I’ve gotten great advice here in the past, so I’m back again. I need to buy a torque wrench. It won’t be used everyday, but I do most of the maintenance and some repairs on my truck and wife’s Tahoe and need to invest in one. I don’t think I can justify Snapon or another high dollar tool but don’t want a POS that’s inaccurate and will only work a couple times before it breaks. Looking for recommendations for a middle of the road 3/8” drive (I think) that’s accurate and durable if there’s such a thing.
No matter what you go with, keep in mind the following:
"Bar" is almost always accurate, but requires "discipline" to use. (you must be diligent to apply smooth and deliberate force when using it).
"Click" style are "easier", but you must make sure they are calibrated, and verified withing the applicable calendar date, and if they are dropped or otherwise compromised with calibration, you must get them verified again.
"the meaning of life, is to give life meaning" ✡ Ani Yehudi אני יהודי Le'olam lo shuv לעולם לא שוב!
Posts: 43908 | Location: ...... I am thrice divorced, and I live in a van DOWN BY THE RIVER!!! (in Arkansas) | Registered: December 20, 2008
Get a Precision Instruments split-beam torque wrench and don't look back. I have their 3/8" and 1/2" drive models w/ flex heads. They cost less than comparable high-end TWs. They have comparable if not better accuracy. They are more durable and hold calibration much better than micrometer TWs. You can change torque setting much faster. The only significant disadvantage I can think of is they only work in clockwise direction.
If you're willing to buy used, you can find great deals on them on ebay and elsewhere. I bought mine at pawn shops. I tested them against my floating beam TWs, and they were right on the money. Since they're much less popular than micrometer style, you can often find them deeply discounted, i.e., well under $100.
Snap-on offers split-beam TWs, but they're simply rebranded Precision Instruments models at twice the price.
If you want torque wheel lug nuts, you'll probably need a 1/2" drive model in addition to 3/8".
Posts: 3186 | Location: Texas | Registered: June 17, 2003
You'll need several; start with a 3/8 drive. You'll want one in inch pounds for small items, and one in foot pounds up to at least 250 for larger items.
Never use the torque wrench to loosen a fastener. Turn only to tighten. Make a continuous turn until it clicks (get an electronic one or a wrench that clicks).
You absolutely can get a good snap-on or Mac wrench for a good price: it just won't be new off the truck. Ebay will yield all kinds of deals, even today; I've had several torque wrenches from there. I've not had one fail calibration yet.
A torque wrench is a precision instrument. Don't buy cheap. Harbor freight does not sell torque wrenches; they sell beater bars that are meant to look like torque wrenches. Don't use them.
I have torque wrenches with 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 drive; you can get by for most projects with 3/8.
There will be a number of applications that will take crows feet or torque adapters. If you use them, make sure the attachment is facing 90 degrees to the wrench, or you'll need to do the math to get the correct calculation on the wrench. Get some decent extensions.
I would buy a set of Harbor Freight torque wrenches and call it done. They're probably good enough for most non professionals as long as you take care of them.
------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Yidn, shreibt un fershreibt"
"The Nazis entered this war under the rather childish delusion that they were going to bomb everyone else, and nobody was going to bomb them. At Rotterdam, London, Warsaw and half a hundred other places, they put their rather naive theory into operation. They sowed the wind, and now they are going to reap the whirlwind." -Bomber Harris
Posts: 16120 | Location: Ivorydale | Registered: January 21, 2005
A few years ago I bought a couple of Snap-On torque wrenches off of e-bay. They were older models but I sent them to Snap-On for calibration and still came out better than if I bought them new.
Posts: 4983 | Location: Arkansas | Registered: September 04, 2008
I have a smaller CDI (dial) that's pretty good (use that one when I need inch pounds) and have been quite happy with the Husky (Home Depot) 3/8 and 1/2 inch (click) torque wrenches. The 1/2" I just purchased before memorial day because I needed to hit 155 foot pounds (strut replacement on my fiancee's Camry).
Posts: 1802 | Location: MN | Registered: March 29, 2009
I would buy a set of Harbor Freight torque wrenches and call it done. They're probably good enough for most non professionals as long as you take care of them.
PSA, I read the article and what I did not realize is the importance of setting the TW back to zero after use. I probably should read instructions. So my two TW are probably close to useless now. I need to go look but i bet I stored them set. Fortunately they are inexpensive HF.
