Good in/lb torque wrench/screwdriver?

[mattri]

Looking for a torque wrench to set scope ring screws and action screws.

Most I've seen are the screwdriver type, which seems handy.

Any suggestions?

 

[bugman]

Check out SK....has a range of 16 to 88 in/lb, includes a calibration certificate, and uses 1/4 inch drive. I have had one for at least 6 years, with no complaints.

Jack

 

[paul223]

I have been using the Fat Wrench of Wheeler Eng from MIdway for 3 years and have no problem with it

 

[Forum Boss]

Here is a very compact tool that has six, pre-set torque values. It can be ordered in different torque ranges.

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2011/04/innovative-borka-torque-setting-driver-belongs-in-your-toolkit/

 

[ddkearney]

Boss, that Borka tool you mention looks pretty slick. Any BR users ever use and care to comment?

 

[mattri]

paul223, have heard that the Fat wrench is inconsistent, have you had any problems with this?

 

[GSRswapandslow]

the harbor freight $9.99 1/4" wrench is as good as you need. I had my metrologist compare mine against our NIST wrenches..and it was within 1-2.5% depending on the tq value..... It's not DEAD on..but that's pretty friggin close, and at $9.99....you just can't beat it

 

[Dgd6mm]

mattri, how did they test the Fat Wrench? I'm curious, I have 1 and it works good, or at least I think it does. I haven't messed anything up yet, and everything I've done with it has shot well and not loosened, stripped, or broke, buggered up, etc.

 

[GSRswapandslow]

i haven't had one tested, but I do know that my buddies was inconsistent after i followed up with my HF wrench.

 

[mattri]

Haven't used the Fat Wrench, just going off reviews. Sounds like the HF model is working well.

 

[GSRswapandslow]

Haven't used the Fat Wrench, just going off reviews. Sounds like the HF model is working well.

It is for me....but, it might NOT for everyone. I have some friends that refuse to trust it, no matter what. Most of them have gone to Seenok individual wrenches....and that's awesome, it's just more money than i have to spend on that right now....or, I would.

 

[Sully2]

I have been using the Fat Wrench of Wheeler Eng from MIdway for 3 years and have no problem with it

Same here...The Fat wrench will cover anything one might need

 

[Scott Harris]

My Fat Wrench broke after some light use. Replaced it with a much more expensive Brownells version and it has worked very well for an extended period of time. The Borka certainly looks like a ingeniously simply solution to the problem.

 

[mattri]

Thanks for the reply. So now we have the Fat Wrench, the HF version and the Snap-On, anything else?

 

[paul223]

paul223, have heard that the Fat wrench is inconsistent, have you had any problems with this?

Mattri, I have not had any problems at all with my Fat Wrench.

Paul

 

[Cakes]

++ on the Borka. I've been using a Borka torque driver for several years and it's been consistent and reliable. If I remember correctly they make a torque driver and a small field version that relies on different pivot pressure points to gain a certain torque. Eric in DL

 

[Dgd6mm]

Buy a snap on, sounds like they are good and better then the wheeler.

 

[Sully2]

I'm a GM tech. I use a torque wrench daily. The difference between any tool is not how it works once but how it will last you. I do not doubt a 9 dollar chinese wrench may test good, but I wouldn't trust it for anything important. If what you are doing is not that critical just do it by hand. If you want precision buy a quality tool. You can get a snap on dial torque wrench for about 100 bucks on ebay, and you will have an American made tool you can have pride in. I wont recommend any chinese made anything.
Alex

Im a retired GE jet engine engineer....BIG Whoop!! I use a lb/in torque wrench to tighten 2-3 screws on the bottom plate; 4 screws on the EGW rails and 8 screws on scope rings. Explain to me why I NEED a $100 Snap On torque wrench to tighten those small amoumt of screws on each rifle...??? When actually the torque isnt CRITICAL on them...but should be at least in the manufactures ballpark.

 

[Sully2]

Buy a snap on, sounds like they are good and better then the wheeler.

Price one first...and if you wish to drop a lot of dough...there are better brands than Snap On...

 

[GSRswapandslow]

and what does being a "GM Tech" have to do with anything???? I'm a validation engineer....does that effect how my tools work?

As for longevity...how you CARE for your tools plays a MUCH MUCH MUCH more important roll in how they last, than the brand they are. In our cases...65in/lb's is pretty much the MOST you'd ever need for anything...and that's just some scope rings...actions at 45-55in/lbs, rails at 15-20in/lbs....these are small amounts of tq....and if you use any tq wrench properly, then you won't wear it out. Now if you don't use one right...and go WELL past the click each time, you put undue stress on the internals and you will toss out the calibration. If you store the wrench on anything more than 0 (or in some cases 20in/lbs...depends on manf's suggestion) then you can throw out the calibration.

And just so you know...snap on is NOT considered to be a precision tool more so than a rugged mechanics tool. Most engine builders won't use them...they'll go by bolt stretch instead.....but you're a GM tech...so you know that, cause changing oil filters requires the utmost precision.