GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

What drive size and kind should I get?

1/2 inch reading foot pounds. I prefer the click type that indicates the value is achieved by clicking.What brand? any major brand, Sears is always a reliable choice.Remember to ALWAYS reset the wrench to zero after use to maintain accuracy.Dave

Quote, originally posted by djkeev »1/2 inch reading foot pounds. I prefer the click type that indicates the value is achieved by clicking.What brand? any major brand, Sears is always a reliable choice.Remember to ALWAYS reset the wrench to zero after use to maintain accuracy.Exactly what he said! I've got one, can't remember the brand off the top of my head but it works. 1/2" drive. It even came with a QC test torque accuracy sheet with hand written figures.Oh, and read the instructions for the thing as well... yes it's not hard to use but still...

I like the click-stop type too. Although they aren't them most accurate (but close enough for MOST), you can usually find the on sale at http://harborfreight.com for a decent price.

Thanks!

i prefer a beam torque where it shows true readings instead of trusting in a click. though the click is dummy proof

No tool is, no matter how simple and clearly easy to use and read, dummy proof! Unless of course you're beating the dummy with said tool....

And the beam torque wrench is less expensive I think.

Quote, originally posted by lovemyraffe »I like the click-stop type too. Although they aren't them most accurate (but close enough for MOST)..........No torque wrench is accurate. Torque is a horribly inefficient way of measuring fastener stretch. Torque poorly measures turning friction of fasteners. Sadly, for low cost, it's currently the best available system available for the masses.Dave

Im usen the harbor freight 1/2 drive click type also,think it was $20.00 on sale.

Beams are cheaper but less accurate. The problem, as I see it with any direct read, whether beam or dial is that seeing the scale and reading it accurately while tightening lug nuts is usually not an easy task. I've had a very nice Craftsman ratcheting click type I have used for nearly 30 yrs now... I thinki it was around $45 then including the case. I wouldn't trade it for lug nut and other less critical use. Though a dial read is my preference for engine work.

Ive heard the closer you can get to the ft-lbs you wanna use the better, so if your buying only for wheels perhaps a clicker type of 100 or 150 ft-lbs max would be best. either one a 3/8" or 1/2" drive should be equally useful.

Picked up a Craftsman 1/2 drive 25-150 lbs wrench today.I cashed in points from my credit card and used it to get a Sears card (10% off!). Also picked up a floor jack and jack stands.Now I need to get some new front rotors for my Civic and get rid of that pulsing.

^^ you missed the fathers day sale all of their torque wrenches on sale for 50 bucks each.the 1/2, 3/8, 1/4

I have both the dial/beam style and the "digitorque" style. Both Craftsman from 25 years ago and excellent tools. Haven't used either of them in a while. When it comes to tires & such, nothing beats my old CP impact wrench set @ 80 psi. Although it is not the recommended way to torque down things, it works for me and millions of garages out there

Quote, originally posted by keithvibe »^^ you missed the fathers day sale all of their torque wrenches on sale for 50 bucks each.the 1/2, 3/8, 1/4 Figures! Two steps forward and I don't know how many back. At least I got some savings on the cards and they also gave me a $10 gift card because I spent so much.