Torque wrench

[Shiny16]

If you were going to get a 1/2 drive torque wrench for Christmas which one would you want. It’s only use would be for the Airstreams lugnuts.

[rmkrum]

Originally Posted by Shiny16

If you were going to get a 1/2 drive torque wrench for Christmas which one would you want. It’s only use would be for the Airstreams lugnuts.

One that goes up to 150 foot-pounds. Craftsman, Harbor Freight, darn near anyone make decent click-type torque wrenches.

Just be sure to slack it off to 30 foot-pounds or less when not in use to preserve the spring and calibration.

[Shiny16]

Thanks,

[brokeboater]

For lug nuts just about any will do. I will say pick one with the numbers stamped in metal rather than plastic. I find eventually the plastic ones become unreadable. I inherited a Husky 1/2" 50-250# with my last Airstream purchase and it's darned nice. $50.

[Too tall]

Precision Instruments 1/2" 40-250 ft-lbs. Split-Beam Torque Wrench C3FR250F

I've had one of the above for two years. You do not have to return the wrench to zero.

[brokeboater]

Originally Posted by Too tall

C3FR250F

Seem a bit of an overkill for a dedicated trailer lug nut torque wrench.

[LilPeanut]

A long one. For some reason they make shorter ones that have high torque. The longer the better I say. And one with a bottle opener on the end for when you are done.

[djb75]

Harbor Freight - but wait until they go on sale or have one of their "20% Off Anything" coupons. They are my source for any tool that has to be "good enough" but won't see heavy use. Their sale prices are low enough that I have been able to afford one that is primarily used for lug nuts and one that goes up to 300 ft-lbs that is solely for adjusting/checking the hitch.

[Mollysdad]

Mine came from Harbor Freight.
I'm too lazy, and it's too hard to read to slack off every time, so it will just stay at 100.
Someday, I'll splurge for the digital Harbor Freight torque wrench.

And while you're at HF, get a breaker bar also, don't use a torque wrench to loosen nuts.

BTW, using a torque wrench AT ALL on lug nuts was a novelty until I joined this site. Most tire shops use an air gun to tighten lug nuts, "Bbrrrrp" Done.

[Too tall]

Originally Posted by brokeboater

Seem a bit of an overkill for a dedicated trailer lug nut torque wrench.

We use it for pickup softball games too. Dual purpose.

[Adventure.AS]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

Mine came from Harbor Freight.
I'm too lazy, and it's too hard to read to slack off every time, so it will just stay at 100.

It won't take long before it is no longer tightening to 100 lb/ft if you leave it under tension.

[brokeboater]

Originally Posted by Too tall

We use it for pickup softball games too. Dual purpose.

Well... all right then.

[jcl]

A traditional beam type, not a split beam. Dual calibration in English and metric. Pivoting grip for better accuracy. No click style unless your eyesight is poor, or you otherwise have difficulty reading a torque wrench. If it is worth getting out the torque wrench it is worth getting the desired torque IMO.

[A W Warn]

Harbor Freight is what I settled on. I keep it in my truck (tow vehicle) at all times because it also checks torque when I rotate those tires.
https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-...nch-63882.html
Setting to "0" when not in use will keep it accurate.
Don't use it for loosening or tightening. It's job is to check tightness that is done with a different wrench.

I have a beam type too, but after decades of use it does not return to the "0" mark on the indicator.

[blkmagikca]

Originally Posted by too tall

precision instruments 1/2" 40-250 ft-lbs. Split-beam torque wrench c3fr250f

i've had one of the above for two years. You do not have to return the wrench to zero.

x 2

[Shiny16]

Thanks guys.

[Caffeinated]

Originally Posted by Too tall

Precision Instruments 1/2" 40-250 ft-lbs. Split-Beam Torque Wrench C3FR250F

I've had one of the above for two years. You do not have to return the wrench to zero.

This is the one. Precision instruments makes this exact wrench for Snap-On. Snap-On sells it for five or six hundred bucks. You can get exactly the same thing for about $150.00 on Amazon from Precision instruments. It comes calibrated, and does not need to be reset to zero every time. I learned about this wrench from School Bus diesel mechanics in Beaverton OR. I’ve had mine for almost two years now. It’s a great wrench.

Mike

[JayTheCPA]

I stopped using Crafstman torque wrenches. Had one go bad while sitting. Same thing for the second. Both of them were mostly used for lug nuts during tire rotation and un-wound when not in use. Helping the decision to stop was that torque wrenches do not fall in Craftsman's unlimited warranty category.

I forget the replacement make, but I went to the 'jungle' and got a more expensive wrench than the Craftsman and it is lasting longer than either of its predecessors.

[tjdonahoe]

Napa...snap on..

[SandKSmith]

I’ve got a Craftsman that’s nearly 50 years old. Had it calibrated locally (Phoenix $35) and all is well. I always put it back tp “0” when finished.
Steve