It looks like my Wheeler Fat Wrench has gone kaput.
Are Fixit Sticks still the preferred torque sensing tools or is there New Hotness ?
Are Fixit Sticks still the preferred torque sensing tools or is there New Hotness ?
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Gunsmithing Torque Tools
- Thread starter CaptNemo
- Start date
Snap-on Store
There was someone here who thought owning this toy here constituted "flexing on the poors" in a vulgar, ostentatious manner...
But the circuitry and sensors are practically identical to those made in Taiwan and China.
Any old digital torque wrench with the appropriate range from Amazon.com will do fine.
Most torque settings for our firearms aren't "Precision" or "Aerospace Grade" as bubba would have you believe.
We're not dealing with automotive components where the safety of your "Family, Friends, and Loved Ones" and many others are really biblically tantamount and taken seriously.
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I have that complete Snap On digital torque wrench set. It's worth every penny. I'm also a mechanic so it gets used often.
If it was me, I'd get another FAT Wrench, my personal one has been reliable for years and if it does go tits up one day then I'd go get another one probably. I have Fix It Sticks and Borka too, owned Seekonk wrenches at one point also but the FAT Wrench isn't a bad thing to have at the bench, none of my stuff has fallen off the gun because of it.
Fixit Sticks win (for me) in the ease of use category, at least if you buy the preset torque attachments. They also sell a non-clicking 0-65 in/lbs general attachment that is a bit less accurate but works fine.
I also own a Wheeler and I dropped it. Seems to have affected it (not surprising and not it’s fault) as it no longer tightens close to my fixit sticks. I didn’t like always having to adjust it vs just grabbing the appropriate fixit preset.
Of course, the above example might just mean my fixit sticks are all too tight?
Anyway, it appears to me that fixit sticks’ accuracy are close enough. More expensive units are probably going to be more accurate but for firearms use it doesn’t seem to matter (but still might).
My guess is the issue would be more well known if there was a systematic over-tightening or under-tightening happening. But, that might be not a good assumption? Who knows? Not me.
I also own a Wheeler and I dropped it. Seems to have affected it (not surprising and not it’s fault) as it no longer tightens close to my fixit sticks. I didn’t like always having to adjust it vs just grabbing the appropriate fixit preset.
Of course, the above example might just mean my fixit sticks are all too tight?
Anyway, it appears to me that fixit sticks’ accuracy are close enough. More expensive units are probably going to be more accurate but for firearms use it doesn’t seem to matter (but still might).
My guess is the issue would be more well known if there was a systematic over-tightening or under-tightening happening. But, that might be not a good assumption? Who knows? Not me.
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Stuff falling off isn't as much of a concern but twisting the treads out of an alloy part or snapping off a fastener is a concern.
I had a Fix It Sticks bit lock up and would start overtightening fasteners. FIS took care of it but stuff can happen to any brand.
Yep. Haven’t had that happen yet.
But if it does happen, I’m sure the gods will issue the decree exactly when I’m setting up my first TT 7-35 or some shit like that lol
Dramatization
[Man walks into his gun room. Speaks to himself]
MAN: “La la la, so excited to use my new TT. Let’s mount that scope up with my fixit sticks!”
FX SOUNDS: < crush crush crush >
MAN: …!
Something like that almost happened to me haha. I was trying to torque ring cap screws to like 20 in/lbs or something so I'm turning the bit and the dial isn't moving and I'm turning some more and it's getting tighter but it was still reading like 10 in/lbs so at that point I figured something's not right. Fix It Sticks had great CS though, couldn't have been nicer getting me a new driver out fast.
Fix-It's are pretty handy but not in the range or configured for muzzle devices and castle nuts ; for the later I use the old school Craftsman click style.
Bite the bullet. I’m a cheapskate. My wife “bought” me this set for my birthday. (I ordered on my credit card, she approved) this is one of those cases where I have zero buyers remorse and a lifetime tool. I own other torque tools but this one goes to the range and everywhere else. Simply freakin amazing and one of the best values for the money spent.
I use the Borka!
By way of it’s design, it can not break!!!
On wheel nuts we use a digital Snap-On because the lever arm on the Borka is not long enough.
-Richard
By way of it’s design, it can not break!!!
On wheel nuts we use a digital Snap-On because the lever arm on the Borka is not long enough.
-Richard
