Is Brownell's Torque Screwdriver Worth $150?

[FLChinook]

I'm looking for a good torque screwdriver to properly tighten trigger guard screws (55 in-lb) and scope screws. Amazon sells a couple for circa $50 and Brownell's has one for $150. That seems really steep. Any recommendations?

Thanks

[Brian Pfleuger]

I'd recommend the Wheeler scope mounting kit. I just bought the 1"/30mm combo kit that comes with a calibrated (with certificate) In-lb driver and bits for just over $100 shipped.

Bud's is/was the lowest price... $91+ shipping.

[Fargazer]

Originally Posted by Brian Pfleuger

I'd recommend the Wheeler scope mounting kit.

If I had known about this when I was torque screwdriver shopping I may have gone with it.

Since I didn't, and because I have had excellent experiences with Wiha products, I purchased a Wiha TorqueVario-S; the next size up from what I bought ranges from 15 to 80 inch pounds, which covers your torquing requirement. I have it's smaller brother and am quite pleased with it - it is rugged and and works well with my Brownell's MagnaTips.

[FLChinook]

Wheeler's kit is based on their FAT wrench which does get good reviews. If I just want the torque screwdriver, are you saying the Brownell's is not 3 times better than the FAT?

[silvrjeepr]

I use the wheeler. Nothing to compare it to really, but it works well for me and I like it.

[Brian Pfleuger]

I don't know what Brownell's driver is, I've never used one. However, the Wheeler FAT wrench gets good reviews and does come calibrated and with a certificate showing it's numbers at each calibration point.

I can't imagine the Brownell's driver being that much better PLUS getting the scope installation kit with the Wheeler.

I can tell you that the Wheeler is MUCH better than my brand new Craftsman In-lb wrench when using it at gun torque values. The Craftsman is literally useless, even at values 2 and 3 times higher (50 or 60) than typical gun numbers.

[FLChinook]

My only complaint about the Wheeler is it's made in China. But that's just hard to avoid... And the Wiha is made in Germany (probably a better choice if QA is a concern). I wonder how good a calibration certificate from China is....?

[Brian Pfleuger]

I don't know the details but "Made In China" does not necessarily equate to "Calibrated In China". Maybe, maybe not.

In any case, you could send it for calibration, which you should technically do periodically anyway if you're really concerned about accuracy. Costs about $35-$60.

[FLChinook]

OK. It makes no sense to ask people you trust for advice if you're not going to take it. I'm going to order the Wheeler FAT. I'll come back to this thread in due course and report...

Thanks to you all

[Sierra280]

If you are really interested in getting a highly precise adjustable torque driver (and don't mind over paying) why not just get the best?

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/tools...e=snapon-store

[FLChinook]

No one can disagree that Snap-On makes the best tools. On paper, though, the S-O wrenches say accuracy is +/- 6% whilst the Wheeler says to 2-in-lbs. If this is true, the Wheeler will be more accurate at the 60 in-kb range and much less accurate at the 10 in-lb range.

Still, $50 vs $240 is a lot to swallow for the occasional user...

[Brian Pfleuger]

Here's the calibration certificate for my FAT Wrench. Looks like it is calibrated in China.

Notice that the +-2 in-lb is the calibration threshold not the per use accuracy.

Mine is listed as 10.65@10, 6.5%, 30.10@30, 0.33% and 60.70@60, 1.166%

Off by less than 0.75 in-lb across its range.

Pretty good, I'd say.