Peek the Geek

1/4" Craftsman Torx 25 bit is not fitting on the 1/4" head of my Park Torque Wrench. The head/male part/whatever of the torque wrench is slightly too large to fit into the bit. I took the bit and wrench to Sears to see if it was just a poorly machined bit, but none of the 1/4" Torx bits would fit. Several other 1/4" bits of other types worked fine, and I haven't had troubles with many other Craftsman bits, but quite a few at Sears did not fit (Torx bits especially).

The funny side to this is my conversation with the Sears salesperson:

SALESPERSON: What brand of torque wrench is it?

ME: It's a Park Tool wrench.

SALESPERSON: Well, some of the cheaper, low quality toolmakers have a lot of variance in their manufacturing. So if you buy cheaper tools their sizes might sometimes be off a bit. You've probably got a cheap wrench there that wasn't built properly.

ME: I wouldn't say Park tools are cheap.

SALESPERSON: Well, then you should drive over to the Park shop and demand a new wrench.

Obviously, the guy wasn't a cyclist, so I can't blame him for not having heard of Park. I just thought it was a little funny.

I ended up buying a 1/4" to 1/4" extender that fits just fine. But, what's the deal? Anyone else have issues? What brand bits do you usually buy with your torque wrenches?

fmw

I buy Craftsman but I have a Craftsman torque wrench with 3/8" drive rather than 1/4". Can't help but wonder if the the Park wrench doesn't have a metric head.

DieselDan

I wouldn't call Craftsman a quality tool company.

DieselDan

No such thing in the US market.

Peek the Geek

No, I wouldn't say they're great, but they do offer quality products at decent prices, have good exchange policies, and are readily available if you've got a local Sears store. My other option is Menard's, which I hate and which doesn't carry single metric hex bits or anything smaller than a T30 torx.

cruentus

A true mark of a wannabe wrencher-elitist is their constant bashing of Craftsman tools. "Craftsman sucks. Look at me. I'm so sophisticated and elite."

Most pro auto mechanics don't use craftsman tools -- Mac or Snap-on being preferred. That said, craftsman tools are more than adequate for DIY home mechanics. I own mostly Craftsman tools and have used my tools constantly over the last 25 years. I've maintained and repaired all my cars, motorcycles and bikes with my Craftsman tool set and I haven't broken very many of them -- screwdrivers mostly, they do suck.

How many engine/trans R&Rs have you wrencher wannabes performed? I've done dozens.

Back to the OP question. A 1/4 inch drive torx bit should fit a 1/4 drive wrench irrespective of the make of bit or wrench. If your torx bits won't fit on the drive of the wrench, you may have a burr, or some other defect, on the drive end of the wrench. I've had this problem with other wrenches, the solution was some careful file work on the drive end of the wrench.

HillRider

Absolutely right. Nearly all of my tools are Craftsman (except for Park bike tools) and they have been completely satisfactory for all my automotive and mechanical work. Their lifetime, no questions asked warranty is very nice but I've rarely needed to use it.

Mac or Snap-On are "preferred" by pro auto mechanics for one major reason, Mac and Snap-On tool trucks come to their place of business to take orders and deliver right to the shop. I've known several pro mechanics who use Craftsman tools and think they are every bit as functional as Proto, Snap-On and Mac but they have to go buy them themselves.

Peek the Geek

Thanks, cruentus, for the helpful (albeit a little hostile ) post. I'll take a close look at the wrench head and see if some filing can be done to solve the problem, as minor as it is.

cruentus

That's one reason. Mac and Snap-On also make a lot of auto repair specialty tools that are not available at Sears. The Mac and Snap-On dealers also offer easy payment plans for tool purchases.

I also know a pro mechanic who uses Craftsman tools. His tool set is a mixture of Snap-On, Mac and Craftsman.

BTW, I've never broken a Craftsman tool while working on a bicycle.

operator

Well just because something isn't cheap doesn't mean the quality isn't. But yes, not to worry I know what Park tool is.

DieselDan

cruentus, I started in the auto repair industry, and know first almostbrokenhand who makes the better mechainic's hand tools. Craftsman is decent for home mechanics, they just won't hold up to everyday heavy-duty use. The OP is complaining about a quality control problem that is epidemic with Craftsman. I could be wrong and the problem is with the socket.

HillRider

That's a good point. There are specific automotive tools that Sears regular hardware stores don't carry and may not even be available from their specialty tool catalog. Sort of like Sears doesn't carry cone wrenches or bottom bracket tools.

Neither have I. The only Craftsman tool I've ever broken was a 14 mm socket while removing a very reluctant manifold bolt. Sears replaced it without question.

Avalanche325

My Dad owned two service stations when I was growing up. That was back in the day when you took your car there for mechanical work.

He used to use Snap-on, Mac, and Craftsman. Yes, Snap-on and Mac are a little higher quality. But, not enough to warrant the price differance. It is also not practical to wait for a week when a Snap on or Mac tool breaks (and they do break) for the truck to come around.

Craftsman also has a Pro line of tools. They are the heavy, high polished versions, just like Snap-On. I haven't used them though.

I have been doing my own mechanical work since I was 14. Everything from regular maintenance, engine and transmission overhauls and swaps, suspension work, and restoration work, you name it. I have broken a couple Craftsman tools, but I was usually overstressing them when it happened. A lot of my tools are now over 27 years old and still going. So, that is all the quality I need, or am willing to pay for.

Al1943

I have no problem fitting Craftsman sockets on my Park TW1 torque wrench. And I just confirmed that.
Sounds like you got a bad torque wrench.


Al

Peek the Geek

I don't have a problem with most of the Craftsman sockets, just the 1/4" Torx ones. Are you using the Torx sockets with your Park wrench?

TireLever-07

I got a 26 year old "sears" branded metric socket set.Since the merger,Craftsman tools are in K-Mart.I got the Craftsman catalog,the torx,allen sockets are in there.I still buy their paint.

Al1943

No.