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GA, USA
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Posted: 6/15/2023 2:44:36 PM EST
Like the title says, I'm in the market for a better torque wrench. The immediate use case is to finish out a long block engine (351C) and install a TKX. Meaning the things like heads and crank are already installed on the block. The parts I need to install call for between 12 and 90ftlb. I'm looking for something that can hit the numbers in that range accurately.
I already have some of the cheap and mid-range asian ones like husky and tekton. From what I see on the youtube tests, these guys have trouble reliably hitting the number they are supposed to hit. The numbers on there are treated more like a suggestion than a setting. Budget wise, I'd like to avoid paying snap-on and matco money if I can avoid it. Is there something decent thats a level or two below snap-on for somebody who wants to do the job right, but doesnt need to do the job all day every day? |
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OK, USA
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Posted: 6/15/2023 5:15:15 PM EST
[#1]
Guess I'm still old school, I'm still using the craftsman beam style torque wrench I bought 30+ years ago, used it on quite a bit of Ford n Chevy engine builds and repairs, couple of bikes and other stuff had to torque to spec.
It still torques pretty close to spec |
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USA
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Posted: 6/15/2023 5:24:18 PM EST
[#2]
I believe these are cheaper than Snap On and possibly the same company that actually makes Snap On.
I think they are part of the same group of companies. Could be wrong on all of that. CDI torque wrenches |
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Posted: 6/15/2023 5:38:44 PM EST
[#3]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By jdtbone: I believe these are cheaper than Snap On and possibly the same company that actually makes Snap On. I think they are part of the same group of companies. Could be wrong on all of that. CDI torque wrenches That is true. Great value with CDI. |
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GA, USA
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Posted: 6/15/2023 7:08:18 PM EST
[#4]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Ndenway1twicetimes: Guess I'm still old school, I'm still using the craftsman beam style torque wrench I bought 30+ years ago, used it on quite a bit of Ford n Chevy engine builds and repairs, couple of bikes and other stuff had to torque to spec. It still torques pretty close to spec If I could still buy an old school craftsman one, I would. They are a completely different company with different products, manufactured in different factories than they used to be. I'm shopping for a torque wrench now, not decades ago. 
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AK, USA
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Posted: 6/16/2023 7:27:51 AM EST
[Last Edit: FrozInAK]
[#5]
Precision Instruments
They make some of Snap On's torque wrenchea |
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GA, USA
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Posted: 6/16/2023 10:15:32 AM EST
[#6]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By FrozInAK: Precision Instruments They make some of Snap On's torque wrenchea I guess I'm asking a little bit too much with the range I need. I'm going through their catalog and don't see any one item that covers 10 and 90ftlb. CDI does have a 10-100 one, but some of the values I need are at the extreme ends of its range. Maybe I have to end up getting 2 different ones. |
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Posted: 6/16/2023 6:03:09 PM EST
[#7]
Just go get a Harbor Freight. No shit, watch the reviews and tests on YouTube.
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Posted: 6/17/2023 9:47:32 AM EST
[#8]
CDI is Snap On.
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Posted: 6/17/2023 3:05:06 PM EST
[#9]
I actually use two different torque wrenches for the range. I use a 1/4” drive inch-pounds for the lower range, and a 3/8” or 1/2” above that. Mine are those cheapy HF units. This lets me hit mid-ish range for each wrench.
My coil packs need to be torqued at 12 ft-lb so so I use the 1/4” set to 144 in-lbs. works for me. |
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Posted: 6/20/2023 9:38:25 AM EST
[#10]
I've been using my digital torque adapter more and more. Turns any wrench or breaker-bar into a torque tool.
Using a long breaker bar saved my arm doing a two-step torque on split rims... 
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GA, USA
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Posted: 6/20/2023 7:47:27 PM EST
[#11]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Mainsail: I've been using my digital torque adapter more and more. Turns any wrench or breaker-bar into a torque tool. Using a long breaker bar saved my arm doing a two-step torque on split rims... I had looked at those. I reckon the downside with that is all the room they require. There probably isn't room for a socket+torque adapter+ratchet in a bunch of the places up under the hood. Things like installing headers onto the block and all the accessories and pulleys on the front of the engine. If I get the torque adapters, I will still end up needing a torque wrench to reach some stuff. |
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Posted: 6/20/2023 8:10:02 PM EST
[Last Edit: eric496]
[#12]
I have both a CDI 1002MFRPH (3/8", 10-100 ft-lb) and a 2503MFRPH (1/2", 30-250 ft-lb) and am happy with them. Yeah, it sounds like you may want two for what you're doing.
Seems like Amazon has the best prices lately. You can usually find used in good condition on ebay if you're pinching pennies and willing to take a chance. ETA: You might end up with an inch-lb wrench is you want 12 ft-lbs to be away from the ends of the range. Maybe a 2502MRPH? |
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NV, USA
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Posted: 6/21/2023 7:40:53 AM EST
[#13]
Snap on quality fee without snap on prices?
Harbor Freight ICON. |
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GA, USA
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Posted: 6/22/2023 1:50:41 PM EST
[#14]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By eric496: I have both a CDI 1002MFRPH (3/8", 10-100 ft-lb) and a 2503MFRPH (1/2", 30-250 ft-lb) and am happy with them. Yeah, it sounds like you may want two for what you're doing. Seems like Amazon has the best prices lately. You can usually find used in good condition on ebay if you're pinching pennies and willing to take a chance. ETA: You might end up with an inch-lb wrench is you want 12 ft-lbs to be away from the ends of the range. Maybe a 2502MRPH? From what I'm reading, that 10-100 one comes with the certificate that its only certified 20-100 anyways. So I'm probably gonna end up with 2. |
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Posted: 6/22/2023 2:26:21 PM EST
[Last Edit: eric496]
[#15]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By giantpune: From what I'm reading, that 10-100 one comes with the certificate that its only certified 20-100 anyways. So I'm probably gonna end up with 2. I never noticed but that is correct. The lowest I remember using it was for 18. Guess a third wrench is on my buy list. I'm curious to have someone test it at 10 sometime. Will have to ask the inspection department at work if they'll do it.  Attached File |
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Posted: 6/22/2023 8:27:03 PM EST
[#16]
I was in the same boat a couple years ago OP, wanting a similar torque range, not Snap-On cost but wanted American-made (or at least no Chinese) and something of good quality.
I ended up with a CDI with a range of 40-250 ft-lbs and a Precision Instruments with a range of 100-600 in-lbs. Between the two, they will handle pretty much anything I'll likely ever need. I went with split beam types for both. I think I had a couple reasons for that, but the only one I can remember offhand is you don't have to worry about removing any tension when not in use; you can leave it set to anything, there is no tension applied until you use it. The only downside is you can only run these in one direction, but that doesn't really worry me. 
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Posted: 6/22/2023 9:42:26 PM EST
[Last Edit: BlackRifle76]
[#17]
I bought a digital Snap-on. It was $630.
5-125 ft lb |
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Posted: 6/22/2023 10:35:12 PM EST
[#18]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By durtychemist: Snap on quality fee without snap on prices? Harbor Freight ICON. for a tiny bit more get USA made CDI (snap-on) as has been said numerous times. |
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Posted: 6/24/2023 11:17:06 AM EST
[#19]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By slappomatt: 100% not this. icon is polished china turd for $139 for a tiny bit more get USA made CDI (snap-on) as has been said numerous times. If it is made in USA, that’s an amazing price. But if you go to the CDI website they have some with the “Made in USA” listed by them, but this model you listed does not have that. |
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Posted: 6/24/2023 11:46:33 AM EST
[#20]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By durtychemist: Snap on quality fee without snap on prices? Harbor Freight ICON. This Countless reviews have confirmed it. The technology is not exactly sophisticated. |
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Posted: 6/24/2023 1:30:46 PM EST
[#21]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By ScottsGT: If it is made in USA, that’s an amazing price. But if you go to the CDI website they have some with the “Made in USA” listed by them, but this model you listed does not have that. I just looked. The two I posted above do not have "Made in USA" in their catalog. Pic of engraving.  Attached File |
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Posted: 6/26/2023 6:10:10 PM EST
[#22]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By eric496: I just looked. The two I posted above do not have "Made in USA" in their catalog. Pic of engraving. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/182397/20230624_142621_jpg-2862453.JPG Cool! |
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GA, USA
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Posted: 7/21/2023 7:50:26 AM EST
[#23]
To cover the low end of my range, I ended up going with a PREC2FR50F 3/8” Drive Split-Beam Flex Ratchet Click Wrench, 10-50 ft.lbs. It looks almost identical to the one @PA452 put a picture of.
The project I'm working on is putting all the stuff back on a rebuilt 351C long block. The lower range one should get me pretty far. I shouldn't come across any bolts that need the higher range until the front crank bolt and the flywheel. The engine is back from the machine shop and my boxes of parts to bolt to the outside of it are starting to come in. Now the fun begins. 
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Posted: 7/21/2023 7:58:23 AM EST
[#24]
OST.
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Posted: 7/21/2023 8:12:03 AM EST
[#25]
CDI
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Posted: 7/21/2023 8:14:18 AM EST
[#26]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By ScottsGT: If it is made in USA, that’s an amazing price. But if you go to the CDI website they have some with the “Made in USA” listed by them, but this model you listed does not have that. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By ScottsGT: Originally Posted By slappomatt: 100% not this. icon is polished china turd for $139 for a tiny bit more get USA made CDI (snap-on) as has been said numerous times. If it is made in USA, that’s an amazing price. But if you go to the CDI website they have some with the “Made in USA” listed by them, but this model you listed does not have that. I got mine from Amazon: 
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WA, USA
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Posted: 7/22/2023 11:12:10 PM EST
[#27]
I have CDI/Snap-On for torque wrenches and torque screwdrivers and they're really great. However, I had to get into Gedore torque screwdrivers because they cover a higher inch pound range than CDI's which only go up to 40 inch pounds.
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Posted: 7/23/2023 12:15:58 AM EST
[#28]
Go hit up a few pawn shops.
I scored a Snap-On 1/2" drive for $75 a few years ago. Never pay asking price at a pawn shop. |
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WA, USA
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Posted: 7/23/2023 12:57:45 PM EST
[#29]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Howlin_Mad: Go hit up a few pawn shops. I scored a Snap-On 1/2" drive for $75 a few years ago. Never pay asking price at a pawn shop. Did you send it in for recalibration? I'd have a hard time trusting a pawn shop torque wrench even though it's a Snap-On. Problem is that once you pay the price for recalibration you might as well have bought a new torque wrench. |
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GA, USA
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Posted: 7/29/2023 1:15:04 PM EST
[#30]
Happy to report the torque wrench appears to have worked. Thanks for the suggestions everybody!
I got my motor back together this week and fired it up this morning for the first time.  351C cam breaking in |
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Posted: 8/17/2023 9:34:11 PM EST
[#31]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By durtychemist: Snap on quality fee without snap on prices? Harbor Freight ICON. |
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MI, USA
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Posted: 8/29/2023 5:37:22 AM EST
[#32]
I picked up this gearwrench digit 3/8 off of amazon for $115 on prime day it is $150ish now but download honey and you can have it email you when the price drops
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AY0JF42/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1 |
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MD, USA
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Posted: 8/30/2023 4:37:21 AM EST
[#33]
Tekton makes some excellent tools: Tekton torque wrenches.
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GA, USA
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Posted: 8/30/2023 6:57:37 PM EST
[#34]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By jmt1991: Tekton makes some excellent tools: Tekton torque wrenches. If you watch the youtube reviews of import twerk wrenches, the tekton does about the worst of all of them. The dial is basically just for show. It really just has a random number generator inside and will click at a different torque value every time.
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Posted: 9/2/2023 11:08:33 PM EST
[#35]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By 556Cliff: Did you send it in for recalibration? I'd have a hard time trusting a pawn shop torque wrench even though it's a Snap-On. Problem is that once you pay the price for recalibration you might as well have bought a new torque wrench. Where I work we get our torque wrenches calibrated for free, sent it in, passes every time. |
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WA, USA
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Posted: 9/16/2023 11:43:49 PM EST
[#36]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Howlin_Mad: Where I work we get our torque wrenches calibrated for free, sent it in, passes every time. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Howlin_Mad: Originally Posted By 556Cliff: Did you send it in for recalibration? I'd have a hard time trusting a pawn shop torque wrench even though it's a Snap-On. Problem is that once you pay the price for recalibration you might as well have bought a new torque wrench. Where I work we get our torque wrenches calibrated for free, sent it in, passes every time. Nice. 
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Posted: 9/19/2023 10:32:39 PM EST
[#37]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By 556Cliff: Nice. I fix helicopters, use torque wrenches pretty much every day. |
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