CDI Micro Adjustable Torque Screwdriver, 1/4 Inch Hex Drive, Range 40-200 cNm (151NSM)

Great product!!!!

I definitely didn't need to buy this for HVAC work. I ended up taking it out of my bag. This is the company that makes the same thing for Klein for half the price. So if your looking at the klien one just get this. It doesn't come in a good case or bits like the Klein but it's another 100+ for the Klein version.

This CDI micro torque screwdriver is a product distributed through (besides Amazon) Snap-On. This is one of those tools that I don't use that often, but when its needed it is Really needed. Before I bought this item a little over a year ago I did quite a bit of on-line research and discovered that this CDI tool was literally the "only game in town" in terms of accuracy and reliability. The only other contender that even came close (but not very close) was a torque screwdriver sold by Brownells. Since I do not have a calibration lab I went by the accounts of multiple on line sources, and would suggest that you might do the same...things might have changed in the past year. Amazon had the best IN STOCK price I was able to find a year ago.I do my own gunsmithing and use this tool whenever a precise amount of torque is required per a manufacturers specifications. The torque settings are easy to see and adjust within one inch pound increments. The tool accepts regular screwdriver type bits, and therefore will accept just about anything used to tighten small machine parts. So whether you are tightening a screw or a nut (or something in between), and you have the bit to fit your application, this will do the job for you. The build quality on the tool is excellent. It has the heft of a solid little machine and the handle affords a positive grip that lets you apply the downward pressure necessary to keep your bit solidly on the screw and thus avoid any slippage that could mar your workpiece. As far as I can tell (without a calibration lab) this tool gives the proper, repeatable result. I have not stripped a screw or experienced a malfunction of any sort connected with the use of this item.I am very picky when it comes to tools and machines...I earned a living most of my life as a clockmaker specializing in the restoration of antique clocks. These days it is difficult/impossible to acquire high quality tools at a reasonable price. This CDI torque screwdriver is a rare exception in a world of shoddy tools that simply don't measure up to any standard of quality. I believe the reviewer that downgraded this $100+ tool should look toward the Much More Costly torque devices that are intended for 24/7 usage. Under "normal" use I would expect this tool to last the craftsman a lifetime.Kudos to Amazon for making this reliable, high quality tool available to the workman at a good price.

2nd Update: Jan 30, 2013So far 2 of the 3 units purchased are working well. I had the 2 checked in my calibration lab and neither tool had a problem. I also recently purchased a 4th to replace the one that failed. I brought the review up to 4 stars because I still think this is a good product. My operators all love this tool and now prefer it over their previous driver. Currently the 3 drivers are only being used by one or two operators so they don't have the same use as the first that failed.Update: August 27, 2012Sadly, I had to decrease my rating from 5 stars to 3. It is still a good tool and my operators love it but if they only last 6 months it isn't worth it. I sent the first unit back to my calibration lab for a 6 month overhaul and the results were disappointing. They were not able to get the tool back into calibration. The low end was a little off, around 1 in lb below the setting. The upper limit was worse, around 48 in lbs when set to 40.I had this particular tool being used 24 hours a day on all my shifts to check for this exact problem. The life span may be a little longer depending on your usage. The highest torque we have is around 36 in lbs.After 3 months of use with the first article, and my calbration labs approval, I purchased two more that are currently being used in production. They have been in use for 2 months with no problems. Once those have gone through my calibration department for their 6 month overhaul, I will update this review.(Original Review March 2012)I purchased this torque driver to test along with others before getting sets for all my operators. So far I have been extremely pleased with the price, performance, and the feedback of my employees. We are using it on multiple torque specs between 10 and 36 in-lbs.My calibration lab was very happy with the tool; both the low and high only had a 2% variation which is very low when compared with our other drivers. My seasoned operators (who usually do not like change) were very pleased with this design and how easy it is to adjust. I am now putting it through the test and having this one used through all our shifts checking longevity. Afterwards I will send it back through calibration and to double check variation and show there are no problems with adjusting torques. If I run into any problems I will update this review.