Best small torque wrench for the money

[nutsnbolts]

So I am putting my Honda XR650L back together and discover that all of my torque wrenches are too big for the oil filter cover. It calls for 106 in/lb. A perfect opportunity to buy a new tool!!!

What is the best small torque wrench for the money? Looking to stay under $100. I'm seeing a lot of different brands on Ebay in the $30 to $40 range, but I'm not familiar with them. Titan, Neiko, Powerbuilt, and Tekton are available, among others.

And go!!!

 

[MagnusM4]

My only 1/4” is a cheapo Harbor Freight that I haven’t used yet. I do have a Tekton 1/2” that has worked very well over the last year. Nice adjustment, but it doesn’t have a positive click when it meets torque, you just feel it “give”, which is fine with me. I also have a CDI 3/8” which has a positive click and you can just feel the quality. The 1/4” CDI clicker isn’t much over $100 if you’re looking for quality, otherwise I’d say the Tekton will serve you fine.

 

[nutsnbolts]

Thanks for the reply. I hadn't heard of CDI. I saw this.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-CDI-30...587423?hash=item4204ee9a1f:g:wVcAAOSwECNdLndR

 

[CloseEnough]

I bought the $10 Harbor Freight torque wrench just for the hell of it and decided to test it on my Skidmore Wilhelm for accuracy and it was within tolerance. I would say for $10 that would qualify it for "The best for the money". It is a junkie wrench though with poor build quality so I could understand why someone might not want to choose it.

 

[Nineeightyone]

My Tekton 1/4" (reversible with the sprung collar) was ~$40 on Amazon, came in a nice firm case, and exudes a slightly higher quality than the $10 HF ones, without breaking the bank.

I've been using the HF 1/2" for quite a while with no issues, and I hear they're actually a pretty accurate torque wrench, but for engine work I wanted to feel a little more confident. The Tekton definitely inspires confidence and the design is very pleasant, mine also has a pretty firm click/"bump" when desired torque is reached.

It depends on your budget though. I think if I had the money, I'd be looking at CDI/PI, but at the moment the Tekton is good enough for me.

 

[gatlibs]

My only 1/4” is a cheapo Harbor Freight that I haven’t used yet. I do have a Tekton 1/2” that has worked very well over the last year. Nice adjustment, but it doesn’t have a positive click when it meets torque, you just feel it “give”, which is fine with me. I also have a CDI 3/8” which has a positive click and you can just feel the quality. The 1/4” CDI clicker isn’t much over $100 if you’re looking for quality, otherwise I’d say the Tekton will serve you fine.

https://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/3-8-drive-25-250-inch-lb-torque-wrench.html
It works well for me, but is over your budget at $110 before shipping.

 

[X1 Mike]

Thanks for the reply. I hadn't heard of CDI. I saw this.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-CDI-30...587423?hash=item4204ee9a1f:g:wVcAAOSwECNdLndR

I checked that out and was ready to buy but the fixed head is just creepy to me.

https://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/3-8-drive-25-250-inch-lb-torque-wrench.html
It works well for me, but is over your budget at $110 before shipping.

For that low of torque I like a 1/4" drive. Maybe it's all in my mind but it's a better finesse tool.

 

[GirchyGirchy]

Here's a couple. If the Armstrong's US-made I'd go that route, you can email Cripe to confirm.

https://cripedistributing.com/produ...e-micrometer-torque-wrench-50-in-lb-250-in-lb

https://cripedistributing.com/products/kd-tools-3262-1-4-micrometer-type-torque-wrench-with-case-usa

 

[DFB]

I bought one over 20 years ago probably in the 90's sometime for my motorcycle and small engine work. I think I sourced it from a JC Whitneys catalog at that time. It's Taiwan built had a very extensive use and maintenance pamphlet with it written in quality English.

Always been fine for me

Anyhow looking online many of the current imports do seem pretty generic these days like Neiko or Performance Tool. and I know the prices are a lot cheaper than what I paid. Was probably better than $50 at the time

 

[seber]

I checked that out and was ready to buy but the fixed head is just creepy to me.



For that low of torque I like a 1/4" drive. Maybe it's all in my mind but it's a better finesse tool.

I'm the opposite. The more room the designer has to work with the easier and cheaper it is to come up with an accurate design. Bigger spring, same compression, longer life.

 

[barev]

The $10 Harbor Freight 1/4 torque wrench is dead-on accurate, but the click is not audible and is barely felt. You need some practice with it to get a feel for how the tool works or else you'll over-tighten everything. I used it on a plastic valve cover with aluminum bolts and it worked great.

 

[visionguru]

....

What is the best small torque wrench for the money? Looking to stay under $100. ......

And go!!!

I'd pick Tekton or Neiko Pro at $40.

At $10, Harbor Freight is hard to beat in terms of performance/price, good for occasional use but don't expect too much about quality.

If spending more, I'd pick a digital torque wrench, because small torques are more dangerous, you need some practice in order to have confidence for the "click".

I found a reason to buy 1/4 torque wrench not long ago and ended up with a Snap On Techangle.

 

[MetricTech]

When I need a new torque wrench I look at prices for precision instruments and CDI first

 

[bochnak]

The 1/4" HF will be just fine for your oil filter cover. I got mine for 9.99.

As far as the "click", I bought one and the click feel was terrible. I returned it for another one and it works fine.

 

[engineer2]

I bought a Capri Tools 20-150 Inch Pound Torque Wrench, 1/4" Drive on Amazon. Seems to be OK, but I haven't checked the accuracy.

 

[bwringer]

I have the Taiwan-made HF clicker and it's great. The later Chinesium examples are visibly lower-rent. Not sure whether they're less accurate, but there is a difference.

I'd rummage at HF to see if they still have any made in Taiwan, or just grab a Tekton and be done with it.

Park Tool used to make a nice 1/4" drive deflecting beam torque wrench for bicycle work, but it's discontinued. Beam wrenches are pretty much bulletproof.

 

[MetricTech]

I like my USA made Mac and Matco torque wrenches too, I’ve won a few on ebay with light use. They were all accurate and can be picked up cheap. I like a knurled handle on all mine, no plastic for me. I have some harbor freight ones as well but to me they aren’t worth mentioning. They do seem to be accurate but very cheaply made. I got an old Utica that is amazing but it’s got summer teeth and a rebuild kit is stupid expensive so it’s a conversation piece, there’ an old snap on split beam here at work that is nearly indestructible it seems as most split beams are if used in the right direction. There’s ups and downs to all of em.

 

[jsmeece]

I agree with MetricTech. Used Matco and Armstrong torque wrenches can be purchased off ebay. I have bought 3 Armstrong torque wrenches and two Matco flex head torque wrenches off ebay, all in like new condition, and they were all between $26 to $127.

 

[Paco Pena]

For something like an oil filter cover I use German torque specs. Gootentite. Somethings just dont need that kind of accuracy.

Paco

 

[bob15]

Seekonk. Made in Mass.

Ebay: 233284277614 or 302617641690

 

[16again]

When I need a new torque wrench I look at prices for precision instruments and CDI first

Same here.

 

[f121]

The park tool 1/4" torque wrench is pretty nice, made in minnesota iirc.

 

[Fly YX]

I have the cheap 1/4 in. HF one for a few years. It has to be calibrated every year and has not had a problem. But don't use it everyday.

 

[Showkey]

Bicycle guys use a set of these.........8, 10, 12 Nm covers a lot fasteners.

They have a very distinctive click and are very accurate.

 

[nutsnbolts]

Thank you to everyone for your input. Lots of good knowledge and experience here. I ended up getting this one. Looks like a decent, middle of the road torque wrench.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/CDI-Torque...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

 

[nutsnbolts]

I checked that out and was ready to buy but the fixed head is just creepy to me.



For that low of torque I like a 1/4" drive. Maybe it's all in my mind but it's a better finesse tool.

I took a closer look at it and agree. I got one that is a step above.

 

[dnschmidt]

In 3/8 drive: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BYC1V9Y/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Same range in 1/4" drive: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BVR92TC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

What I really like about these is that they use the Norbar style of torque setting which is to me the best of any clicker type torque wrench I've ever used. Ft-Lb, in-lb's, N-m are very clearly displayed on a white background without trying to decipher chrome on chrome numbers.

 

[16again]

Thank you to everyone for your input. Lots of good knowledge and experience here. I ended up getting this one. Looks like a decent, middle of the road torque wrench.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/CDI-Torque...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

Same one I have. Works great and is a quality product.

 

[txvwnut]

Precision Instruments. American made and really affordable.