Customer Reviews

GearWrench 85070 3/8-Inch Drive Electronic Torque Wrench 10 - 100 ft lb

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I own this torque wrench (both in 1/2 as well as 3/8 sizes). I have to say it's one amazing tool. In fact, it's so nice I hate to even use it :-) My girlfriend is always amused when I tell her I want to buy a 2nd one to use, so that I can keep my first one "perfect".

If you have purchased other Gearwrench tools, then you know what a great company they are and what top quality tools they produce. Myself, I prefer Gearwrench to most other brands (snap-on, craftsman, etc.). However, on their torque wrench here, they have really out done themselves. First off, the quality and feel of this wrench is outstanding. It has a beautiful design. The buttons feel great and the handle is nice machined aluminum which is black. You remove a cap at the bottom to insert 4 AAA batteries to power the wrench. I personally never leave the batteries in the wrench; I take them out after each use (just takes a second).

The wrench comes in a high quality and attractive red plastic case. Operation is first class as well. You turn the wrench on with a push of the button. You then can dial up the torque with the arrow keys. You can switch to ft lbs or newton meters with the push of a button. The wrench also has some LED's which light up as you near your target torque. There is also a small buzzer which sounds when you hit your torque settings. Another very nice feature is that the wrench has a "highest torque" reading. When you torque something, the wrench will record the max torque hit, which is a really nice feature.

I grew up using a craftsman torque wrench (which I still use for day to day stuff). I'm talking about the kind where you set the torque and then the wrench will "break" when you hit the torque (it sort of snaps or clicks when the torque is reached). When I first ordered the Gearwrench torque wrench, I didn't know if I might miss this method. I'm happy to report that you won't miss it. I still use my old "breaking" torque wrench for jobs such as lug nuts, etc. However, in really critical situations (such as building a motor, etc.) I always wash my hands and then reach for my Gearwrench digital torque wrench. As mentioned, the "highest torque" reading is a really nice feature and allows you to know exactly how tight bolts or nuts are.

The 1/2 model is just as nice - only larger. Otherwise, it's exactly the same in its design and operation.

While the price on this item is a little higher than some other wrenches, it's money well spent. I doubt anyone would be disappointed when they receive this beautiful tool in the mail. I can say without hesitation that this is one of my most prized tools in my tool box - it's an absolute masterpiece of design and a joy to use.

I have used this wrench several times since receiving it and it has performed exactly as it should . Everything feels smooth and solid when applying torque and the beep lets you know when the set torque is reached. A great product in my opinion!

I bought this torque wrench and was pleased until it gave an ERR message and would not work properly. It has had light use and should have lasted years, not just long enough to be out of warranty.

The ratcheting device broke after only two uses. Unfortunately, since these two uses were a few months apart, I was unable to return the items and the company which makes the product was impossible to contact for some kind of warranty replacement. I can still get it to work (for torque) but have to hold the ratchet lever in place with my finger as I do it or else it pops out. It is very annoying, especially when torquing things down in awkward places under the car. I also have the 1/2" version and have had better luck with that one so far.

I also purchased both the 3/8 and 1/2 inch versions of this marvelous tool. I also take the batteries out after each use, because a tool of this quality, well, you don't want to have it damaged by a defective battery. I work on motorcycles often, and used both of these tools to replace an engine part as well as to put forks back on the bike. I used to do this job with a "standard", manual (twist style) torque wrench - but was never really sure I was in the ball park. With this wrench, you get both visual and aural clues as you approach the desired setting. I set the torque on the pinch bolts on the front axel, for example, and hit it right at 15 ft/lbs - I would have done damage if trying to guess the torque value without this wrench.

You can balk at the cost - but I do a LOT of work with bicycles and motorcycles, and the manuals call for specific torque values on almost all fasteners. Torque was a big topic at United Bicycle Institute - and is something most people overlook. When I replaced the "Doohickey" on the KLR650 (cam chain tensioner), the manual called for setting the torque at 130 ft/lbs. That's when the 1/2 Gearwrench came into good use. That thing is HUGE - well, I mean it has a long handle. There is some measure of confidence that you're setting the values "spot on", and not risking potentially costly repairs by over or even under torquing critical engine components.

One of the credos my father instilled in me regarding tools was this: don't buy a tool until you need it, but when you do, buy the best quality tool there is. They will last a lifetime. Yes, these are electronic and may malfunction someday, but I'm willing to send it back and have it repaired or replaced, even if it goes out of warranty. The same thing with torque adjustments on the wrench itself - each wrench came with a calibration certificate - and when the time comes I'll ship it back to the factory to be calibrated. I've kept my other torque wrenches, in case a neighbor wants to borrow one. They'll get the manual wrenches, these masterfully crafted Gearwrench torque wrenches will stay locked in my toolbox. You will appreciate these tools each time you go to get them out of their box.

I know it sounds stupid - but owning these tools makes you want to look around the shop to see what needs torquing next!

I purchased this torque wrench to bridge the torque gap between my 1/4" drive wrench and my 1/2" drive. I found this unit very easy to use. I especially liked the ability to convert from In.Lb. to Ft.Lb. to Nm at the push of a button. Once you set the torque limit at say 500 In.Lb the push of a button will convert it to the equivalent Ft.Lb. or Nm. torque setting. This makes it easy when working on something that's given in Nm but needs to be displayed in either In.Lb., Ft.Lb. or vice versa. This torque wrench seems to be fairly well built and should last as long as it's treated like the precision instrument it is. It comes with a calibration certificate traceable to NIST so you know it's supposed to produce the torque accuracy indicated. But this in no way eliminates regular calibration checks. I do not use my GearWrench that frequently so I remove the batteries after each use.

This torque wrench has a beautiful mechanical build quality. You could display it in a glass case at a museum. I love GearWrench tools. I have a toolbox full of them. However, this is one tool I cannot recommend. I purchased this item 3 months ago and used it twice to torque the lug nuts on one BMW (90ft-lb). The first time it worked great. It failed on the second use. It displays "ERR" on the screen. According to other reviews this is a common problem. It is similar to the Craftsman wrench which is having the same problems. I assume they're using the same internals. Go with a mechanical wrench or step up to the Snap On model.

Mine arrived today well packed. I loaded batteries into it and took it out to the garage for a quick test... on the third bolt the LEDs no longer lit up and the display read 25 N-m of torque even with the wrench fully "relaxed"... I waited a minute or two but no change so I turned it off and back on and now all I get is the "ERR" (error) display.

I called GearWrench customer service line and they said there was nothing that could be done to address the situation and to just "send it back". I am going to return it for a refund as I have no confidence that a 2nd unit would provide a good service life for the price. This is an expensive tool, and I don't want to risk the better part of $200 on something that only lasted 5 minutes.... I am very disappointed ....

Update #1:
A few months later I acquiesced and bought a 2nd unit.
It lasted a little longer ... it died after about 3 months of light use.
I sent it in for warranty repairs. I sent it carefully packed and double-boxed.
The unit sent back to me was just tossed in a larger cardboard box with no padding whatsoever ...

Update #2:
I'm not sure what the deal is... if there is a torque wrench on the planet that has an easier life than mine it's a total slacker ;-)

I use mine perhaps twice a month when working on my various vehicles. I am the only one who uses it. It is never abused, and always handled with care/stored properly ... this my THIRD unit has now died. "ERR" readout on the screen. I am hopeful that it is still under warranty, I'll need to go find the paperwork. While it has an easy to read display and a nice set of features ... it is just not reliable. I'm very glad I still have my 25 year old Craftsman micrometer adjust mechanical torque wrench to fall back on ...

These things are not to be trusted.

nice just what I wanted. works great I work on small engines, perfect tool for me thanks