What’s your favorite torque wrench?

I know this is a very subjective topic, but I’m in the market for a new torque wrench. I’m planning on rebuilding an engine soon so I need something reliable and accurate. I’m looking at Craftsman, Gearwrench, and maybe Kobalt. I know that Snap On is probably the best option. I would just prefer not to have to sell my kidney to buy one. I’ve also maybe been considering CDI but that’s still a little pricey. Also need to mention that I’m looking at electronic torque wrenches for the accuracy and convenience.

So my question is what you guys think of these brands? Any other brands you recommend?

 

My digital 3/8ths Snap-on has been amazing. Also have a 1/2 drive Snap-on bigger torque wrench. The digital one is sick, does from 5-100 ft lb. Tells you when you have overtorqued. Both were $450 each.

I'd go straight for quality if doing engine work. So Craftsman or better. Skip the Kobalt.

 

I asked this same question awhile back - https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/toque-wrench-best-one-for-a-budget.723008/
But I’ll also give my experience below.


I’ve had or still have the following

Pittsburg - 3/4”, 1/2” , 3/8 and 1/4”
The 3/8” drive seems more consistent than the Kobalt. The 1/4” drive doesn’t really click, it’s more of a feel. The 1/2” is fair. But the Husky had a more pronounced “click”. As for the 3/4” drive. I bought it for large axle nuts and trailer hitch ball nuts. But have not used it yet
Over all, I found the 3/8 drive to be great for the money. And find I use it quite a bit still.


Husky - 1/2”
I really liked the consistency and feel of the “click”. But the handle “grip” portion kept falling off.
Which is what kept the adjustment lock ring in place. It’s held in place by a “cheap” roll pin. And the handle is plastic. The plastic handle kept working it’s way over the rolled pin. I gave this one to my father who tapped handle and installed an allen set pin. Works great now.
See the link above do details.

Kobalt - 3/8”
I like the fit and finish, but at times it doesn’t seem too consistent.
It’s as if some times, it “clicks” too soon, or too late. Maybe it is just me, but I’m still weary of it.
I just don’t trust it for “critical” fasteners. I actually prefer the Pittsburg over this one.
But again, this is just my “feeling”. It may indeed be just fine.

Quinn Digital - 3/8”
I bought this wrench after the GearWrench failed on me. It goes as low as 5 ft/lbs.
This wrench does a lot. You can watch the reading as you apply torque.
Or you can set it to “beep” at a desired torque.
It also does degrees, and some other stuff I never use.
It’s hard for me to get passed not feeling and hearing a “click”.
I’m still getting used to it. I need to test it against my others to see how “accurate” it is.
I like it, but it’s big compared to most standard “click type” wrenches. Probably not the best for tight places. Icon - 1/2”
I bought this to replace the Husky.
I haven’t used it much. But it does seem to be accurate and consistent.
It’s big and it’s heavy. I haven’t used it enough to give a “good” review.
I’ve only used it for lug nuts so far. Gearwrench - 1/4”
My father gave me this wrench. He bought it for doing some job.
And never needed it after he finished that job.
I don’t what happened, but it’s NEVER worked since he gave it to me.
Good thing I tested it before doing a water pump on my brothers truck.
That would have been bad to strip the threads in the block. This is actually why I bought the Quinn. As it goes to 5 ft/lb.
Always test your wrench before you start. Pick a larger bolt/nut and make sure you get a “click or beep”.

 

Hey I like my Kobalt. Its not as expensive as your snap ons but mine has been getting the job done the last 3 years. I do agree buy the best if you need the best to do the job you are doing.

 

IMHO, for your needs, a breakaway Craftsman 1/2 and 3/8 is sufficient. What is more important is to have clean and lubed fasteners. Chase the holes with a tap, run a die down the bolts, clean and lightly lube and torque.

 

I bought the Gearwrench 85063: 1/2" Drive 20-150 ft/lbs.

I'd love to spend the $400+ on a Snap On or Matco but I'm just a DIYer and the cost does not justify it.

I've used the Gearwrench for my LBJ replacement as well as the lugs on one tire rotation. Brought it into my friend's shop and asked if they could just check the torque specs to see if my Gearwrench is close.

The specs were spot on (and they all use Snap On and have them serviced regularly).

So I'm happy for the $100 I spent. If the wrench ends up getting out of spec or wonky, I'll just use the warranty and get a new one.

 

Check out Tekton on Amazon. They've become my go-to for decent price / decent quality weekend warrior shit.

 

Careful. Most torque specifications are for DRY & CLEAN threads. Lube threads should have a torque specification REDUCED from dry threads.

Many, many fasteners are over-torqued using a Dry specification on lubed threads.

 

I can vouch for CDI, they actually private label some of the Snap-on torque wrenches. They are a bit more $$$ but are high quality/reliable.

 

This is what I bought and I’ve been happy with the quality.

 

I have a craftsman 3/8” in inch-pounds, 1/2” Pittsburg up to 150 ft-lbs and a 1/2” husky up to 250 ft-lbs. I absolutely do not trust the Pittsburg It way over torques and I haven’t recalibrated it yet.

 

I prefer split-beam torque wrenches vice lever or micrometer style... I have Precision Instruments (they make them for Snap-On) in 1/2" & 3/8".

 

I've had a Craftsman 1/2 inch drive torque wrench for about 25 years. it has the screw handle with a window that shows the ft lbs when you turn the handle. It's been very reliable and I've overhauled 2 engines and used it many, many times over the years. But I think it's time to replace it. lately there are time the ratchet part doesn't work and the "head" has become semi loose and moves around, if that makes sense. My problem is I don't really like some of the newer ones, and I can't justify several hundred dollars for a really good one. Too bad craftsman still doesn't make one like the one I currently own, or I'd just by another one like it.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1249282173...1291&msclkid=5675e59f663715c8d3ad84294b2c8aec

 

They're my go-to on just about everything now. Their impact stuff is awesome quality, too.

 

I’ve got a old Craftsman ft/lbs and a an in/lbs clicking wrenchs. It took a little of studying and testing but I figured out how to calibrate them. They are tested every few years and are right on the money. Just remember to loosen them back to the minimum settle so the internal spring doesn’t wear out.

 

Since there have been a couple mentions of the Tekton…

Here’s a tangentially related video on how to calibrate it yourself. See if you can spot at least three moments of utter stupidity:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xZID9uOy7qU

 

You can also buy direct from https://www.tekton.com. The website is great, shipping is fast and free for orders over $50 ($5 for orders under $50), and they have a rewards program. Prices and availability sometimes vary so it's worth checking both places, but I'd rather buy direct from Tekton when all else is equal.

 

Didn't know that. Good heads up!

 

I have Snapon, but purchased a long time ago and they have become incredibly overpriced. If I had to do it all over again I would purchase from the company that actually manufactures the torque wrenches for S-O. Someone refresh my memory - what is the name of that company?

 

According to @tirediron that would be Precision Instruments