Torque Wrench Recommendations?

RootsRadical

RootsRadical

New member
I'm looking to purchase a 1/2 inch drive torque wrench and I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions. I've seen 'em sell for $10 - $500 and everywhere in between. I'm looking to spend around $60 and definitely no more than $100.

Any recommendations?
 
I cannot remember the brand of the one I bought, it was from Advanced Auto. We tested the calibration against my buddies (who is a professional mechanic and has one of those expensive digital wrenches) and it was spot on. I wanna say it was around your price range, maybe a little bit less.
 
Thanks, guys. There's an Advance Auto Parts store on my way home from work. Maybe I'll stop and check out what they have.

I was checking out the Snap-on torque wrenches on Amazon.com but they are pretty pricey. Although I'm sure that you get what you pay for. Hey, Dr. Oldz...If someone was to go that route, do you happen to know why they list the 1503MFRMH wrench (20 - 150 ft. pounds) for $197.87 and the 2503MFRMH wrench (30 - 250 ft. pounds) for substantially less at $146.96? Is there more accuracy with the smaller range? Or is the 2503 just a newer model with a better price?

-J
 
I will find out for you tonight. Snap-On guy is stopping buy tonight. But from the looks I might suggest the drive size?? I'll find out the info for u later.
 
Dr Oldz said:
I will find out for you tonight. Snap-On guy is stopping buy tonight. But from the looks I might suggest the drive size?? I'll find out the info for u later.
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Wow, thanks! Perfect timing. :)

Oh, and I have confirmed that they are both 1/2 in. drive if that helps out any.

-J
 
I myself have the two Kobalt models from Lowe's. Very nice drives (wonder who makes em TBH) They are right around your price range and have served me well for several years without issue.
 
I bought a Craftsman 1/2" drive that goes from 20-150 ft. lbs. I bought it for $40 on Black Friday, but you can get the same one now for $80.
 
Another vote for Snap-On. I own several in various sizes and have sent them in for a "physical" on occasion. Not one time did they ever charge me for a recalibration. Believe me, Snap-On isn't afraid to charge you, what it tells me is they've held their calibration well.
 
Have had great results with Craftsman and an old tool manufacturer, SK. I think they used to be called SK Wayne or something like that a long time ago, but now they are just SK.

You need to know what you are going to be using it on the most and perhaps purchase appropriately.

The Longer 1/2" drive models are perfect for torquing on Wheel Bolts and Nuts, the shorter 3/8" drive models are better under the hood where they can get at the smaller places.

I just finished using the bigger one on a complete tear out/replace of a rear seat, seat, seat back, seat belts, etc. of a 2006 Ford F150 XLT SuperCab, T50 and T40 Torx head bolts, and this and a big 1/2" drive Breaker were invaluable.

Like all things, the more expensive, the better quality, reliability,accuracy, etc.. None of mine are Digital, they are the old "click" sound which I prefer anyway. (less stuff to break)

Dan F
 
One of the biggest things to remember is to know the proper torque recommendations. So many shops use impacts while doing work and the result is not correct. I can't tell you how many times I have found wheel lug nuts embedded into wheels 40 - 50lbs over torqued. The result is a flange spread way to far.
 
I have an old Craftsman (bending bar type) but doubt it is that accurate but close enough for torquing tires.
 
Any torque wrench will do fine such as from stores like autozone, advanced auto...etc. The most important thing is calibration of it which should be done periodically(you can do it yourself.) No need for a fancy digital one as a mechanical clicking one will do just fine. Not to mention the mechanical ones are used to calibrate the digital ones.
 
RootsRadical said:
Thanks, guys. There's an Advance Auto Parts store on my way home from work. Maybe I'll stop and check out what they have.

I was checking out the Snap-on torque wrenches on Amazon.com but they are pretty pricey. Although I'm sure that you get what you pay for. Hey, Dr. Oldz...If someone was to go that route, do you happen to know why they list the 1503MFRMH wrench (20 - 150 ft. pounds) for $197.87 and the 2503MFRMH wrench (30 - 250 ft. pounds) for substantially less at $146.96? Is there more accuracy with the smaller range? Or is the 2503 just a newer model with a better price?

-J
Click to expand...

He wasn't sure of the numbers.He said that those may be made by Snap-On but not actual Snap-on wrenches. Anyway he said chances if they say made by Snap-on that they are good wrenches. Main difference is the accuracy from what he says. The one that goes up to 250lbs is less accurate. So basically try to choose the range you are using and select the wrench that is just over your max needs. Also said Snap-on's are accurate plus or minus 4%....that 4% is of the max torque setting. Got confusing but the 250lb will basically be plus or minus 10lbs on any setting while the 150lb one will be plus or minus 6lbs on any settings. Hope that helps. Also without any discount similar wrenches that are actually Snap-on are right around $300. So they may be a great deal. Perhaps look to see what the accuracy claims are. Snap-On is plus or minus 4% clockwise and 6% counter. He also added that cheap wrenches can have accuracy of plus or minus of up to 20%. Thats a lot IMO.

Hope this helps.
 
I have a craftsman but if I was using it for more than lug nuts I would get a good one like Snap On. Most of my tools are Snap On actually and I have to say you get what you pay for.
 
If you want a really good professional TW I suggest this:

Great deal on Precision Instruments C3FR250F at ToolTopia.com

It is split beam so you do not have to zero it out when you put it away. It also holds its calibration very well. And if you did not know Precision Instruments makes all of Snap-on's split beam Torque Wrenches.

Now if you are a little more budget minded Gearwrench actually makes a very good Torque Wrench. It is even made in the USA!

Great deal on GearWrench - 85054 at ToolTopia.com

I own both of these, and they are without a doubt both great.
 
TroyScherer said:
I am using one that I picked up from harbor freight. So far it hasn't let me down yet. Oh, and less than $20.


Link: 1/2" Torque Wrench
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I used to have one. I was torquing down my lugs for my street wheels after an autocross event a couple of summers ago, set it to the proper spec, torqued til it clicked, and was on my way. A few miles later and I have severe feedback coming through the steering wheel. I pull off, check the lugs, and I find out that they had backed off! The wheel wobble was so bad that it wore out the bore on the wheels and stripped my ARP studs. Thankfully there was a flatbed from my area nearby so I didn't have to wait long for the most expensive taxi ride of my life. I now use a Craftsman.

Maybe my HF wrench was faulty, maybe it had been knocked around one too many times, maybe it was just junk from the start, who knows. But from my experiences I no longer trust them!
 
For what it's worth. I was always told to buy the best tool you can afford. And you will have it for years. I have always followed that and still have almost everything I've ever bought.
 
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