Torque Wrench

[demon1300]

Guys,

I'm in the market for a torque wrench and wanted to know if anyone had any recommendations? This will be just for general duties, so nothing MEGA expensive...

Only requirement is that its 1/2" drive, ratcheting and preferably digital.

Obviously I realise that the deflecting beam Warren and Brown's are the best, but I'd like a ratcheting wrench so that I can use it in tight places. I'd buy one no questions if I was building engines all day long on stands.

I've looked at CDI, Snap-On, Sidchrome, Teng, Norbar, Kinchrome etc and can're really make my mind up. Obviously the Snap-On, CDI and Teng are all pretty expensive. I'm in two minds as to whether or not to just buy a decent one now and never have to worry about it again?

This is one I've had my eye on for a little bit as its got a good wide torque range from 20-200NM:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/TENG-TOOLS-DIGITAL-BI-DIRECTIONAL-TORQUE-WRENCH-1-2-Dr-20-200-Nm-CERT-of-CALI-/291476283978?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item43dd57224a

Thoughts or other recommendations?

Edited 31/05/15 03:09 AM by demon1300

[Ralph Wiggum]

Buy once buy right. Get the Snap On. It will be the last one you'll have to buy.

[Specs]

I have an SP 1/2 mircometer 20-200nm and 0-24nm kinchrome 1/4 (motorbike mechanic) both are great the sp cost me iirc $200

[Wilko16]

Warren & brown or Snap-on

Cheap ones are never accurate

I have had my W&B 1/2" for eight years now, and gets a calibration check every year

It's never had a major adjustment

And every year some one with a cheapo torque wrench especially kincrome

Gets told to heave it out cause it can't be calibrated

I also have 3/4" Snap-On that I have never had any issues with

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=141654964905

This is what I have, click style one

Edited 31/05/15 04:28 AM by Wilko16

[FiftyOne]

Repco for me. Just remember a wrench is only as good as its calibration, and that's what you buy them for.

[Wilko16]

A 3/8" is probably perfect for car use

Unless you plan on tensioning head bolts or main caps

Edited 31/05/15 04:32 AM by Wilko16

[demon1300]

Maybe one of these then Wilko?

http://www.warrenandbrown.com.au/precisiontools/product-details/screen-torque-wrenches-/311

As for Snap-On, I can't justify the price of one... Paying 600-1k for a torque wrench that will only get used every so often doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Hence why I thought the Teng I posted above would be a good compromise. I hear they have a bloody good name and are up there with the best. I only suggested digital as I've heard they're far less likely to require lots of calibration, like any of the spring styled wrenches.

What's a calibration worth anyway?

Edited 31/05/15 04:48 AM by demon1300

[Bizkets is Drunk?]

Facom. My brother has a sh*t load of tools by facom. Aviation mechanic. Now diesel mechanic. Good stuff but cost you a arm and a leg.

[QIKXR6]

Norbar are one of the best on the market. You''ll also get an accredited calibration certificate so you know it's right.

Most name brands have an accredited cal. but if your buying cheaper wrenches they can be out quite significantly even new.

Digital wrenches are great but need to be calibrated regularly as the electronic load cell used to make the measurement can drift giving incorrect readings.

In all honesty your better off spending your money on a decent mechanical clicker type wrench and getting it re-calibrated annually.

Edited 31/05/15 01:08 PM by QIKXR6

[PTR_NITRO_FG]

Do non digital ones need calibrating?

I think I have a cheapie kincrome one...where you wind it at the bottom

Sorry if my question is dumb