Torque Wrenches !?!?

[Sterff]

I am in the market for a torque wrench and Im not really sure what to get. I know I want a micrometer style and need a range of up to 250 ft.lbs. So far I have looked at Snap-on, Matco, SK, and KD tools. What do you guys recommend. I would like to spend around $200 or less and yet still get a nice torque wrench. I have found these so far...
http://ba104.temporaryurl.net/Default.aspx?fusemode=10&pid=74555 (74555)
http://www.matcotools.com/Catalog/toolcatalog.jsp?cattype=T&cat=2108&select=&page=2 (TRC250A)

I also have a student discount with Matco so that maybe the way to go...

 

[Joe B.]

I and many others are quite fond of their Precision Instruments split beam torque wrenches.

http://torqwrench.com/tools/C.php
(Side note: Looks like they have a new handle design with blue plastic. Don't know which is better but there is probably a lot of old stock out there and a lot of retailers are slow to update pics on their sites.)

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

There is some good info in this previous thread:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=57088

Most people find they need multiple torque wrenches. I have a pair of Sears Craftsman torque wrenches. I have a Craftsman Microtork 3/8 that does 25-250 inch-pounds and a Craftsman Digitork 3/8 that does 5-80 foot-pounds. I also have a GearWrench 1/2 inch Micrometer torque wrench that does 25-250 foot pounds. The GearWrench is Made In The USA, by the way. These three fit my needs. I tinker around with motorcycles and ATVs and the torque requirements are varied. As a homeowner/hobbiest, the 3/8 that does 5-80 foot pounds is fine for most things but the 1/2 that does 25-250 foot pounds is needed a lot as well, especailly for some things like lug nuts or axel bolts, etc. I never did like using a torque wrench at the extremes of its limits so I got the different ones.

 

[Sterff]

The main thing I will be using it for is the headstuds in my truck. They need torqued to 210 and my smaller torque wrench only goes to 150.

 

[crewchief888]

There is some good info in this previous thread:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=57088

Most people find they need multiple torque wrenches. I have a pair of Sears Craftsman torque wrenches. I have a Craftsman Microtork 3/8 that does 25-250 inch-pounds and a Craftsman Digitork 3/8 that does 5-80 foot-pounds. I also have a GearWrench 1/2 inch Micrometer torque wrench that does 25-250 foot pounds. The GearWrench is Made In The USA, by the way. These three fit my needs. I tinker around with motorcycles and ATVs and the torque requirements are varied. As a homeowner/hobbiest, the 3/8 that does 5-80 foot pounds is fine for most things but the 1/2 that does 25-250 foot pounds is needed a lot as well, especailly for some things like lug nuts or axel bolts, etc. I never did like using a torque wrench at the extremes of its limits so I got the different ones.

my torque wrench list
3/8 dr CM beam scale in/lb
3/8 dr SO flexhead micrometer 5-75 ft/lb
3/8 dr SO flexhead split beam 20-100(?) ft/lb
1/2 dr SO flexhead split beam 50-250 ft/lb
thats covered 99% of the stuff ive needed to torque over the last 30 years, from motorcycles to heavy equipment.

i also have a 1/2 dr 4X torque multiplier

 

[kmorgancraw]

A Snap On TECH3FR250 can be had on Ebay for around $200. 2% accuracy, flex head and no need to dial down, lots of bang for the buck. Also you can get a Precision Instruments PREC3FR250F from Tooltopia.com for $130, can't go wrong with that!

 

[Sterff]

Whats the opinion on electric torque wrenches? I can get about $200 off list price on the matco ones.

 

[ds350]

check out the following at tooltopia, hard to find a better deal for $129 with free shipping:

Precision Instruments (PREC3FR250F)
1/2" Dr. "Split Beam" Torque Wrench w/Flex head (40-250 Ft./Lbs)