I want to purchase two Snap-On Techwrenches-- one in the 3/8" drive size and one in the 1/2" drive size. I understand that they are pricey, but I like the idea of being able to see how much torque I have applied to each fastener. Plus, not needing to reset the wrench to zero after each use is a plus.

So, does anyone have any experience with the Snap-On Techwrench?

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog

Thanks.

 

For the kind of work you do I would buy much cheaper torque wrenches. I would go through 2-3 1/2" drive torque wrenches a year when I had my shop. I tried more expensive models, never the new Snap-On though, I did have an older snap-on that held up no better then the $89 variety. You can send the cheaper ones out to be calibrated for not very much money and they hold up very well. Unless you are doing a lot of extreme precision work I wouldn't waste the money on those particular torque wrenches. Even as a professional who used a torque wrench probably every 10 minutes, turning the dial down is not enough of a reason to justify a super expensive torque wrench, assuming you have even modest coordination you can easily have it turned to a low setting by the time you are putting it back on the bench/in your tool box.

Accuracy is important, but my experience with all top of the line "designer" tools is they are more flashy then they are useful.

 

agree with iTimmy, unless you're a mechanic and need to use it everyday, that's a lot of coin.

 

^Agreed plus I need to say Snap On service is really bad (unless you have a driver that comes to you) I have had Snap On tools for 20 years, one of my old 1/2" socket wrenches broke, I called Snap On, asked how to get it fixed/repaired. They gave me the two mobile sales/service men's numbers (covering the entire Metro Phoenix area) Neither called back nor answered their phones, I called for a week.

I called corp back and they gave me the info to send it in. It took almost two months to get it back.

I like being able to go to any Sears and walk out with a new tool.

 

That is a great point, even as a shop if you weren't buying a lot of tools the tool trucks didn't want to service you period. As an established business there is no need to buy a lot of tools so I ended up switching to tools that were sold at all the local parts stores, much cheaper and better service. Not to mention I had rebate programs with my parts stores that as I hit certain monetary targets I would get an increased percentage back at the end of the year.

I have no love or respect for Matco, Mag or Snap-on - all are hugely over priced and rarely give you any edge. Sadly, a lot of mechanics like to brag about their tools and buy all of the latest and greatest, I don't think I will ever understand it.

 

Craftsman and dare I say Husky.

Broke my Husky impact driver several months ago. Took it into Home Depot and walked out about 5 minutes later with a brand new one. Guaranteed forever.

My Dad had a Craftsman rachet from a very old socket set. I broke the lever than switches it from CC to CCW. Aside from the time it took for the sales help to figure out how old the damn thing was, I just walked in, picked up a new one, got my receipt and walked out.

 

I've had my craftsman torque wrench forever and it still works great. I didn't feel the need to spend a ton of money on a fancy one, even when I worked on cars everyday

 

I have the Snap-on 1/2 drive techwrench, and even as a mechanic I do not use it much, unless I'm doing engine rebuilds. Don't get me wrong, it's a very cool toy but it WAS overpriced. Unless youre constantly using it, I dont think it's worth it, I know from experience.

 

Haha I just got a free snap on Cap last week from my snap on sales guy.

 

I have an old crappy Craftsman torque wrench I for from someone a couple years back but I need to replace it. The collar that locks the setting is broken, but those are a bit over priced for me.

 

Like the others said that is overpriced and really not necessary. I like Craftsman, I like the ability to break a tool and walk into the local sears store and have it replaced instantly no questions (unlike snapon and trying to get a truck to come to you or have to send it in)
I have 2 craftsman tq wrenches that have been flawless for me.

 

^ - That was the other thing, getting replacement from snap-on was a pain in the ass. The truck would come by my shop once a week but often the guy didn't replace it on the spot and it had to be sent out

 

I agree with everyone else. Back where I used to work a Snap-On truck came to us once a week so if I needed anything I would usually get it taken care of quickly. But ever since I've usually gone with Craftsman for my other tools. Like Timmy said, a techwrench is absolute overkill for what you do, unless you do engine rebuilds on a regular basis.

I've generally found Snap-On tools to be overpriced. People who own them and those who represent Snap-On will try and justify it any way they want but my Snap-On tools don't work any better than my Craftsman tools. Yeah they look nicer and feel better in your hand and sometimes you can't get it unless Snap-On makes it... But it's cheaper, more convenient and easier for me to choose alternatives at the moment.

 

One thing about the warranty, I'm pretty sure that craftsman torque wrenches aren't covered by the usual lifetime warranty. Instead it is something like 90 days, but I I don't think any tool company has a true life time warranty on a torque wrench.

 

No company covers torque wrench calibration for life, but I believe most are covered for physical breakage, which I've only seen once or twice. If you are purchasing a torque wrench for long term ownership make sure you buy one that can be re-calibrated, I had an older snap on that could not be so it just collected dust.

 

i have three 3/8 drive ratchets, each as a backup when i break the one or two.

 

Wouldn't get them.

Agree with what everyone else said.

 

Wouldn't get them.

Agree with what everyone else said.

 

x2

 

I have the techangle torque wrenches and there the only ones from Snap-on I would buy. The regular tech wrenches are nothing special really. The tech angle on the other hand are worth the money. Not having to screw around with torque angle gauges>* Plus it was sometimes hard to fit them in certain spots due to the length they added to the socket. Although when I bought them I was fixing cars for a living so I could justify the cost. When working inside of engines that upwards of 30k+, accuracy counts for something. When tightening your lug nuts, not so much.
Unless you plan on building engines rather frequently, spending the money for those is just wasting money. A regular craftsman torque wrench will be just fine. Plus 3/8" wrenches are kind of useless unless you plan on doing a lot of engine or transmission work where low toque numbers are required. 1/2" is fine for probably 99% of what you'd be doing as most go down to 25 ft-lb.

 

Hmm...thanks for all of the suggestions.

I found someone selling a Snap-On QD3R250 torque wrench (1/2" drive) for $125 shipped on a muscle car forum. He said that he received as payment for a service and he had only used it a few times. Even if I have to send it in to have it rebuilt and calibrated ($63), I'd still come out ahead compared to paying $289 for a new one.

Also, if I ever find an used Techwrench on eBay for $100 (which will probably never happen), I'll pick one up. But I definitely won't spend $350 for one.

igotocostco-- The snap-on Dual 80 ratchets are fantastic. I don't know of anything that comes close. Snap-On has a new 100-tooth ratchet that is coming out in a few weeks and I'll definitely be buying one.

 

Yeah, don't get me wrong man, but just personally I find Snap-On to be a little overrated. I mean, I guess if you work at a shop and deal with a lot of driveability issues then their Vantage is probably second-to-none, but since I don't work in a shop, I've never found myself in a situation where I was using a Craftsman tool that didn't do that job whereas the Snap-On did it with ease. If you can find one used, even better as you'll save a good deal of money.

I will say though, their 80-tooth ratchets really help in tight spots.

 

yeah, I have three of their Dual-80 ratchets. I'm probably nuts.

 

kinda reminds me of that one guy who bought 6 TLs since 2004 If I had extra money I'd definitely go mostly Snap-On. If anything, their tools are the most enjoyable to use.... very comfy with the grip and ergonomics.

 

I'm actually selling two of 'em...let me know if you're interested.

 

Mastercraft does. You guys dont have them down in the states cuz they're only sold at Canadian Tire, which you guys also dont have down there but last week i broke my trq wrench which is 5+ years old and i just walked in and walked out 5 minutes later with a new one so...