I'm in need of a 3/8 drive torque wrench. Just causal home use, but don't want an expensive sheer-off a bolt experience or the opposite (ex: U-joints on truck under torqued)

Not sure if I'm ready to drop ~$175 on the SK. Craftsman is dead to me. Don't really trust the $20 HF wrench... Maybe something in the middle I have not thought of? (There is the ~$60 Kobalt from Lowes, but is it any better than the HF or Tekton?

Any experiences or reccomendations would be appreciated.


SK:~$175
https://www.amazon.com/SK-Hand...-1&keywords=sk+77100


Kobalt (Lowes): ~$60
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobal...orque-Wrench/3381200


Tekton (Amazon): ~$30
https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-...kobalt+torque+wrench


Harbor Freight: ~$20
https://www.harborfreight.com/...ue-wrench-61276.html

The harbor Freight one get good reviews vs the name brand ones.

I'm fixing to replace my 1/2 inch one with one, since no one I know admits to borrowing my old one

The key is to back off the spring after each use to the minimum so you don't weaken it over time to retain the best calibration.

I have two tektons, so far so good. Accurate and consistent enough for my uses. But I'm not a pro mech.

I use the Kobalt 3/8" and 1/2" torque inches a lot wrenching on my cars. They both have solid lock ups and mine seemed to hold better than my friends digital Craftsman. They are made in Taiwan so quality is good.

+2 on the Kobalt. I have the 3/8" and it is smooth and solid.

I am happy with my now ~10 yr old Harbor Freight torque wrenches. I have both a 3/8" and 1/2" drive.

I tested my HF wrenches against the expensive Snap On torque wrenches that my aircraft AP/IA had just had certified. Within 2% just days after his had been calibrated and certified for aircraft use.

Same was true three years later when I last tested them... also within 2% throughout the range of each size.

For casual home or light shop use they are perfectly fine in my opinion.

Unless you use it a lot or are building a high-end engine. Cheap is good.

Just remember. All torque wrenches are a plus or minus of 2 to 3 percent of setting.

So they are not very accurate at the lower scale. Hence if you need something to be used a lot at say 30 foot pounds. Don’t get one that starts at 30 foot pounds and goes higher. Look for one that perhaps starts at 15 or 20 foot pounds they are a little more accurate.

Home Depot has a good 1/2" torque wrench in two different lengths. Not sure about one in 3/8. I liked them better, before they changed the handle (looked like a KD Tool).

Check out what KD Tool has to offer. They have some nice torque wrenches. Here's one in 3/8", 10-100' lbs. ~$120 I've had their 1/2" one for close to 30 years and its still going strong and looks like new.
https://www.amazon.com/KDT8506...Wrench/dp/B00YQRP9JU

GearWrench would be another option.

Don't forget to print out your 20% off Harbor Freight coupon before you buy one.

https://www.valpak.com/c/coupo...rbor-freight-coupons

If both the SK and Kobalt have the slip ring, which you have to pull down and hold while adjusting, they're a PITA.

I prefer the lock/on-lock turn collar.

You might look into split beam clicker torque wrenches made in USA by Precision Instruments. PI also makes them for the tool truck companies to rebrand them under their name. The are as accurate, much more durable and hold their calibration longer than twist-type clicker torque wrenches, and don't have to be unwound when stored. The only negative is they can only be used in clockwise direction. A brand new PI 3/8" drive torque wrench runs about $120 online. You can get them for considerably less used on ebay or at a pawn shop.

On old style beam wrench is inexpensive and more accurate than click wrenches if you use it correctly. They are much slower to use though and not user-friendly for fasteners in tight spaces or awkward angles. If the needle isn't centered on 0 though, it's easy to recalibrate it yourself. Most of the made-in-USA ones are made by Western Forge and rebranded.

quote:

Originally posted by iron chef:
You might look into split beam clicker torque wrenches

I used a Snap-On one, but in 1/2" when I was in the auto trade... They spoil the hell out of you.

If you can find one of these used and within calibration, they make their use a pleasure, plus it's a flex head. Photos are from eBay of a TQR-100A





Ironic, and I was shocked to see a calibration cert sticker, on a Chinese made 1/4" TR in one of the aircraft mechanics box. Looked like a model right from the HF store, which go on sale for $9.99

A few years ago I was looking for a 3/8" for oil changes. I came across a Harbor Freight ad and a 20% off coupon. I called in and ordered a 1/4", a 3/8" and a 1/2" for about $40 total - including shipping.

They looked just like the Craftsman $75 (each) wrenches

Mike

I know you said craftsman is dead to you, but I was in dire need of a torque wrench about a year ago, and the only place in town to get one was sears. I bought a craftsman for like $75 and for my uses it has been trouble-free and done what I needed done.

I got a cheapo harbor freight. I got it for some light vehicle maintenance. Nothing I do requires exact just close enough.

Toyota apparently does not follow their own torque specs with their bolts so I figure close enough will work. Rear differential drain bolt required a breaker bar and a trip to Medexpress to loosen but surprisingly only requires 30ftlb to tighten.

I also have the 1/4" HF one as well.

If you go cheap, at least go Taiwan.

I have the TEKTON, as well. Works just fine for my limited needs.

We have a craftsman and 2 kobalt torque wrenches at work. They get calibrated every year and so far none of them have gotten out of spec. The craftsman is about 15 years old and the kobalts are probably about 9-10 years old. I'd have no issues getting a cobalt if it's not going to be used everyday in a shop environment.

quote:

Originally posted by Paten:
Don't forget to print out your 20% off Harbor Freight coupon before you buy one.

https://www.valpak.com/c/coupo...rbor-freight-coupons

A helpful cashier at HF told me you can get the coupon automatically by text to your phone. It just gives a numeric code so no requirement for a smartphone. I just delete the previous one when they send the new one, so there's always a current one in my phone. Text: TOOLS6 to 222377
TEXTSTOP to cancel.