My Craftsman is probably 25-30 years old, so its not Chinese. I didnt see any means by which it can be adjusted, but maybe upon disassembly. Ill try finding someone local, then decide on new I guess. Only problem with buying used you may buy someone else's mis-calibrated used wrench. Ive already got one if those. Thanks guys.

A few years ago I bought some Snap-On torque wrenches on ebay and sent them to Snap-On for recalibration. The cost of the wrenches, shipping, and the charges to have them recalibrated were far less than buying new and I've got quality product that is as good as new.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
The only thing I will buy or use are CDI Torque Wrenches.
Quality stuff.

Mine are all CDI as well. They make and rebrand for many other companies. I have 3 of their "clickers" (to cover from 50 in/lbs up to 250 ft/lbs) and two beam wrenches.

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:
Look into Wright Tool. American-made, but won't break the bank.

While I don't have their torque wrench (which is probably made by CDI), I have been using many of their other tools for some time. As you said, high quality, USA made. Check out Harry J. Epstein American made tools. He carries Wright (including their torque wrenches), SK, and other US brands, as well as some foreign. Everything is marked with the flag of the COO. Good stock, good prices, and lots of close-outs and specials, too.

If you want one made in the U.S.A get a Proto:
https://www.zoro.com/proto-mic...D=8906152#sku=J6013C

If you want one made in Taiwan with a great warranty, get a Tekton: https://www.tekton.com/wrenches/torque-wrenches

apf383, you cant be adjusting no Mopar nuts with a cheap chinese torque wrench now.. . The guys posted some awsome American made wrenches in very good price range. Get a nice one now. I enjoyed seeing those linked.

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:
My torque wrench is from harbor freight. I don't use it enough to justify buying a quality one.

Ditto. Mine's mainly used when reinstalling lawnmower blades.

Our mower's blades is one of the reasons I bought a good torque wrench--my reasoning for upgrading being the opposite of your reason for economizing.

Our mower's blades have a pair of shear pins on each blade so that if you run into something the blade can't cut through you don't destroy the drive train for the blades--and possibly damage the engine. For them to work the nuts have to be tightened to exactly 60 ft/lbs. Less and they may shear prematurely. More and they may not shear when they should.

Would being off by ±10 ft/lbs or so matter? Maybe not. But, being as that mower cost more than both our cars together at the time I bought it, I'm disinclined to gamble on it

I needed one about a year ago and ended up buying a Tekton. I don’t use one very often either, but this one gets great reviews and is reasonably priced.

Tekton is based in Michigan, and makes many, or most, of their hand tools right there. I believe, however, the torque wrenches are made in Taiwan.

quote:

Who makes the best quality torque wrench?
5 Best Torque Wrenches
CDI Snap-on Torque Wrench – Best Overall. The 2503MFRPH is a premium model from CDI, one of Snap-on's industrial brands. ...
TEKTON 24335 Torque Wrench – Best Value. ...
ACDelco ARM601-4 – Best Digital Torque Wrench. ...
Capri Tools 31000 Torque-Wrench. ...
Neiko Pro 03709B Torque Wrench.

CDI.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
The only thing I will buy or use are CDI Torque Wrenches.
Quality stuff.

This is what I used as well. I recalled reading on a garage forum that CDI makes some of the Snap On torque wrenches.

Don't forget Seekonk, Made in USA.

https://www.seekonk.com/21/home.htm

quote:

Originally posted by David Lee:
apf383, you cant be adjusting no Mopar nuts with a cheap chinese torque wrench now.. . The guys posted some awsome American made wrenches in very good price range. Get a nice one now. I enjoyed seeing those linked.

Good memory you've got there David Lee. That's what I used to get my Roadrunner back together. Haven't had a part fall off yet!

Just thought of another avenue for you, apf...try your local pawn shop. See if they have anything that meets your specs...

quote:

Originally posted by erj_pilot:
Just thought of another avenue for you, apf...try your local pawn shop. See if they have anything that meets your specs...

Good idea erj. We have one nearby but they don’t seem to be giving things away. Also, just like Ebay I’m concerned about buying someone elses junk.

https://www.amazon.com/Precisi...gid=pla-435348866589

This is what we use in my tire shop...and they hold up well to heavy, daily use. Being a torsion bean, it’s not a as sensitive to being left turned up

Home Depot has a nice selection of quality torque wrenches for general purpose.

When it comes to critical work, I pull out the KD torque wrenches from Napa.

When I was in the USAF, I went to Supply to pick up 5 torque wrenches that my shop had ordered. Took all of them to the PMEL lab for initial calibration check. Came back later that day to pick them up, and three of the five were shitcanned right off the bat - failed initial check. And these were brand new ones from some company in Georgia.

ANY TORQUE WRENCH until it's been calibrated and adjusted if need be is suspect. ANY. Snap-on, SK, CDI,...ANY. As Dawes gave an excellent example, new out of the box can be crap.
Your Craftstman is probably American made and once you put it through a good tool calibration house you should get a few more years out of it.
1. Always store it in a case set to the lowest setting, not zero.
2. Never flip the lever to break a fastener loose. They're made for tightening only.
3. Do not loan it out. Not everyone will take care of your stuff like you do.
I calibrated tools and gauging including torque wrenches for years. The above is a result of that experience.

part of the price of any decent torque wrench bought new is that it will come with a NIST traceable calibration certificate. So that's part of what you are paying for. and if you get it recalibrated on a reasonable basis (which a decent mfg offer, but there are also independent sources), you will have something you can rely on. The rest of the choices about brand, etc. etc. are just not that.

quote:

Originally posted by F12517:
https://www.amazon.com/Precisi...gid=pla-435348866589

This is what we use in my tire shop...and they hold up well to heavy, daily use. Being a torsion bean, it’s not a as sensitive to being left turned up

Whenever torque wrench threads come up, I recommend the split-beam type made by Precision Instruments, but everyone wants click-type, b/c that's what they're used to seeing. Snap-On sells a split-beam torque wrench made for them by Precision Instruments. There are some tool exceptions, but I don't believe Snap-On would put their name on a torque wrench unless it were good.

I have PI split-beam wrenches in 3/8" & 1/2" drive. Once I tried them, there was no going back to twist-handle, click wrenches. The PIs are much more durable, more accurate through a wider torque range, and hold their calibration much better than click wrenches. About the only drawbacks are they only work in clockwise direction, and they are more difficult to set to the exact ft-lb. If say, the difference between 150 & 152 ft-lbs is critical, then the PIs are harder to eye out exactly.