When you think of an affordable tool brand, Craftsman is probably one of the first brands that’ll pop in your mind. They are a trusted name that stands for quality and they have a wide variety of tools in their product line, so it shouldn’t be any surprise that we are talking about the Craftsman MicroTork Torque Wrench.
In this review, we are going to talk a little more about the features of the Craftsman MicroTork Torque Wrench, but we are also going to give you an overview of what people who have purchased the torque wrench had to say about their overall experience with it. Then, we’re going to give you our recommendation on whether or not this tool is something you should consider purchasing for your own tool box!
About The Product
Craftsman is a leading name in tools of all kinds—hand tools, power tools, lawn and garden equipment, and even clothing for work. The company was formed in 1927 and 80 years, they’ve earned the title of being “America’s Most Trusted Brand” with a brand that meets customers “high expectations.”
In 2009, Popular Mechanics named the brand as their favorite brand for hand tools! Oh, and let’s not forget to mention they are the official tool brand for NASCAR and the television channel, DIY Network. If it is used by NASCAR, then you would assume that the Craftsman MicroTork Torque Wrench is going to top of its class.
Notable features of the Craftsman MicroTork Torque Wrench include:
- It has a ½-inch drive.
- The scales are stamped into the housing for clear reading.
- It has dual range with ft.-lbs and Nm scales available.
- The twist ring has a lock and unlock option.
- It was calibrated to +/-4% accuracy.
- It has a micro-clicker with a range of 20- 150 ft.-lbs.
- Makes clicking sound when desired torque levels have been reached.
This torque wrench features a rugged combination of a high quality, high strength alloyed steel and a durable ergonomic plastic handle. The fast locking ring is the perfect way to lock in your desired torque setting, allowing you to go from one fastener to the next without having to do any extra adjustments, which are easy to read so you know exactly what setting you are on.
With this particular torque wrench, you are able to get within a 4% accuracy reading, give or take. The scale is stamped into the housing unit in inch/metric torque settings. Because the measurements are easy to read, you’ll never wonder if you’re on the correct setting, nor will you have to make any guesses whether or not if the fastener is tight enough.
That’ll save you from blown gaskets or stripped fasteners from over tightening.
What Others Say
When we looked at the user reviews, we saw that 66% had great things to say about the Craftsman MicroTork Torque Wrench and left 4 or 5-star reviews. Of these reviews, people commented on the build of the tool.
When it was used around the home, customers said that it was perfect for smaller applications, such as car repair and the like. Customers like that the torque settings on the tool were clearly visible and they also like that the tool has a locking ring that will keep settings, allowing them to work continuously without fiddling with the dial.
A few customers said they gave this to loved ones who are tool fanatics and they are able to get a lot out of use from the tool.
So what did the remaining 34% of customers who left 3-star or below reviews have to say? The most common complaint customers had was that they were very disappointed in the overall quality of the tool.
Customers felt that this was a Craftsman wrench in name only and the quality left a lot to be desired. A few people said their tool broke shortly after they purchased it. Either the ratcheting unit broke, the calibration was off, and what they try using the tool, they experienced skipping and jumping.
One customer even said that their device wouldn’t even turn. Not only did people have a problem with the tool itself, but a few of them tried to use the warranty that comes with the product.
However, to their disappointment, Craftsman wouldn’t handle the warranty, but the customer had to go through the seller, which often was a hassle. One customer even said that the seller they purchased the wrench from wouldn’t honor the one year Craftsman warranty—instead they would only accept returns after 30 days.
Final Verdict
When you are going to spending nearly $60 for a tool from a well-known and respected company, you expect that that tool is going to work and it’s going to live up to the standards that the company is known for.
Unfortunately, a third of the customers who purchased the Craftsman MicroTork Torque Wrench feels as though Craftsman dropped the ball on this tool. These people reported having problems with the tool and it doesn’t work like they need or want it to.
However, the other two thirds of customers feel that this is a great torque wrench. They like how clearly the settings are marked on the tool, they like the locking mechanism, and they feel like it is a good value for the price they paid for the tool.
To make a recommendation, we took these into consideration, as well as the price (just under $60), and the overall features of this tool. It is in our opinion that this is a good purchase, but be mindful of the warranty just in case something does go wrong.
Before you make your purchase, contact the seller to get the warranty information and whether they will honor Craftsman’s 1 year warranty. You don’t want to be stuck with a tool that should be covered under the warranty but the seller refuses to honor it. It may be an inconvenience, but it’s better to be safe than sorry, don’t you think?
