Budget Torque "Wrench"

[quedz]

Looking for recommendations. ($50 to $75ish) I'm leaning towards the Wheeler at this point. 

What say you?

 

 

[gregintenn]

The Pittsburg brand torque wrenches at Harbor Freight work fine for my use.

[Erik88]

38 minutes ago, gregintenn said:

The Pittsburg brand torque wrenches at Harbor Freight work fine for my use.

This is what I started with. Just don't do what I did and drop it. They also have to be stored at a specific setting which I didn't realize. My wife says I never read the instruction manual.  I'm convinced mine is no longer in spec so it's been retired. 

@hughd do you know what range of ft/lbs you need? Home Depot has a few on sale right now. I've found that I needed one that starts at 10lbs for a lot of the work I've done this year on my truck. Also, the length is important. There has been times when I couldn't get them in certain places. 

https://www.homedepot.com/s/torque%20wrench?NCNI-5

 

Edit-didn't realize you were needing one for working on guns...

 

Edited December 9, 2019 by Erik88

[DaveTN]

For guns and scopes I have used the Wheeler FAT wrench for several years. 

https://www.wheelertools.com/gunsmithing-tools/wrenches-and-screwdrivers/fat-wrench-with-10-bit-set/553556.html#start=1

They now have digital. I've not used it, but it looks interesting.

https://www.wheelertools.com/gunsmithing-tools/wrenches-and-screwdrivers/

Of course the prices are less on Amazon.

 

[deerslayer]

If you need inch-pounds, Wheeler FAT wrench is good stuff. 

[TomInMN]

1 hour ago, hughd said:

Looking for recommendations. ($50 to $75ish) I'm leaning towards the Wheeler at this point. 

What say you?

 

 

Third vote for Wheeler's FAT if you're looking for an in-lbs wrench.

[quedz]

36 minutes ago, Erik88 said:

@hughd do you know what range of ft/lbs you need?

Thanks, should have specified in/lb. 

[peejman]

2 hours ago, Erik88 said:

This is what I started with. Just don't do what I did and drop it. They also have to be stored at a specific setting which I didn't realize. My wife says I never read the instruction manual.  I'm convinced mine is no longer in spec so it's been retired. 

@hughd do you know what range of ft/lbs you need? Home Depot has a few on sale right now. I've found that I needed one that starts at 10lbs for a lot of the work I've done this year on my truck. Also, the length is important. There has been times when I couldn't get them in certain places. 

https://www.homedepot.com/s/torque%20wrench?NCNI-5

 

Edit-didn't realize you were needing one for working on guns...

 

Click type torque wrenches are easy to check... Clamp a bolt horizontally in a vice.   Tie some cord to the handle and a bucket. Measure from the cord to the pivot. Add water to the bucket until it clicks. Weigh the bucket and do the math. 

Click wrenches should always be stored at zero. They should never be used for loosening. You should never continue to tighten after they click. Any/all of these will cause their accuracy to degrade. 

[Handsome Rob]

FAT wrench is the best game in town, price wise. It's not the most precise, but it's better than 'crank it until the Allen wrench flexes'

I'm intrigued by the new digital job....

[Guest]

There's a video on YouTube of a guy showing how he used a 25 lb weight to adjust his torque wrench clamped into a vise.  Doubt it'd pass for aircraft work, but may get close enough for general mechanic work

[quedz]

Thanks for the replies, Guess I'll go with the FAT unless someone knows of a modestly priced 1/4" beam-type wrench.

[peejman]

11 hours ago, BlessTheUSA said:

There's a video on YouTube of a guy showing how he used a 25 lb weight to adjust his torque wrench clamped into a vise.  Doubt it'd pass for aircraft work, but may get close enough for general mechanic work

We do aircraft work. While slightly more precise, our calibration process is essentially the same.  

[DaveTN]

13 minutes ago, peejman said:

We do aircraft work. While slightly more precise, our calibration process is essentially the same.  

So you have a Cert for your vise that you can show them in your AS9100 Audit? 

[peejman]

3 hours ago, DaveTN said:

So you have a Cert for your vise that you can show them in your AS9100 Audit? 

Yep. And certs for the bolt, rope, bucket, measuring tape, scale, and calculator.    And the Deionized water. 

Edited December 11, 2019 by peejman

[quedz]

Found a good deal on the FAT-ends very soon...

	$29.16 & FREE Shipping. Details & FREE Returns
You  Save:	$30.83 (51%)

https://www.amazon.com/Wheeler-Accurizing-Measurement-Gunsmithing-Maintenance/dp/B0012AXR4S/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=firearms+inch+pound+torque+wrench&qid=1576200282&s=hi&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&sr=1-1

Edited December 13, 2019 by hughd

[DaveTN]

12 hours ago, hughd said:

$29.16

You got a really good price. Its back up to $50 now.

I really think I need that digital one.