Which torque wrench do you use?
 

I need two wrenches for the house, 3/8" and 1/2". At work with use Snap On or Proto, mechanics don't really care which and they all do well at annual cal.

So what are you guys using?

Snap On

I prefer the Bindford 2000 gas chromatic calibrated by MIT :party-smiley-048::circle::asskiss:


Edit: Matco,

balpien or the good old sludge hammer :)

Use snap on. Proto and for the 600-3080lbs I use a Sweeney hydraulic wrench with a enerpac pump.

Proto at work , snap on at home.
we get 80% of our tools through msc.

Snap on digital

I traded the digital back in for the tried and true mechanical. Wouldn't use the thing for a few weeks go to use it and screen locked up. New batteries same thing. Exchange for a new not refurb sets in the tool box for a week til I need it. Same thing screen locked up. Traded it back in for my old one that I bought when I was 16 and never an issue.

I have 2 Snap On digital 1/2"wrenches and a Snap On click type 3/8". I love the Snap On digital that I have. It's the second one that I've had. This is their newest one that does torque angle, etc. I also have a new Matco digital as a back up but I have yet to use it. I send each wrench in at least once a year to be calibrated. I have to be able to rely on them 100%.

What's funny is a magazine (I think it was Hot Rod) did a test on torque wrenches not to long ago. The absolute cheapest wrench in the bunch was one from Harbor Freight. The repeatability and accuracy was crazy. IIRC, it was 1-2%. Basically, it was as good as any other wrench they tested. Except it cost like $20.
Eddie

That is correct about HF and the guy who tested them is in a story I wrote about torque wrenches maybe a good read for whomever.

The guy in the story you need to check out.

He for a wealth of fastener technology and torque wrench information. Link is in the next post.

Thanks Bup, I will read that when I have the chance.

The answers are pretty much what I figured. Anyone have a check stand in their shop?

what,nobody uses german torque,,goddintight.:)

A calibrated one. In my career field using out of calibration tools will get you fired. But ours are split between Proto and snap-off

Interesting article. A buddy runs the calibration lab at a large US Navy facility. He finds the most reliable torque wrenches are the old beam type with the pointer. Once calibrated, they are dead on year to year, unless there is visible damage. He advises folks to use a quality (snap on, matco, proto, etc) click type IF you have it checked regularly (bench tester before use and yearly calibration). Otherwise, he advises using a beam type - buy, check calibration once, protect from damage. IMO, he's correct - Let's face it, very few non-pros check and calibrate them.

I have to agree with you on that one. Sometimes simple is better. The only downside with the beam type wrenches is that it is sometimes difficult to see the dial, and you have to be careful about using it properly. You can get into trouble when uting long extensions and applying sideways torque to a fastener.

Not after beginning to understand clamp theory and plastic deformation. :)

I just tighten them until they break, and then back off a 1/4 turn! :whistle:

Noooo, that's for bandsaw blades.

Originally from Canada I see.


I use Snap Off and Old Craftsman.

I have a 3/8 Snap On torque angle digital and a 1/2 Snap On torque angle digital. The 3/8's is the latest design, the 1/2 is the first gen design, I much prefer the new design, I just can't justify the cost difference to upgrade.

depends..3 snapon digitals,,2 snapon tuneing fork style 1 proto dial style for measuring roller bearing preload..and a proto pos one..oh and a craftsman pointer style and a rod bolt stretch gauge..