It is a strange question to rate the “weight” of this unit because it is basically a giant torque electric motor on the end of a handle- so yes, it is top heavy. I’ve had the chance to use it a couple times to remove tires and wheels and it works great th-cam.com/users/postUgkx4ynqaujg7rZKFapA8s29kTpRszJGa3-K There are three torque settings so that you don’t overdo it and strip a lug. Very happy with it, especially with the price of buying it as a bare tool.
Nice review! I ended up going with this over the SO Techangle because although the Techangle has more torque range in all the drive sizes and has the ability to calculate additional lengths for attachments like crowfoot adapters at the price of 3 times the price I can buy the 1/2" GW torque wrench PLUS a clean used 3/4" torque wrench for about the same price.
Great review, I know this is kind of old and maybe you 'd know by now but never ever lose a bolt with a digital torque wrench and this is in the instructions. Cheers.
Those 120XP ratchets Gearwrench sells are absolute heaven for the price. I would buy their click-style torque wrench over the electronic. The batteries are always dead when you need it the most. Not a fan of electric torque wrenches at all. Plus, in a noisy shop you can’t always hear the alarm but you can always feel the click.
Never leave the batteries in your tools. End of use my batteries come out before they go back in the box. Pretty easy and you don't risk having them leak. Also like the other guy said they vibrate and light up so no click isn't an issue.
Still like my click torque wrench but will have to take a look at this one. Looks pretty nice. I am always afraid gonna crack then screen or something.
I have the 3/8"... I like it alot....I sold my Snap-on Tec-angle to buy it....👍about 2 months ago I love the screen red/green in range colors... Great tqwrnch for $250.... better than my SnapOn....I think..
Snap-On did a really good video showing the difference in a digital torque wrench and click/mechanical style. The issue with the click/mechanical style is the end user. There is no warning when its going to click, it just clicks. While electronic torque wrenches have a gauge and/or lights so you can slow down and get proper torque ratings. Even when he was being careful the user was 3 ft-lbs over. Just going normally about 5-10 ft-lbs over. THe digital, about 1 ft-lbs over at worst.
How accurate is it when it comes to reaching your mark let’s say 100 inch pounds ? Or other measurement? How easy is to reach the targeted mark? Had the 1/4 and I keep going back and forth as it always passes my targeted mark even if I go super slow
Looking into this deeper but I may just go this route over the Techangle Snap-On. $250.00 is a very good deal for what you are getting. What's the warranty on the gearing or anvil in the head from breaking?
I have both 1/2 and 3/8 GW and issue I have is it's difficult to read the screen from top angle if I'm torquing lug nuts. You can't read the screen from a top view. Wish the handle could rotate.
That's why the snapon techangle is nice because it has lights you can see how close you are to your setting. That being said trust you tool you don't need to see the value if it feels right and you trust its accuracy the vibration and beep is enough.
Does anyone use this for lugnuts? Like the fact that you dont have to turn it back every time just dont know if it will slow me down or if it is a good fit. Any thoughts?
Thanks for another great video Tim,I also saw another great video that led me right back to you, it was called...Torque Angie Explained by Alkitronic, (German)
I had 2 the digital screen stopped working on the second one I threw it in the garbage and bought the click style one's. now I don't have to worry about batteries or a damn screen going out.
sadly shortly after purchasing a gear wrench electronic torque wrench it immediately had a strange error message on the screen and customer service was no help at all. pretty sure the next one i buy will be from harbor freight at least if its garbage i can take it back
Look into Tekton torque wrench, I have all 3 of them and they are really good, they also have a lifetime warranty with no questions ask, had to do a warranty on a pliers and once I submitted the claim, 5 minutes later I got a email saying the replacement is shipped and got it in two days. Also most of their stuff is made in USA however some stuff is made in Taiwan but on the tool description you can see if that one is made in USA or Taiwan. Not a big fan boy but once I ordered my first tool I was impressed and ordered a whole lot of their tools and so far no disappointment , I recommend them, their stuff is also compared to snap on and quality of their tools are nice and good
What was the result of this? I’m considering one of these units but if they’re throw away unserviceable garbage then I don’t see the point. If that’s the case it’s a shame because on the surface it’s seems quite nice.
@@brucehill1220 So you contacted them and they refused to fix it even though it was under warranty? If this is true, that’s all I need to know. No thanks.
Was interested until all the glare interfered with seeing the read out. I have been using a Snapon digital 3/8" for 13-14 years now. It measures all this one does and reaches the values I mostly use. The big problem with the Snapon is the battery cap will loosen on the end of the handle if I don't pay close attention. The short handle of the 3/8" helps it fit better in close quarters but the older I get the harder it is to pull the upper end of the scale.
For 3 times the price it better do all that this one does and more but unfortunately it doesn't! And you won't have a problem with glare with the gearwrench while in person!
I think the new snap on changed the design for battery? Also have to wonder what gear wrench will do after 90 days warranty vs snap on some time years later? Sure it’s no comparison
Very nice wrench. If I didn’t have the Snap On tech angles, I’d be all over it. Maybe will look at the 1/4”. As far as click style, I love my split beam torque wrench for lug nuts. You don’t have to zero it when not in use. I sometimes like using a micrometer click style for really low torque applications like in the engine bay. I prefer the feeling of the click to the sound of the beep when I can’t see the screen.
...but why do you need to see the screen when the wrench beeps as you reach torque spec? Answer: you don't need to see the screen because the wrench beeps as you reach torque spec. Wrench also vibrates the handle for you deaf dumb & blind people out there. No idea how they could address your criticisms and make it any better. Just don't buy it if ya don't like it! Simple.
I am thinking between this and the Quinn (even though I am no longer a big harbor freight fan.) My concern is how do you calibrate a digital torque wrench?
You can calibrate them yourself. You will need to Google it for the accurate details since I’m not gonna type it all out but you basically hang a weight (say 20#) from the handle and set the wrench at that weight.
@@juanc5149 I believe that you are mistaken but this isn’t my area of expertise so I’ll capitulate. I know Snap-On makes a digital torque wrench calibrater and some wrenches have a self-calibration setting (whatever that’s worth) so maybe that helps you. Best of luck!
@HondaCrf450r. this is true it does have 60 teeth, but the dual pawl gives it 120 positions, not teeth, but in theory, it gives you the feel of a 120 tooth ratchet without having such small teeth that couldn't hold much
@HondaCrf450r. also since my original reply I've used a lot of the 120xp products and can confirm the have a very smooth feel and not a lot of backdrag due to the dual pawls like you were talking about
The 1/2” drive version is on backorder everywhere, so I ended up buying the 3/8” drive version with 10-100 ft/lb range. Question: If the peak torque exceeds 100 ft/lbs after reaching the target angle, will it still work or would it damage the tool? In my case, I need to tighten subframe bolts to 77 ft/lbs + 120 degrees which I imagine would exceed 100 ft/lbs in the end, so I’m wondering if the 3/8” drive version would still be appropriate for that.
That's a very good point that I should have probably covered in the review. Regardless of Angle or Torque settings, if the overall torque exceeds the 100 ft-lbs, the torque wrench will error out and shouldn't be trusted.
Ya I can also add to this. I too had the same similar concern and message gear wrench regarding the matter and they told me it wlll exceed most of the their torque wrenches ratings by doing these degree pulls since the end torque value is most likely unknown to us and most of the time higher than what the tool can handle! However I have done this many time with my snap on tech angle 100ftlb 3/8” wrench for many years without any complaints lol 😅
I would like to know if anyone here experienced this exact torque wrench turning off for no reason while applying torque. I greatly appreciate all the answers. Battery is checked and new.
I have tech angle torque wrenches but I too like the positive click. I never was a fan of the 120xp ratchets but hope to see these with the new 90 tooth heads available before long.
Engine fasteners for past 20+ years require not sure torque, but bolt stretch, or angle. For example: a head bolt may require you to torque to 25 ft-lbs for all the fasteners, then come back and turn the fastener 90-degrees. Thanks for watching.
@@Shoptoolreviews Thanks. I actually watched a youtube video where the guy explained the physics/math behind this whole torque angle thing and it made sense. He went over the torque and then the levels where a bolt could not be reused and then the point where it would fail. Interesting. All these years never knew this. Makes sense now.
Wtf is so important about the angle that you wasted 90% of this video harping on? I just want a torque wrench. Should've just bought another click wrench for half the price.
good video, but you are NEVER meant to use these tools to LOSTEN a bolt!!- that is how you break them!!, as the mechanism is not designed to go in reverse (CCW, or Left hand thread)-ratchet is to reposition socket on head of bolt/nut; THIS IS what a BREAKER BAR is used for, OR an HYDRAULIC TORQUE driver, ie: hytorch, as these ARE designed to losten bolts too ( use the full power of these tools for rusted nuts).
@@Shoptoolreviews ok, just my thoughts on the matter, be glad to know why you can loosten the fastenings with it, as I may be wrong on this! ( this is what my DAd always says, and he only has the bendy bar type, the one with the click pin on the end of the torque bar)
*Great **MyBest.Tools** cordless wrench a little heavy*
Cool tool.
I am right now with the click type wrench. But looks pretty awesome and is far way cheaper than the truck price.
Thanks for the video
Right on. Thanks for watching.
It is a strange question to rate the “weight” of this unit because it is basically a giant torque electric motor on the end of a handle- so yes, it is top heavy. I’ve had the chance to use it a couple times to remove tires and wheels and it works great th-cam.com/users/postUgkx4ynqaujg7rZKFapA8s29kTpRszJGa3-K There are three torque settings so that you don’t overdo it and strip a lug. Very happy with it, especially with the price of buying it as a bare tool.
Nice review! I ended up going with this over the SO Techangle because although the Techangle has more torque range in all the drive sizes and has the ability to calculate additional lengths for attachments like crowfoot adapters at the price of 3 times the price I can buy the 1/2" GW torque wrench PLUS a clean used 3/4" torque wrench for about the same price.
I forget the brand but there is actually a crowsfoot torque wrench set
Excellent video tim! I'm kind of up in the air but I think I wanna stay with the click style. 😎
Good choice! I can't argue with that. Thanks for watching.
Hi Shop Tool Reviews (can you do the 1/4 and 3/8 120xp GearWrench Digital reviews)?
Great review, I know this is kind of old and maybe you 'd know by now but never ever lose a bolt with a digital torque wrench and this is in the instructions. Cheers.
Can you test the how much torque all the different settings put out on the M12 stubby
We will see what we can do. Thanks for watching.
Those 120XP ratchets Gearwrench sells are absolute heaven for the price. I would buy their click-style torque wrench over the electronic. The batteries are always dead when you need it the most. Not a fan of electric torque wrenches at all. Plus, in a noisy shop you can’t always hear the alarm but you can always feel the click.
That’s why you have color red and it vibrates
Never leave the batteries in your tools. End of use my batteries come out before they go back in the box. Pretty easy and you don't risk having them leak. Also like the other guy said they vibrate and light up so no click isn't an issue.
Still like my click torque wrench but will have to take a look at this one. Looks pretty nice. I am always afraid gonna crack then screen or something.
Tim, now that this is your new go to, I'll take that Li-on off your hands!
Oh no, they will still both be used. The Gearwrench for loosening tests, and the HYTORC guns are for tightening. Thanks for watching.
I have the 3/8"... I like it alot....I sold my Snap-on Tec-angle to buy it....👍about 2 months ago
I love the screen red/green in range colors...
Great tqwrnch for $250.... better than my SnapOn....I think..
Thanks for sharing and thanks for watching.
Looking forward on the snap on 1/2 torque
Thanks for watching.
Snap-On did a really good video showing the difference in a digital torque wrench and click/mechanical style. The issue with the click/mechanical style is the end user. There is no warning when its going to click, it just clicks. While electronic torque wrenches have a gauge and/or lights so you can slow down and get proper torque ratings. Even when he was being careful the user was 3 ft-lbs over. Just going normally about 5-10 ft-lbs over. THe digital, about 1 ft-lbs over at worst.
Where can I take this torque wrench to be calibrated?
I just ordered this unit today as my tq wrenches are quite old.
can you do another video how you setup program for electrical panel circuit breakers thank you
What type of electrical panel are you talking about?
How accurate is it when it comes to reaching your mark let’s say 100 inch pounds ? Or other measurement? How easy is to reach the targeted mark?
Had the 1/4 and I keep going back and forth as it always passes my targeted mark even if I go super slow
Looking into this deeper but I may just go this route over the Techangle Snap-On. $250.00 is a very good deal for what you are getting. What's the warranty on the gearing or anvil in the head from breaking?
Should be lifetime on the head. 1 year on the body and 90 days on the calibration.
I have both 1/2 and 3/8 GW and issue I have is it's difficult to read the screen from top angle if I'm torquing lug nuts. You can't read the screen from a top view. Wish the handle could rotate.
That's why the snapon techangle is nice because it has lights you can see how close you are to your setting. That being said trust you tool you don't need to see the value if it feels right and you trust its accuracy the vibration and beep is enough.
Does anyone use this for lugnuts? Like the fact that you dont have to turn it back every time just dont know if it will slow me down or if it is a good fit. Any thoughts?
Absolutely, it's great or lugnuts.
It looks like it flips for the percent thing it maxes out at 50% on mine but I can go up to 85% which makes me think they flipped the menus
How much and where i can have my order to deliver...
Has Gearwrench got anything equivalent quality to SnapOn and Norbar in digital?.
F SO
Thanks for another great video Tim,I also saw another great video that led me right back to you, it was called...Torque Angie Explained by Alkitronic, (German)
Thank you very much and that's great to hear. Thanks for watching.
Amazing digital torque wrench!
I love it! Thanks for watching.
I had 2 the digital screen stopped working on the second one I threw it in the garbage and bought the click style one's. now I don't have to worry about batteries or a damn screen going out.
How does it know when to start and end the angle ?
I'm assuming that it detects pressure. Thanks for watching.
sadly shortly after purchasing a gear wrench electronic torque wrench it immediately had a strange error message on the screen and customer service was no help at all. pretty sure the next one i buy will be from harbor freight at least if its garbage i can take it back
Really?! This is not good to hear. Was it this model torque wrench? Thanks for watching.
Look into Tekton torque wrench, I have all 3 of them and they are really good, they also have a lifetime warranty with no questions ask, had to do a warranty on a pliers and once I submitted the claim, 5 minutes later I got a email saying the replacement is shipped and got it in two days. Also most of their stuff is made in USA however some stuff is made in Taiwan but on the tool description you can see if that one is made in USA or Taiwan. Not a big fan boy but once I ordered my first tool I was impressed and ordered a whole lot of their tools and so far no disappointment , I recommend them, their stuff is also compared to snap on and quality of their tools are nice and good
What was the result of this? I’m considering one of these units but if they’re throw away unserviceable garbage then I don’t see the point. If that’s the case it’s a shame because on the surface it’s seems quite nice.
@@dlj1285 they never warranted it
@@brucehill1220 So you contacted them and they refused to fix it even though it was under warranty? If this is true, that’s all I need to know. No thanks.
Was interested until all the glare interfered with seeing the read out. I have been using a Snapon digital 3/8" for 13-14 years now. It measures all this one does and reaches the values I mostly use. The big problem with the Snapon is the battery cap will loosen on the end of the handle if I don't pay close attention. The short handle of the 3/8" helps it fit better in close quarters but the older I get the harder it is to pull the upper end of the scale.
Sorry about the glare. We'll keep a better eye out next time. Thanks for watching.
For 3 times the price it better do all that this one does and more but unfortunately it doesn't! And you won't have a problem with glare with the gearwrench while in person!
I think the new snap on changed the design for battery? Also have to wonder what gear wrench will do after 90 days warranty vs snap on some time years later? Sure it’s no comparison
They look like really good wrenches but constantly pressing set to change seems like it’ll be a bit of a time consumer
Very nice wrench. If I didn’t have the Snap On tech angles, I’d be all over it. Maybe will look at the 1/4”. As far as click style, I love my split beam torque wrench for lug nuts. You don’t have to zero it when not in use. I sometimes like using a micrometer click style for really low torque applications like in the engine bay. I prefer the feeling of the click to the sound of the beep when I can’t see the screen.
...but why do you need to see the screen when the wrench beeps as you reach torque spec? Answer: you don't need to see the screen because the wrench beeps as you reach torque spec. Wrench also vibrates the handle for you deaf dumb & blind people out there. No idea how they could address your criticisms and make it any better. Just don't buy it if ya don't like it! Simple.
I am thinking between this and the Quinn (even though I am no longer a big harbor freight fan.)
My concern is how do you calibrate a digital torque wrench?
you need to take it to a service center every now and then for re-calibration and maintenance
You can calibrate them yourself. You will need to Google it for the accurate details since I’m not gonna type it all out but you basically hang a weight (say 20#) from the handle and set the wrench at that weight.
@@robertb6964
Thats for click type wrenches. Digital wrenches don’t work like that.
@@juanc5149 I believe that you are mistaken but this isn’t my area of expertise so I’ll capitulate. I know Snap-On makes a digital torque wrench calibrater and some wrenches have a self-calibration setting (whatever that’s worth) so maybe that helps you. Best of luck!
What the 120xp mean? How does it differ from their other electronic flex head torque wrench?
It has 120 teeth instead of the standard 72 tooth that the other non 120xp wrenches have so just a better arc Swing maybe smoother action
@@richardhight7616 Interesting thank you! Wonder why their other models with similar features minus the 120 teeth cost more.
not 100percent right. it actually has 60teeth just dual pawls inside.
@HondaCrf450r. this is true it does have 60 teeth, but the dual pawl gives it 120 positions, not teeth, but in theory, it gives you the feel of a 120 tooth ratchet without having such small teeth that couldn't hold much
@HondaCrf450r. also since my original reply I've used a lot of the 120xp products and can confirm the have a very smooth feel and not a lot of backdrag due to the dual pawls like you were talking about
How would you get one of these recalibrated?
Typically, most tool trucks will recalibrate torque wrenches. Thanks for watching.
I love gearwrench. That's my go to tool brand for wrenches. They may not be the best but they'll get the job done.
Gearwrench makes very good tools
@@pdaddy879 In Australia I actually think gearwrench make the best tools apart from snap on. The ratchets atleast are easily the next best thing.
@@AP-ow5vu their ratchets are excellent, has never let me down
im a technojunkie, turned out i really dont like the feel of electronic wrenches. i may add one for torque + angle though
I know what you mean. I still use both as well. I do like the ETW for torque+angle. Thanks for watching.
Can someone recommend a place I could send out my electric matco tq to get recalibrated? Thanks in advance
Your Matco or Snap-On truck won't service it?
@@Shoptoolreviews we don’t have a matco truck and snap-on guy never shows up.
@@99ekcouper Call them and/or email them from their site.
The 1/2” drive version is on backorder everywhere, so I ended up buying the 3/8” drive version with 10-100 ft/lb range.
Question: If the peak torque exceeds 100 ft/lbs after reaching the target angle, will it still work or would it damage the tool? In my case, I need to tighten subframe bolts to 77 ft/lbs + 120 degrees which I imagine would exceed 100 ft/lbs in the end, so I’m wondering if the 3/8” drive version would still be appropriate for that.
That's a very good point that I should have probably covered in the review. Regardless of Angle or Torque settings, if the overall torque exceeds the 100 ft-lbs, the torque wrench will error out and shouldn't be trusted.
@@Shoptoolreviews thanks for the answer, I guess I’ll pick up an angle gauge to use with a 1/2” breaker bar.
Ya I can also add to this. I too had the same similar concern and message gear wrench regarding the matter and they told me it wlll exceed most of the their torque wrenches ratings by doing these degree pulls since the end torque value is most likely unknown to us and most of the time higher than what the tool can handle! However I have done this many time with my snap on tech angle 100ftlb 3/8” wrench for many years without any complaints lol 😅
Good video 👍
Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for watching.
I would like to know if anyone here experienced this exact torque wrench turning off for no reason while applying torque. I greatly appreciate all the answers. Battery is checked and new.
I have tech angle torque wrenches but I too like the positive click. I never was a fan of the 120xp ratchets but hope to see these with the new 90 tooth heads available before long.
Right on. Thanks for watching.
How do you change the batteries on this torque wrench? Mine wont turn on.
Take the battery cover off, insert the new batteries and then carefully reinstall the battery cover.
how accurate is this in comparison to the snap on?
Sorry, but didn't show how accurate it is...
Noticed as you read out the calibration card that the data on the bottom of the card is for angle accuracy, not the torque accuracy.
I don’t fully understand what the angle setting is and how that works.
Engine fasteners for past 20+ years require not sure torque, but bolt stretch, or angle. For example: a head bolt may require you to torque to 25 ft-lbs for all the fasteners, then come back and turn the fastener 90-degrees. Thanks for watching.
@@Shoptoolreviews Thanks. I actually watched a youtube video where the guy explained the physics/math behind this whole torque angle thing and it made sense. He went over the torque and then the levels where a bolt could not be reused and then the point where it would fail. Interesting. All these years never knew this. Makes sense now.
@@teamvigod could you pls link the video
@@paul88146
th-cam.com/video/hz8vSFq3AHM/w-d-xo.html
@@teamvigod thank you. Really great explanation on torque and angle.
The torque is 3 to 4% accuracy is not accurate torque. I'd prefer one that is within a 1% accuracy better.
Sold out of course lol
Uggh! Sorry about that. I wish they did better at keeping supply up. We originally tested this at SEMA over a year ago. Thanks for watching.
@@Shoptoolreviews Its all good I’m gonna definitely pick one up when I can find one I need a good new torque wrench.
matco is the best
Way to complicated and electronic are less reliable. I will stick with a beam style first choice then click style.
Wtf is so important about the angle that you wasted 90% of this video harping on? I just want a torque wrench. Should've just bought another click wrench for half the price.
good video, but you are NEVER meant to use these tools to LOSTEN a bolt!!- that is how you break them!!, as the mechanism is not designed to go in reverse (CCW, or Left hand thread)-ratchet is to reposition socket on head of bolt/nut; THIS IS what a BREAKER BAR is used for, OR an HYDRAULIC TORQUE driver, ie: hytorch, as these ARE designed to losten bolts too ( use the full power of these tools for rusted nuts).
Ummm, I'm not sure that we can agree with you, but Thanks for watching.
@@Shoptoolreviews ok, just my thoughts on the matter, be glad to know why you can loosten the fastenings with it, as I may be wrong on this! ( this is what my DAd always says, and he only has the bendy bar type, the one with the click pin on the end of the torque bar)
This torque wrench torques in both directions. Many don't and yes it's bad for them. @@andyvan5692
Now its needs to be ratcheting
It is ratcheting. Thanks for watching.