Torque wrench
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From: Shawnee KS USA
Torque wrench
I'm in the market for a torque wrench...as I'm going to change my own oil, etc. I stopped by Sears, & they have a digital 3/8" drive that works w/5-80 ft lbs for $90. I want to get one that is good overall(lug nuts to spark plugs)....is this a wise choice?
Joined: Mar 2001
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If you can afford it, you should get 2 ranges of wrenches. You really shouldn't be trying to crank at the limit of the wrench like you would when you do the lug nuts (80#). Also, using it at the lower end like for the spark plugs (13# by the book) might not be too accurate either. I don't know what it would do its accuracy if you do lug nuts and then crank it down to do spark plugs after that. I have a 1/2" drive torque wrench for lug nuts. 3/8" drive for lugs might not be strong enough, especially if you are going to use it for other cars where lug torques can be over 100#.
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From: Tracy
That's probably a good general-purpose choice.
I have the same torque wrench but with a 1/2" drive. I wish I got the 3/8" drive because the range on mine doesn't go low enough for torquing spark plugs (25-250 lbs). I got mine mainly for torquing lug nuts.
A smaller 3/8" drive might not be accurate enough to properly torque lug nuts since you'd be approaching the upper end of the wrench's limit.
You might want to consider a wrench that's calibrated to in-pounds instead of foot-pounds. It'll be more accurate for smaller jobs like spark plugs and if you can simply diviide/multiply by 12 to convert to/from foot-pounds.
I have the same torque wrench but with a 1/2" drive. I wish I got the 3/8" drive because the range on mine doesn't go low enough for torquing spark plugs (25-250 lbs). I got mine mainly for torquing lug nuts.
A smaller 3/8" drive might not be accurate enough to properly torque lug nuts since you'd be approaching the upper end of the wrench's limit.
You might want to consider a wrench that's calibrated to in-pounds instead of foot-pounds. It'll be more accurate for smaller jobs like spark plugs and if you can simply diviide/multiply by 12 to convert to/from foot-pounds.
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Joined: May 2001
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From: Shawnee KS USA
Well, I picked one up at Lowe's! It's the Kobalt line, which is actually made by Snap-on. 10-100 ft lbs in 1/2 lb increments. Lifetime warranty, & comes w/calibration papers...works like a charm. Thanks for all the advice!
