Torque Wrench - Where to buy?

[snfexpress]

Been looking at torque wrench prices at Sears and they range from $30 to $1,300 - what are you guys buying, and where?

Thanks,

[DHenry]

Bought mine at Harbor Freight for $12.99. It even came with a case.

[snfexpress]

Thanks - didn't think about Harbor.

[cs413]

Sears. $79.99. Had to go with the more expensive one to get to 150 since the Monty wheels require 110 - 120 ft. lbs.

[Montana Sky]

Bought mine from my rv dealership. Cost was around $20 including the carrying case, also check out Napa Auto Supply stores or Harbor Freight as already stated.

[richfaa]

Got the same one cs413 got at sears for the same price.remember you have to get to 110-120 ft-lbs

[Illini Trekker]

E-Bay new in case $19.00 + $10.00 shipping , 150#.

[Charlie]

The same one from Sears that Curt and Rich have, only a little better price, found it on sale for $64.

[CmdrDewey]

Wherever you buy it just remember that a torque wrench is a precision tool. You want quality or don't even bother to buy one. Cheaper is almost never better. You can never (almost never) go wrong with Craftsman tools. with that kind of torque you would probably be happier and so will your back, with a 30" wrench. IMHO a decent wrench would be about $75.00

Also be sure and back it off to zero when you aren't using it.

[stiles watson]

I looked at the ones at Sears, read their specifications and warranty. Afterward I went to my local auto parts supplier, not the cheapo, but good reputation store. I looked at their wrenches, read their specifications and warranty. In my opinion, I got more wrench for less dollars from the auto parts supplier by 50%.

I agree that cheaper isn't always better and the "savings" can be false, but contrarily neither does more pricy, guarrentee a better product. By-the-way, I have an extensive array of very reliable Craftsman hand tools, so I have no axe to grind with Sears.

[snfexpress]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I was worried that I might be purchasing a torque wrench that wouldn't be up to the job.

[firetrucker]

I'm thinking about getting a torque limiting extension for an impact wrench. It looks like a socket extension bar, but is engineered to limit the torque to different, standard values. Since I have air brakes on the truck, I'll have a ready source of air, and it seems like it will simplify and speed up the process. The one for the trailer is probably about the price of a torque wrench, but the one for the truck (1" drive and 475 ft lb) runs about $150 or so.

Bob

[RKassl]

Good thread, but what is the torque spec for Montana's with steel wheels? Does it vary by model?

Thanks!

[Illini Trekker]

Key stone says "Lug nuts should be torqued to 110-120 ft/lbs on all units excepy for Cambride, which requires 140/150ft/lbs due to 9/16" studs versus 1/2" studs on Montana" See-Ya

[Montana_5036]

If you are going to buy the Sears torque wrench be sure to check the warrenty carefully. I had one from sears that had problems after one year and they would not warranty it. I was told that the torque wrenches do not have the same warranty as their other hand tools.

[richfaa]

quote:Originally posted by Badgoat

If you are going to buy the Sears torque wrench be sure to check the warranty carefully. I had one from sears that had problems after one year and they would not warranty it. I was told that the torque wrenches do not have the same warranty as their other hand tools.

We are looking at our Sears Torque wrench.It has a 1 year Warranty. I have other sears tools that are Warrantied for life.I was looking at another Torque wrench at a auto supply store and it also had a 1 year Warranty. I got the craftsman tool because of craftsman reputation.

[Jerzy54]

Husky 250 Lb at Home Depot for $59.00 including case.

[RKassl]

Looked at the torque wrenches today, there are digitial, dial type and the traditional needle pointer. The needle pointer is the cheapest and requires no calibration is this ok to use for wheel lug torque?

Thanks

[DHenry]

The needle type will work just fine, but it is the least accurate.

[Roman4]

The needle type definitely has a price advantage, but in my experience is much more difficult to use in this application. For me to apply 110 ft-lbs on a lug nut, I find that I have to put my weight on the wrench. If I do that, I can't read the calibration. For me, the click-type is a much better, even though more costly, choice as you can "feel" it when the set torque is reached.