Where would you guys suggest I get a torque wrench at that would be cheap (under $100 more than likely) and is of good-ish quality atleast? I want to get a 1/2" drive and it needs to be adjustable to atleast 150 ft.lb. I really will only use it to do retorques and other stuff on my truck, unless something else comes up. I can get a Kobalt at the Lowes I work at for around $87 after tax and my discount but I have NEVER talked to anyone after they have bought one so I have no idea if they are ANY good... has anyone here bought one? Thanks!

 

Do yourself a favor and get a 250 ft-lb torque wrench right off the bat. I bought a 150 ft-lb and about a year later had to buy a 250 ft-lb. I got a Westward for about $150CAN. It's fairly decent quality.

 

I bought a 150lbs one for $26, lol. I only use it occasionally so I didn't see the need to spend a couple hundred dollars. It definently isn't great quality, but for smaller jobs it does great.

 

Unless you really need a good one ( Snap-on, etc. ), just get one from Harbor Freight. Unless you are abusive, they seem to work pretty well. I have 3, a Craftsman from 25 years ago, a Snap-On, and a Harbor Freight knockoff ( 13.95!). They all seem to hold torque well. The Snap-On one is the only one I have ever had calibrated.

Make sure you back off the torque setting after every use and that seems to help keep them in calibration.

 

Home Depot has some nice ones. I have their 250 ft. lbs one and it was under $100. It also has a lifetime warranty.
I had a Sears Craftsman 250 ft lbs. one, but the ratcheting mechanism broke. Sears only warranties their torque wrenches for 1 year.

~Rob

 

Hmmm. Ok, the only torque wrench I have ever had trouble with, is my 1/2" drive 250 lb unit from Snap-On. It was out to lunch, right out of the box. I have 1/4" drive 10 - 200 in/lb, 3/8 drive dial type in/lb, 3/8" drive 5 - 75 ft/lb, 1//2" drive 20 - 150, 1/2" drive 50 - 250, and 3/4" drive to 600.

I also have torque multipliers for the bigger jobs, but I try to avoid those jobs entirely.

Only the 3/8 dial type in/lb, and the 50 - 250 split beam are snap on. the others are NAPA ultra pro, and Westward. They all work just fine, I have them tested once a year. The added bonus, is when they fall apart, which does happen, they are cheap enough to throw away, and just go get another one.

Best thing to do, is find a wrench you are comfortable with, then check it against a known good wrench, or have it tested. Most of them are pretty good right off the shelf though.

 

PIND,
My snap-On 250 broke a couple times over the years. 40+ yr old. Craftsman is still accurate and works every time.

 

I just bought mine at Advane Auto Parts. 40 bucks and works very well! To bad I dont ude it that often, but at least I got it when I need it.

 

Ive got two Craftsman torque wrenches and have been plenty happy with them. I agree with above, get the 250ftlb version. It is much more useful. Also, I have a small inlb for the small stuff.

Thats my .02

 

For all you guys with the cheap harbour frieght wrenches , have them checked, I know a guy who had a cheap 3/4 drive wrench (60$ new) and besides constantly stripping the head @500 ft lbs , it was TOTALLY inaccurate. If your going to use something that cheap , use a strong arm (breaker bar) and a spring scale, it will be more accurate.

I have 3 snap on wrenches now , calibrated once a year , and they have always stayed dead on.

 

Pawn Shop!!!!!!!