Review on 💪 Silver 1/2-inch Drive Split Beam Torque Wrench with Flex Head by Precision Instruments - PREC3FR250F by Wade Brooks

Overall this is a very handy torque wrench, mainly due to its reliable accuracy and affordable price. No one torque wrench fits all, and there are many different designs to best suit specific jobs and personal preferences. For example. shorter or longer, fixed or flexible head, direct reading or signal, reversible, etc. I have several different torque wrenches including some of the latest snap-on TechAngle models, some types of direct reading bars, and several Tohnichi scale types (but nothing with the mainspring ). They are all different and none of them can be called the best, only the best for a specific application. Except when a wrench is required for any type of fabrication or repeated use, accuracy should always be the first consideration. A durable, reliable 4% wrench is far better than a cheap clockwork model that claims 3% accuracy when new! In my opinion the only clickers worth considering are split beam keys as most types of Acme branded clickers are terribly unreliable and are best avoided (maintenance springs and very inconsistent click mechanisms). Snap-on, Norbar etc make such good keys but they are quite expensive to buy and require regular calibration afterwards to keep them under control (more money and time). This key is very similar to the snap-on version (also made by Precision Instruments) and I have both. but the differences are not what you might expect! Yes, the Snap-on is a little nicer, with better polish all around, not just the top, a slightly nicer storage case and a nicer ratchet head labeled Snap-on USA; but my snap-on version also has a very rough setting that jams when you turn the knurled screw, plus the thing costs a lot more money. The snap-on split-beam wrench has a softer fit that seals the end of the metal body near the end of the socket, while the Precision Instruments model looks unfinished there and actually rattles against the split-beam inside. Both wrenches have a ratchet, and both offer ratchet recovery kits. SO has a 36T ratchet and PI has a 32T. However, the snap-on has an excellent flexible head connection. It moves easily and more clearly (more than twice as far). For some strange reason the PI axis is very stiff and the range of motion is very small. TechAngle has become more flexible again. There are lots of swings and carousels here, so be patient. My PI button actually makes a louder and more reassuring "click" than SO, which is a big deal considering it's the only signal you get. The SO has a black dial and the PI has a white dial, but this new PI appears to have some signs of corrosion or metal wear on the dial. I've attached some photos to show what I mean. Minor flaws aside, this is definitely a great wrench in a variety of sizes and at a very reasonable price on Revain. It offers reliable long-term accuracy far superior to clockwork clicker models, is quick to set up and easy to use, does not need to be loosened (wound up) after each use, and is stable over a wide range of its scale (20-100%, im Unlike most other wrenches which work best on the medium scale). Definitely the less responsible choice for things like jam nuts where extreme accuracy is far less important than constant speed and accuracy (tightening nuts from 90ft.. stupid, even worse when some are 100 and others 180!). This wrench only works clockwise (up) which is normal and should not cause any problems as the non-reversible ratcheting head also protects it from abuse. An obvious limitation of this key is the fact that it doesn't show an approximation of a specific value, so keep that in mind. There seem to be some manufacturing inconsistencies between these wrenches, so I can only report on my experience. Hope this helps someone. Added: The snap-on split beam wrench comes with a proper Certificate of Calibration (Certificate of Verification) proving that it is indeed effective, but the Precision Instruments wrench only comes with a "Certificate of Calibration Compliance" that states that it is 4% accurate.