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Edited January 4, 2022
at 12:25 PM
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Lowe's has CRAFTSMAN torque wrenches on sale for $49.98. Shipping is free.
CRAFTSMAN 3/8-in Drive Click Torque Wrench (20-ft lb to 100-ft lb)
https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMA...1000772356
CRAFTSMAN 1/2-in Drive Click Torque Wrench (50-ft lb to 250-ft lb)
https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMA...1000772366
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Amazon has been price matching them off and on too. https://slickdeals.net/f/15373855-craftsman-torque-wrench-sae-1-2-inch-drive-50-ft-lb-to-250-ft-lb-cmmt99434-amazon-49-98?v=1&src=Site
So now Amazon has a decent amount of 'Used' ones in their Warehouse for $45.
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Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank nottrollin
Amazon has been price matching them off and on too. https://slickdeals.net/f/15373855-craftsman-torque-wrench-sae-1-2-inch-drive-50-ft-lb-to-250-ft-lb-cmmt99434-amazon-49-98?v=1&src=Site
So now Amazon has a decent amount of 'Used' ones in their Warehouse for $45.
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank nottrollin
I always drive to the local AutoZone store and borrow their wrench to torque down the lug nuts (my car requires 170ft/lbs, which is more than my torque wrench can do).
But, the top reviews on Amazon all mention the same problem: it won't click when the desired torque is achieved. That's very concerning.
im not sure of any that are lifetime, kobalt is 1 year and they are lifetime for all their hand tools
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For a budget torque wrench, I think Husky, Craftsman, and Tekton are roughly equivalent. Personally, I'd stay away from the Harbor Freight options and spend just a little more on one of these.
Only thing I wish he had done was test at the top and bottom of the torque range, instead of only at 50 ft-lbs
He did test the top range and he also tested after a thousand clicks that separated the wheat from the chaff for consistency.
For consistent accuracy, if you are consistently torquing at 20 to 100lbs, the 3/8 is a better choice, If you are consistently torquing from 0 to 40 or 50lbs, then the 1/4" is a better choice that is typically in inch/lbs.
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Meanwhile, if just torquing lug nuts on a vehicle, this Craftsman is fine. You are not going to be stretching the studs with plus or minus 4%. Where torque is critical, such as rebuilding engines, small or large, something a little more accurate and in the right size would be a good choice.
You can re-calibrate any of these 'click' models and should do so as per specs, or at least know the 'consistent' percentage off and adjust accordingly.
None have ever had a viable lifetime warranty for calibration. Some of the foreign sellers will quote 'lifetime warranty,' but if they are even around, the cost to ship to China will cost more than the wrench is worth.
Many auto stores have a torque meter to check accuracy. If you don't want to re-calibrate as per specs that is not difficult, then at least know the percentage off to compensate. Besides accuracy, consistency is what you want. The junk ones will never be consistent and a waste of time to try.
We have SnapOn and Proto that are probably older than many here, but I would not hesitate to buy these Craftsman for general usage.
I always drive to the local AutoZone store and borrow their wrench to torque down the lug nuts (my car requires 170ft/lbs, which is more than my torque wrench can do).
But, the top reviews on Amazon all mention the same problem: it won't click when the desired torque is achieved. That's very concerning.
How does borrowing tools from autozone works?