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Torque Wrench Recommendation |
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tracker12
Optics GrassHopper Joined: February/11/2009 Location: md Status: Offline Points: 29 |
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Posted: February/19/2009 at 07:44 |
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Looking for an adjustable torque wrench for use to install rings and bases. Not looking for the cheapest but one that is adjustable and accurate.
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Dogger
Optics Jedi Master Joined: January/02/2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Status: Offline Points: 8921 |
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God save the Empire!
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trigger29
Optics Master Extraordinaire X = 180 Y = 90 (X+Pyro)+(Y-Pyro) = ? Joined: September/29/2007 Location: South Dakota Status: Offline Points: 4353 |
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I use a small craftsman torque wrench from my tool box. It's not application specific like the Wheeler, but it does the job. I put rings at 15in.lb. and action screws at 40in.lb. It costed about $79. If you happen to have a regular in./lb. torque wrench, I wouldn't run out and buy one just for your scopes, just get a socket for that for your action screws, and ring screws. If you don't already have one, then knock yourself out. Either of the above should work fine. I have heard that some of the Wheeler's don't hold the bits very well, but can't confirm that.
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"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." |
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LSUSPY
Optics GrassHopper Joined: February/12/2009 Status: Offline Points: 3 |
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I just purchased the Wheeler myself. It offers the correct adjustment range for any rifle application. I purchased it on sale here:
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"To kill you must know your enemy. In this case my enemy is a varmint. And a varmint will never quit...ever. They're like the Viet Cong...Varmint Cong..."
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Dogger
Optics Jedi Master Joined: January/02/2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Status: Offline Points: 8921 |
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We cannot post links to competitors web sites which is why the link above has been altered. If SWFA does not sell the Wheeler you should be able to find a list of dealers in the site I posted earlier.
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God save the Empire!
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tracker12
Optics GrassHopper Joined: February/11/2009 Location: md Status: Offline Points: 29 |
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Thanks!
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sholling
Optics Professional Joined: May/24/2008 Location: Hemet CA Status: Offline Points: 944 |
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In my opinion the best for rings is the Utica TS-35. You can find them used for $35-50. These are actually professional grade tools.
Edited by sholling - February/19/2009 at 21:36 |
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NRA, SAF, & CRPA life member
Member Madison Society & Revolutionary War Veteran Association (Project Appleseed) Old age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill. ;) |
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Tip69
Optics Master Extraordinaire Tip Stick Joined: September/27/2005 Location: Nebraska Status: Offline Points: 4155 |
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I use the Warne one........ its not adjustable, set at 25 in/lbs.
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take em!
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rifle looney
Optics Master Joined: November/21/2008 Status: Offline Points: 2553 |
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OK ready for this, so what listen anyway....I tighten them till the little wrench bends while holding it between my index finger and thumb. No more ....guess what never had a set or a base come loose call it lucky or whatever it works.
Edited by rifle looney - February/19/2009 at 21:19 |
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bbush
Optics Apprentice Joined: October/12/2008 Location: Mississippi Status: Offline Points: 93 |
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I bought a in/lbs specific torque wrench off of E-bay about 10 years ago for this specific purpose. At that time, they were kinda hard to come by. You could find all of the ft/lbs torque wrenches that you wanted, but the in/lbs were pretty rare. I think that I paid about $40 or so if I remember correctly.
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jonoMT
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: November/13/2008 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 4853 |
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For one thing, good rings tighten better than crap rings like the Tascos I got talked into once!
I don't have a 15 in-lb. wrench but can certainly vouch for the quality of the Seekonk 65 in-lb. T-handle wrench. Nightforce and Leupold rebrand the exact same wrench: http://www.swfa.com/pc-2900-594-leupold-mark-4-torque-wrench.aspx (and it used to be that both charged more than if you looked for the Seekonk-branded item but I see that's no longer the case...at least with the Leupold-branded version). From what I've gathered, the adjustable wrenchs (except for the expensive ones) are little better than rifle looney's method. Even the quality fixed wrenches can vary +- several percent. |
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rifle looney
Optics Master Joined: November/21/2008 Status: Offline Points: 2553 |
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Did not say they were good just that it works!
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sholling
Optics Professional Joined: May/24/2008 Location: Hemet CA Status: Offline Points: 944 |
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The FAT Wrench is probably not calibrated and I have no idea how repeatable. My experience with Wheeler products has been mixed and I wouldn't call it a professional grade tool. That's why I recommend the Utica. It's a $200 professional grade tool that comes from the factory with a calibration certificate. Plus/minus 3% if I remember correctly. That's better repeatability than most mechanics' torque wrenchs. The ones you find on ebay for $35-50 usually have an expired cert but as long as you get one that's in good shape it should be plenty good enough for mounting scopes. |
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NRA, SAF, & CRPA life member
Member Madison Society & Revolutionary War Veteran Association (Project Appleseed) Old age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill. ;) |
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rifle looney
Optics Master Joined: November/21/2008 Status: Offline Points: 2553 |
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Sholling... that is definitely a nice tool wouldn't mind having one ....maybe recheck my method?.....not...... but it is nice,thanks for sharing that.
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Urimaginaryfrnd
MODERATOR Resident Redneck Joined: June/20/2005 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 14964 |
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I just bought one of the Warne ones but I have mounted a lot of scopes without one just by feel so I hope to use it soon to try it out. |
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"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do". Bobby Paul Doherty Texas Ranger |
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oyeme
Optics GrassHopper Joined: February/26/2007 Status: Offline Points: 9 |
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I bought one of these from Brownells 3 months ago and it is the best I have ever used. You can work up to exact torque you want in any increment amount even 1 inch pounds if you want. I love mine.
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Bill E.
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Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
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One of our labs/shops has a suretest calibration bench. I have tested my FAT wrench and it is consistent to within +/- 1 in/lb. That is more than sufficient for the precision required by most scope mount requirements. I do not know how long it will hold that level, it doesn't get a lot of use, so a gunsmith doing a LOT of scope mounts may require a much higher quality instrument. I also cannot speak to quality overall of Wheeler FAT wrenches. Mine is the only one I have ever tested and it was only one test, just because it was there. My FAT may be bad tomorrow, but it was good when it was tested.
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Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.
There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living |
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