isthisusernameavailable

.

Midnightdennis

windhund116

My old Snap-On "clicker."

zeroptzero

I've had great success with my Craftsman torque wrenches, never snapped a bolt with them , though I have experienced what you describe with cheaper wrenches. I bought my Craftsman wrenches when they were still made in the USA. The best made tools are always made in the USA IMO, though I realize that they are near impossible to find anymore or people don't want to spend a large amount of money on a torque wrench. Mine should last me for life. Buy the highest quality torque wrench that you can afford , as there is nothing worse than the feeling of snapping a bolt with a bad torque wrench.

That is really odd that you would snap a pcv valve with a 3/8th's torque wrench unless the wrench has a really wide range on it like 0-150 ft lbs ? It must have been a very inaccurate wrench to do that.

With a pcv valve you can do it without a torque wrench, it is much like doing an oil pan bolt, just tighten it until you feel the gasket compress when it is snugged up, you can do it by feel rather than using a torque wrench.

It is always good to own a 3/8ths drive (0-24 ft lbs), and a 1/2 inch drive( 20-200) , they will last longer and be more accurate than trying to use one that goes 0-200 ft lbs. Use the size of wrench that is most appropriate, Also when using a torque wrench on smaller sized bolts tighten them in small stroke increments, back and forth and you should feel it click off accurately, taking longer strokes can sometimes cause them to be less accurate or you loose sensation in the click-off. Lastly, always dial down your wrench after each use, they will last longer that way.

zeroptzero

That should work fine as it isn't a critical bolt, as long as it is snug you will be good, good luck with the new part.

lookstoomuch

Second the need for a "low torque" and "high torque" range. I've got an older Craftsman which I paid good money for which goes up to 22 ft/lbs and then a Harbor Freight 1/2" for the bigger bolts and second that a bit of common sense does need to be applied when using these things. My father in law had a 3/8" harbor freight with a wide range and he snapped several bolts with....took a while but have finally convinced him it was bad.

Not sure what the status is of Craftsman these days, if buying again today for my "low torque" wrench I'd spend some money as that tends to be used in sensitive areas such as water pumps, spark plugs, etc... I also have one of these style as a backup:

Craftsman Beam Torque Wrench (00932999) - Socket Sets - Ace Hardware

Use it in some instances. Good luck

rpg51

I have a 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" Tekton wrenchs. Covers all I need. They seem to be decent wrenches.

Slowcrash_101

You want a "fool proof" wrench get a digital one, you can't beat the precision of a load cell. Then there's the common sense stuff. Torque rating assumes several things, clean threads, no rust or dirt on the mating surface, that the bolt is in good shape etc. A slightly stretched bolt will perform different than a new one. All these things have to be taken into account, manufacturers use a specified torque for ideal conditions, the torque creates a tension between the parts being fastened. Experience teaches you what tension is enough, a torque wrench is a tool to help you achieve that tension, but like most science, assumes a lot of variables that nature may not agree with.

For example for installing head bolts on this engine, the instructions say to make sure the threads are clean, that the bolts are oiled, etc, all to erase as many confounding variables as possible.

Jah2000

CDI

They make the torque wrenches for Snap-On (and Mac too?); but, at a fraction of the price. Kinda like getting a Snap-On torque wrench at-cost or direct.

rpg51

For some jobs torque is really important (installing a head for example). For much jobs you can do it by feel in my opinion. I think these inexpensive wrenches I have are perfectly adequate and for someone who only needs a torque wrench occasionally they suffice.