gt; wrote:<br></div><blockquote class=3D"g=
mail_quote" style=3D"margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204=
,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div>I need a new torque wrenc=
h. The last time I bought one was 25 years ago--a Snap-On 1/2&quot; dial mo=
del.</div><div><br></div><div>I don&#39;t expect to ever need to buy anothe=
r one, and I want to like using it/them.</div><div><br></div><div>What&#39;=
s the current opinion on type and model? I don&#39;t think I want=C2=A0 bea=
m-type, and I never trusted my clicker 3/8&quot; one, but here&#39;s my sho=
t to buy my last torque wrench(es, I should probably get 1/4 - 1/2&quot;).=
=C2=A0</div><div><br></div><div>Scott</div><div><br></div></div>
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</blockquote></div><br clear=3D"all"><br>-- <br><div dir=3D"ltr">=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D<br>=3D Never offend people with style when you=C2=A0=C2=A0 =
=3D<br>=3D can offend with substance --- Sam Brown=C2=A0 =3D<br>=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D</div>

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Archive: http://www.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk http://autox.team.net/archive

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From: Paul Parkanzky <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2021 11:12:23 -0500

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Much like you, I bought a really nice Proto 1/2" dial torque wrench when I
was outfitting my shop. While I trust it completely, appreciate the
quality, and generally just like owning it, I also get annoyed every time I
use it for something simple like torquing wheel bolts where I don't really
care if it's off by 10% or where I am working under a car at a strange
angle and can't see the dial. I've been hanging out in a couple friend's
shops. One has a few Snap-On clickers and the other has a couple of the HF
cheapies and they're both handier and plenty "good enough" for my purposes.
So I've been planning to buy a couple of Tekton clickers next time I see
them on-sale at the local Meijer. They're not heirloom quality, but they're
cheap, get the job done for me, and are actually more convenient than what
I have.

I've also tried the digital torque wrenches that vibrate or whatever and I
don't really care for those. The mechanical "click" is great feedback and
where I'm going from here for all my torque-setting needs.

-Paul

> buy my last torque wrench(es, I should probably get 1/4 - 1/2").

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<div dir=3D"ltr"><div>Much like you, I bought a really nice Proto 1/2&quot;=
 dial torque wrench when I was outfitting my shop. While I trust it complet=
ely, appreciate the quality, and generally just like owning it, I also get =
annoyed every time I use it for something simple like torquing wheel bolts =
where I don&#39;t really care if it&#39;s off by 10% or where I am working =
under a car at a strange angle and can&#39;t see the dial. I&#39;ve been ha=
nging out in a couple friend&#39;s shops. One has a few Snap-On clickers an=
d the other has a couple of the HF cheapies and they&#39;re both handier an=
d plenty &quot;good enough&quot; for my purposes. So I&#39;ve been planning=
 to buy a couple of Tekton clickers next time I see them on-sale at the loc=
al Meijer. They&#39;re not heirloom quality, but they&#39;re cheap, get the=
 job done for me, and are actually more convenient than what I have.</div><=
div><br></div><div>I&#39;ve also tried the digital torque wrenches that vib=
rate or whatever and I don&#39;t really care for those. The mechanical &quo=
t;click&quot; is great feedback and where I&#39;m going from here for all m=
y torque-setting needs.</div><div><br></div><div>-Paul</div><br><div class=
=3D"gmail_quote"><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr">On Thu, Feb 4, 2021 =
at 10:30 AM Scott Hall &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]"=
>[email-masked]</a>&gt; wrote:<br></div><blockquote class=3D=
"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(2=
04,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div>I need a new torque wre=
nch. The last time I bought one was 25 years ago--a Snap-On 1/2&quot; dial =
model.</div><div><br></div><div>I don&#39;t expect to ever need to buy anot=
her one, and I want to like using it/them.</div><div><br></div><div>What&#3=
9;s the current opinion on type and model? I don&#39;t think I want=C2=A0 b=
eam-type, and I never trusted my clicker 3/8&quot; one, but here&#39;s my s=
hot to buy my last torque wrench(es, I should probably get 1/4 - 1/2&quot;)=
.=C2=A0</div><div><br></div><div>Scott</div><div><br></div></div>
<br>
</blockquote></div></div>

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[email-masked]

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---

From: Benjamin Zwissler <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2021 12:06:52 -0500

--===============0896979415451245611==

--0000000000008e31a405ba85bb4b

I really like the clicker style though it took me 20 years to give up my
old beam and needle wrench.  I bought two Tekton units and found them to be
way out of spec quickly and I really didn't like the micrometer style,
twist adjustment.  One of my sons worked at a tire store and they used dual
beam clickers from Precision Instruments.  They are great and priced
moderately at about $100 for the 3/8" and $130 for the 1/2".  I'm told they
make SnapOn branded torque wrenches and they look the same for double the
price.

Looking into the differences the Precision Instrument wrenches are "dual
beam" which means there's one beam attached to the handle and one floating
as a reference to create the click.   Both are inside the handle and torque
selector knob adjusts the amount of deflection required to click. Because
its a beam style wrench calibration should not be required.  They also
don't require you to return to zero to maintain the calibration.

Anyway, my two cents.

Ben

Ben Zwissler
[email-masked]
812-343-5533
Columbus, IN

On Thu, Feb 4, 2021 at 10:30 AM Scott Hall <[email-masked]>
wrote:

> http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/shop-talk/[email-masked]
>
>

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Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr">I really like the clicker style though it took me 20 years=
 to give up my old beam and needle wrench.=C2=A0 I bought two Tekton units =
and found them to be way out of spec quickly and I really didn&#39;t like t=
he micrometer style, twist adjustment.=C2=A0 One of my sons worked at a tir=
e store and they used dual beam clickers from Precision Instruments.=C2=A0 =
They are great and priced moderately=C2=A0at about $100 for the 3/8&quot; a=
nd $130 for the 1/2&quot;.=C2=A0 I&#39;m told they make SnapOn branded torq=
ue wrenches and they look the same for double the price.=C2=A0=C2=A0<div><b=
r></div><div>Looking into the differences the Precision Instrument=C2=A0wre=
nches are &quot;dual beam&quot; which means there&#39;s one beam attached t=
o the handle and one floating as a reference to create the click.=C2=A0 =C2=
=A0Both are inside the handle and torque selector knob adjusts the amount o=
f deflection required to click. Because its a beam style wrench calibration=
 should not be required.=C2=A0 They also don&#39;t require you to return to=
 zero to maintain the calibration.</div><div><br></div><div>Anyway, my two =
cents.</div><div><br></div><div>Ben</div><div><br></div><div><br clear=3D"a=
ll"><div><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_signature" data-smartmail=3D"gmail=
_signature"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div><div dir=3D"ltr"><div><div>Ben Zwissler<b=
r></div><a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]" target=3D"_blank">bjzwissle=
[email-masked]</a><br></div><div>812-343-5533</div>Columbus, IN<br></div></div=
></div></div></div><br></div></div><br><div class=3D"gmail_quote"><div dir=
=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr">On Thu, Feb 4, 2021 at 10:30 AM Scott Hall &l=
t;<a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]">scott.hall.personal@gmai=
l.com</a>&gt; wrote:<br></div><blockquote class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"ma=
rgin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:=
1ex"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div>I need a new torque wrench. The last time I boug=
ht one was 25 years ago--a Snap-On 1/2&quot; dial model.</div><div><br></di=
v><div>I don&#39;t expect to ever need to buy another one, and I want to li=
ke using it/them.</div><div><br></div><div>What&#39;s the current opinion o=
n type and model? I don&#39;t think I want=C2=A0 beam-type, and I never tru=
sted my clicker 3/8&quot; one, but here&#39;s my shot to buy my last torque=
 wrench(es, I should probably get 1/4 - 1/2&quot;).=C2=A0</div><div><br></d=
iv><div>Scott</div><div><br></div></div>
_______________________________________________<br>
<br>
<a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]" target=3D"_blank">Shop-talk@aut=
ox.team.net</a><br>
et=3D"_blank">http://www.team.net/donate.html</a><br>
Archive: <a href=3D"http://www.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk" rel=3D"norefer=
rer" target=3D"_blank">http://www.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk</a> <a href=
=3D"http://autox.team.net/archive" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">htt=
p://autox.team.net/archive</a><br>
<br>
alk/[email-masked]" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">http://autox=
.team.net/mailman/options/shop-talk/[email-masked]</a><br>
<br>
</blockquote></div>

--0000000000008e31a405ba85bb4b--

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[email-masked]

--===============0896979415451245611==--

---

From: Eric Russell <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2021 12:30:42 -0500

--===============2390854389729240857==

--000000000000c4ed7805ba86103d

I have an old (1970's vintage) Craftsman beam type torque wrench. The
advantage is that it should never go out of calibration. The downside is
one has to be able view the scale straight on. I use it for cylinder heads
where I can easily see the scale and want to be sure of the accuracy. I
also have a Craftsman clicker (1990's vintage) that is useful for
situations where I can't easily see the beam wrench's scale. I carefully
store it and use the beam wrench to check its accuracy.

I also have a couple of cheap Harbor Freight clickers. Those go in my
travelling tool box that I take to the race track. They are accurate (!)
and I use them for things like lug nuts where I only want to know that they
are approximately torqued (wheels falling off are frowned upon). And if
they should get stolen or lost I wouldn't have to eat PB&J for a week or
two.

Eric Russell
Mebane, NC

On Thu, Feb 4, 2021 at 12:14 PM Benjamin Zwissler <[email-masked]>
wrote:

>> I need a new torque wrench. The last time I bought one was 25 years
>> ago--a Snap-On 1/2" dial model.
>>
> http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/shop-talk/[email-masked]
>
>

-- 
Eric Russell
Mebane, NC

--000000000000c4ed7805ba86103d
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr">I have an old (1970&#39;s vintage) Craftsman beam type tor=
que wrench. The advantage is that it should never go out of calibration. Th=
e downside is one has to be able view the scale straight on. I use it for c=
ylinder heads where I can easily see the scale and want to be sure of the a=
ccuracy. I also have a Craftsman clicker (1990&#39;s vintage) that is usefu=
l for situations where I can&#39;t easily see the beam wrench&#39;s scale. =
I carefully store it and use the beam wrench to check its accuracy.=C2=A0<d=
iv><br></div><div>I also have a couple of cheap Harbor Freight clickers. Th=
ose go in my travelling tool box that I take to the race track. They are ac=
curate (!) and I use them for things like lug nuts where I only want to kno=
w that they are approximately torqued (wheels falling off are frowned upon)=
. And if they should get stolen or lost I wouldn&#39;t have to eat PB&amp;J=
 for a week or two.=C2=A0</div><div><br></div><div>Eric Russell</div><div>M=
ebane, NC=C2=A0</div></div><br><div class=3D"gmail_quote"><div dir=3D"ltr" =
class=3D"gmail_attr">On Thu, Feb 4, 2021 at 12:14 PM Benjamin Zwissler &lt;=
<a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]">[email-masked]</a>&gt; wrote:=
<br></div><blockquote class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8=
ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div dir=3D"ltr=
">I really like the clicker style though it took me 20 years to give up my =
old beam and needle wrench.=C2=A0 I bought two Tekton units and found them =
to be way out of spec quickly and I really didn&#39;t like the micrometer s=
tyle, twist adjustment.=C2=A0 One of my sons worked at a tire store and the=
y used dual beam clickers from Precision Instruments.=C2=A0 They are great =
and priced moderately=C2=A0at about $100 for the 3/8&quot; and $130 for the=
 1/2&quot;.=C2=A0 I&#39;m told they make SnapOn branded torque wrenches and=
 they look the same for double the price.=C2=A0=C2=A0<div><br></div><div>Lo=
oking into the differences the Precision Instrument=C2=A0wrenches are &quot=
;dual beam&quot; which means there&#39;s one beam attached to the handle an=
d one floating as a reference to create the click.=C2=A0 =C2=A0Both are ins=
ide the handle and torque selector knob adjusts the amount of deflection re=
quired to click. Because its a beam style wrench calibration should not be =
required.=C2=A0 They also don&#39;t require you to return to zero to mainta=
in the calibration.</div><div><br></div><div>Anyway, my two cents.</div><di=
v><br></div><div>Ben</div><div><br></div><div><br clear=3D"all"><div><div d=
ir=3D"ltr"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div><div dir=3D"ltr"><div><div>Ben Zwissler<br=
></div><a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]" target=3D"_blank">bjzwissler=
@gmail.com</a><br></div><div>812-343-5533</div>Columbus, IN<br></div></div>=
</div></div></div><br></div></div><br><div class=3D"gmail_quote"><div dir=
=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr">On Thu, Feb 4, 2021 at 10:30 AM Scott Hall &l=
t;<a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]" target=3D"_blank">scott.=
[email-masked]</a>&gt; wrote:<br></div><blockquote class=3D"gmail_=
quote" style=3D"margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,=
204);padding-left:1ex"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div>I need a new torque wrench. Th=
e last time I bought one was 25 years ago--a Snap-On 1/2&quot; dial model.<=
/div><div><br></div><div>I don&#39;t expect to ever need to buy another one=
, and I want to like using it/them.</div><div><br></div><div>What&#39;s the=
 current opinion on type and model? I don&#39;t think I want=C2=A0 beam-typ=
e, and I never trusted my clicker 3/8&quot; one, but here&#39;s my shot to =
buy my last torque wrench(es, I should probably get 1/4 - 1/2&quot;).=C2=A0=
</div><div><br></div><div>Scott</div><div><br></div></div>
_______________________________________________<br>
<br>
<a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]" target=3D"_blank">Shop-talk@aut=
ox.team.net</a><br>
et=3D"_blank">http://www.team.net/donate.html</a><br>
Archive: <a href=3D"http://www.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk" rel=3D"norefer=
rer" target=3D"_blank">http://www.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk</a> <a href=
=3D"http://autox.team.net/archive" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">htt=
p://autox.team.net/archive</a><br>
<br>
alk/[email-masked]" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">http://autox=
.team.net/mailman/options/shop-talk/[email-masked]</a><br>
<br>
</blockquote></div>
_______________________________________________<br>
<br>
<a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]" target=3D"_blank">Shop-talk@aut=
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et=3D"_blank">http://www.team.net/donate.html</a><br>
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x.team.net/mailman/options/shop-talk/[email-masked]</a><br>
<br>
</blockquote></div><br clear=3D"all"><div><br></div>-- <br><div dir=3D"ltr"=
 class=3D"gmail_signature"><div dir=3D"ltr">Eric Russell<div>Mebane, NC</di=
v></div></div>

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[email-masked]

--===============2390854389729240857==--

---

From: David Scheidt <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2021 21:06:40 -0600

On Thu, Feb 4, 2021 at 9:58 AM John Innis <[email-masked]> wrote:
>But I like the CDI a lot better and if I need another I will probably buy another CDI.  I was told that CDI is the company that builds wrenches for Snap-On, but I have no way to confirm this.

Snap-on owns CDI.  Most current CDI offerings have an imported ratchet
head, even on the models where the torque tool is US.  Thje snap-on
versions have US made ratchet heads.

I have a 3/8" drive cdi, 10 to 80 ft-lbs, that dates from the mid 80s.
That's pre snap-on acquisition.    I bought it new old stock a couple
years ago.  works great, accurate when tested at purchase.  I could
wish it had a few more teeth on th ratchet, but that's not a huge
deal.

Norbar also makes very nice torque wrenches; many are made in England.

If I were buying torque wrenches today, I'd look at ones with angle
gauges.  Torque plus angle bolts re becoming much more common.

--
David Scheidt
[email-masked]

[email-masked]