Review: Torque Wrenchs, Floor Jack, Rotary Buffer

eckoman_pdx · 01-22-2008, 10:40 PM

Here is my review on a few products. First we'll cover torque wrenches.

Both brands are "micrometer" click type torque wrenches (they click when they reach the set torque).

Torque Wrench: Powerbuilt 3/8" Drive 5-80 lb-ft:
$42.99 full MSRP

This is a schucks/checkers/kragen brand. I only got it because I needed one, and it was the only place still open.

I got it on sale. It's ok, this one works still, but it's gotten finicky over the years. I've had it for a few years, it still works, but it has a few quirks now. First, once you set the desired torque, you twist this red colored thing on the bottom to tighten/lock it up. This thing doesn't like ti lock anymore. It worked fine when I got it, but now I have to use pillars to lock it down and un-lock it. If I just twist it by hand, it won't lock down right. That's my main gripe. Once or twice in the last few months, it hasn't clicked when you hit the right torque. I move the direction switch on top back to what would be loosen, and then return it, it seems to work fine. I just do that every time before I use it, and it's fine. Not the greatest torque wrench, I don't like it because these quirks annoy me, but despite all that it still does the job. It also came with a nifty little snap in plastic carrying case. Other than the need to use vise-grips or pillars to lock it, it's not that bad actually. I've got my moneys worth out of it.

It has a limited lifetime warranty, so I could probably get this thing replaced if I really wanted to. It is what it is...an inexpensive torque wrench.

Torque Wrench: Craftsman 1/2 Drive 25-150 lb-ft:
MSRP now raised to $79.99

This is my 2nd one. It has a really short warranty (90 days). My first one died in the first few months of owning it. It was a long time ago (several years or more). The lock collar broke and wouldn't lock, making it a big breaker bar. They exchanged it no questions asked. Just had me bring the new one to the counter, noted what was wrong with the old one, and they exchanged it for the old broken one. The replacement has never given me issues.

This one has a different designed lock mech. It's a collar you twist to lock it at the desired torque, after you set it. It still works fine when you un-lock and lock it, and I've had it several years. I've never had a problem with the lock collar on this one. I prefer this one over the above one, as long as the lock ring still works... If the lock ring breaks, it's an big breaker bar. I've never had a problem with this one(my second one, the warranty replacement), and I've had it for years.

Floor Jack: Craftsman Aluminum Floor Jack ("Racing Jack"); Jackstands
Floor Jack: $199 (it's gone up $60 since I bought mine, I paid $139), Jackstands: $19.99

This thing is great. I've had this since the first month they were available. I got it right when it first came out. It's lightweight, which allowed you to carry it if need be, whether it be to a friends, to the track, whatever. Also, it is a low profile jack. It was a 3 3/4"-18 1/2" lift range. It can clear most lowered vehicles I've tried it on, which is a major plus. Also, it's one of those jacks that raises to reach the underside jack point in 1 pump. It raises pretty quick too once you get a load on it. It doesn't take more than few pumps to reach full height. It's full sized, low-profile, the lightweight (maybe 44 lbs), reaches the jacking point in 1 pump, and raises fully in 5-6 pumps. I love this jack, gets placed some won't it portable due to the weight, and has worked for years. I recommend it.

I've read negative things about this jack, but it's been good to me. It even tipped over once and one of the 3 grab handles broke, when trying to jack a car to change flat on a slight slope, and it still works fine, so IDK about the other reviews I read. The most common complaint is oil leaking, or that is got stuck up, and I never had these issues. From reading them, it sounds like people are jacking the car with it, leaving it on the jack and working on it for extended periods. If that's the case, that's the problem. $20 jack-stands and they'd be fine. We all know we're not suppose to use the jack to hold the car up, just to raise it. I always lift the car, put jack-stands under the car, lower it onto the jack-stands, and then remove the jack so the jack-stands are supporting it. The owners manual warns not to use the jack to support a vehicle, only to lift it. I suspect that the failure I read about is due to people using it incorrectly as load barring jack-stands, and not just a floor jack to lift.

I still recommend it, regardless of the reviews on the sears site. Just use jack-stands to support the car once it's in the air, and not the jack-itself...all these people who use it as a load-barring device also and then complain when it leaks or won't lift...they'd of been fine if they used it to jack and not as a load barring device. There's a reason they make jack-stands AND floor jacks. Floor jacks aren't made to support a load for extended periods...

Electric Variable Speed Rotary Buffer: Makita 9217SPC, 7" Diameter, 1500-2800rpm (adjustable)
It is discontinued now. I've seen it sell today for about $199-$210, if you can find it.

This thing is great. It's an expensive pro buffer. I used to use it all the time when I did high end primo mobile detailing. It never smoked, slowed down, got over-worked, or anything. Cutting, buffing, polishing...no matter how much you used it or abused it, it just keeps working. I've never used a cheap buffer, and after owning this one, I never will. I still have this thing. I've had it for over 5 years at least. It still works like it's new. If you know how to use a rotary, combining this buffer with good pads and compound will yield amazing results.

This thing is a beast. Highly recommended, if you know how to use a rotary...if you don't...learn before you try to use one, or you could damage your paint. Only use a rotary if you know what your doing.

canadam · 01-23-2008, 01:00 AM

Thanks for the reviews, it might be nice to put them in different threads so they are easier to find in a search

Russell the Love Muscle · 01-23-2008, 01:13 AM

we should get a thread going on reviews of tools, I bought a ingersoll rand impact a little while back and I love it! Ingersoll-Rand 2135TI - Titanium 'n' Torque (T'N'T) Ultra Duty 1/2 Air Impact Wrench

Only IR could deliver 1,000 ft.-lbs. of Nut Busting Torque in a gun that weighs just 3.95 lbs!

enough said!

Gairloch · 01-23-2008, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell the Love Muscle

we should get a thread going on reviews of tools, I bought a ingersoll rand impact a little while back and I love it! Ingersoll-Rand 2135TI - Titanium 'n' Torque (T'N'T) Ultra Duty 1/2 Air Impact Wrench

Only IR could deliver 1,000 ft.-lbs. of Nut Busting Torque in a gun that weighs just 3.95 lbs!

enough said!

True enough but like Canadam said, we should create a new thread for each tool so it's easy to find.

Russell the Love Muscle · 01-23-2008, 01:22 AM

I think it would be best to create a thread for each kind of tool, eg: Torque Wrench Reviews, Impact Wrench Reviews, Floor Jack Reviews, and so on!

eckoman_pdx · 01-23-2008, 01:37 AM

I think these are both good ideas.

I am more than happy to re-do these reviews in a different thread.

Should we do a thread for each individual tool, or (as Russell said), do a thread for each tool type? As soon as we figure out which, I can re-post these so they're easier to find.

Russell the Love Muscle · 01-23-2008, 01:54 AM

imo a thread for tool types would be best, then someone looking for a certain tool can go to one place and look at rating for many different makes/models in one thread; rather than looking in multiple places!

eckoman_pdx · 01-23-2008, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell the Love Muscle

imo a thread for tool types would be best, then someone looking for a certain tool can go to one place and look at rating for many different makes/models in one thread; rather than looking in multiple places!

That makes sense. Anyone else 2nd this?

Sylvan · 01-23-2008, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eckoman_pdx

That makes sense. Anyone else 2nd this?

sounds like a good idea to me.

canadam · 01-23-2008, 09:00 AM

Yep, good plan.

eckoman_pdx · 01-24-2008, 12:49 AM

Alright, I'll go ahead and start a few threads on this then

Edit: Alright, I made the threads for the 3 types of products I reviewed.

If any of you have any reviews on any of these products, post them up in the appropriate thread!

I've listed the threads below.

Reviews: Torque Wrenches

Reviews: Floor Jacks and Jack-Stands

Reviews: Rotary Buffers
I added a little bit more to this review...and 2 before and after pictures that are relevant.

If you have a review on a a product type that does not have a thread yet, start one!!

I think it would be good if we could keep a similar format in all the product review threads we create. What do you think?

01-22-2008, 10:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
eckoman_pdx Custom Car Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 1,340 Thanks: 45 Thanked 77 Times in 64 Posts iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	Review: Torque Wrenchs, Floor Jack, Rotary Buffer Here is my review on a few products. First we'll cover torque wrenches. Both brands are "micrometer" click type torque wrenches (they click when they reach the set torque). Torque Wrench: Powerbuilt 3/8" Drive 5-80 lb-ft: $42.99 full MSRP This is a schucks/checkers/kragen brand. I only got it because I needed one, and it was the only place still open. I got it on sale. It's ok, this one works still, but it's gotten finicky over the years. I've had it for a few years, it still works, but it has a few quirks now. First, once you set the desired torque, you twist this red colored thing on the bottom to tighten/lock it up. This thing doesn't like ti lock anymore. It worked fine when I got it, but now I have to use pillars to lock it down and un-lock it. If I just twist it by hand, it won't lock down right. That's my main gripe. Once or twice in the last few months, it hasn't clicked when you hit the right torque. I move the direction switch on top back to what would be loosen, and then return it, it seems to work fine. I just do that every time before I use it, and it's fine. Not the greatest torque wrench, I don't like it because these quirks annoy me, but despite all that it still does the job. It also came with a nifty little snap in plastic carrying case. Other than the need to use vise-grips or pillars to lock it, it's not that bad actually. I've got my moneys worth out of it. It has a limited lifetime warranty, so I could probably get this thing replaced if I really wanted to. It is what it is...an inexpensive torque wrench. Torque Wrench: Craftsman 1/2 Drive 25-150 lb-ft: MSRP now raised to $79.99 This is my 2nd one. It has a really short warranty (90 days). My first one died in the first few months of owning it. It was a long time ago (several years or more). The lock collar broke and wouldn't lock, making it a big breaker bar. They exchanged it no questions asked. Just had me bring the new one to the counter, noted what was wrong with the old one, and they exchanged it for the old broken one. The replacement has never given me issues. This one has a different designed lock mech. It's a collar you twist to lock it at the desired torque, after you set it. It still works fine when you un-lock and lock it, and I've had it several years. I've never had a problem with the lock collar on this one. I prefer this one over the above one, as long as the lock ring still works... If the lock ring breaks, it's an big breaker bar. I've never had a problem with this one(my second one, the warranty replacement), and I've had it for years. Floor Jack: Craftsman Aluminum Floor Jack ("Racing Jack"); Jackstands Floor Jack: $199 (it's gone up $60 since I bought mine, I paid $139), Jackstands: $19.99 This thing is great. I've had this since the first month they were available. I got it right when it first came out. It's lightweight, which allowed you to carry it if need be, whether it be to a friends, to the track, whatever. Also, it is a low profile jack. It was a 3 3/4"-18 1/2" lift range. It can clear most lowered vehicles I've tried it on, which is a major plus. Also, it's one of those jacks that raises to reach the underside jack point in 1 pump. It raises pretty quick too once you get a load on it. It doesn't take more than few pumps to reach full height. It's full sized, low-profile, the lightweight (maybe 44 lbs), reaches the jacking point in 1 pump, and raises fully in 5-6 pumps. I love this jack, gets placed some won't it portable due to the weight, and has worked for years. I recommend it. I've read negative things about this jack, but it's been good to me. It even tipped over once and one of the 3 grab handles broke, when trying to jack a car to change flat on a slight slope, and it still works fine, so IDK about the other reviews I read. The most common complaint is oil leaking, or that is got stuck up, and I never had these issues. From reading them, it sounds like people are jacking the car with it, leaving it on the jack and working on it for extended periods. If that's the case, that's the problem. $20 jack-stands and they'd be fine. We all know we're not suppose to use the jack to hold the car up, just to raise it. I always lift the car, put jack-stands under the car, lower it onto the jack-stands, and then remove the jack so the jack-stands are supporting it. The owners manual warns not to use the jack to support a vehicle, only to lift it. I suspect that the failure I read about is due to people using it incorrectly as load barring jack-stands, and not just a floor jack to lift. I still recommend it, regardless of the reviews on the sears site. Just use jack-stands to support the car once it's in the air, and not the jack-itself...all these people who use it as a load-barring device also and then complain when it leaks or won't lift...they'd of been fine if they used it to jack and not as a load barring device. There's a reason they make jack-stands AND floor jacks. Floor jacks aren't made to support a load for extended periods... Electric Variable Speed Rotary Buffer: Makita 9217SPC, 7" Diameter, 1500-2800rpm (adjustable) It is discontinued now. I've seen it sell today for about $199-$210, if you can find it. This thing is great. It's an expensive pro buffer. I used to use it all the time when I did high end primo mobile detailing. It never smoked, slowed down, got over-worked, or anything. Cutting, buffing, polishing...no matter how much you used it or abused it, it just keeps working. I've never used a cheap buffer, and after owning this one, I never will. I still have this thing. I've had it for over 5 years at least. It still works like it's new. If you know how to use a rotary, combining this buffer with good pads and compound will yield amazing results. This thing is a beast. Highly recommended, if you know how to use a rotary...if you don't...learn before you try to use one, or you could damage your paint. Only use a rotary if you know what your doing. Last edited by eckoman_pdx; 01-22-2008 at 11:02 PM..

01-23-2008, 01:13 AM	#3 (permalink)
Russell the Love Muscle Local Douche Bag Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 604 Thanks: 1 Thanked 14 Times in 14 Posts iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	we should get a thread going on reviews of tools, I bought a ingersoll rand impact a little while back and I love it! Ingersoll-Rand 2135TI - Titanium 'n' Torque (T'N'T) Ultra Duty 1/2 Air Impact Wrench Only IR could deliver 1,000 ft.-lbs. of Nut Busting Torque in a gun that weighs just 3.95 lbs! enough said! Attached Thumbnails

01-24-2008, 12:49 AM	#11 (permalink)
eckoman_pdx Custom Car Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 1,340 Thanks: 45 Thanked 77 Times in 64 Posts iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	Alright, I'll go ahead and start a few threads on this then Edit: Alright, I made the threads for the 3 types of products I reviewed. If any of you have any reviews on any of these products, post them up in the appropriate thread! I've listed the threads below. Reviews: Torque Wrenches Reviews: Floor Jacks and Jack-Stands Reviews: Rotary Buffers I added a little bit more to this review...and 2 before and after pictures that are relevant. If you have a review on a a product type that does not have a thread yet, start one!! I think it would be good if we could keep a similar format in all the product review threads we create. What do you think? Last edited by eckoman_pdx; 01-24-2008 at 01:55 AM..

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01-23-2008, 01:00 AM	#2 (permalink)
canadam MidshipExpress Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Beautiful British Columbia Posts: 9,777 Thanks: 118 Thanked 136 Times in 116 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (29/100% )	Thanks for the reviews, it might be nice to put them in different threads so they are easier to find in a search

01-23-2008, 01:22 AM	#5 (permalink)
Russell the Love Muscle Local Douche Bag Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 604 Thanks: 1 Thanked 14 Times in 14 Posts iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	I think it would be best to create a thread for each kind of tool, eg: Torque Wrench Reviews, Impact Wrench Reviews, Floor Jack Reviews, and so on!

01-23-2008, 01:37 AM	#6 (permalink)
eckoman_pdx Custom Car Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 1,340 Thanks: 45 Thanked 77 Times in 64 Posts iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	I think these are both good ideas. I am more than happy to re-do these reviews in a different thread. Should we do a thread for each individual tool, or (as Russell said), do a thread for each tool type? As soon as we figure out which, I can re-post these so they're easier to find.

01-23-2008, 01:54 AM	#7 (permalink)
Russell the Love Muscle Local Douche Bag Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 604 Thanks: 1 Thanked 14 Times in 14 Posts iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	imo a thread for tool types would be best, then someone looking for a certain tool can go to one place and look at rating for many different makes/models in one thread; rather than looking in multiple places!

01-23-2008, 09:00 AM	#10 (permalink)
canadam MidshipExpress Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Beautiful British Columbia Posts: 9,777 Thanks: 118 Thanked 136 Times in 116 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (29/100% )	Yep, good plan.