Torque Wrench Recommendation

[masque]

Hey folks! I have a decent torque wrench that handles up to 250 foot pounds of torque.

I’m looking to upgrade to something that can handle up to at least 450 foot pounds without breaking the bank.

Do any of you guys have a wrench rated that high that you like or recommend?

Also, I’m thinking about maybe just buying something like the Neiko torque multiplier. Seems to be pretty popular and highly rated. Anybody with any experience with that?

[Old Forester]

Your question could use some narrowing. I assume you are looking for a "powered" torque wrench - NOT a handle with a beam scale OR a click-type manual wrench?
Then there is: Pneumatic OR Electric powered.. For as often as I use it, I bought a Harbor Freight 800-1000 FTLBS 1-inch monster probably 12 years ago for like $88. It needs at least 8 CFM to hammer off truck lug nuts. Now the price is twice that... The Torque Multiplier is elegant but slow....

[masque]

Originally Posted by Old Forester

Your question could use some narrowing. I assume you are looking for a "powered" torque wrench - NOT a handle with a beam scale OR a click-type manual wrench?
Then there is: Pneumatic OR Electric powered.. For as often as I use it, I bought a Harbor Freight 800-1000 FTLBS 1-inch monster probably 12 years ago for like $88. It needs at least 8 CFM to hammer off truck lug nuts. Now the price is twice that... The Torque Multiplier is elegant but slow....

Sorry I didn’t specify. I need a click style handheld. I have a Dewalt 1/2” medium power that is great for getting nuts loose etc.

I’m needing something I torque for specific values of 320 foot pounds and 430 foot pounds.

The wrench I have now that is a click hand held only goes to 250 foot pounds.

[Old Forester]

Take a look at these:
JEGS 3/4 Inch Square Drive clickTorque Wrench 100 to 600 ft/lbs
Part Number: 555-M204 On their site... The K-Tool 3/4" is a dead ringer
for my old HF 250 ft lb which "ok' but cheaply made. More$ than JEGs too.

Sorry for the confusion on Torque Multiplier - I thought you meant one of these:
https://www.amazon.ca/Torque-Multipl.../dp/B08L89VQ92

[masque]

Originally Posted by Old Forester

Take a look at these:
JEGS 3/4 Inch Square Drive clickTorque Wrench 100 to 600 ft/lbs
Part Number: 555-M204 On their site... The K-Tool 3/4" is a dead ringer
for my old HF 250 ft lb which "ok' but cheaply made. More$ than JEGs too.

Sorry for the confusion on Torque Multiplier - I thought you meant one of these:
https://www.amazon.ca/Torque-Multipl.../dp/B08L89VQ92

Thank you very much for the recommendations! I will check them out.

[IamProStreet]

Originally Posted by masque

Sorry I didn’t specify. I need a click style handheld. I have a Dewalt 1/2” medium power that is great for getting nuts loose etc.

I’m needing something I torque for specific values of 320 foot pounds and 430 foot pounds.

The wrench I have now that is a click hand held only goes to 250 foot pounds.

You should NEVER use a torque wrench to break fasteners loose!!!

[masque]

Originally Posted by IamProStreet

You should NEVER use a torque wrench to break fasteners loose!!!

Why not? To this point I have only used to it loosen lug nuts on some truck rims. But curious as to your thoughts since these type wrenches are advertised to do primarily that very thing, breaks nuts loose right?

[dieselguy]

It's possible to loosen highly torqued bolts with a torque wrench, buy why chance having to have a high dollar tool recalibrated? Just use a breakover bar with maybe a cheater pipe for more power to coax them loose. Torque wrenches are primarily designed for torqueing nuts and bolts to spec not the other way around.

Maybe we're not talking about the same thing here???

[masque]

Originally Posted by dieselguy

It's possible to loosen highly torqued bolts with a torque wrench, buy why chance having to have a high dollar tool recalibrated? Just use a breakover bar with maybe a cheater pipe for more power to coax them loose. Torque wrenches are primarily designed for torqueing nuts and bolts to spec not the other way around.

Maybe we're not talking about the same thing here???

We’re not and it’s likely my fault. When I mention the Dewalt battery powered impact wrench it is essentially a battery powered breaker bar with the ability to loosen nuts with up to 800 foot pounds of break away torque. You can also tighten nuts with it and it supposedly tightens up to 600 pounds but it’s not a precise measurable hand held click type handle wrench.

Although I’m far from a mechanic, I am aware to not use the hand held torque click wrench to break away nuts.

[Old Forester]

Oh, I'm seeing a key word here that might clarify things. Loosening things is done
with an Impact wrench OR a breaker-bar, with or without a pipe/cheater. Torqueing, not (twerking) needs an honest way to measure. Some folks are using the breaker bar with a load-cell type electronic torque measurement device with good results. Less than $100.
NEIKO 20743A 3/4” Digital Torque Adapter, 150-750 Ft-Lb, 3/4” Drive Digital Torque Wrench

[masque]

Originally Posted by Old Forester

Oh, I'm seeing a key word here that might clarify things. Loosening things is done
with an Impact wrench OR a breaker-bar, with or without a pipe/cheater. Torqueing, not (twerking) needs an honest way to measure. Some folks are using the breaker bar with a load-cell type electronic torque measurement device with good results. Less than $100.
NEIKO 20743A 3/4” Digital Torque Adapter, 150-750 Ft-Lb, 3/4” Drive Digital Torque Wrench

Nice! Thanks. I will look into that.

[IamProStreet]

Originally Posted by masque

Why not? To this point I have only used to it loosen lug nuts on some truck rims. But curious as to your thoughts since these type wrenches are advertised to do primarily that very thing, breaks nuts loose right?

I’m a Snap-On guy, was an ASE master mechanic for over 15 years at new car dealerships.