Need Help With Torque Wreches
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5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 9
Likes: 1
From: Australia
Need Help With Torque Wreches
Hello All
I'm looking to add more tools to my collection that's when I realised I need a Torque Wrench.
What Do I need to look for in a Torque Wrench, after having a look at Harley's Torque specs i realise I may need more than one Torque Wrench
Is there a particular brand that is better then another
Any advise or recommendations would be appreciated
Cheers Darren
I'm looking to add more tools to my collection that's when I realised I need a Torque Wrench.
What Do I need to look for in a Torque Wrench, after having a look at Harley's Torque specs i realise I may need more than one Torque Wrench
Is there a particular brand that is better then another
Any advise or recommendations would be appreciated
Cheers Darren
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100,455
Likes: 19,811
From: Centennial, CO
Snap-on, MAC and others like them are VERY expensive.
I'm using Craftsman click type torque wrenches in 1/2" and 3/8" and they are certainly good enough for the home mechanic. Although you'll hear of the reason to spend $200-$300 on one, though.
I'm using Craftsman click type torque wrenches in 1/2" and 3/8" and they are certainly good enough for the home mechanic. Although you'll hear of the reason to spend $200-$300 on one, though.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 564
Likes: 6
From: Wyoming USA
I got about 5 a matco 1/2" drive a cheapy 1/2" drive hardly ever use and a craftsmen 1/2" and a 3/8" inch/lb and a Kobalt 1/2". Out of all them I like my kobalt the best plus it will torque when in reverse (counter clock wise) it is easy to read and spent right around $60 for it on sale it looks identicle to a snap-on .My 2 cents 
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,178
Likes: 600
From: SoCal.....I'm only here for the weather
I have two Craftsman wrenches. One 1/2" drive in Ft. lbs. and the other 3/8" in inch lbs. They have served me well and for the limited use they get I can't justify spending $200-$300. I have heard some guys say their Harbor Freight models work for them. I own some harbor freight tools (mostly air tools) and I don't think I'd want to trust their torque wrenches. Get what you can afford and based on the service duty you expect them to see.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,399
Likes: 8,509
From: Spartan Country, Michigan
Have SnapOn 1/2 "foot pound. Forty plus years old. Think I paid around $100 then and thought that was huge. But then I wretched for a living too, so one of those tools needed. Have an inch pound beam wrench I used on pinion bearings. Bought an inch pound clicker from local industrial supply house on sale and discount for around $50.
All this said......Sears or kobalt are excellent choices.
All this said......Sears or kobalt are excellent choices.
Last edited by Spartanden; Sep 4, 2016 at 05:56 PM. Reason: Auto correct
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,416
Likes: 317
From: CA
I use the Harbor Freight 1/4 inch for inch-pounds and 1/2 for foot pounds - these cover every value I've come across. I've had better (Craftsman) and worse ones (the old spring type) over the years but these have been surprisingly reliable and accurate as I would want short of "dead on b*llz accurate".
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Get the click type as suggested. Make sure you unload the spring setting after each use when storing. I have 3, an inch pound screwdriver type, an inch pound 3/8" drive, and a foot pond 1/2" drive. I also have access to a foot pound 3/4" from work if I'm doing a compensator/rotor-stator.
I would avoid the dial/indicator arm type.
Yes if all you're doing is your own work and not often a Craftsman will do.
I would avoid the dial/indicator arm type.
Yes if all you're doing is your own work and not often a Craftsman will do.