[gearhead]

Planning to do automotive maintenance and repairs myself was wondering what torque wrench I should get. Looking for something budget friendly, good quality, covered under a reasonable warranty term, etc. Doesn't matter to me if it's a beam-style, a clicker or even digital. But I do understand that the digital ones have often been among the higher priced. Thanks!

 

[NA6]

If you're asking for the "best" it'd be hard to argue with Snap On's techwrenches. Most specialty high-end shops you go to will use these. But those are also $700 if I remember correctly. If you want something more budget friendly, I would visit your local Harbor Freight.

 

[Jeonsa]

I have 3 of them (2 digital) and my click style Husky torque wrench is pretty reliable for what it is. Lol. A lot of my friends have a Tekton in their tool box as their ol’ reliable.

 

[Cptnslo]

I have my craftsman and I love it but I’ve also used a sonic torque lately in my work box and I like it as much.

 

[jdm-v35]

I would recommend CDI. It is a company that snap-on owns and they make their click type torque wrenches. they come certified and have a calibration certificate in the box. I have CDI click types in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 and none have let me down. I have a craftsman I used to use but eventually I found it to be quite a bit off which I found especially matters with toyota's weak lugs that need to be torqued perfectly or they come loose or snap.

 

[2Escape]

Kinda depends what you want to do. I’ve got like 4 of them for various applications. Are you torquing lug nuts at 100 ft/lbs or are you torquing spark plugs at 25Nm? Can’t do both with the same tool.

Also depends on the length of the handle and what your trying to do. Brake caliper bolts can be over 100 ft/lbs but the access can be challenging. Try doing that with a short handle.

Also, you have to decide if you want 3/8 drive or 1/2 drive. Remember you want to apply torque perpendicular to the fastener, not with a swivel adapter.

 

[jdm-v35]

Kinda depends what you want to do. I’ve got like 4 of them for various applications. Are you torquing lug nuts at 100 ft/lbs or are you torquing spark plugs at 25Nm? Can’t do both with the same tool.

Also depends on the length of the handle and what your trying to do. Brake caliper bolts can be over 100 ft/lbs but the access can be challenging. Try doing that with a short handle.

Also, you have to decide if you want 3/8 drive or 1/2 drive. Remember you want to apply torque perpendicular to the fastener, not with a swivel adapter.

I think that is a given and either way you would need multiple sizes.

 

[Jdmem1206]

I have 3/8 and 1/2 snap on tech angle torque wrench. I used to work for dealerships and it helps with engine repairs since all the newer engines require torque angles (rod bolts, head bolts, etc).

 

[TurboGT]

I have a Precision Instruments 3/4, a KD tools 1/2, and a Mac tools 3/8 at work. I needed a 1/2 for home and was in the same boat as you.

After searching around, I found many of the cheaper wrenches use the exact same head. In my past experiences, the teeth start jumping pretty badly on those heads, so you'll cause yourself injury eventually. I found and purchased a titan 1/2 inch click type wrench and it has a different head style with finer teeth. It's been a year and I'm happy with it. Part number 23151.

 

[007]

Get a Proto. Expensive, but durable and precise. Served me well for a few decades now.

 

[ryno9100]

My dad runs his shop on a harbor freight one and a husky one. He loves both, but he's had the replace the harbor freight one several times over the last 7 years. For a home owner/car hobbyist, he says the harbor freight one will do everything you need.

 

[ccrook06]

No idea what brand mine is, a harbor freight special so Pittsburgh probably? I'd like a digital one but I only really use it for torqueing lugs and it gets the job done. $25-$30.

 

[Jeonsa]

@gearhead i didn’t know you were Apex on the GR86 forums, what’s up man

 

[Shoes357]

I have been running a Tekton for a bunch of years, got it checked recently and it was +/- 2%. Got a Precision Instruments 3/8" drive, which also checked out as accurate but the finish wasn't very good and the wrench felt a lot cheaper, especially the click. Ran Pittsburg (harbor freight) for a while before that, but one froze up and broke a couple bolts and I wasn't sure if I could trust the others after that so I replaced them.