Craftsman Torque Wrench

[rolling_Thunder]

Richard Ehrenberg has a article in mopar action magazine a few months back explaining the virtues of the old school beam deflection torque wrench. In fact, he recommends you use the old school beam deflection to calibrate your chinesium click style.

Don't get me started with that guy...

On the positive; In 2010 My grandfather had a BEAT TO SH!T Craftsman breaker bar... had it for decades and he was a heavy equipment tech... this thing was... done. So we took it over to the local Sears... asked if he could get it replaced under warranty. The manager came out and asked when he bought it... my grandfather said "ummmm 1946-47?" Manager laughed and came back with a brand new breaker bar - and he told my Grandfather to keep the old one as a conversation piece.

Granted - Craftsman is now a different company since it got sold off to Lowe's - just kind the way the world is going. Vast majority of my tools (almost all Craftsman) have never given me issues.

 

[coloradodave]

FWIW, I took a 1/2" drive Craftsman torque wrench to the one remaining store in our area last year. The ratchet assembly was stripped. I bought it around 30 years ago. I presented it to the young man in the tool section and said that I would like to get it replaced on warranty. He went to the stock room and came back with a new wrench, which looked different from mine. He was not sure what to do but I assured him that the new one would be fine. Meanwhile, another salesman walked by and told the first guy that he didn't think that torque wrenches had a lifetime warranty. As they discussed it, I assured them that when I bought it, I had been told that it did. They looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders and I walked out with a new wrench. Thank you Sears.
I also have a roll-away stuffed with Craftsman tools. I've never bent one, broke one or had chrome peel from one. All are a good value for money spent...

 

[Builderguy]

I use a 1/2" Gearwrench #85066 Micrometer adjustable unit. I turn it back down to ZERO when I am done using it but the tech sheet that came with it does not mention this. Guess it was something I was told years ago and just got it stuck in my routine.

 

[66Satellite47]

Last month went to a local Ace Hardware, asked about a rebuild kit for a ratchet. It was a 3/8" with a little longer handle than the rest of mine, newer model. They said no rebuild kits, but would replace if they had that model. Turns out they did. The new tools probably not the quality of 30, 40, 50 years ago, but between Ace & Craftsman the support is still there.

 

[mikeyfrano]

Craftsman charges to recalibrate

 

[kiwigtx]

It doesn't look like anyone here in this thread has talked about torquing up LEFT HAND thread bolts/nuts.

It is my understanding that most torque wrenches will not work or be anywhere near accurate with a left hand thread as opposed to the equivalent right hand thread.

Think - lug nuts on MoPars.........

 

[Billccm]

Beam deflection works left and right.

 

[Daves69]

Beam deflection works left and right.

These too...........

 

[Mikeys73]

I purchased a few Craftsman 5pc Mini Plier Sets about 15 years ago, recently I found one of the wire cutter pliers laying on the bench broken, I took the entire set back to ACE and got a replacement set, after I inspected the replacement pliers I went back to ACE and got my old set back, the younger person at the counter said he was surprised at the quality of the set I returned, he did not think of Craftsman as a quality tool manufacturer. I told him about my 1st Craftsman tool kit that I purchased for around $90 in 1975, I still used these tools.

 

[Endangered Species]

I have a 35 year old Craftsmen clicker. I had it calibrated twice once about 8 years ago and the second about 5 years ago and both times it come back good. The only issue I have is the plastic lock witch split... nothing a hose clamp did fix... lol
Most all of the new Craftsmen tools unfortunately are from communist China.. the founder of the China Virus.
A lot of the Craftsmen tools I've bought lately have been old and used.

 

[jimt1971rr]

Just found a Craftsman micro-torque wrench in the garage today. I assume it is my father in law's. It was manufactured in March 1975. Has a book with it which gives torque specs for various cars, trucks, and other equipment up to 1971.

The ratchet was slipping so I opened it up, cleaned and greased it and is working great. I crossed checked the calibration against my beam one and looks to be pretty good.

I'm thrilled!

 

[BBishere2]

So I have a Craftsman torque wrench that is not working correctly. Does Craftsman still exist? Are torque wrenches covered with lifetime warranty?

View attachment 929745

My craftsman torque wrench had a 1 year warranty on it when I got it back in the ‘70’s. If you don’t turn it back down to zero when you store it - it will break.