Torque Wrench Purchase!

[richfaa]

So what does all this mean....

[Tom S.]

Have it your way, I give up.

[farmall130]

Check your local pawn shops. Many times they have a mane brand wrench for a lot less than new. I bought an expensive Craftsman for $40.00. I, too have a Snap-On, they are the Cadillac, but it's 3/8" drive and gets used on things really close, not lug nuts...

[Artemus Gordon]

Wow ! I never seen this much "tension" from a torque wrench discussion ! Thank you all, I have learned a great deal! I bought a mid range priced Craftsman wrench and think it will be good addition to my tools! Thanks to each of you for responding .

[richfaa]

We have a craftsman .I did not think it was not expensive. It appears to work OK...Guess I will keep it.

[dsprik]

I do think this is very thought provoking info. I like Tom S.'s technical discussion. Good info to have in your back pocket. But I am an info guy. I realize all are not. But that's the value of this forum. It is an information based pool that one can use to educate themselves. I don't personally think there is such a thing as "too much information". I know in this instance I will be more aware of torque wrenches and extensions and I will make decisions based on what I learned on this thread and my particular situation(s).

[BB_TX]

Don't worry about the extension. It will have little to no impact on the torque applied to the nut or bolt when used with a hand torque wrench.
Think about it. Basic physics.
When 100 ft lbs is applied at the torque wrench end of the extension and all movement has stopped, the torque at the socket end of the extension will also be same 100 ft lbs. Yes the extension may twist ever so slightly. And during the time the wrench is turning and the extension is twisting the torque on the socket end may be very slightly less than the torque at the wrench end. But again, when the wrench stops turning and the extension stops actively twisting, the torque will be that same 100 ft lbs at both ends. By "stops actively twisting" I mean the extension may be slightly twisted but is no longer twisting any further. So there is nothing there to absorb, or take away, any of the torque being applied by the wrench.
So if you have any concern at all stop and hold the wrench for a moment after the click. When you stop turning, the torque at the nut will be the same as at the wrench.
If the extension were super weak and turned a quarter turn of twist, there would be more of problem. But really, just how much do you see your basic 1/2" chrome 6" long extension twist? And even with the weaker extension, the principle is still the same.

[CORattler]

I have nothing to add.