I want to buy my husband a torque wrench for his birthday. He needs one today but he is going to rent one. I was looking on the internet and I have no clue where to start. I see they come in different sizes!?
Today he is using it to put in the gasket and retighten the head. He asked me to call auto zone and ask if they rent one and told me no bigger than 1/2 inch.
I want him to be able to use it for lots of different things. I think he would mostly use it on the car. So what do I need to look for?
2007-03-20 09:22:19 · 10 answers · asked by Peggy Pirate 6 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Torque wrench's come in 4 basic sizes (referring to the socket required)... 1/4 inch drive, 3/8 inch drive, 1/2 inch drive, and 3/4 inch drive.
1/4 inch drive torque wrench's are used for very small bolts that require very little torque.
(Used the least in the automotive industry)
3/8 inch drive and 1/2 inch drive torque wrench's are the most commonly used in the automotive industry.
3/4 inch drive torque wrench's are used in the Truck/Trailer and Heavy equipment industry. Their are speciality 1 inch drive and larger torque wrench's used in large application repair.
Torque wrench's can be purchased at most automotive supply stores. Such as... Sears, NAPA, Canadian Tire, etc.
Note: If this is only a hobby for your husband... buy a cheap torque wrench. High quality torque wrench's are only needed if you use them day in and day out.
2007-03-20 09:44:49 · answer #1 · answered by Satchmo 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Buying A Torque Wrench
2016-12-16 20:31:46 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Walter. I have a 1/2 inch drive Craftsman click-style wrench that I got a few years ago and it has performed like a champ for six years now. I saw them in my local Sears this morning and they are $75 there as well. I got mine a few years ago on sale for $50. Sears puts tools on sale a lot, so keep an eye out. If you want to buy one right away you can always do a price adjustment within 30 days (I did it this weekend for a mechanics set that I bought from Sears).
This wrench is the model I have and is an excellent tool and pretty inexpensive:
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?pid=00944595000
I would also recommend picking up the plastic case for an additional $8. I don't think they sell them in the store, you'll have to get it on Sears.com. It's there in the Torque Wrenches section of the site.
2007-03-20 09:37:09 · answer #3 · answered by Nick J 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A socket wrench is a crude thank you to tighten a nut and bolt, you do not probable understand how tight you're tightening it. As for a torque wrench, this is going to offer you a level of ways tight the nut and bolt are tightened. The degree is many times foot pounds in step with sq. inch. The torque wrench seems distinctive than a socket wrench it has a demonstrate that shows the tightness on the nut and bolt. i'm hoping this facilitates.
2016-11-27 01:15:08 · answer #4 · answered by fonner 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your husband is not a full time mechanic, I suggest you buy him a not very expensive 1/2 inch torque wrench and an angular gauge to go with the wrench as most cars needs both.
2007-03-20 11:41:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
1/2 in drive is perfect for working on auto's and trucks.There are 2 types...one has a needle that shows the torque you are applying and the 2nd you preset to the torque you want,so when you get to the torque setting you can hear it click.I guess it depends on how much you would like to spend. In my opinion the "click" torque wrench is better.Usually around $125-$250 depending on what name brand you buy.CRAFTSMAN makes a nice one
2007-03-20 09:33:43 · answer #6 · answered by classicfordsforever 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he's a tool freak, you can get him a fancy expensive click or dial type. If not, or you are on a budget, Sears Craftsman beam type, 3/8 inch drive, will fit his sockets. Sears item #00944690000 Mfr. model #44690. $25 bucks. I have been using one for 15 years. Works fine. If it ever breaks, they'll give you a new one. Go to Sears.com, search tools for torque wrenches (he need foot-pounds for cars, not inch-pounds: that's for small stuf flike bicycles).
2007-03-23 15:16:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buy him a Craftsman torque wrench with a half-inch drive. The ones that click are more then adequate. The ones that are electronic are just exorbitantly expensive. Don't buy the beam and pointer types as they are cheap and inaccurate.
2007-03-20 09:28:38 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Snap-on is the best IMO... I've had mine for almost 10 years now. It is 1/2" drive, and is rated in ft. lbs. of torque from 50-250 lbs. It "clicks" when you reach the torque specification that you dial in.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=55265&group_ID=2878&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
That should be all he needs unless he is working on import or newer cars with aluminum heads and such. In that case he will need a good inch-pound torque wrench as well.
Something like this...
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=55250&group_ID=953&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
The craftsman digital readout wrench is junk, I wouldn't waste any money on it.
2007-03-20 09:29:37 · answer #9 · answered by John Boy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1/2" is the biggest he'll ever need. You should buy him a set. 1/2" will be too big for some things, and 3/8" will be too small for others.
2007-03-20 09:32:29 · answer #10 · answered by Nomadd 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋