Professional_Tool_And_Equipment_News_February_2020 - 49

SP Tools USA
Flex-Head Torque
Angle Pro

This tool's feature set and ability to
save time on under-hood repairs
impressed the reviewer.
by David Brierley, Managing Editor

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:
The SP Tools USA Flex-Head Torque Angle Pro 3/8"
torque digital torque wrench, No. SP35256, features
a reversible ratchet head, torque target alarm, digital
display, and a flexible head to reach confined spaces.
The digital torque wrench offers 4 to 99 ft-lbs and
has a +/- 2 percent accuracy, a quick-release mechanism, and features three functions: torque, angle, and
torque+angle. The tool is calibrated for both clockwise
and counter-clockwise use with a warning LED and
an audible alarm that sounds within 10 percent of the
target value.
Circle 111 on card, or enter at "e-inquiry"
on VehicleServicePros.com

THE REVIEW:

he n tig hte ning a
torque-to-yield fastener, a digital torque
wrench can save a technician a significant amount of time says Brin Kline,
owner of Assured Auto Works in
Melbourne, Florida. But when the fastener is in a hard-to-reach area or set
at an angle, not just any torque wrench
will do. That's where Kline says the SP
Tools USA Flex-Head Torque Angle Pro
proved its worth.
"Being able to set the first stage - turning resistance - and the second stage angle - without having to use another
tool [such as a] stand-alone torque angle
gauge does save time," he says.
The digital torque wrench came well
packaged and no assembly or setup was
required, Kline says. All that was needed
to get started was to install the batteries.
Kline notes that a larger, flat head
screwdriver or similar tool is required to
remove the battery cover. This is some-

thing he would like to
see modified on future
versions of this tool to
allow for toolless battery
changes.
When they first started
using it, Kline and the technicians at Assured Auto Works
had some trouble learning to use
the Flex-Head Torque Angle Pro's
user interface, Kline says, noting
that the included user manual was "a
bit confusing."
Once Kline and the other technicians became familiar with the process
of setting the torque and torque angle,
however, "the tool was easy to use," he
says and was used for various underhood repairs.
Despite the initial confusion, Kline
says there is a lot to like about this digital
torque wrench.
"I like that there are many different engineering units [measure-

www.VehicleServicePros.com

FEBRUARY 2020

ment types] to choose from," he
says. "I also really like the flex head,
the audible indication, and auto
sleep functions."
The SP Tools USA Flex-Head
Torque Angle Pro 3/8" digital torque
wrench's quality and features made
it an asset to have in the shop, especially saving technicians time
when working on angled torque
applications. Kline walked away
with a positive impression.
"The tool had a nice feel
and was overall impressive," he says.
After assessing the
reviewer's feedback, the
company has decided
to revise the manual to
make it easier to understand, and is adding a
video to their website demonstrating how to
calibrate the tool and replace the batteries.

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