Re: Torque wrenches

[Richard Beels <beels@technologist.com>]

Go with the better tool. Trying to read the needle when you're holding the
wrench in an awkward position is, well, worse than awkward - not even going
to mention trying to wiggle the wrench off the socket on the needle-type
because it doesn't ratchet.  Imagine trying to work in an engine bay that
is confined for space and you'll quickly realize the price of frustration
and knuckles.

It's much easier to feel/listen for the click and not have to worry about
parallax errors or smacking the needle out of alignment, etc.  Just
remember to loosen the wrench back to 0 ft/lbs. to relieve tension on the
spring.  The only thing I've found the needle gauge good for it when you
have a bolt and you don't know its torque value and want to determine it
(Mark the bolt, break it loose, tighten with the needle wrench until marks
line up; read the value).  That function happens very rarely though (IME)....

At 02:29 PM 6/23/1998 , you wrote:
>Hi folks,
>    I was looking into getting a torque wrench the other day. Sears had two
>designs, the "click-type" wrench with the adjustable collar for setting,
>and the older type with a needle and a bar running parallel to the wrench
>to indicate torque. 
>
>The click-type was $60, the needle type was $20. I couldn't see any
>advantage of going with the "click-type". However, I decided to hold off
>before I buy. 
>
>Even if the cheaper type only holds it's accuracy for a shorter time, it'll
>still be cheaper to replace it every few years than to buy the more
>expensive one. 
>
>Any comments?
>-Osman
> 


Cheers!