What's the difference? Tool question.

[9d2TSi]

Alright, I haven't posted a dumb question in a while. So here it goes. I just received my Jeg's catalog in the mail and they have a Lug torque wrench in there for $29.99. That's a nice price for a clicking torque wrench. I like Craftsman tools myself, but $100 for a clicking torque wrench is a bit much for me. Not that I have trouble spending money though....

Here's the question(s).

What's the difference between a lug torque wrench and a regular one?

Is it that the lug one's rated higher than your average one? It (the lug one) goes to 150 ft/lbs.

Is the standard one more sensitive/accurate?

What gives?

 

[CyberEye]

I wouldn't cheap out too much on a torque wrench. A more expensive one is going to be more accurate and hold it's accuracy longer. Where as a cheaper one you'll have to keep getting it calibrated more often, which will end up costing you more, if you want it to be at all usefull.

 

[Defiant]

I've not seen it, but I'd suppose it's made for wheel nuts (duh). Which means it may not be particularly accurate, or its accuracy is more in the 100-ft-lb range than down where you commonly use a torque wrench.

Although not whiz-bang, a simple deflective-bar torque wrench really is hard to beat for accuracy. The trouble is that they can be a nuisance to get a good reading off of. But if a fastener has a "tight" spot, it'll show you as you're tightening.

 

[1LE]

Although not whiz-bang, a simple deflective-bar torque wrench really is hard to beat for accuracy. The trouble is that they can be a nuisance to get a good reading off of. But if a fastener has a "tight" spot, it'll show you as you're tightening.

They're commonly called a "beam type torque wrench" and as long as you have the room to use (and read) them properly, they're superior to the clicking torque wrench. I have both, and practically never use the clicking one. It's just there in case I get into a tight space where I can't fit the beam-type.

 

[9d2TSi]

I've not seen it, but I'd suppose it's made for wheel nuts (duh).

Imagine that...

 

[sojmisa]

if there is one thing i have learned about tools, it is this(few exceptions apply) you get what you pay for.

 

[92redman]

If you just want the torque wrench for lug nuts, that will be fine. Just don't use it to torque your head studs or rod bearing caps.