Torque Wrenches

[Cobranut]

I purchased what I thought was a good digital Torque/Angle wrench a while back.
It had some useful features, great reviews on and off Amazon at the time, and came with a calibration certificate.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GOUNZ10/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It took a little getting used to the setup procedure, but it worked well, at first.
I took very good care of it, as I would any precision instrument, and I probably accumulated a couple hours of use, when I noticed it turning off at random times.
It started happening when it was bumped, as in being laid on a table or installing a socket, or even when placing on a bolt head.
Then it cut cut off when torquing a bolt, resulting in no indication when the set torque was reached. I had to replace a few expensive ARP fasteners due to that little fuckup, as I had no idea how severely they were stressed.

It progressed to happening every time I tried to use it, and it's now a very expensive club. I'll keep it for next time I go seal hunting.

When I looked at Amazon reviews, and elsewhere as well, it seems that there are now huge numbers of people having this exact same problem.
I called A/C Delco tools to see if they could repair it, even if I had to pay.
Nope, they don't repair any of their tools.  They did offer up the suggestion to buy a new one at retail price. 
I did take out the board, and retouched all the joints to eliminate a possible cold solder joint, but the problem persists.

I started researching other brands, to see if I could find a good quality replacement.
I thought the GearWrench model looked promising. It has similar features, and seemed to be well reviewed, at first.

https://www.amazon.com/GEARWRENCH-120XP-Electronic-Torque-Wrench/dp/B07TFHW17F/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2IFUFTLN0HLNZ&keywords=gearwrench%2B120xp%2Bflex%2Bhead%2B1%2F2%2Bdigital%2Btorque%2Bwrench&qid=1693471677&s=hi&sprefix=gearwrench%2B120xp%2Bflex%2Bhead%2B1%2F2%2Bdigital%2Btorque%2Bwrench%2Ctools%2C147&sr=1-4&th=1

After digging a bit deeper, this one also has a number of bad reviews, mainly the same exact problem.
My first thought was it had the same board, but the buttons are in different locations, so it's not identical.

Now I'm looking at the Snap-On TechAngle series, but I really don't want to spend $700+ as a hobby mechanic.

https://shop.snapon.com/product/TechAngle-Models-(2%-Accuracy)/1-2%22-Drive-Flex-Head-TechAngle-Torque-Wrench-(12.5%E2%80%93250-ft-lb)/ATECH3FR250B

https://shop.snapon.com/product/TechAngle-Models-(2%-Accuracy)/1-2%22-Drive-Flex-Head-TechAngle-Torque-Wrench-(15%E2%80%93300-ft-lb)/ATECH3F300RB

Anyone here have experience with a good quality digital torque/angle wrench that they could recommend?
I don't mind spending a bit for a quality tool, but $700+ for something I use a few times a year just seems excessive.

Thanks guys.

[shainiac]

Check FB marketplace for used Snapons. You can have them recalibrated for around $60, but you might get lucky and find one with a recent cert. I picked up a Snapon TECH2FR100 3/8" digital (non-angle) for $200 that had been cert'd 6 months prior. I think Techangles were going for around $300-400ish. I really like mine, except that the screw-on battery cap is the very end of the handle. You have to be careful where you put your hand. For TTY bolts, I mark the socket and washer to torque to an angle. Buying angle adapters are cheaper than buying a Techangle, fwiw. I only needed angle for rod bolts on my engine.

Is there any reason you want a 1/2" instead of 3/8"? I really like the 3/8" for engine stuff since it's 6-100lbft. It'll do any fastener on an LS, besides the crank pulley. 3/8" Snapons are quite a bit cheaper than 1/2".

For the few times I need over 100lbft, I have a cheaper click-type 1/2". I basically only use it for lug nuts, crank bolts, and M12+ suspension bolts. The 3/8" gets used weekly.

[Exidous]

You could also try craftsman or icon. Neither is particularly bank breaking.

[Cobranut]

Check FB marketplace for used Snapons. You can have them recalibrated for around $60, but you might get lucky and find one with a recent cert. I picked up a Snapon TECH2FR100 3/8" digital (non-angle) for $200 that had been cert'd 6 months prior. I think Techangles were going for around $300-400ish. I really like mine, except that the screw-on battery cap is the very end of the handle. You have to be careful where you put your hand. For TTY bolts, I mark the socket and washer to torque to an angle. Buying angle adapters are cheaper than buying a Techangle, fwiw. I only needed angle for rod bolts on my engine.

Is there any reason you want a 1/2" instead of 3/8"? I really like the 3/8" for engine stuff since it's 6-100lbft. It'll do any fastener on an LS, besides the crank pulley. 3/8" Snapons are quite a bit cheaper than 1/2".

For the few times I need over 100lbft, I have a cheaper click-type 1/2". I basically only use it for lug nuts, crank bolts, and M12+ suspension bolts. The 3/8" gets used weekly.

Thanks Shainiac.
I just looked at the SnapOn page and the 3/8 flex head is only $40 cheaper.  Current ones go 5-125lb/ft, so yes, that would be very useful for most stuff.
I'll keep an eye on FB Marketplace.  Maybe something will turn up.

Exidous,
I haven't been impressed with Craftsman of late, but I'll take another look at their offerings.
I hadn't thought about Icon either.  Do they offer calibration and servicing on their tools?

Thanks

[Cobranut]

I just watched a review on the ICON 1/2" model.  Looks like a nice piece.
Of course, Shainiac has me thinking a 3/8 may be more versatile, but ICON only makes it in 1/2".
Damn decisions. LOL

[Exidous]

Tbf I've only really used the mechanical craftsman. I have a relatively new one that's been really good. It has a far superior warranty to the electrical types.

I doubt HF does any after the fact calibration. Doesn't mean a third party couldn't.

https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/sockets-ratchets/torque-wrenches/12-in-drive-125-250-ft-lb-professional-flex-head-digital-angle-torque-wrench-56683.html

https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/sockets-ratchets/torque-wrenches/38-in-drive-5-100-ft-lb-digital-angle-torque-wrench-64915.html

Looks like thet do have a company for recalibration.

[spacevomit]

I got a used Belknap interchangable-head for cheap. CDI, Snap-On etc also make compatible heads. The different round shank sizes are denoted by the letter, for example mines a J-shank. It's good for 10-50nm, little stuff, but you can get other ones. It was like $20 and it has a calibration sticker but it's out of date.

[jwvand02]

Tbf I've only really used the mechanical craftsman. I have a relatively new one that's been really good. It has a far superior warranty to the electrical types.

I doubt HF does any after the fact calibration. Doesn't mean a third party couldn't.

https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/sockets-ratchets/torque-wrenches/12-in-drive-125-250-ft-lb-professional-flex-head-digital-angle-torque-wrench-56683.html

https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/sockets-ratchets/torque-wrenches/38-in-drive-5-100-ft-lb-digital-angle-torque-wrench-64915.html

Looks like thet do have a company for recalibration.

I have this quinn one, it has been perfectly reliable so far other than acting a little weird when the batteries get low.

[Exidous]

It seems most get weird on low battery. My digital calipers do the same but they aren't fancy mitituyo.