Looking for Torque wrench recommendations

[Weldor]

Still using my 30 year old Proto, and my old did I say old Craftsman. I'm lucky enough to be able to check them every now again on a torque table. I think my next one will be digital with a beeper. Just can't get the hang of Torque sticks, don't trust them

 

[moewells100]

As the title says I’m looking for some recommendations for torque wrenches. I’m a DIY guy and am looking at replacing rear wheel bearings and brakes on my wife’s car. I’ve got loads of hand tools, but never invested in a decent torque wrench. My only real requirement is that it needs to be 1/2” and 250 foot pound capacity. I know Snap on is probably the best, but for the amount I’ll use it I can’t justify that much money I think my max spend will be $200. Digital vs analog/clicker type? I’ll probably use it primarily for axle nuts, breaks, etc. Any suggestions from actual users would be appreciated. I don’t trust many of the reviews I read online since most are not much more that sales pitches. Thanks in advance to anyone who would weigh in.

Charlie Daniels

As the title says I’m looking for some recommendations for torque wrenches. I’m a DIY guy and am looking at replacing rear wheel bearings and brakes on my wife’s car. I’ve got loads of hand tools, but never invested in a decent torque wrench. My only real requirement is that it needs to be 1/2” and 250 foot pound capacity. I know Snap on is probably the best, but for the amount I’ll use it I can’t justify that much money I think my max spend will be $200. Digital vs analog/clicker type? I’ll probably use it primarily for axle nuts, breaks, etc. Any suggestions from actual users would be appreciated. I don’t trust many of the reviews I read online since most are not much more that sales pitches. Thanks in advance to anyone who would weigh in.

Recommend either Charlie Daniels and Sammy Kershaw for torque wrenches

 

[Grasshopper777]

Proto, tekton, snap-on

 

[TAArrowood]

Just curious, anyone have any experience ( good/bad) with the Precision Instruments split-beam wrenches? Thanks in advance and thanks for the recommendations so far. I’m looking at e erything that has been suggested.

 

[nomadicbohunk]

I have those precision instruments split beam clickers in like all sizes but the one inch. I really like them a lot. You can find them a lot cheaper than msrp. To be clear, I'm talking about this model for what size you're asking about. C3FR250F I have a few complaints about them. They're kind of long for a lot of what I want to do and the heads aren't the most narrow. Also, sockets do not like to come off them. I usually pry them off by twisting a screw driver. I'd have to look, but most of the rest of the torque stuff I own is CDI. I like everything just fine outside of a little 1/4 cdi ratchet. The direction selector moves if you look at it wrong.

I've used their 1/2 and 3/8 wrenches a ton. I drop them on the ground. I'm not nice to my stuff as I buy it to use it. Last fall I took them to a buddy's to do a "home torque calibration" with his stuff that is regularly calibrated. Both were dead on to his expensive snap ons.

I'm really bad at telling torque by hand, so I generally torque a lot of things. It's fine. I suck at it. I did buy a harbor freight 1/2 just for lug nuts. It fell apart after two years so I replaced it with a tekton. That one went way out of calibration after a year and a half or so. I could tell. So tossed it and just use my good one all the time.

On a side note, I buy nice tools because I don't like fighting stuff. I consider those specific torque wrenches a favorite (the don't have to remember to turn them down is a huge one for me), and the koken z series sockets and ratchets, and their spark plug sockets my favorites. I like koken tools more than snap on. Again, you can get those way cheaper than msrp.

 

[AZDC]

If it’s a click style any thing will do as long as it’s been calibrated. The big guns are Snap On, CDI. Tons of people making torque wrenches. I wouldn’t sweat over it. Practice you’re technique, good chance if had a long lever arm you’re over torquing.

 

[MarmotMountain]

TBH, Harbor Freight has worked pretty well for me. Cheap and easily swapped out if there are any issues. Just make sure you set back to zero every time you use.