| torque wrenches
I use torque wrenches every day. I do aircraft maintenance and I have seen fasteners fail from improper torque, from being both too tight and loose. Bad on an aircraft!!!! However, I wouldn't spend the money for one for tightening general hardware on an auto, ie oil pan drain plug. Just don't be a gorrila and over tighten the plug or other general/attaching hardware. Engine building is a different story. Head, crankshaft, rod bolts, etc need to be torqued, evenly. If you do decide to buy one, I would go with craftsman. I have two of them to cover vast range of torque values. Also, don't forget to maintain them. They should be calibrated periodically. If get one that clicks when you achieve your desired torque (the handle twists to set value), make sure you run it down to the lowest setting when you are finished with it. |