Need a new torque screw driver

[OldWalt]

I don't trust digital torque wrenches. I've been eyeballing the Capri Tools CP21075 for my next, I like the 1 lbs increments. Wheeler Fat Wrench has worked well for me. Always bottomed out after use. Treated well - never dropped. There is always a better way though.

 

[Retired shooter]

https://www.brownells.com/tools-cleaning/general-gunsmith-tools/wrenches/pro-torque-wrench/
Saw this one and it has Vortex’s life time VIP warranty.

The Vortex is in my range bag, but the bit storage holder was not included at the time. To big for the range bag anyway. Milwaukee makes a great set of bits in a small flip case.

To all a Maaaaveelos Monday.

 

[Oklahoma Jim]

I have a Vortex and I like it.

 

[Retired shooter]

Another Vortex plus. Veteran discount.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Another Vortex plus. Veteran discount.

I have used their hassle free warranty three times now on binoculars. One was a few melted lens parts from a pickup fire accident that were sent in for a free replacement.

 

[Big Mc]

I’ve got an older version of this. It works good and can do any amount between the min and max.

BORKA TOOLS MILITARY GRADE- ADJUSTABLE TORQUE DRIVER KIT- #BTK-G6

Also have fix it sticks which is fine as long as you have the limiter that you need at the time I guess.

Had mine for years. Tommy .The guy who designed it is a PhD. good for me..

 

[Retired shooter]

Had mine for years. Tommy .The guy who designed it is a PhD. good for me..

For that kind of money it ought to torque itself & serve you a cold drink at the same time. But the government will think they got a good deal.

 

[M-61]

“Military Grade”. What exactly does that mean?

 

[Big Mc]

“Military Grade”. What exactly does that mean?

You paid to much..

 

[Big Mc]

For that kind of money it ought to torque itself & serve you a cold drink at the same time. But the government will think they got a good deal.

Buy cheap get cheap.

 

[amiabledave]

This is what I use. 8 to 40 in. Lbs. Works fine - last a long time
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-8...ectronic-Torque-Screwdriver-H4DETSD/320878881

 

[Thauglor]

Did manage to get it to adjust again but did a test of trying to torque a screw in an front rifle rest that weighed in at 20 lbs with the fat wrench set at 15lbs and the rest spun around on the table repeatedly without the Fat wrench clicking as if the rest weighed nothing so I no loner trust the inch-pound settings and are not willing to find out if they are good or not by damaging a scope.

That is not a valid test of torque wrench. Also. Just because an item weighs 20 lbs doesn't mean it will take 20 lbs of torque to rotate it...

 

[J.d. Popkes]

Just went to torque down the mounting screws for a MRD on my S&W M&P 4" Performance Center Comp Carry and found my Wheeler Fat Wrench wouldn't adjust up from it's recommended not in use minimal (<5 in/lbs) settings. Did manage to get it to adjust again but did a test of trying to torque a screw in an front rifle rest that weighed in at 20 lbs with the fat wrench set at 15lbs and the rest spun around on the table repeatedly without the Fat wrench clicking as if the rest weighed nothing so I no loner trust the inch-pound settings and are not willing to find out if they are good or not by damaging a scope.

I bought the Wheeler Fat Wrench at least 20 years ago and have been 100% satisfied with it but I know a lot of companies now make in-pound torque screw drivers specifically advertised for firearm use and was wondering if one or two are well regarded as more accurate than most others. In all my years of mounting optics, scope bases and rings I have never needed for than 32 inch-ponds of torque.

So what's out there currently in the under $100 range for a consistently reliably accurate gunsmith inch-pound torque screw driver.

Thread 'Torque tools'

Apr 9, 2025

Used to use the fat wrench, until I got my fix-it-stix

haven’t used the fat wrench in years. Thought I’d put it in my toolbox for taking out shooting so I can test action screw torque. Made me think about if they are within a reasonably similar calibration. They are not. The wheeler tested way off. Vs a proper in/lb ratcheting torque wrench too as well as the fix it stix. As in 15 lbs different. I always returned it to zero after use. So I have multiple fix it stix now and the wheeler is smashed and in the trash can.

Wheeler stuff seems to be consistent junk. T-handles, punches, torque...

• J.d. Popkes
• Replies: 23
• Forum: Gear Talk: What to Buy? and Gear Evaluations

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[M-61]

Did manage to get it to adjust again but did a test of trying to torque a screw in an front rifle rest that weighed in at 20 lbs with the fat wrench set at 15lbs and the rest spun around on the table repeatedly without the Fat wrench clicking as if the rest weighed nothing so I no loner trust the inch-pound settings and are not willing to find out if they are good or not by damaging a scope.

That’s not the way a torque wrench works therefore your test is not appropriate for torque wrenchs .
I like beam torque wrenches. But they must be like a Sturtevant type handle with an ‘axle’ type pivot in middle of the handle. This is where it is held to insure the distance is exact. Sort of a balancing act but it is imperative to ensure an accurate reading. Although I’ve never read it, I don’t think a beam type ever gets or needs recalibration.
Probably the most misunderstood item is torque reduction. There are many charts that give the percentage of reduction needed based on whatever you’ve put on the threads of the fastener you are using. I’ve seen many fasteners with a stated torque amount but they don’t say what that rating is based on. Totally dry and clean?
Some lubricants actually require as much as a 50% reduction. Even spit is different than totally dry. The only true fastener measurement is ‘stretch’ of the bolt. However it is a measurement that is impractical to use in most applications.

 

[Doug Casner]

I wore one fat wrench out. Got another . Works fine for me. Im not a gunsmith. Doug

 

[divingin]

I use the Wheeler T handle that has the preset torque modules. I don't need anything more precise for any of my stuff but I do still have my yellow Fat Wrench as the OP described and it still works fine after a lot of years of use.

Just saw that set last weekend (someone else's.) Looked pretty handy. Not sure what the quality of the bits are, but they're largely consumable anyway.

I do like my Fix-it Stick set though. I got the variable up-to-65 in-lb indicator. Not terribly accurate, but does what I need.

 

[M-61]

I wore one fat wrench out. Got another . Works fine for me. Im not a gunsmith. Doug

How did it wear out?

 

[Doug Casner]

If I remember right, it got to where you couldnt turn the torque adjustment. Thats been a long tiime ago so dont quote me on that. Doug

 

[Rat44]

“Military Grade”. What exactly does that mean?

The lowest bidder.
I was involved in the testing of the HMMV for the Army.
The cheapest one won,Not the best one.

 

[M-61]

The lowest bidder.
I was involved in the testing of the HMMV for the Army.
The cheapest one won,Not the best one.

100% correct. When I see that statement printed on anything I’m out.