Need help picking a torque wrench

[dgsbikes]

Hello,

With the help of the DIY threads posted in the DIY section, I am ready to do some maintenance on my 1999 Camry XLE. Well, almost ready that is!! I need to buy some torque wrenches.

Question: I cannot decide between Proto, Armstrong and CDI.

If the price and torque range is similar, which of the above three would be a better purchase?

Armstrong are rated for industrial and government use. They also supply military approved kits but not sure if those are different product lines all together. I know their military tool kits are, but I doubt if the wrenches in the kit are specially manufactured. They may go through extra testing and certification, but they might very well be the same tools (especially the torque wrench) as that for the industrial market.

Proto - Industrial, I don't know. Possibly not! But definitely well received by mechanics.

CDI - It is known that CDI is a snap-on company. But jJust because CDI is a snap-on company does not mean that CDI and Snap-On are both the exact same or at least the same quality products. They might very well be, but I am looking for feedback from someone experienced with these.

So...which one is better over long term, repetitive use (even if DIY) and be a good investment?

If you think I might get better responses in some other forums (that are dedicated to tools), do please point me in that direction.

Thanks.

[uibalnme]

Are you going to be using them on a daily basis? If not, don't get any of those. If they will only be used every once in a while, then find the nearest Harbor Freight Tools, and get a 1/4" drive inch-pound wrench, a 3/8" drive foot-pound wrench, and a 1/2" drive foot-pound wrench. Each can be had for less than $30. I've been using my Harbor Freight torque wrenches. for years, and they've performed well for my needs. No sense going for the big budget tools if you're not going to use them everyday.

If you must have name brand, then anyone of those will be fine.

[dgsbikes]

Originally Posted by uibalnme

Are you going to be using them on a daily basis? If not, don't get any of those. .....find the nearest Harbor Freight Tools....

Thanks for the thoughts and keeping it real.

No I won't be using these every day, but it won't be as sporadic as once a year either.

Between 3 vehicles, ranging between 50K to 180K miles on the odometer, average 60 mpd on 1 vehicle and 25 mpd on the others, I find myself doing quite a basic maintenance myself already.

"Biggies" coming up are transmission fluids, brake rotors, pads and flush, power steering, spark plugs, etc.

Honestly, I gave staying under $100 some serious thought but I wasn't sure if that's good value.

The proto 6062A is about $65 delivered, Armstrong 64-084 is about $85 delivered, 64-085 for about $90 delivered and the CDI 2503MFRMH is about $100 delivered. All either new or mint/sparingly used.

I was thinking of picking the Proto and either of the Armstrong or the CDI. That should give me a good range for about $150 to $160 with quality to boot. So the decision between these and the cheaper "consumer" versions was easy.

What's difficult is to decide between the Armstrong and CDI. And I was kinda looking for some feedback on Proto and see how it stacks up as a brand against the Armstrong and CDI.

But for ~$50 more over two wrenches, I am very inclined to go with the better brands.

[fenixus]

honestly, if you plan working on car on some weekends only then get the cheapest Harbor Freight (Pittsburgh) click-stop wrenches. 3/8'' and 1/2'' drive is more than enough, rest would be a 3/8'' ratchet socket set (metric) plus some other tools for brake job, fuel lines and spark plugs.

$19.99 3/8'' (often at $12.99 promo)
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...Itemnumber=807

$15.99 1/2''
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...Itemnumber=239

Autozone loaner program (all OEM tools included):
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ino...latLanding.jsp

you may also need those for transmission job:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=98229
9 Piece 3/8" and 1/2" Drive Metric Hex Bit Socket Set $14.99

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=95487
4 Piece Swivel Spark Plug Socket Set $12.99

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=99993
5 Piece Metric Double-End Flare Nut Wrench Set

you will likely need also a 2t jack and stands (~$30-50,e.g. in Pep Boys, HFT or Sears)

[dgsbikes]

I will take a look at the harbor freight tools.

Are they decent enough quality that would last me a while or would they start losing their accuracy pretty quick only over a few uses?

Also, what's better - 1/4" and 1/2" drive wrenches with an adapter for 3/8" or getting a dedicated 3/8" drive wrench in the mix?

Thanks.

[fenixus]

I use their tools since like 6 months and i do not see any inaccuracy. best to store click-stop torque wrenches at a zero spring tension (loose handle). if you keep storing them with spring "tight" they my loose its accuracy pretty quickly.
i think you won't need 1/4'' very often ... it would be an overshot unless you plan doing some serious stuff to frame, axle or so quite often.

besides a dedicated 3/8'' (for spark plugs) is better for accuracy (operating 5-80ft-lbs range) which you won't be able to achieve with anything bigger (1/2'' operates in 20-150ft-lbs).

[Chris Crash]

I just got a 3/8" for 11 bucks from harbor freight.

[JohnGD]

Armstrong is a Danaher brand, which also includes Craftsman (cheapest Danaher IMO) and Kobalt. Proto is by Stanley Works. I prefer Stanley-made Craftsman more than Danaher-made Craftsman. Snap-on is beyond my price range.

For < $50 on sale you should get 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" drive from Harbor Freight. For lugs use the 1/2". Try to stay in the middle of the range for the application. For example, lugs 76 lbs use 1/2". 25-40 lbs use 3/8", etc. 1/4" is good for transmission work.

Then you can decide if you want a $300-400 Snap-on torque wrench come Christmas.

If you're a AAA member, look in the magazine for HF ads. For a 20% off single regularly priced item if you don't see the $9.99 3/8" clicker ad and they don't happen to be on sale.

Originally Posted by dgsbikes

I will take a look at the harbor freight tools.

Are they decent enough quality that would last me a while or would they start losing their accuracy pretty quick only over a few uses?

Also, what's better - 1/4" and 1/2" drive wrenches with an adapter for 3/8" or getting a dedicated 3/8" drive wrench in the mix?

Thanks.

[dgsbikes]

Thanks for the posts everyone.

I ended up buying Powerbuilt torque wrenches at local Kragen store because they had a 50% off on Powerbuilt tools.

I got:
* 3/8" Drive 10-80 lbs/ft
* 1/2" Drive 30-150 lbs/ft

I have a brand new unopened 1/4" drive Michigan Industrial Tools 20-200 Lbs/Inch I got from Amazon but I also scored a new Proto 1/4" Drive 40-200 Lbs/Inch on ebay.

The MIT is a better cover from a range standpoint, but the Proto seems to be better quality.

Question: How much would I miss the 20-40 range if I decide to keep the proto and return the MIT to Amazon.

BTW, thanks everyone for talking sense into me. You guys just saved me a bunch of money!