Torque Wrench

[Mike_H]

I need to buy a couple new torque wrenches. 1/2” that goes to 250 ft-lbs, and a 3/8 for the 100 ft - lb and below. Looking for something on the high end of consumer/hobbiest grade vs pro level stuff (I’ll probably never calibrate it).

What do you have, what is good about it, what should I watch out for?

Thanks!

 

[Apparition]

I broke my nice 1/2" CDI and replaced it with a Tekton and am happy with it. CDI said it'd be $90 to look at it to see if it could be fixed.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C5ZL1NS?tag=wranglerorg-20

I use this AC Delco for things like beadlock rings.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0081AQDIY?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[FarFire70]

I went from a click torque to a split beam in 2021. Went with the Precision Instruments:

Amazon

Prices have gone up in the past couple years (I paid $155 in 2021) but what hasn't...

Split beam is much more convenient than the click torque where you have to turn the handle. There's a lever on the side to release tension, turn a dial (kinda like a watch) and the slap the lever closed. Plus, with a split beam, you aren't required to release the torque before you store it (I do but it isn't a requirement); with click torque you're supposed to take it back to a low torque, otherwise the calibration can drift — or so I've read.

 

[B1Toad]

I bought Tekton as well and afterwards I found out they make a premium 72 tooth model which I would have preferred to the ones I got on Amazon. I also have a Proto which is great but only goes to 60 lbs. Then I have this: https://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-ARM6...VYUKTC/132-8447400-2233145?tag=wranglerorg-20 which comes in handy once you get used to it. Last week though I over tightened the oil drain bolt on my TDI because I forgot about the auto shut off feature and it had timed out.

 

[B1Toad]

Anyone tried the Harbor Freight Icon? I just got an email from them 40% off all ICON wrenches tomorrow.

 

[FarFire70]

Anyone tried the Harbor Freight Icon? I just got an email from them 40% off all ICON wrenches tomorrow.

Haven't used the ICON but I picked up their generic 3/8" and 1/4" click for the garage. They've come in handy for very low torque items a few times. Only had them a little while.

I figure their calibration isn't perfect but they've fit my needs in that size. I focus on the 1/2" for where I need quality and precision in a torque wrench - for my purposes.

 

[Mike_H]

Anyone tried the Harbor Freight Icon? I just got an email from them 40% off all ICON wrenches tomorrow.

I haven’t tried them, but I have some other icon stuff and it’s pretty decent. I’ll have to check my email and see if I have the same coupon.

 

[MountaineerTom]

Anyone tried the Harbor Freight Icon? I just got an email from them 40% off all ICON wrenches tomorrow.

I bought their big 1/2” that does 50 - 250 ft/lbs a few years ago when I needed something bigger to torque the front axle hub nuts. I was impressed with the quality of it. It feels solid and precise when turning the collar on the handle to set a setting. I’ve used it several time for other random things but probably mostly lug nuts.

I recently bought their 3/8” drive flex-head, 5 - 75 ft/lbs. It feels solid as well. Used it on the belt tensioner bolt and some axle and transfer case fill plugs on my truck just the other day.

I’m happy with them. The 40% off is a great deal and used the same thing on the 3/8” when I bought it.

 

[OldBuzzard]

Anyone tried the Harbor Freight Icon? I just got an email from them 40% off all ICON wrenches tomorrow.

I'm glad you mentioned that. I'll be at HF first thing tomorrow for a 40-200 in-lb wrench to replace my old tired one. Thanks.

 

[sab]

I’m a CDI man, myself. I’ve mentioned it before here. Very high quality, and the price is not too bad, relatively.

 

[macleanflood]

I have a Tekton 1/4" for inch pounds, and three Craftsman...two older USAs and one China that hits 250 lbs. My favorite is my Gearwrench digital. It's really nice to have all the feedback it provides like where you're at...aka that feels like too much but the display says 60 and we're heading to 85. Only thing I wish the Gearwrench had was degrees. Some fasteners say torque to a certain amount and then rotate x degrees.

-Mac

 

[macleanflood]

Oh and the digital Gearwrench is great too because I don't have to find my readers or a flashlight.

-Mac

 

[FarFire70]

Oh and the digital Gearwrench is great too because I don't have to find my readers or a flashlight.

-Mac

Went with a Gear Wrench for a beam wrench to check out my Dana 30 Pinion. Did it's job.

It's one I'll use so sparingly that I didn't jump to anything of higher quality & price.

Different use cause that the OP asked but sharing my experience on the brand.

 

[Mike_H]

I did some searching around last night, and I think I’m heading to hazard fraught to utilize the 40% of coupon on a couple split beams. The reviews seem to indicate that they are pretty accurate. I don’t use torque wrenches often (gudentite works well for me) so, when I do use em, I’m really wanting them to be right. I’m also a bit forgetful, and the fact that I don’t need to remember to lower the torque rating on a split beam really appeals to me.

 

[Blue Clearwater]

Anyone tried the Harbor Freight Icon? I just got an email from them 40% off all ICON wrenches tomorrow.

I have two of them, the 1/2" and 3/8". They've worked well for me so far. A Project Farm video on Youtube convinced me to buy them.

 

[sab]

I did some searching around last night, and I think I’m heading to hazard fraught to utilize the 40% of coupon on a couple split beams. The reviews seem to indicate that they are pretty accurate. I don’t use torque wrenches often (gudentite works well for me) so, when I do use em, I’m really wanting them to be right. I’m also a bit forgetful, and the fact that I don’t need to remember to lower the torque rating on a split beam really appeals to me.

Are these the wrenches you're looking at?
https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in...fessional-split-beam-torque-wrench-57923.html
https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in...fessional-split-beam-torque-wrench-59108.html

If so, the bolded portion of the quote above isn't a good assumption. See the red circled portion of the manual below. Also, see the yellow circled portion. Although it's infrequent, I do find a need to use a torque wrench in a counterclockwise direction occasionally, so I try to stay away from directional wrenches.

 

[Farmergreg]

Anyone tried the Harbor Freight Icon? I just got an email from them 40% off all ICON wrenches tomorrow.

I bought the ICON 250 ft lb 1/2 drive one with the flex head. Been excellent so far!

 

[sab]

Only thing I wish the Gearwrench had was degrees. Some fasteners say torque to a certain amount and then rotate x degrees.

Torque wrenches that have a way to measure degrees are expensive. I've never seen a cheap version.

 

[OldBuzzard]

Split beams Beams and clickers both have advantages. I torqued my oil pan bolts with an inch-pound split beam, but its a huge pain to get my head under the wrench, on the floor, and then I'm too close to see it. Have to jack the Jeep waaay up. A clicker is nice for the places you just can't get your head to see the pointer. A split beam is good for checking how tight the gorilla at the tire shop overtorqued your lug nuts.

Edit: Corrected torque wrench types, per @sab's comment below. Beam type has a long pointer from the head to the handle.

 

[SSTJ]

We have several threads on this. Here is one that I remember:

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/torque-wrench-recommendations.3055/