Grand Moff Joseph Posted November 23, 2007 Report Share Posted November 23, 2007 I'm going to buy s torque wrench tomorrow. What size do I need for most jobs related to Ws? 1/2 inch, or 3/8? Thanks! Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManicMechanic Posted November 23, 2007 Report Share Posted November 23, 2007 3/8ths should do just fine. But either one will work well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian P Posted November 23, 2007 Report Share Posted November 23, 2007 If you have to choose only one, get a 1/2" with ability to adjust between 10 lb/ft and 150 lb/ft. Can't really torque much with 3/8 especially lug nuts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy K Posted November 23, 2007 Report Share Posted November 23, 2007 i disagree. plenty of engine work you need to do with a 3/8. only thing that I can think of that MUSt be 1/2 inch would be lug nuts. chasing the Sears torque wrench huh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted November 23, 2007 Report Share Posted November 23, 2007 the 1/2 prolly has a higher limit, which is good for suspension and lugnuts that require lots of torque. the 3/8 prolly has a lower limit, but prolly has more increments, which is good for precise engine stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy K Posted November 23, 2007 Report Share Posted November 23, 2007 the 1/2 prolly has a higher limit, which is good for suspension and lugnuts that require lots of torque. the 3/8 prolly has a lower limit, but prolly has more increments, which is good for precise engine stuff. agreed, but 100 ft pounds on a lug nut means half my wieght on a 1 foot bar. the engine wrench is most important. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Moff Joseph Posted November 23, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2007 i disagree. plenty of engine work you need to do with a 3/8. only thing that I can think of that MUSt be 1/2 inch would be lug nuts. chasing the Sears torque wrench huh? Yeah, but I can't afford both of them at the same time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpchris Posted November 23, 2007 Report Share Posted November 23, 2007 Get a 1/2 and an adapter that will allow you to use 3/8s sockets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManicMechanic Posted November 23, 2007 Report Share Posted November 23, 2007 What will you be using it for, Joe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Moff Joseph Posted November 23, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2007 What will you be using it for, Joe? Probably for tires (lugs), some brake components, and a few "easy" engine items, such as dogbone bolts, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManicMechanic Posted November 23, 2007 Report Share Posted November 23, 2007 1/2" then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Moff Joseph Posted November 23, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2007 Thanks for the input! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancho Posted November 23, 2007 Report Share Posted November 23, 2007 yea, a 1/2 inch will allow you to do any suspension work wheels, tires, axles, and all that good stuff, the only reason you would need a 3/8 in or one that measures in in/lbs would be for engine rebuilding and such Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1990lumina Posted November 23, 2007 Report Share Posted November 23, 2007 1/2" ...that's what I bought from Sears last winter and it's worked perfect for everything I've used it for. I won't lie though, you use a 1/2" to 3/8" adapter quite a bit with small things..still seems to torque everything properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy K Posted November 23, 2007 Report Share Posted November 23, 2007 crazy k has.............. bought the mid level 10 to 150 lb craftsman 3/8ths wrench. woot!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1138 Posted November 23, 2007 Report Share Posted November 23, 2007 crazy k has.............. bought the mid level 10 to 150 lb craftsman 3/8ths wrench. woot!!!! Two of them, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ismellrealbad Posted November 24, 2007 Report Share Posted November 24, 2007 i say 1/2. make sure you buy it from snap-on so that ur sure to overpay by at least $100 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian P Posted November 24, 2007 Report Share Posted November 24, 2007 i disagree. plenty of engine work you need to do with a 3/8. only thing that I can think of that MUSt be 1/2 inch would be lug nuts. chasing the Sears torque wrench huh? Yes, like others I have a 1/2 to 3/8 adapter and have used my 1/2" TQ wrench on many engines. 3/8 may be easier to maneuver in some spots, but it does work, and mine drops to 10 lb/ft and a touch below. So as I said, if only one has to be chosen, get the 1/2" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancho Posted November 24, 2007 Report Share Posted November 24, 2007 However i have to say i was loking at the new craftsman torque wrenches, and they are Plastic at the head... who the hell concieved the idea that to save money plastic should be utilized on a torque wrench that needs to be percisly calibrated... wow, just my rant for the day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robby1870 Posted November 24, 2007 Report Share Posted November 24, 2007 My vote is 1/2" as well. More versatile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy K Posted November 24, 2007 Report Share Posted November 24, 2007 the craftsman 1/2 torqs started at 25 lbs or more already...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AWeb80 Posted November 24, 2007 Report Share Posted November 24, 2007 All My Susp components i hand torque. lol always have with no problems ever. i do torque lugs though. who torques dogbones? hand tighten ftw! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian P Posted November 25, 2007 Report Share Posted November 25, 2007 the craftsman 1/2 torqs started at 25 lbs or more already...... Don't get a Crapsman then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManicMechanic Posted November 25, 2007 Report Share Posted November 25, 2007 All My Susp components i hand torque. lol always have with no problems ever. i do torque lugs though. who torques dogbones? hand tighten ftw! Such a manly man... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AWeb80 Posted November 25, 2007 Report Share Posted November 25, 2007 O Yeah! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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