Finally on sale....but which one would I use most?

3/8" drive - 30-250 lb-in / 4.5-29 Nm
1/2" drive - 20-250 lb-ft / 34-345 Nm

 

1/2" drive clicker.

 

depends on what you do the most of- smaller jobs, or have a UR pulley install party at your house!(181 ft lbs)
Small jobs like intake manifold require 16 lbs, so you may need a 1/4 drive or a different brand with lower abilty. Most jobs on the TL are from 10 foot lbs to 80 foot lbs (the wheels)-stuff you will commonly work with on DIYs

I use a 3/8 drive for basic stuff like wheels and brakes because its smaller overall size tool- easier to work in tight areas.
The Snap On 1/2 comes out for anything like lower suspension bolts where more torque is involved. Bascally any bolt more than 19mm head

If I have to tighten it by hand- may as well let the tool -not the fool- do most of the work~

 

This brings up one of my weird jokes - "Tighten it until it strips, and then back out a fourth of a turn."

Back on topic - I recommend NEITHER of the two listed. The 3/8 (that you listed) goes only to 20 ft.lbs. This is not high enough for most common task (automotive wise).

The 1/2" drive would be seldom used for most common task.

I recommend a normal 3/8" wrench in the range of approx 10 - 75 ft. lb.

 

It's hard to find "ONE" torque wrench for all your diy jobs. So I picked up both of them, good thing it's on sale....almost like buy one & get the other free.

My other car's transmission pan bolts require 8Nm (~6 lb-ft), for wheel's lug nuts you need 110Nm (80 lb-ft). So I highly doublt I can find one torque wrench that will cover the range from 6-80+ lb-ft.

 

a 1/4 drive will cover the lowest torque specs- the 3/8 is ok for wheels but 1/2 usually gives more leverage

 

OP - your right, you will not find a good torque wrench to cover that entire span.

Like 01tl4tl says- use the 1/2 for wheels and suspension (thats what I use it for)

and then use the 3/8 for all over jobs...

btw: where did you get the "buy one get one free" deal? Please don't say Harbor Freight

 

Canadian Tire....45% discount, it's their Maximum brand with lifetime warranty.
After discount it's $59.99 for 3/8" drive & $64.99 for the 1/2" drive.