Warne produces some mighty fine optics mounts. Like many other quality-seeking shooters, I’ve trusted their products for years and have their MSR and tactical mount 1/2-inch hex nut torque specification engrained in my brain – 65-inch/pounds.
Adjusting a torque wrench to 65-inch/pounds isn’t typically a tiresome task; however, many wrenches like the Vortex Torque Wrench don’t stretch to 65-inch/pounds. The Wheeler F.A.T. wrench, another popular torque tool, has a limit of 65-inch/pounds so you’re moving the needle all the way out and back which, frankly, is anything but a good time.
Warne offers a nice reprieve from adjustable torque wrenches in the form of the TW65 Torque Wrench, a handheld wrench preset at 65-inch/pounds. Manufactured by California Torque Products on behalf of Warne, the 1/4-inch drive comes with a 1/2-inch socket and features electronic visual and auditory limit notifications.
The TW65’s handle is quite comfortable in the hand and easy to operate. The rubber coating provides additional grip support and doubles as an oil and chemical-resistant covering.
Removing the two screws closest one another (above, left side) allows removal of the battery tray which houses two CR2025 replaceable batteries.
At the other end of the wrench sits a 1/4-inch square drive. It secures sockets very well, but is clearly made overseas.
The provided 1/2-inch socket can be swapped out to any 1/4-inch drive socket.
For instance, above, a 1/4″ drive 12mm socket is used to tighten a non-Warne scope mount with the same 65-inch/pound torque specification.
When the torque limit is met, the wrench rolls-over very smoothly and disengages itself from action with a “tactile click,” as they put it. Even with no (or dead) batteries, the wrench will still perform its function adequately.
With electrical power, however, the TW65’s red indicator light shines bright and a rather loud alarm sounds from within the wrench. I suppose some may find these electronic features helpful – especially if you need a sharp reminder to stop wrenching – but I’ve never had any issue feeling a torque wrench hit its limit and could do without the auditory reprimand.
The TW65 is approved for loosening hex nuts, as well. Simply apply force in the opposite direction until the nut is loose. No light or sound indication will be given when used in the reverse direction.
As accustomed as I am to Warne’s very high-quality, made in the USA optics mounts, the TW65 65-inch/pound Torque Wrench (made overseas) is a definite departure in quality. However, it gets the job done without issue and is backed by Warne’s lifetime warranty – that’s the life of the tool, no receipt necessary. The smooth roll-over as it reaches its torque limit is satisfying, but the ensuing shrill alarm is rather loud. The TW65 is a more-than-adequate lightweight solution to serve the needs of folks who often tighten 65-inch/pound scope mount screws.
Specifications: Warne TW65 Torque Wrench (1/4″ Drive, 65 in/lbs)
Price as reviewed: $59.99 MSRP ($48 shipped via Amazon)
Specifications:
- Preset at 65 in/lbs.
- 1/4″ drive
- 1/2″ socket
- Audible beep and red light when torque limit is met
- Replaceable batteries (2 CR2025)
- Oil resistant rubber coating
- Warranty: Life of product
Ratings (out of five stars):
Design: * * * *
Warne’s TW65 1/4-inch drive 65-inch/pound electronic torque wrench is a less-expensive alternative to adjustable wrenches and is designed to tighten the 1/2-inch hex nut on Warne MSR and tactical mounts. Simply designed, it features a rubberized coating that resists oil and chemicals.
Quality: * * * *
Compared to Warne’ excellent optics mounts, the TW65 feels cheap. After all, Warne mounts are made in the USA and this plastic-shelled wrench is manufactured by an overseas OEM. That said, I’ve yet to encounter any issues with its performance or reliability.
Ease of Use: * * * *
Ergonomically, the TW65 feels good. It’s easy on the wrist and the textured handle and rubberized grip help to prevent slipping. The battery compartment requires the removal of two screws and a battery carrier. Absent batteries, the wrench still performs, just without the light and sound indicators.
Overall: * * * *
Designed specifically for Warne MSR and tactical mounts, the Warne TW65 is a reliably-performing, relatively inexpensive electronic torque wrench with a set torque limitation of 65-inch/pounds. Backed by a “life of the tool” warranty, this is a wrench any serious Warne mount user should consider for their tool chest or range bag.
nothing says versatile like a torque wrench calibrated for one proprietary value.
“nothing says versatile like a torque wrench calibrated for one proprietary value.”
Seriously. And there’s this gem –
“but I’ve never had any issue feeling a torque wrench hit its limit”
Same here, and WTF is it with people today that they even felt the *need* to add a damn light and a sound to it? Even someone *deaf* can feel the feedback through the tool handle, for cripe’s sake!
And id be curious to know where it was actually set. Typically 1 spec wrenches are awful as far as holding spec due to spring tension
A fixed torque setting? Sorry, no. I’d rather an adjustable tool like the Wheeler which will get a lot more jobs done.
Yup.
Being a gear head, I’ve already got an inch pound adjustable torque wrench. I’ll take that over a fixed torque setting.
I do like your reviews Conner. No offense intended.
fixed setting wrenches are fine, provided one can and does validate that setting yearly. Over time, any torque wrench can wear down and eventually drift off setting. That being said I’ll keep using my Craftsman. After all, if it’s good enough for my vehicle it’s good enough for my guns. EXCEPT for screw drivers, I’ve learned my lesson (it only took stripping the heads of countless flat tip screws on guns) and now only use hollow ground ( i.e. gunsmithing) screw drivers on guns and leave the regular type screw drivers to the cars, furniture assembly, and appliance repairs.
Thanks for the reminder torque wrenches can drift out of calibration.
Secondly, the beautiful thing about quality gunsmithing screwdriver bits is that the metal is soft enough to ‘give’ before stripping threads or ruining screw heads. Considering the cost of gunsmithing, a 5-dollar bit is cheap insurance.
Dyspeptic has recommended Brownell’s bit set at about 60 bucks or so, if memory serves…
It shames me to admit it but I’ve had a set in my toolbox since my grand dad passed away back in 96. I just never used them because I was scared to break them. They are the old school type not bit drivers. After I stripped a couple screws on a SMLE I used to have I finally started using the old tools.
Why would I take offense, Tom? Everyone has different needs and wants – and opinions. Some guys want a dedicated wrench, others prefer adjustable. Either way I’m just here to bring some first-hand insights on this product!
And I think you know I have a few torque wrenches…mostly all adjustable. If I could only pick one wrench for the rest of my life, of course it would be an adjustable wrench. Who wouldn’t make that choice? But if I only ever needed a dedicated 65-inch/pound torque wrench (highly unlikely) or I used one A LOT, then I’d certainly look at options with preset torque limits.
Glad you’re enjoying the reviews – I always appreciate your comments!
Thanks for the review.
A fixed-torque wrench makes a lot of sense for a shop that mounts many scopes using Warne mounts – faster, easier, less likely to go out of calibration. (Hopefully.)
For the individual doing the occasional one-off mount, however, I expect a good quality adjustable torque wrench would do as well, and be more all-around useful. So I’d have to give it a pretty low “value” rating for the average gun owner, even one who uses some Warne mounts.
If you’re going to get a second wrench anyway, why wouldn’t you get another variable wrench and leave it set at 65lb? That way you still have the option to change it should the need arise.
I could see this being useful in a high volume shop that does the same thing all day everyday, but not for, well, me.
Also, the beep would annoy the shit out of me. *beep* “Yeah, I know! I felt it. Stupid robot.”
You could leave the batteries out, of course, but then you’re paying for an unused “feature”.
It would be great for blind and/or deaf tinkerers, though, so there is that. And I’m not saying that sarcastically.
“…the TW65 65-inch/pound Torque Wrench (made overseas) is a definite departure in quality.”
Overseas? C’mon man, it’s not handcrafted in the Black Forest, it’s another disposable piece of Chinese crap, from a faceless sub in Shenzhen. If I spent 20 minutes surfing Aliexpress, I’d figure out who was making it. This week’s run, anyway. And get it shipped to my doorstep for half of what Brownell’s charges.
CalTorq does actually have some mid-quality product, made in the USA and everything. Why they are dirtying their hands playing middleman for this junk is beyond me.
Regardless, if one is reviewing a freakin’ torque wrench and not just doing a very thinly veiled sales pitch., perhaps you should, I dunno, check it’s accuracy, huh? Or is 10 minutes, $10 worth of junk hand tools, and a little 2nd grade science too much to ask?
Precious little useful data, that would be in an actual product review. Saw a bunch of hype for Warne, and some “facts” one can garner by simply reading the product instructions.
Lol…”it’s not handcrafted in the Black Forest”…that’s for certain, 16V. When I said it was made “overseas,” I didn’t mean it as a positive attribute…hence the second part of the sentence, “a definite departure in quality.” And I later say, “the TW65 feels cheap” in comparison to what they themselves produce in the USA. So I think we’re on the same page here – it’s not a high-end tool.
And, yes, you are absolutely correct regarding the review lacking an accuracy test. The TW65 tested to specification using the DIY mathematical and mass technique. This was not included in the review because the tool passed basic testing. If I had encountered any issues with the accuracy of the tool they absolutely would have been discussed in the review. I will be sure not to leave out testing results like those in future reviews. Thanks for your feedback!
Thanks for the reply. I know the references were replete, I just want writers to have the courage to say, point blank, that something is Chinese crap. I know full well the Chinese are fully capable of building whatever quality the customer is willing to pay for, I just wish people to be honest about when something is junk, then please, just say that – junk.
As to the accuracy comments, apologies. Sort of. Just say that you tested it using some simple rig and it passed. You aren’t reasonably expected to have a NIST traceable torque standard, I just want to know that you did what you could, with simple tools you had. Which is good enough, we just need to know.
Thanks for actually paying attention, and not being afraid to stand up for yourself.
Being Air Force PMEL and actually calibrating torque screwdrivers and wrenches has taught me that Mountz makes some of the best adjustable torque screwdrivers you can get. Them and the old Snap-On’s. The new ones are worth diddily.
I use Mountz on all my low torque stuff now.
Just being curious, but is that picture really showing a 1/2 drive 12 mm socket? Does it have an internal quarter to half inch adapter? Not being a-hole, just trying to show I pay attention. And Conner, good review never thought about the need to check calibration. And Wheeler has to be turned out to 65 and back, they recommend not storing at anything but zero, so if you only used it only at 65 and very often, it would be a pain in butt to use.
Great catch, Old Fart! That is my error…the socket is a 1/4″ drive 12mm, not a 1/2″ drive socket. I believe it is part of Husky Tools set H4D20SWS. It has been corrected in the article. Thanks!
I have one and use it frequently. I enjoy the dedicated concept because mine rides in my range bag. When I have to hit the range to review three rifles I end up moving scopes around. Of course I use Warne mounts, I want my reviews to be accurate. For me it’s been perfect. My fancy adjustable torque wrenches stay in the garage and on the gun bench. The Warne tool is simple and quick. The light helps when the range is noisy. Sometimes a winter glove can be enough to make feeling the wrench difficult.
“we can’t all have good points, gilligan.”
“that’s a good point too, skipper.”
Great review. I agree, this wrench could
be better made. I did buy one because
I switch often between a red dot and a
scope on my AR, and this wrench rides
along comfortably in a small dedicated
Pelican case with my Leupold scope.
I don’t have to haul along tools separately.
Again, thanks for the detailed review.
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