torque wrench

jconcepcion4g63 · Jun 30, 2013

Hello every one! Thanks for reading.

I have researched and read here and on google about torque wrenches for engine builds. There seems to be no threads with a definitive yes or no about using a crafstman or kobalt torque wrench on engine builds for stuff like - main caps, rods, head studs, cam caps etc etc..

My question is just that. Does anyone have any experience with engine builds with craftsman or kobalt torque wrenches? Would you suggest either of them?

1990dsmkid · Jun 30, 2013

I honestly dont have any experience but I dont see there being much of a difference and I plan on using my craftsman torque wrench when I do my engine build

jconcepcion4g63 · Jun 30, 2013

thank you for the reply.

I am just wondering because I have alot of money tied up into this build and I do not want it to blow on first start because I used a crafstman/kobalt wrench instead of a snap on .

1990dsmkid · Jun 30, 2013

You should be fine. Most average people cant afford snap on and I bet lot of mechanics that just start off use what they can. I also dont see craftsmen with as big of a company as it is, producing shit tools. Ive always used craftsmen and have never had a problem before but if you dont feel comfortable then you could always go and buy a "better" torque wrench. Goodluck

Twinturbo120 · Jun 30, 2013

Check this one out http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/ven...48-digital-torque-wrench-holiday-special.html

Lots of people from here use them and vouch for them. I have one aswell, works great!

gusu · Jun 30, 2013

Craftsman sucks all around, they even have a taiwanese line of tools now. They are cheap at every corner, and there is no arguing this if you KNOW how tools are made.

Snap On can be pretty terrible about honoring their warranties. It really just depends on the driver of the truck, or whoever it is that decides if they are going to cover it or not.

Mac and Cornwell are probably my two favorite companies but you will spend big money on their tools. But with a warranty that is no questions asked no matter how long you have owned the tool it's well worth it.

As for your question though. You are going to get a lot of bullshit answers. I have a friend who does not torque anything to spec and builds motors for people here locally, and I have yet to hear of any of his motors fail for any reason but it's probably because the biggest turbo ran on any of his motors was a T-28 and a Evo 3 B16g.

If you are really worried go with the tool companies that are known to have the highest quality. Quality isn't something that is measured by personal opinions. The US Marine Corps went with Cornwell as their official tools supplier because after years of testing and use Cornwell has proven to be the best tool supplier they have tested.

I wont lie to you, if you went with Cornwell for a torque wrench you'd be looking at 200 bucks or so which is twice as much as Craftsman. However it will last you a life time and you wont have to worry about it's calibration nearly as often (Although all tools should be sent out regularly if they are used often.) as Craftsman.

In my opinion will a Craftsman be good enough for a motor build? Honestly I'd trust one, but just because I'd trust it to do the job does not mean I would ever actually do it. With the money and time invested in a new motor I don't see the point in not spending the extra 100 bucks to KNOW it is as close to spec as possible.

donniekak · Jun 30, 2013

Take it to a machine shop, and have the calibration tested/adjusted.

pagosa dsm · Jun 30, 2013

gusu said:
Craftsman sucks all around, they even have a taiwanese line of tools now. They are cheap at every corner, and there is no arguing this if you KNOW how tools are made.

Snap On can be pretty terrible about honoring their warranties. It really just depends on the driver of the truck, or whoever it is that decides if they are going to cover it or not.

Mac and Cornwell are probably my two favorite companies but you will spend big money on their tools. But with a warranty that is no questions asked no matter how long you have owned the tool it's well worth it.

As for your question though. You are going to get a lot of bullshit answers. I have a friend who does not torque anything to spec and builds motors for people here locally, and I have yet to hear of any of his motors fail for any reason but it's probably because the biggest turbo ran on any of his motors was a T-28 and a Evo 3 B16g.

If you are really worried go with the tool companies that are known to have the highest quality. Quality isn't something that is measured by personal opinions. The US Marine Corps went with Cornwell as their official tools supplier because after years of testing and use Cornwell has proven to be the best tool supplier they have tested.

I wont lie to you, if you went with Cornwell for a torque wrench you'd be looking at 200 bucks or so which is twice as much as Craftsman. However it will last you a life time and you wont have to worry about it's calibration nearly as often (Although all tools should be sent out regularly if they are used often.) as Craftsman.

In my opinion will a Craftsman be good enough for a motor build? Honestly I'd trust one, but just because I'd trust it to do the job does not mean I would ever actually do it. With the money and time invested in a new motor I don't see the point in not spending the extra 100 bucks to KNOW it is as close to spec as possible.

I have been a mobile tool dealer for 34 years.
Sears- Craftsmen buys from different manufactures, they don't make anything. So It can very from time to time.

Snap-on bought a company years ago, CDI. They are a very good company. They use to buy from Precision Instruments.

Mac Tools buys from Proto tool, a sister company. Both are owned by Stanley Works. I very good torque wrench

Cornwell does not make torque wrenchs. If you give me a part # I can tell you the manufacture.

Matco does not make torque wrenchs, I think they get torque wrench from Central , a sister company. Both are owned from Danaher.

As for the military, It is lowest bid and delivery.

For the money and Quality and price buy a American made beam type torque wrench. KD/ Central makes a good one. Every torque wrench is based on a beam.
I could say almost every machine shop can not calibrate a torque wrench.
Rick

jconcepcion4g63 · Jun 30, 2013

Thanks everyone for the replys. Lots of help!! :hellyeah:

Firsts tuner · Jul 1, 2013

I have 2 gearwrench brand and 1 snap on branded t/w. All three have to be sent in every four months for calibration. They've never been returned with a red tag saying they were out of wack even after I dropped one from the top of an Apache helicopter. We have to buy our own tools as contractors and I've seen everything from bargain bin Craftsman to the 1200 Snap on digital. Like someone mentioned look at the calibration card that will come with it and take it to a shop for verification. Stay away from the off the shelf wrenches at autozone and other places. They're no better than harbor freight. Like mentioned most machine shops wont do it but they be able to give you a number to a place that do. Or you can try theese guys heres a link to their website. They're in toledo not far from Tiffin. http://www.actionscale.com/

BogusSVO · Jul 1, 2013

Torque wrenches....

I have a few...

For Craftsman,($75) my 1/2 is about 8 years old, I just had the calibration checked at MountzPro
Automotive Torque Wrenches | MountzPro

It fell with in spec of +/- 2%

My first good torque wrench was a Matco I bought back in 1993,($250) it lasted me about 10 years untill a spring inside failed in mid build, so I ran to Sears and bought a Craftsman

The Lock ring cracked on the Craftsman, so I did not trust it, I needed another torque wrench, So I had Napa deliver me an Everlast torque wrench, That one lasted a year or so and the spring failed.

A year and a half ago, I bought the Brownline Metal Works Torque wrench ($100) Great torque wrench, The only down side is it goes through the 3 AA batteries fairly quick, IMHO,
It flashes and beeps when you hit your setting.

So I use the BLMW torque wrench as my primary for building, if the batteries go dead, Ill go to the craftsman.

Now most 1/2 will not go to a low enough setting for stock rod bolts. So having a 3/8 drive torque wrench is needed.

952g63t · Jul 1, 2013

Lately I have been growing to like Husky tools. I use a Husky torque wrench with the snap lock adjustment. For the $, its pretty good.

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