Tools & Fabrication - What is a good inch-pounds torque wrench?

I will be needing to buy a QUALITY inch pounds torque wrench that actually clicks when it reaches the desired torque (unlike my craftsman one that does nothing when you get to the torque, which resulted in a broken intake manifold bolt:bang:). It will have to go as low as 44 inch pounds and preferably 3/8 drive or 1/4 drive. Thanks in advance.

bump...i have the same question and actually had the exact same thing happen to me with my intake bolt and my craftsman wrench.

I have a Mac inch pounds torque wrench that's 3/8 drive.. I looked on their website and didnt find it.. I'll get the PN when I have a chance.... Its an awesome wrench...

bump...i have the same question and actually had the exact same thing happen to me with my intake bolt and my craftsman wrench.

Are you serious!? I was so pissed off. I had just bought the thing and it didn't click for me and since I didnt know much about inch pounds, I just broke the bolt right in half. I believe it was a Craftsman Microtorq wrench. Needless to say, it is in the trash now and I wont be buying another cradftsman wrench (since torque wrenches are the ONLY handheld tools Sears wont replace for you (lucky me)):bang:

^^^ ok we are up to 3 that had the craftsmen wrech suck. mine broke also

Just go with one of the big 3 and you'll be fine... 90% of all I own is Matco, never had a problem.

Matco
Snap On
Mac

Just go with one of the big 3 and you'll be fine... 90% of all I own is Matco, never had a problem.

Matco
Snap On
Mac

Ok, will do. After this mistake, I've learned that quality is #1, no matter the price. But I thought Craftsman was a pretty good name(not as good as matco or snap on, I know) so I'm surprised to see so many others with the same problem.

Ok, will do. After this mistake, I've learned that quality is #1, no matter the price. But I thought Craftsman was a pretty good name(not as good as matco or snap on, I know) so I'm surprised to see so many others with the same problem.

Craftsman fucking blows... I know there's Craftsman supporters out there but I've had nothing but problems with EVERYTHING Craftsman that I've ever bought. I've had none with Matco or Snap-On...

Snap On or Matco, I usually compare price to how much I like my dealer, i'll pay ten more dollars if the guy isn't a prick when i break something

If you guys have a Craftsman torque wrench with the click function and it malfunctions just tell them you purchased it within the year and in my experience the managers will make an exception. I have been with Sears nearly 3 years and I have seen this with probably 90% of all Torque wrench issues. If the clickers don't work for ya just use the old school bar torque wrench and it DOES have the forever guarantee and it's about $24-30 :) i just wish they made it in Inch lbs :(

Snap On....PERIOD. They are used as the standard across the Aerospace sector.

I almost broke an intake bolt off using my old craftsman in-lb torque wrench when installing my LS6 intake as well. I've used it for years with no issues, and I guess I'm lucky that I "felt" I was pulling more than 44 in-lbs on the first pass. I ended up having to pull the head back into position for each bolt so it could click over... what a pain for 2 passes on 10 bolts. I tossed it in the garbage and am going to buy a snap on to go along with the two other bigger snap ons I already own. As mebuildit said, there is no comparison.

Really?? You broke a 3/8 bolt with an inch lb wrench?? You had to of been hang'n on it??

Intake manifold bolts are a 10mm head and I believe a 6mm shaft. It only takes about 25 lb-ft to snap one off.

Take a look @ CDI . They're a Snap On company (I think they make most of Snap On's torque wrenches) and they hold calibration very well if you remember to set it to zero when not in use . I use CDI and really like them and they're more affordable than Snap On .

Do not try and TQ the intake bolts. More times than not you'll break them. Just snug the bolts down in a pattern, and go back over them making a few passes while tightening them down. Use a small 1/4 ratchet so you dont have a tool that can apply a lot of torque/force.

I use german TQ specs on those. GuudNtite.

I replaced my craftsman torque wrench with a precision instruments (used to partner with snap-on I was told). It's a 1/2 and uses a split beam instead of a spring (available in 3/8 as well). It's all metal and no plastic pieces to break nor springs to wear out. For their 1/4 in lb wrench, it is only available using the spring but I've heard good things about them.

+1 For Snap on tools, especially precision items such as measuring items and torque wrenches. I've got a snap-on clicker 1/4" wrench, 3/8" wrench, 1/2" wrench, and a 3/8" dial snap on wrench. Used them day in/day out with my last shop and now use them at home. Never lost accuracy on any of them.

Before you buy a Matco Look hard at a KD. They are the same thing but about half the price.

Proto makes a good TW!

I vote Snap-On. Look at the Tech Wrench series. It can do in/lbs, ft/lbs, N/m, and Degrees. It costs more, but is basically 4 wrenches in one.

Proto makes a good TW!
x2, Proto tools are of excellent quality.

If you can afford it, buy either Snap-on, FACOM or Britool. If on a budget, Proto is your best friend. Its just a little bit cheaper, but its right up there with all those 3 when it comes to quality.

Did you bother to take your torque wrench for a calibration test before you started using it?

I used a CDI that i borrowed from work to do my intake.It says its a snap on product on the side.It seemed very nice to me.3/8ths drive also

Yep, I picked up a CDI off ebay for like $112 or something. Works/feels great.

I would use a beam type not a click tyde the beam type is much more accurate +- 2%

I am an aircraft mechanic by trade and all we have ever used is snap on. They have a wide selection, are easy to calibrate, and hold calibration well. Things about TQ wrenches you might not know.....

The upper and lower 10% of the torque selection is not accurate
Set the TQ wrench to its lowest setting when not in use.....not as far as it will turn down
A drop from anything more then 3 feet messes up the calibration on most TQ wrenches
Cycle the wrench 6-8 times at its highest value before use
Dial type wrenches are the most accurate

Snap-on sells a wrench with a digital gauge the vibrates and makes an audible tone when the set torque is reached. These are awesome and very accurate. Expensive but worth it.

I am an aircraft mechanic by trade and all we have ever used is snap on. They have a wide selection, are easy to calibrate, and hold calibration well. Things about TQ wrenches you might not know.....

The upper and lower 10% of the torque selection is not accurate
Set the TQ wrench to its lowest setting when not in use.....not as far as it will turn down
A drop from anything more then 3 feet messes up the calibration on most TQ wrenches
Cycle the wrench 6-8 times at its highest value before use
Dial type wrenches are the most accurate

Snap-on sells a wrench with a digital gauge the vibrates and makes an audible tone when the set torque is reached. These are awesome and very accurate. Expensive but worth it.

Also if you use a wrench that is not in the center of your torque value the readings will be inaccurate. Example torquing a fastener to 30 FT LBS with a 250 LB WRENCH. Always use a wrench that is app in the center of its torque range. In my shop i have 2 dozen torque wrenches to satisfy all torque situations. Dial types are the best and snap on makes very good wrenches. But very overpriced. I have snap on torque wrenches and have them calibrated all the time. I also have a torque testing fixture. You cant believe how far off some of these wrenches are.