What is the best brand floor jack/torque wrench to get

16264 Views 34 Replies 20 Participants Last post by Alaina15, Jul 18, 2017

rbt

Discussion Starter · May 18, 2011

I'm looking to buy both and wanted to get the best. My Discount Tire guy said he could get me the same they use which I know will get my lifted T in the air for about $200 and would the snap on torque wrench be the best though its like $250 or like one from auto zone thats $60 (its not angled and its fixed)? What kind do I need? 1/2, 1/4, or 3/8" angled or fixed click type? I'm wanting to check all my bolts on the lift. Thx.

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bestatchess

· #2 · May 18, 2011 (Edited)

I have several torque wrenches in various ranges, all of them clickers, except one beam type inch-lb wrench. One of the clickers is a 250 ft-lb. Snap-On. It is nicer, but frankly they all work fine. The only one that broke is a craftsman clicker where the plastic for the setting lock broke, it still works fine though. I bought a couple of the cheap clickers at northerntool.com

I also have one of these, which also works fine within about 30 to 150 ft-lbs:

Amazon.com: Alltrade 940759 Powerbuilt Digital Torque Adaptor for 1/2-Inch Driver: Home Improvement

A 1/2 drive clicker that goes to 25 to 250 ft-lbs would be fine for most bolts. I think some stuff like spark plugs and coil pack bolts are under 25 ft-lbs.

Storm Torque Wrench – 25–250 Ft. Lbs., Model# 3T425 | Torque Wrenches | Northern Tool + Equipment

For low torque: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200263474_200263474

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rbt

Discussion Starter · #3 · May 18, 2011

bestatchess said:
I have several torque wrenches in various ranges, all of them clickers, except one beam type inch-lb wrench. One of the clickers is a 250 ft-lb. Snap-On. It is nicer, but frankly they all work fine. The only one that broke is a craftsman clicker where the plastic for the setting lock broke, it still works fine though. I bought a couple of the cheap clickers at northerntool.com

I also have one of these, which also works fine within about 30 to 150 ft-lbs:

Amazon.com: Alltrade 940759 Powerbuilt Digital Torque Adaptor for 1/2-Inch Driver: Home Improvement

A 1/2 drive clicker that goes to 25 to 250 ft-lbs would be fine for most bolts. I think some stuff like spark plugs and coil pack bolts are under 25 ft-lbs.

Storm Torque Wrench – 25–250 Ft. Lbs., Model# 3T425 | Torque Wrenches | Northern Tool + Equipment

For low torque: Northern Industrial Torque Wrench 3/8in., | Torque Wrenches | Northern Tool + Equipment

Thx. i bought this one at autozone....

Material property

Vehicle door Car Vehicle Compact car

What about a floor jack?

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bestatchess

· #4 · May 18, 2011

I bought a Craftsman on sale that has worked fine, but it gets horrible reviews and probably is not high lift enough for you. I would tend to go with the Discount Tire guy's advice.

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mcginkleschmidt

· #5 · May 18, 2011

The 1/2 inch torque wrench I use for my lug nuts came from Harbor Freight: 1/2" Torque Wrench & Torque Wrench Uses - Harbor Freight Tools

I don't know how accurate the HF torque wrench is but, for sure, it must be a lot more accurate than guessing.

I paid $9.99 cents for my Harbor Freight torque wrench back a few years ago but the price now shows at $24.99. Honestly, I don't know how one can manufacture, ship from China, market and sell a torque wrench for either $9.99 or $24.99.

The Harbor Freight torque wrench look very much like the Northern Tools one which probably also comes from China.

One of these days I'll probably invest in a torque wrench that I can put more confidence in.

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bestatchess

· #6 · May 18, 2011

mcginkleschmidt said:
I paid $9.99 cents for my Harbor Freight torque wrench back a few years ago but the price now shows at $24.99. Honestly, I don't know how one can manufacture, ship from China, market and sell a torque wrench for either $9.99 or $24.99.

They have a coupon which expires 5/31 for that torque wrench item #239 for $19.99.

Looks like it gets decent reviews. Of course HF stuff varies wildly in quality. Some of their stuff is ok, other stuff is complete crap. I have a stacked pair of their chinese US General red tool boxes that I bought on sale with coupons that are really quite nice for what I paid.

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rbt

Discussion Starter · #7 · May 18, 2011

I'll check it out, thx. I guess i'll get discount tire to order me a floor jack.

WoodCrestTitan

· #8 · May 18, 2011

For a torque wrench you can get something cheaper as long as its somewhat accurate. A floor jack on the other hand I wouldn't hesitate to pay a little more for since it has to be able to support the weight of the truck while its lifting it and be reliable. Most of the time with tools, you get what you pay for. Snap On is very nice but come with a hefty price tag and so on... If discount uses that floor jack I would be more comfortable buying that then something from HF.

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dwoelper

· #9 · May 18, 2011

Harbor frieght aluminum racing jack 75 bucks lol

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rbt

Discussion Starter · #10 · May 19, 2011

dwoelper said:
Harbor frieght aluminum racing jack 75 bucks lol

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Is this no good?

dwoelper

· #11 · May 19, 2011

Hasnt done me wrong the year ive owned it.

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HRTKD

· #12 · May 19, 2011

For lug nuts probably any torque wrench will do. But for other stuff that requires a lower torque I urge you to tread carefully. I tried using my Craftsman torque wrench on a bolt that required 70 inch/lbs (not foot/lbs) and I completely missed the torque click because it was too soft and subsequently torqued off the bolt head.

For a floor jack I recommend that you find one that has the quick-up feature. The bottom of the frame on my (mostly stock height) Titan is a long ways from the floor and I spend a lot of time jacking up my floor jack just to get to the bottom. I think mine goes up 21" and I could use a couple more inches when jacking on the frame.

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rbt

Discussion Starter · #13 · May 19, 2011

HRTKD said:
For lug nuts probably any torque wrench will do. But for other stuff that requires a lower torque I urge you to tread carefully. I tried using my Craftsman torque wrench on a bolt that required 70 inch/lbs (not foot/lbs) and I completely missed the torque click because it was too soft and subsequently torqued off the bolt head.

For a floor jack I recommend that you find one that has the quick-up feature. The bottom of the frame on my (mostly stock height) Titan is a long ways from the floor and I spend a lot of time jacking up my floor jack just to get to the bottom. I think mine goes up 21" and I could use a couple more inches when jacking on the frame.

thx, I will prob get both in/lbs and ft/lbs for sure.

MarkD

· #14 · May 19, 2011

do you have a harbor freight nearby? I have one about 9 miles from my house. I bought both of the Aluminum "racing" jacks from them several years ago and have been pleased with both. The small one ($49 on sale) rides in the truck. The large one ($139 on sale) stays in the shop. I have 3 other floor jacks in the shop as well, but when only one is needed, the HF is the one I use.

I also bought an "Earthquake" 1/2" impact wrench from them for $79 that has outlasted quite a few others.

On the clicker torque wrench, the manager (a friend) at Advance Auto, price matched HF's advertised price.

dwoelper

· #15 · May 19, 2011

Ya i have a hf about 15 mins away. I have alot of theyre tools that are good quality. Ive found its hit or miss with that store. I have the auto 1/2" clicker torque wrench aswell.

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loufish

· #16 · May 21, 2011

You want the "Best"?.....That could cost you....
For the floor jack, I'd go with something that works, and a lot of the red Craftsman alum 2 ton units have been sold....so many that there is a cottage industry for after market parts for them...You can buy skid plates, bigger wheels and trick quick mounts for your truck (see below...)

For a torque wrench, the cheapest Snap-On will still set you back close to $300....which will buy you a top shelf unit...BUT do you need that much wrench for non-commercial home use?...For regular home use, try to find a Proto or MAC which are still good unit, just more affordable then S/O....

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SATXTITAN

· #17 · May 22, 2011

Most of the tools at HF are "disposable tools" cheap tools with horrible quality control. Cheap metal with cheap castings. You use a HF tool once or twice then throw it away because it completely brakes or no longer works the way it should. Sure you save $ buying the cheap quality HF tool, but do you really want to be working on your T at 9:00 at night and that HF tool brakes on you? Honestly I would invest in a quality torque wrench like Matco, Snap On, etc. With one of those brands, you will have a quality tool that will last forever and can be passed on to your kids. As far as floor jack, I would go with the Discount tire one, mainly because they abuse there floor jacks daily and they hold up. So quality and reliability should be there for your home use.

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bestatchess

· #18 · Aug 26, 2011

My Craftsman floor jack bit the dust. How is the Discount Tire jack working?

Anybody using the Arcan 3.5 ton jack from Costco? Costco Arcan 3.5 ton jack - The Garage Journal Board

Seems to get decent reviews:

Arcan Quick Lift Service Jack  3 1/2-Ton, Model# XL35 | Floor Jacks | Northern Tool + Equipment

Do I need to spend $500 on a Heine Werner HW93652 to get a decent jack?

Are all Chinese jacks junk?

Inquiring minds want to know. . . .

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grnTitan04

· #19 · Aug 26, 2011

Yeah BAC - Craftsman jack=utter garbage. I think I got a whopping 18 months out of my Craftsman "Professional"

Replaced it with a blackmax from Wally world, cause I needed one quick. It has already outlasted its predecessor. No quick-up though.

To your question, I think every jack made comes from the same plant in China. They just get painted at different places.

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AcidJake75

· #20 · Aug 26, 2011

Arcan Jack FTW! baller jack for CHEAP..I have one. And 2 HF Aluminum Jacks (one Ive had for 3 yrs and going STRONG)...I use them for racing..

Glad to see theres SOME love for Harbor Frieght...however I agree with everyone else. Some tools are awesome while others are complete crap.. Guess you just have to know what your looking for...

For a truck I would get something that lifts at least 30+ inches..

Torque Wrench I got is Kobalt and the HF ones (1/4, 3/8, and 1/2).. Ive broken 2 craftsman.. I dont like the electrical ones - I like the clickers..

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