Which Torque Wrench do you use?

Solray · June 2017

I was looking at getting a new torque wrench primarily for torquing the battery connection on my bank, The manual calls for 11 inch pounds so one that goes from 20-200 is not an option. I found this one:

and was wondering if anyone here used it in the past and how well it performed for them.

Thanks for your input.

Photowhit · June 2017

I didn't bother with my first large home setup, then borrowed a electricians screwdriver type.

I haven't gone back and done it with my current system.

Solray · June 2017

Thank you for your answer. I decided to get the one I linked. Klein has one but it looks like it's not as well made as this one. Usually Klein is a good brand.
I am surprised that none of the 'experts' use professional tools to do installations or had opinions on them.

Photowhit · July 2017

Solray said:

Thank you for your answer. I decided to get the one I linked. Klein has one but it looks like it's not as well made as this one. Usually Klein is a good brand.
I am surprised that none of the 'experts' use professional tools to do installations or had opinions on them.

I have a lot of tools specific to solar, special crimping tools, mc4 tools. About the best Fluke clamp and multi meters (I wouldn't own the multi meter, but got a deal when I bought the clamp meter). I've watched a lot of electricians, and have yet to see one actually use a torque screw driver or wrench. Most go by feel, but have one around somewhere incase someone asks (like an inspector).

I think good practices and understanding is important. Use antiox and checking the connections the next day (very important with soft stranded wire) As well as an annual 'check up'.

Here's a link that would help support you opinion from those responsible for inspection. It might provide some added information.

http://iaeimagazine.org/magazine/2015/01/15/inspecting-electrical-connections-for-proper-torque/

Solray · July 2017

The manufacturer recommends annual re-torque at 75% of the original torque.
I have most of the tools from projects over the years as well. A select few I have bought new recently for specific needs as they arise.
Most people do not use a torque wrench for anything, I chose to use them for most things. I even torque lug nuts on my wheels which is not common anywhere but the very best tire shops.

On connections I have always used Lear products corrosion block grease or spray depending on the location.

Image: https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71fi1ktiBhL._SL1500_.jpg

mcgivor · July 2017

During my career as an electrican I did use a torque wrench especially on larger distribution terminals and lugs, re torque is essential on aluminum cable which displaces over time, the reason there were so many house fires associated with its use in the past, not withstanding oxidation. Copper has much less of a problem except multi stranded conductors with screw terminals which experience strand creep, which can lead to high resistance. It's often that electricans simply use the Scott Kilmer" R tight "method" which is a guess, often results in damage caused from over torqued rather than under torqued. A quality inch pound torque wrench is no cheap but an inexpensive screw driver type, in addition to the one pictured would be a nice addition for the screw terminals on PC boards and such, sure you develop a feel over time, but that feel is from using a torque wrench in the first place

https://www.amazon.com/Wheeler-Firearms-Accurizing-Torque-Wrench/dp/B0012AXR4S/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1498879527&sr=8-2&keywords=inch+pound+torque

Solray · July 2017

The feel is wrong 75% of the time too.

The battery terminals that specify an annual re-torque are terminal lugs with terminals on them, no wire is involved in those connections at all, so the type of wire is not what is important evidently from that point alone.

Photowhit · July 2017

Solray said:

The feel is wrong 75% of the time too. The battery terminals that specify an annual re-torque are terminal lugs with terminals on them, no wire is involved in those connections at all, so the type of wire is not what is important evidently from that point alone.

I saw that too, very subjective. hard to measure unless they had someone using a torque wrench/screw driver that was unlimited and read out wasn't available to the person using. Once something is torqued it changes, nature of things.

I actually dislike references like that with out a link or siting the testing body.

Thom · July 2017

In NY by law tire shops must torque lug nuts . They do at the cheep tire shop I go to . When I PM my batteries once a month I check connections .

Thom

westbranch · July 2017

try this search 'tekton torque wrench review

westbranch · July 2017

If you have aluminum wheels, you need to get the retorqued after ~ 20 - 100 miles or you have a high chance that the lugs will back off..... wife had it happen recently after taking the winters off for summer quiet driving, about 80 miles !!.. also had it happen to me after having a brake replacement done by the dealer...!

Lumisol · July 2017

That's just one reason I only use steel wheels. There are several other reasons to avoid aluminum alloy for wheels for a car you put your family into.

Solray · July 2017

> @westbranch said:
> try this search 'tekton torque wrench review

I see it has very high ratings from the people who bought one. Before I bought it I had only looked at the reviews on Amazon. It has 4.3 out of 5 stars which is a quite high rating so I ordered it. After you suggested looking at more reviews I see it has good ratings all around. It looks like a good buy.
The number one rating from the top ten best torque wrenches on MCNT was eye opening.

I generally don't recalibrate my wrenches yearly, I just replace them and there doesn't seem to be any reason this one won't last a year for me in its box.
I have other larger models from other companies like Snap on, Mac, Klein, etc. that are replaced yearly but are used a lot more often than this one will be.
I like to donate my old tools to charities so more people get the benefit of them.

Thom · July 2017

My sons steel wheels just rusted and failed on him . Good reasons not to have steel wheels to.

solorone · July 2017

Never torqued a battery nut in my life. I Just got it tight.

Solray · July 2017

Thom said:

My sons steel wheels just rusted and failed on him . Good reasons not to have steel wheels to.

It's actually not a good reason at all for not owning steel wheels. It is a good reason to maintain whatever you own though.

I guess your son never learned to maintain the things he owns? Everything needs to be maintained. What about the steel lugs that hold that aluminum wheel to the car...what happens when they rust off and shear away on the freeway if you on't take care of them properly?

solorone said:

Never torqued a battery nut in my life. I Just got it tight.

That's true of a lot of people. There were a lot of fires from this practice too before it was mandated that they be torqued properly.

mcgivor · July 2017

Back to the torque wrench, the important thing to remember with a tool such as the one pictured by the OP, is to back off the preload after use, for the amount of use it would most likely see, not every day, re-calibration is probably a non issue. To a large degree the torque settings for terminals is a form of disclaimer by the manufacturers of equipment to protect themselves from damages caused by over or under torqued fittings, having said this it is always prudent to use the correct tool.

Solray · July 2017

You mean prior to storage I assume. That's always a good practice. Thanks for mentioning it.

mcgivor · July 2017

Your assumption is correct, but often overlooked.

Which Torque Wrench do you use?

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