Pro tip: Had to choose between two torque wrenches for a critical job

Last Tuesday, I was working on a Cessna 172's landing gear and needed a new 3/8 drive torque wrench. My options were a $150 digital one with a fancy screen or a $80 click-type from a brand I trust. I went with the click-type because the battery on the digital one died right as I was testing it in the shop. The job went smooth, and that solid click never lies. Anyone have a go-to brand for click wrenches that holds calibration well?

3 comments

3 Comments

hollyscott8d ago

I mean, the battery thing is a real worry, but saying the click "never lies" is a bit strong. They can go out of calibration if you drop them or leave them set at a high value. I check mine against a tester at work a few times a year just to be safe.

miles_chen8d ago

Hey, you're totally right about the calibration thing. I dropped mine once and it clicked for a phantom wire in my empty hand, scared the heck out of me!

joseph9578d ago

Holly's got a point, you can't just blindly trust the click. Miles_chen's story about the phantom wire is a perfect example of why. If the voltage setting is left too high, it might not click for a low voltage live wire, which is super dangerous. That calibration drift is real and sneaky. Checking it against a known source is the only safe way, like she does at work. Treating it like a perfect tool is how people get hurt.