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Re: Click versus beam torque wrench Posted by Larry West [Email]  (#1140)  [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Larry West) on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 09:12:03
In Reply to: Click versus beam torque wrench, steve, Thu, 30 Jul 2009 22:25:41 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
I've never used a beam, I've always used one or another type of "clicker" torque wrench.
There are many instances where reading a beam type is difficult, and even impossible. The clicker will always tell you.
Some of the issues with clickers, though:
1) at low values the click can be very subtle. You have to be very careful, and feel for the click with your fingers.
2) ALWAYS store a click-type torque wrench set to the LOWEST torque on the wrench (the only exception to this may be the Snap-On wrenches which have the little cover over the dial. I think the springs are not set until that is closed)
3) In reference to #1, two torque wrenches are better than one. Don't try to cheap out and get a 250 foot-pounder because once in your life you might need to do an axle nut. Get something "smaller" for the regular jobs, up to lug nuts/bolts, and a bigger one for the axle nut (or rent it when you need it)
4) Never, EVER use a torque wrench (any kind) to loosen a bolt, even if you just installed it with the torque wrench.
I've got, um, four click-type wrenches. A 1/4" drive (calibrated in inch-lbs), a 3/8" drive (inch-lbs), a 150 foot-lb 1/2" drive (foot-lbs), and a 250 foot-lb 1/2" drive (foot-lbs). All but the first are ratcheting. The first two are micrometer-setting, the second pair are the old Craftsman "digitork". Still mechanical, but you read the value directly on a scale rather than interpolating between lines.
I would go with the Craftsman wrench, but if you have a choice between a micrometer set or a "digital-type" (a true digital torque wrench is yet another beast entirely), get the micrometer type. The one thing I don't like about the "digitork" is I get skeptical about the accuracy of the numbers in the little window. I've had one re-calibrated by Sears many years ago.
Ultimately, I aspire to a Snap-On set, but I think that would cost more than I paid for my last Saab!
_______________________________________ Current: 2002 9-5 Aero Kombi Cosmic Blue 2000 9-5 SE sedan, Imola Red 1990 900S Rose Quartz, Auto Past: 1999 9-5 LPT Combi 1999 9-5 LPT sedan 2002 9-5 Arc 1990 900 5-speed 1986 900 turbo Convertible 1991 9000 turbo 1980 99 GLi 1986 900 turbo 1986 900 S 1991 900 turbo 1984 900 turbo 1976 99 GL
, Fri, 31 Jul 2009 09:12:03 <-- Viewing This Message, Mon, 3 Aug 2009 07:17:47, Fri, 31 Jul 2009 11:02:18, Fri, 31 Jul 2009 10:57:24
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