3/8" torque wrenches?

[corndogggy]

If you were to buy one, where would you go and what kind would you get? I was shocked to see that a Craftsman is $80. I paid $40 for my Craftsman 1/2" not that long ago, brand new.

[killinmammals]

I'd go craftsman, thats what all of my tools are...were before most were stolen. For the warranty on handtools you can't beat it, and I think torque wrenchs are a year. Better than payin a couple hundred for a snapon

[RDF]

Sometimes you can find a deal on Ebay for a Snap-on or Mac.

[Buford]

Ive gotten some great tools on ebay. Unfortunately Im afraid some of them may have belonged to separated spouses if you know what I mean. :cool:
If any of your all's exes don't know where your brand new Paslode nailer is I dont know anything about it.:rolleyes:

[treerat]

3/8 is always higher,,,i would go snapon

[Scott7m]

I'll say this......... since the beginning of the year, we have broke 3 craftsman 3/8" ratchets......... i can get them all replaced at sears but still.. thats nuts..

there are a lot of good tool companies out there........ SK makes excellent ratchets.. snap on's are good , i have a pile of them, but i'm not so sure there worth the extra

[turkeytalker]

I'll say this......... since the beginning of the year, we have broke 3 craftsman 3/8" ratchets......... i can get them all replaced at sears but still.. thats nuts..

there are a lot of good tool companies out there........ SK makes excellent ratchets.. snap on's are good , i have a pile of them, but i'm not so sure there worth the extra


Craftsman SHOULD have a lifetime warranty,because rarely can i get a ratchet to last 1yr.

[killinmammals]

Craftsman SHOULD have a lifetime warranty,because rarely can i get a ratchet to last 1yr.
there is only one torque wrench that carries a lifetime warranty, all the more expensive only carry a year. There are a few tools that used to have a lifetime warranty, that all of the sudden don't...which is bs. I still have packages for a couple so I got lucky when I went to swap out, they asked for the packages when I traded tools out and I laughed at them and said hell no. I worked in power/hand tools at a sears for 3 1/2 years. I have never had any trouble out of ratchets...and believe me, I have had 1/2" ratchets cranked down with 5 foot cheaters on suspension on big trucks with 2 200lb+ guys...somehow those held up..don't know how:confused::D

[turkeytalker]

there is only one torque wrench that carries a lifetime warranty, all the more expensive only carry a year. There are a few tools that used to have a lifetime warranty, that all of the sudden don't...which is bs. I still have packages for a couple so I got lucky when I went to swap out, they asked for the packages when I traded tools out and I laughed at them and said hell no. I worked in power/hand tools at a sears for 3 1/2 years. I have never had any trouble out of ratchets...and believe me, I have had 1/2" ratchets cranked down with 5 foot cheaters on suspension on big trucks with 2 200lb+ guys...somehow those held up..don't know how:confused::D


Thats funny in my line of work we call craftsman ratchets knuckle busters.:D

[killinmammals]

Thats funny in my line of work we call craftsman ratchets knuckle busters.:D
haha...I have a few scars from them:D

[th5isback5]

stick with the craftsman, It probally higher because more people buy them. 3/8 drive is the common drive used. More tools broken more have to be replaced the higher priced it is. Just my theroy

[Auk1124]

An old diesel mechanic I knew when I was a kid swore by Mac hand tools, but I've never owned any of them. I don't even know if Mac still exists.

What do the mechanical types on here think of the "Kobalt" tools at Lowes? How about the "AmPro" tools at Advance Auto? I think both of those have lifetime warranties, and are easier to find than Snap-On or SuperKrome, but both are kinda pricy if they are just ordinary junk...

[headoftheholler]

I would have to go with Proto, never failed me.

[redneck1377]

I see snap-on and mac delivery trucks pretty often

[corndogggy]

Ok, I need to rephrase my question...

What kind of tool do I need if I need to tighten a header bolt to 25 ft/lbs, but the pipe coming out of that engine port is so close that I cannot even get a short socket on the bolt??? I can only get an actual wrench on it. I figured I'd have trouble with my 1/2" setup but I cannot even get a small 3/8" socket on there, much less a socket on my rachet, even though it's low profile.

[killinmammals]

so is the wall of the socket to thick to fit in the space or is the space between the nut and something on top of it a problem? I don't know why I'm confused. If it is the first, there are thin wall sockets. Or you could just use a ratcheting wrench..:confused:

[killinmammals]

nevermind...I re-read your post...try a ratcheting wrench..those things have saved me many a time when in a tight spot

[corndogggy]

I can use a normal wrench, just didn't know how to torque it. I guess I'll just tighten a bolt on my bumper or something to 25 ft/lbs then get a feel as to how tight that is if using an open ended wrench, then try to mimick that tightness on the header. I don't know what else to do. I thought I'd have more room than this.

[treerat]

all the years i was in the field,,,i could pretty well tell by the feel,,,but i did use a torque wrench,,,,,most of the time i would be pretty close,,,,i have never been critical on torque specs unless it involved headgaskets,,,i would just pull until my elbow clicked and i was there,,,,

[drakeshooter]

Harbor Freight. We use these same ones in our shop and I've sent back a few of these and they warranty them for life.

http://search.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/web/search.do?keyword=torque+wrench

[shot'm&hook'm]

Sorry but I would go with a smaller name like Kobalt cause they are made by the same people as snap-on and no matter what kind of torque wrench you by it only has a 90 day waranty on it! trust me I know I just had to by a new 1/2 in. drive one because my old Crafstman broke and it was onlt a year old and they wouldn't replace it! Kolbalts are great tools and they are cheaper than those "better brands" that it what I went with!

[shot'm&hook'm]

I read the rest of the post. I too wouldn't worry about the torque spec. unless it is something like a head gasket, main or rod caps, or something of that sort. with an open end wreanch just use common sence tighten till its tight but don't try to tighten it so tight that it strips something out! With a header gasket it will be prone to leakeing anyway so a little extra wont hurt!

[C.L.Button]

Snap On !!! You get what you pay for.

IF you earn your living with them, you know what I mean. ;)

[keith meador]

Ok, I need to rephrase my question...

What kind of tool do I need if I need to tighten a header bolt to 25 ft/lbs, but the pipe coming out of that engine port is so close that I cannot even get a short socket on the bolt??? I can only get an actual wrench on it. I figured I'd have trouble with my 1/2" setup but I cannot even get a small 3/8" socket on there, much less a socket on my rachet, even though it's low profile.

do you have access to a crows foot, or dogbone? they can get you into spots that are tight....you still need the torque wrench, and will need to figure the torque if you cannot use the dogbone or crows foot at 90* to the head of the torque wrench.