pay once cry once is how I'm looking at it. I always relaxed the spring and kept the tool in the box when not in use.

 

I bought the Craftsman torque wrenches because they were on sale from $80 to $40, have reversible head for left hand threads, and liked the warranty policy. Is the problem with em just going out of spec eventually? Would a better brand some how hold in spec for longer?

 

I have had this argument with several people. Even a "friend" of mine didn't want to pay and was using a Harbor freight until he had an issue...

He kept looking at alot of use torque wrenches. I explained to him that alot of the older "quality" torque wrenches are no longer rebuildable so buy a quality one. I kept sending him links to good ones.

Against my advice he bought a little one for transmission stuff because it was cheap.... when he showed me I informed it was no longer rebuildable. At the time it was calibrated less than a year ago and was supposed to be some surplus deal that was being sold off. I told him it was more likely not able to be calibrated any more and they were forced to get rid of it for liability. Would I trust it, No.

 

Did you ask were you can get it calibrated??? There are people that will test them for a nominal fee. There might not be parts available for it if it needs a rebuild after that.

I watched some one drop one of my torque wrenches. Fearing it might be out of spec when I need it, I wanted to have it tested. It was like $45 to have it tested and then if it needed a rebuild that would be extra. Or for $60 they just replace the parts and recalibrate as part of the rebuild process. I just had them all rebuilt and certified after that.


I recently bought a Cobalt Inch Lbs torque wrench. Seemed decent until I tried to put the stupid block off plate on the oil pan. After I ripped the threads out, I put in heli coil's. After I ripped those out, I had to use a Keen cert.

While it torques some things properly, that particular value is not accurate. The cost of both types of repair kits and specific drill bit's is about what I paid for that pile junk form Home Cheapo...

 

No, I was curious what the difference is between a cheap torque wrench and a high quality one.

 

The quality of the parts inside like the break away mechanism.

 

This is the guy I use when I care about the torque value that my bolts receive. Otherwise, it's a toss-up between the craftsman and gutenteit.

 

I have Snap-On, Mac, Cornwell, and some cheap ones. I have never had a problem. I looked up the CDI as mentioned. The prices look real good. I have been looking a click style 3/8 Ft/Lb flex head torque wrench and looked at the Gear Wrench brand. Haven't pulled the trigger yet. My only 3/8's is a digital Cornwell flex head and I wanted a non digital.