When I was a pro tech, I had a toolbox full of Snap-On tools, including torque wrenches. When I left that industry and vowed never to go back, I sold all of it, toolbox and all.

Torque wrenches do not have to be expensive to be accurate. I have several Craftsman torque wrenches that I have had for years. The machine shop at my workplace has equipment to test for accuracy, and they have always been spot on. I had a Harbor Freight in-lb wrench that did fail, so I replaced it with an eTORK brand for $60 that had great reviews. It's dead-on accurate and a nice piece.

You do not need expensive tools for occasional use. With Snap-On, you're paying for a guy to show up at your shop on a weekly basis to replace your broken Snap-On tools. That's perfect for the pros. You don't need to pay all that extra for a tool you might use on five occasions per year.

 

My torque wrenches are Craftsman had them for 30 years no problems the one I use the most is the 3/8Im still old school and hand tighten most nuts and bolts down without a Toque wench but sometimes it's got to be wright and that's when I use them.

 

theres a good possibility youre right. i just know its a something or other beam type and you dont have to remember to dial it back to 0. with precision being the lesser known name they dont carry the premium that snapon carrys. im pretty sure they make cornwells torque wrenches too. being more of the shadetree type myself i dont need snapon stuff but i dont like cheap tools. ill usually go middle of the road stuff. usa made craftsman stuff was great for the money and didnt have a price like snapon. their china tools are noticeably lighter. i wish i could buy the new version of my usa craftsman tools.

 

My 1/2" Snap On torque wrench is 50 years old. I think I paid the whopping price of $60-70!!! I bought an 1/4" beam torque wrench for torqueing the yoke back onto the rear differential. Then a couple years ago I bought a 3/8 drive with both inch and foot pound measurements, from Harbor Freight. With what I use these for and the number of times per year, I think the Harbor Freight will be just fine. My Snap On is still within tolerance and works perfectly.

 

I've had good luck with a couple of Harbor Freight ones. Cost effective for my use.
And they've never been dropped or used as a a hammer unlike my other tools.

 

I have a mix of Craftsman and harbor freight click style torque wrenches and a couple of old beam style. One of those is a Craftsman my dad gave me at least 50 years ago and the other is a Husky brand I bought at an auto parts store long ago. The clickers both click at the same settings so I’m comfortable that both brands are accurate enough for anything I need them to do.

I just finished putting a timing belt and a dozen other things on a Miata and I used all of them as needed. If I can get a torque wrench on a fastener and I have the spec I always use a torque wrench. I’ve been using them on car and motorcycle repairs for years with good results. Just my experience.

I worked in machine shops for years and we used Proto brand and they were good but it seems one was always out for replacement or repairs. My guys were hard on tools though.

I would love to have a set of snap on wrenches but I can’t justify the cost.

 

I have Snap-On, CDI, some older Craftsman torque wrench and torque screwdriver in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2" driver.

 

I got a digital torque wrench a few years ago, and I'll never go back. You'll spend more, but every time you use it, you'll know why you spent the money.

 

The quality of your work on preparing the fastener is more important than the quality of your torque wrench. Unless you pepare clean, properly lubricated threads and sliding surfaces like the underside of bolt heads.... any wrench will give you an inadequate stretch on the fasteners. The more expensive wrench will give you extremely consistent poor results. Most, if not all of the contributors to this thread know this very well, just providing something for folks who are thinking of buying their first torque wrench to think about.

 

Anyone have their T.W. tested or recalibrated?
A buddy was having his calibrated after testing. I gave him 2 of my most used Harbor freight ones for giggles. They were close enough that I didn't spend the $$
It was expensive to adjust his spot on, I think about $ 35.00 each.