Dropped $80 on a cheap torque wrench set and it wrecked my head gasket job on a 6.0 Powerstroke last month, now I only use Snap-on for critical fasteners, what's your go-to brand for stuff that has to be dead on?

I figured a budget wrench would be fine for small bolts but it clicked way early and I torqued one side to 90 and the other to 120, any tips for checking if a used Snap-on is legit before buying?

2 comments

2 Comments

ruby2903d ago

Hold on, I gotta push back on this. Spending $80 on a torque wrench isn't exactly "budget" territory, that's a mid range price. The problem isn't the brand, it's that you didn't test it before the job. Every torque wrench, even a Snap On, can drift out of spec if it gets dropped or used wrong. You can grab a used Snap On for cheap but how do you know it hasn't been knocked around on someone's shop floor for years? Get yourself a new beam style wrench for like $40 at a parts store, they're simple and almost never break. Test whatever you buy against a known good one first, that's the real tip.

aaronf403d ago

@ruby290 might be onto something about testing gear first, but $80 is definitely budget territory for a torque wrench set that's supposed to go near a 6.0 Powerstroke. For checking used Snap-on, look for the calibration sticker and feel the ratcheting mechanism for any rough spots before you hand over cash. Beam wrenches are solid for peace of mind but they're a pain to read in tight engine bays where you can't see the scale straight on.