Torque Wrench Recommendations?

[ay1820]

Any recommendations for a good torque wrench in the 10 - 100 ft-lb range? Preferably something under $150.

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[s2ms]

I've been happy with the Tekton 24335, 10-150ft-lb, 1/2" drive:

https://www.tekton.com/1-2-inch-drive-micrometer-torque-wrench-24335

 

[Skye]

I have both a 3/8 (20-100 lb-ft, 27-135 Nm) and 1/2 (50-250 lb-ft, 67-338 Nm) inch units from Craftsman.

They have worked well. No issues.

https://www.craftsman.com/product/cmmt99433/38-drive-micrometer-torque-wrench?tid=576301

https://www.craftsman.com/product/cmmt99434/12-drive-micrometer-torque-wrench?tid=576301

For lossening items, I use the Craftsman, 1/2" drive, 15"/38cm breaker bar, and an 18"/45cm piece of pipe slid over it (if needed).

https://www.craftsman.com/product/cmmt44201/12-drive-15-breaker-bar

 

[JOKER M1]

I have a couple Kobalt‘s I’ve been using for many years. They have various sizes and price ranges.

 

[kz]

I thinnk Grasroots Motorsport made a comparison of accuracy (which is only thing that matters) between torque wrenches once. Bottom line - doesn't matter. Cheap Harbor Freight ones were just as accurate as the fancy ones - for a car work. I have Craftsman, Husky, Harbor Freight (PIttsburgh ? Their cheapest line) and Tekton. Build quality is the only thing differentiating them but none of them broke yet.

 

[MattMPA]

I've had a 3/8 & 1/2 Craftsman for many years. They've worked fine, but I wanted something a little longer with a higher "top end", as my Craftsman 1/2" tops out @ 150. I bought the HF Icon one that goes to 250 ft pds. Came with paperwork showing it's test results, and it's very accurate. Seems very nicely made, too.

 

[Nodster]

I have one or two torque wrenches and some other tools from Wera. Quality is amazing - what else would you expect from the Germans.

https://www-de.wera.de/en

 

[m3incorp]

Lots of great choices mentioned. I use the Brownline Metalworks.

https://www.brownlinemetalworks.com/

 

[thornclaw]

had two pittsburgh torque wrenches and they both broke. stopped clicking so i broke a bolt. currently using a husky which works fine

 

[MAGS1]

I have Craftsman 1/2” and 3/8” drive. Both work great:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-...XwJcH0BlyHSHjuLuk6BoCtvwQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-3-8-in-Drive-Click-Torque-Wrench-20-ft-lb-to-100-ft-lb/1000772356

 

[boB]

Beam types are not as easy to use or (maybe) as accurate as click type but will never completely fail and snap a bolt or let one be way too loose. I have had the click type do this more than once.
At the least the beam types are good for checking the click types.

 

[Duece McCracken]

https://www.wrighttool.com/products/torque-wrenches-screwdrivers/click-type-torque-wrenches

I run wright tools, and do own a Capri tools 1/4" drive as well. I like slip/lock collar, click style.

 

[Prodigal]

Harbor Freight click style exceeds Snap On for accuracy and consistency. Wait for a 25% off coupon and pick one up. I bought a 1/2” drive 250 lb for my lug nuts and bigger fasteners. Waiting on another coupon to snag a 3/8” 150 lb model.

 

[ay1820]

Thanks for all the input!

I was sort of hoping there might be some sort of natural consensus around one or two products, but it seems like everyone has their favorite.

Anyone aware of any truly unbiased torque wrench reviews out there? Most of the "Top 10 blah blab blah ..." articles out there are really just thinly disguised click-bait affiliate marketing programs with no real meaningful comparisons or accuracy tests.

 

[Zelek]

Honestly, I think so many are close in many ways that I'd just pick a brand name you know of and you'll probably like it. I've used Harbor Freight, broken a smaller 3/8 one and got a free replacement, and now I'm using a Kobalt 1/2" for the bigger stuff. Still using the same Harbor Freight breaker bar for the last 8 years and it works well. Those digital torque wrenches are really pricey versus your click ones.

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