Best Torque Wrench for the DIY'er?

[winlinmac]

I've been using a 3/8" drive CDI Torque Wrench for several years now; a few complaints include the directional lever to change unintentionally while the torque wrench is being used and occasionally when torquing bolts / nuts down in tighter places, the torque value also unintentionally changes (1-2 ft lbs off) due to the placement of the torque adjuster mechanism. I usually don't mind using a vise grip to tighten the set torque value on the bottom of other torque wrenches; this CDI torque wrench has a mechanism in which you rotate the dial and once you hit your desired value it clicks back into place.

 

[Tonyuk]

A cheap one, i'd say no more than about £40-50. 1/2". Around 20 - 200nm should be fine for any diy job.

 

[WinMod21]

I've been using a 3/8" drive CDI Torque Wrench for several years now; a few complaints include the directional lever to change unintentionally while the torque wrench is being used and occasionally when torquing bolts / nuts down in tighter places, the torque value also unintentionally changes (1-2 ft lbs off) due to the placement of the torque adjuster mechanism. I usually don't mind using a vise grip to tighten the set torque value on the bottom of other torque wrenches; this CDI torque wrench has a mechanism in which you rotate the dial and once you hit your desired value it clicks back into place.

I have a 40 yr old Craftsman 1/2" torque wrench, which---I think I recall reading here on GJ, were made by CDI back then---has the same push-up dial/rotate the handle design.
Very good quality; It still works super great; never had any issues with it.

Just FYI-- a few months ago I did some extensive research (for me =) while looking for a good quality in-lb torque wrench. Perused all the CDI suppliers & specs, as well as many other manuf's & brands. Bought another Craftsman (on sale for 50% off), but returned it due to its extra large size; only 1 yr warr; made in China, no snap-shut case (came only in a tray ) &c.
Decided to go cheap---w/ lifetime warr---so bought a Pittsburgh @ HF, but its handle & shaft scales were out of whack.

Finally decided on a Tekton 20~200 in-lb TW, which also has lifetime warranty; is decent looking & feeling in quality; shaft & handle dial scales align perfectly; click can be felt and heard; came in nice hard plastic, snap-shut case; price was only $40.

 

[visionguru]

I've been using a 3/8" drive CDI Torque Wrench for several years now; a few complaints include the directional lever to change unintentionally while the torque wrench is being used and occasionally when torquing bolts / nuts down in tighter places, the torque value also unintentionally changes (1-2 ft lbs off) due to the placement of the torque adjuster mechanism. I usually don't mind using a vise grip to tighten the set torque value on the bottom of other torque wrenches; this CDI torque wrench has a mechanism in which you rotate the dial and once you hit your desired value it clicks back into place.

Time to junk that CDI. Somehow, except Snap On, domestic brands like CDI, precision instruments are really slow to move onto fine tooth ratchets.

For DIY, even the cheapest ones from Harbor Freight can get the job done.
Then Home Depot or Menards are a step up.
Then Gearwrench is another step up at similar price as store brands.

I have Snap Ons, but had been using a Harbor Freight one for 10 years. They are nice enough to exchange it for a new one under lifetime warranty after all those years. Not bad for $10.

 

[winlinmac]

I definitely like Tekton's quality, I use their 25 - 250 ft lb torque wrench quite a lot

I have a 40 yr old Craftsman 1/2" torque wrench, which---I think I recall reading here on GJ, were made by CDI back then---has the same push-up dial/rotate the handle design.
Very good quality; It still works super great; never had any issues with it.

Just FYI-- a few months ago I did some extensive research (for me =) while looking for a good quality in-lb torque wrench. Perused all the CDI suppliers & specs, as well as many other manuf's & brands. Bought another Craftsman (on sale for 50% off), but returned it due to its extra large size; only 1 yr warr; made in China, no snap-shut case (came only in a tray ) &c.
Decided to go cheap---w/ lifetime warr---so bought a Pittsburgh @ HF, but its handle & shaft scales were out of whack.

Finally decided on a Tekton 20~200 in-lb TW, which also has lifetime warranty; is decent looking & feeling in quality; shaft & handle dial scales align perfectly; click can be felt and heard; came in nice hard plastic, snap-shut case; price was only $40.

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

I myself have a 1/2in and 1/4in from hf and a 3/8in oriley brand and a 1/2in ol scool beam type. I probably use the beam style the most then the 1/4in second. I only got the 1/2in hf because it was $5 when so much $ was spent and the wife was getting me the 20 ton press for Christmas. The masterforce from menards looks pretty nice. Never used the tekton but they look pretty nice and people seem to like them.

 

[Woody1320]

I've got the 1/2 drive Tekton 10 to 150 foot pound. It cost me around 40 bucks, and it's been great so far.

 

[Ray-CA]

I’ve been more than pleased with my Harbor Freight torque wrenches. Both the 3/8 and 1/4 drive ones work just fine for what I need them for. If I didn’t already have a Snap-On 1/2 I’d buy a Harbor Freight wrench.

Ray

 

[dubdoc]

I've got the 1/2 drive Tekton 10 to 150 foot pound. It cost me around 40 bucks, and it's been great so far.

I have an early one. Had it for years and couldn't be happier.

 

[bushmechanic]

I think this is one of those circumstances where cranking up the expense is worth it; rather like a grease gun or paint rollers. I have two Snap-On tools; a 10mm socket, and their fancy digital torque wrench.

I don't use it much anymore, but whenever I do, I sure am glad I sprung for the thing.

Others may know of similar quality; I know that's a private label and they don't have anything to do with it's manufacturing or design, but it's a damned nice torque wrench.

 

[Kodiak]

I just got the 1/2 drive Tekton, 25 - 250 ft/lbs for $60. I've used it a few times already and it's nice. Seems very solid. You do have to keep an eye on the torque setting since the locking nut on the end of the handle has a tendency to loosen. When it's happened it's only changed the torque by a ft/lb or two, so not a big deal. There's a small hole in the tightening nut, so I've started using a small screwdriver to help make the nut tighter.

I tested it against a beam torque wrench and another clicker and it was dead on.

 

[winlinmac]

I've gotten used to tightening that locking nut using a good old vise grip

I just got the 1/2 drive Tekton, 25 - 250 ft/lbs for $60. I've used it a few times already and it's nice. Seems very solid. You do have to keep an eye on the torque setting since the locking nut on the end of the handle has a tendency to loosen. When it's happened it's only changed the torque by a ft/lb or two, so not a big deal. There's a small hole in the tightening nut, so I've started using a small screwdriver to help make the nut tighter.

I tested it against a beam torque wrench and another clicker and it was dead on.

 

[CGarage]

I’ve got 3 Gedore, 1 Hazet, 2 Facom, 1 USAG, 2 Stahlwille, 1 Craftsman torque wrench.
Each has a different application. I think the beam types are not obsolete.
Not a fan of digital.
The Gedore torque wrenches are really nice and they have the rotating handle to select the torque value and it’s a favorite.

 

[aaronrkelly]

I’ve been more than pleased with my Harbor Freight torque wrenches. Both the 3/8 and 1/4 drive ones work just fine for what I need them for. If I didn’t already have a Snap-On 1/2 I’d buy a Harbor Freight wrench.

Ray

Same here. I saw a test of the HF vs SnapOn for accuracy (and other features) - it compared far better then it should have.

 

[FuzzyTiger]

What's the deal with digital torque wrenches? I keep hearing people say they don't like them but I'm not understanding why. Is it just a preference thing? Is there a technical reason? The lack of a satisfying click?

 

[CGarage]

The inherent programmed obsolescence.....
And they cost real money if you buy from a quality European tool maker.
I can’t stand ghosting on the displays, battery issues, the plethora of complications.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

Torque wrenches need to be accurate for things like engine heads . I have one that says Wright on it, who made it I have no idea, which I check against an old fashioned pointer type. But for lug nuts on the truck, I have a $20 one in the truck box. I also have another $20 in the travel trailer, easier to get to, travel trailer wheels should be frequently checked. I've never checked either of them.

 

[Wrench97]

The worst ones I've ever had were the Snap on 3/4" went through 3 of the breaking torque beams(not covered under the warranty) and 1, 1/2" that broke a torque split beam.
I now have a Proto 3/4" but do not use it anywhere near as much as I use to(my choice to not tear into diesels like I use to....) Tekton is my current 1/2" and the Snap on Tech angle 3/8" is still working. Any more I'll take quick turn jobs and try to stay away from major work that ties up the bay.

 

[Noworries]

2 thumbs up on the harbor freight ones.. there are many videos on youtube on reclibrating these things..

 

[Patos]

Another vote for Tekton, I have 2 and like the quality, warranty and the hard cases.

 

[Lucid Moments]

What's the deal with digital torque wrenches? I keep hearing people say they don't like them but I'm not understanding why. Is it just a preference thing? Is there a technical reason? The lack of a satisfying click?

Main thing for me is that I am at best a weekend warrior and I don't want to have to worry about the batteries. Honestly I may go a couple of months between uses of a torque wrench and batteries die. I could keep spare batteries around. I usually do for that matter. But there just isn't enough of a benefit to a digital torque wrench for me to want to have to worry about that.