There are times when a tool leaves us absolutely speechless, and this is almost one of those times. Behold, a digital adjustable wrench which gives torque readings.
We would scream “cheesy gimmick” at the top of our lungs if not for the attention-grabbing $395 pricetag. Surely this cannot simply be an overpriced gimmick tool, right?
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Before anyone gives this tool serious consideration, they might want to instead consider a standard torque wrench and full crowsfoot wrench set for much less than $400. With this option, though, one has to make sure that they are aware of any torque corrections that may need to calculated.
Thanks to the information Superautobacs offered via his comment, we were able to take a look at the manufacturer’s website for the torque wrench. From what we read, Kyoto’s digital adjustable torque wrench may be a much more credible tool than we originally assumed. Still, the price is a tad high for our liking given the availability of cheaper alternatives.
KTC Digital Adjustable Torque Wrench (Manufacturer)
Digital Adjustable Wrench via Japan Trend Shop
Superautobacs
There’s a website dedicated just for the “digi-ratchet” lineup that KTC offers. It’s run by KTC themselves: http://digital-ratchet.jp/
There’s English content, but it understandably falls short in content compared with the Japanese vesion, which offers company backed, online after-service, along with many torque/ing related articles.
Stuart
Thank you for that link – the post has been updated with this information. The manufacturer’s product info definitely offers much more credibility to the tool than did the retailers.
uthscsaedu
WOW
don’t know what else to say!!
Superautobacs
I’ll also add that this particular model is sold in Japan for approximately $250US. In fact, their full lineup, with the exception of their longest ones (18″ and longer) can be bought under $300US.
David E.
I do not see any value in the KTC electronic adjustable torque wrench. Why would a professional spend $400 for a tool that cannot handle high torque loads due to the problem of fastener slippage in the tool’s design? In addition, the digital display adds bulk to the adjustable wrench when needed in close quarter situations. Lastly, an adjustable wrench cannot tighten or loosen bolts in recessed locations. KTC and Nepros (its high end brand) manufacture other more desirable hand tools. I would use that $400 to purchase from KTC sockets, wrenches, breaker bars, extensions, ratchets, pliers, and screwdrivers via their North American retail website. The Nepros retail website can be reached at the following web address: http://www.nepros.net/.
Samuel Perdomo Lopez
I need adjustable wrench for this accesorie:
TG Round Flush Face Locknuts and Coolant Disk Assemblies
• TG flush-mount, coolant-capable locknuts and coolant disks/caps can be used on all standard Kennametal collet chucks to seal standard TG collets.
• Face is completely flush.
• Includes Kennametal’s original ball bearing race design.
• External diameter is the same as existing global round TG locknut.
• Operated by a standard open-ended wrench or the original hook-style wrench.
• TG flush-mount coolant-capable locknuts and coolant disks/caps are interchangeable with existing designs.
• Utilizes standard TG collets.
If anyone help me, I thank you
Q
As a professional mechanic who occasionally works on Mercedes, I know there are times a full crowfoot set or metric and SAE will not suffice. There are certain critical fasteners on Mercedes that are NEITHER metric, nor SAE. I have three Snap-On torque wrenches and a crowfoot set, and when I first encountered a fastener that was neither metric nor SAE I was upset. But when I called Snap-On and they DID NOT have a tool for it, I was boiling. I managed to skirt around the fastener luckily, but having this tool then would have made a more professional job possible. Thanks for posting about these tools!
Stuart
Q, thank you for sharing your perspective about the tool and its potential usage with us! I had not considered that there might be non-standard fasteners which an ordinary torque wrench with sockets or crowfoot wrenches could not handle properly. Your comment makes the adjustable torque wrench make a bit more sense now.
Glen Alcorn
We have been importing a small number of KTC tools for several years. We have just expanded our US inventory to include several KTC torque wrenches. So far we have been extremely impressed with the quality of these units. Prices we quote include US duty which can be steep. If anyone has a critical torque application they should consider these tools.