What kind of Torque Wrench should I buy
 

Yes it is time for me to add a torque wrench.

What do you recommend?
Should I buy a regular head, or a flex-head?
Should I buy a 1/2" or a 3/4" ?
What brand (Craftsman, Snap on, Matco, etc)?
Digital versus traditional?SmileWavy

Looking for good and cheap, so welcome comments on anything you are familiar with...

I expect to use it primarily for Pcar related stuff (tighting the wheels, tightening parts on the car, etc....

Thanks in advance!!

I use the Craftsman DigiTorque models (both 3/8" and 1/2" drive). They've proven pretty good and I had the 1/2" one recalibrated a couple months ago after two years of ownership and occasional use - it was pretty close to spot-on (better in the middle of the tension range, a bit off at the lower end, but nothing I'd lose sleep over).

+1

You shouldn't need 3/4" unless you're working with some pretty big fasteners.
A 3/8 & 1/2" should take care of what you are working on. You'll get sticker shock on the Snap-On or Mac truck but if you appreciate a quality tool they are a pleasure to work with. I've been fortunate to aquire most of my TR's second hand, have way more than I need but I enjoy working with nice tools.
Stay away from Harbor Freight types, they're just too coarse for that work.
Jim

Don't get the one where you dial the desired torque. Get one with the analog gauge that simply moves as you twist...

That's very true - the beam-style wrenches are historically more accurate, but they also won't reach into a lot of places.

Or you could buy one from out host......

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/TOOL/POR_TOOL_CAT198_pg2.htm

1/2" 20-150 should be good for most of the work you will do, unless you plan on digging into the engine.

I second this recommendation. Start with the 1/2" 20-150. SK is a great brand. I then ended up buying a 3/8", but that was much, much farther down the road.

Not to mention, Wayne needs the extra cash to fix the 959!! :D

From what I've heard, if this was Rennlist wouldn't the guys recommending Sears get banned?

If this was Rennlist, anyone not recommending a torque wrench (good or bad) from a high-dollar paying sponsor would be banned.

It's all about vendor politics over there.

I haven't tried the SK ones, but I would trust Wayne's recommendation - he typically doesn't push crap. AND he'll stand behind his products. Might be worth a look and post your results. . .

i bought a Snap On digital model via ebay. i'm not a mechanic (tho i play one on weekends in my garage) but it seems nice and i like the vibrating function.

I have sk, snap on and matco torque wrenches...they are all pretty nice. but you get what you pay for. especially here. GENERALLY I prefer matco to snap on, but I have mainly Snap on tq wrenches and angle guages

Found someone selling a pair of Snap ON Torque wrenches:

1) 3/4" Digital
2) 1/4" Digital

Can I use the 3/4" to tighten my wheel lugs ?? Don't I need a 1/2" to do this?:confused:

What would I need the 1/4" for?????:confused:

HELP. Good deal on two Snap ON Digital Torque wrenches but do not know if I need them both?:confused:

Thanks, Luis SmileWavy

You need them both. I have a 3/8" and a 1/2".

3/8" and 1/2" are what I use the most but a 1/4" would be nice, never needed a 3/4" that I can remember. If you can do it buy Snap-On.

I bought a Precision Instruments brand split-beam on the recommendation of another Pelican. I love it. It is without a doubt the best torque wrench I have ever owned.

http://www.torqwrench.com/Products/SplitBeam/SplitBeams.html

I have a chance to get a 3/4" and 1/4" Snap on digital torque wrenches with case and instructions; never used, for $225.

Should I just go ahead and get it???

:confused::confused:

Would I still need to look for a 1/2 to torque down my wheels??

Stahlwille. No substitute.

I'd pass on the 3/4" and 1/4"

Get a 1/2" and that'll cover 80% of your needs, a 3/8" should cover 18 of the remaining 20%, and if you want, you can get the 1/4" and 3/4" to cover the last 2%.