Opinions on the Wheeler Fat Wrench

[loose noose]

Just purchased a torque driver by Wheeler and proceeded to tighten a set of rings (B-Square) to a scope at 20 inch pounds of pressure. The first three screws seemed to set just fine and the fourth screw became stripped, as I could no longer feel or hear the audible "click". Further I don't think the torque is doing any accurate torqueing if at all. Any opinions on this as it is brand new, and the first time I've used this particular of a torque driver.

 

[futurerider103]

I have used mine several times without issues. I think something may be wrong with yours and I would exchange it. Although 20in pounds isn't much and you would think you would know if you've put way more torque than that on that particular screw. When torquing be aware of what you are doing and if you something doesn't seem right take it apart and do it again. Better safe than sorry

 

[1KPerDay]

Mine has worked fine. 20 inch lbs? That's not even one and a half foot pounds... Use two fingers.

 

[Sol]

Is there a torque sequence? Did you start all the screws first? I ask because sometimes things seem lined up but they aren't.

 

[loose noose]

I've used other torque wrenches/drivers before, and this one just doesn't seem to work like the rest of them. In fact I've done at least 1000 scopes before and never stripped a screw. I use the old tire method of going in a diagonal design, starting with the front screws first. I do believe this one is not working just right. I'm going to have to give Wheeler a call tomorrow and see about sending it back.

 

[LeonCarr]

Mine has worked great. I would look more at the poor quality of the B-Square product than I would at the torque wrench.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[loose noose]

LeonCarr, You're probably right on the quality of the scope rings, I believe they are aluminum of questionable quality. However, why can I get a torque on one screw and then turn another screw to the point of nearly breaking, or stripping the screw?

 

[loose noose]

You can say what you want about B-Square, but I called them yesterday morning and explained the problem, and guess what they are sending me a new set of rings free of charge. Too bad I can't say the same about Wheeler, I called them, was on hold for at least 10 minutes, left a call back number, and never heard a word back from them. Note after looking at the packaging I saw where they are made in "China" no wonder. Man I do miss my old Weaver Torque Driver, too bad it finally gave up, it was built back in the '70's and used extensively.

 

[loose noose]

I'll have to take back what was said about Wheeler engineering, finally got a call back from them, and they are sending me a new one, free of charge also.

 

[HDMF04]

Glad to hear that Wheeler made it right. I have a Wheeler scope mounting kit and have always had good results with it.

 

[loose noose]

Last week I got the FAT Wrench in the mail brand spanking new and it works like it should. However I've yet to get the B-Square rings that were promised to me. What can I say?

 

[Highcaliber]

Have you tried the Borka torque tool ? Great piece of kit.

https://www.triadtactical.com/Borka-Tools-Torque-Driver.html

 

[loose noose]

Never heard of them. where would one get a hold of such a device?

 

[BBBBill]

Brownells

 

[Miked7762]

If you still have the old one around, try moving the adjustment from zero to full scale and back several times. The lubricant gets settled when the wrench hasn't been used for a while and it causes what happened to you, the wrench either doesn't click or does a few times and stops. That's why manufacturers recommend storing torque wrenches at zero and moving the adjustment back down to zero before changing settings. It forces you to redistribute the lube just before use.

 

[mike.h]

no problems with mine,

 

[amflyer]

Probably nothing wrong with the wrench at all. 20 in-lbs is pretty tight for a set of aluminum rings.

My fat wrench came with a certificate of calibration, written by human hands.