torque wrench.........

[charlie_the_tuna]

so I just picked up a 3/8 clicker type torque wrench from harbor freight, so you know it's a cheapie. I saw at my local ace hardware, a craftsman beam type torque wrench. I love craftsman tool, my entire set of tools is craftsman. never had a problem and if they ever failed I took them right in and they replaced them, no questions. so I need a low to mid range wrench for my new ride as the engine is aluminum and every nut and bolt has specs.
so my question is this...... clicker or beam?? which one do you guys use and why??

[phatdaddy]

Clicker craftsman. Check on line for prices. They are often on sale for half price. Crazy thing is store won t honor online price. So u have to order online and click on pick up in store. The go pick up same tool u just had in your hand.

I have the harbor freight 1/4 inch. Ok but numbers are too hard to read

[spareparts]

I use a craftsman, they've been bought by Stanley. Lowes and Ace Hardware retail them now. Online price seems to be the best way to go. On small stuff, especially aluminum, I use a beam type, that way I know I'm approaching the intended torque. Sometimes it feels like its going to let go, if I don't feel good and its close. I stop. Clicker type works fine at higher inputs. You will probably need a torque angle gauge as well for new stuff with torque to yield bolts, remember to use new bolts every time on TTY.

[oteps]

Beam is more acurate than clicker but harder to use sometimes and doesn't look fancy in your tool box. Just air gun it like everyone else!!?

[Destroyer]

I have a Snap-On 1/2" drive click style that I use for just about everything except things that require inch lbs instead of ft lbs. I have a different click torque wrench for that. But for everything else it's the clicker. Never had a problem with any bolt stripping out a hole. I'm not a fan of beams since a lot of times you are in tight positions and cannot see the bar on the beam accurately. With a clicker you don't need to see anything, just apply pressure till it clicks and you're there.

[charlie_the_tuna]

this is the one I picked up. haven't used it yet so I may bring it back and go with the craftsman beam. with the coupon this one set me back all of $17. bucks with tax. how bad can it be?

https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-drive-click-type-torque-wrench-61276.html

[Destroyer]

how bad can it be?

Scroll down to the negative reviews to answer your question Charlie

https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-drive-click-type-torque-wrench-61276.html

[charlie_the_tuna]

yeah, I saw some of those. I think i'm gonna bring it back and go with the craftsman.

https://www.acehardware.com/departments/tools/hand-tools/wrenches/2300036?x429=true&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gclid=EAIaIQobChMInuW5h-XN3gIVmY2zCh3kYQDhEAQYBCABEgLVK_D_BwE

[bradford]

Off topic, but like everything else craftsman is getting cheap. I bought a couple socket sets for the trawler from Ace and returned them. The Stanley set from Walmart was better quality, more sockets and half the price. Keep in mind Ive run nothing but Craftsman hand tools. Bought a set of Craftsman flare nut wrenches and they were decent.

[cfelton]

I've got an old beam type, used it for many motor rebuilds. Got it from NAPA 40 years ago, its been a good one. We have a three ft. Snap on at work for some of the big stuff I work on in the steel mill, glad I didn't have to buy that one. I have Craftsman, Armstrong, Proto and Snap on tools at home. Most are pretty old but work well. I just broke my Snap on 1/2 inch ratchet at work, busted my arse when it broke. Got it repaired the same day for free. A lot of guys speak highly of the Cobalt tools at Lowes, haven't tried any yet. SK makes some good tools too. You usually get what you pay for!

[Destroyer]

A lot of guys speak highly of the Cobalt tools at Lowes, haven't tried any yet.

I really like the Cobalt line from Lowes. I have a few of their tools and they seem high quality. They feel good in the hand and the finish is superb. Lowes also just took on the Craftsman brand line. Don't know if that will effect the Cobalt line. Hope not.

[cfelton]

Yeah I saw Craftsman tools in Lowes the other day. Sears seems to be struggling with their business. I have all Kenmore appliances in our house, hope they make it through hard times. I've got warranties on everything, hope they continue to honor them.

[Destroyer]

Sears themselves never made anything. Everything was made for them to their specs. Understand, their had some tight specs and so their stuff was really good, just saying they didn't make it.

[wellcraftv20step]

I am becoming a fan of the Cobalt tools myself. Always bought craftsman in the past, I treasure my old craftsman stuff though as I'm willing to bet the quality will be getting cheaper now. Side note, was just telling my least favorite son in law don't ever order anything from lowes! They will disappoint you every time !!!

[Striper80]

Technically a clicker type torque wrench needs to be recalibrated often, where a beam type doesn’t require it.

[spareparts]

if you order anything from sears, put it your cart and leave it for a few days, sears will respond with an email stating your items in cart are now on sale, the longer you leave it there, the cheaper it gets

[scook]

Hah - Spare, you are a genuine treasure - I love it and will definitely try it if the opportunity arises. By the way, did you ever get a chance to look and see if you have an electric choke for my 170 2-barrel carb? If so, let me know how much and I’ll get it done this winter. Thanks

I have a many years old Harbor Freight 1/2” drive clicker torque wrench that seems to agree pretty closely with my son’s Snap-On when I check it but if it’s anything important, I use his. About Harbor freight though, I’ve had good service from a lot of their socket wrench stuff. They have some pretty handy ratchet handles, knurled extensions, etc. and a young diesel mechanic friend said the mechanics in the Cummins shop where he worked all had Snap-On or other top tier brand regular sockets but used Harbor Freight impact sockets - I have a bunch and have never broken one or had it damage a fastener.