Torque wrenches

[jfaberna]

I can see from the discussions that lugs nuts and U-bolts need to be torqued occasionally. I'm looking for some suggestions on which torque wrench to buy for all the things I'll need to torque on the TV or 5W. It sounds like the clicking kind is the easiest to use, but there are a millions different priced wrenches just at Sears. Not sure how cheap or expensive I need to go.

Comments??

[mhs4771]

Many of us use a rather in-expensive one from Harbor Freight, after all we're not building a High Performance Race Car Engine.

[moutard2]

I have a Husky 1/2 in. Click Torque Wrench Model #H2DTW from Home Depot. $84.97 and an excellent product IMHO. I've had it for 4 years and just had it checked for accuracy. It didn't need to be re-calibrated.

[bncinwv]

Harbor Freight 1/2" drive for $9.99 on sale. Nothing has fallen off yet in seven years of use, so it must be okay!
Bingo

[DQDick]

Went to NAPA and got a reasonably priced one that went high enough for what we need.

[WeBeFulltime]

Wal Mart $14.00.

[1retired06]

Sears, Craftsman clicker, 10 year old, cant remember what I paid for it.

[richard66]

Remember, you get what you pay for. Many good inexpensive wrenches are out there under $50.00 and will meet our needs. NAPA, Sears, Home Depot, Lowes and many other outlets are available to you. You don't need a SnapOn or Mac to do the things we do. Some folks have gotten wrenches from discount stores like Harbor Freight and have been satisfied with their performance. I prefer a brand name tool from a company I can go back to if I have a problem.

[jfaberna]

Well it's good to know I don't have to buy the $200 electronic one from Sears :-)

[Irlpguy]

Husky Professional 250 ft lb from Home Depot, under $100.00. Have had it a couple of years.

[HOOK]

Got mine from Harbor Freight. Has been in service for four years.

[TLightning]

quote:Originally posted by mhs4771

Many of us use a rather in-expensive one from Harbor Freight, after all we're not building a High Performance Race Car Engine.

They are hard to beat for $10...if it breaks, I'll go get another, although my original '07 model 1/2" drive is going strong.

[Tom S.]

quote:Originally posted by mhs4771

Many of us use a rather in-expensive one from Harbor Freight, after all we're not building a High Performance Race Car Engine.

You are right - you aren't building $20K race engines with it. But how much is your trailer worth, or worse yet, the lifes of other motorists around you? As for those who have been using HF specials for years, torque wrenches seldom break, but they do lose their accuracy. How accurate do you think that $10 wrench was to begin with, and after using it for 'x' number of years, how accurate do you think it is now?

But hey, it's America, which means you are free to make your own decisions!

[CORattler]

They do lose thier accuracy. We used to have them recalibrated every 6 months when I was active duty AF.

[8.1al]

Those wrenches are only $10 for a reason

[Tom S.]

quote:Originally posted by 8.1al

Those wrenches are only $10 for a reason

Exactly!!!

[Larry-P]

However, compared to the individuals who NEVER check their lug nuts, u-bolts, tire pressures, etc the Harbor Freight tools serve the purpose of getting the job done.
And then there are those that check nothing & leave it to the mechcanial Gods are like the person hauling his 5th wheel at 70 to 80 mph & never checks air pressures & then complains about tire blowouts.
Your right. To each his own.

[pineranch]

Spent 30 years on helicopters. Used Q wrenches 1/4" to Sweeney wrenches. I have two middle of the road 1/2" drive tools. How much you pay is a personal choice. Bet the $10 or $100 ones fall into same specs.
Mike

[jfaberna]

So now that I have a torque wrench, what sizes of 1/2" sockets do I need to cover Montana lug nuts, U-bolts, and Ram 3500 lugs?

Also never having a Dually, how do you check the air pressure and lug nuts on the inside wheel?

[dieselguy]

While sitting here polishing on one of my torque wrenches digesting turkey ... I wuz just thinkin about the quest here for absolute accuracy ... remember just a few years back when all we carried around was a 4 way or just a tire iron ??????? Lean on it till it quit moving ... and yet many of us are still here with no tale to tell about a tragic suspension/wheel issue. Like I eluded to in a few post ago ... get out your ole clicker of any brand ... torque something to 70 foot lbs ... bump it up to 75 and see if the fastner actually moves at all. Accuracy is absorbed during a moment of the job at hand.