what is ia good/decent torque wrench that wont break the bank?

what is an expensive torque wrench that you know is worth the money?

 

I've used THIS one for the past year or so and I love it. I know there are more expensive ones out there, but I generally only use it for wheels (on all our cars) and various parts on my Jeep. (175 ft lb. is as high as I've needed to go so far - on a hub nut).

I use to use one of the old "needle" type ones and was never sure exactly how accurate it was. I always felt like I was going to break/bend it.

 

I have a Craftsman 1/2” clicker style.
It was about 90 bucks six years ago.

 

When "good" and "not break the bank" are parts of your criterian.. craftsman is the best bet.

I never really trust mine though, I have a Montgomary ward needle type one that is older than me though, I trust it with my life.

 

I have three. One goes up to 150 ft/lbs, one to 100 ft/lbs, and the one I bought for my TL to tighten the crankcase drain plug is gauged in inch/lbs (it's shorter than my other two, therefore works much better on the TL).

 

I have the Gorilla torque wrench from Tire Rack. I was about $30.

I also have a Craftsman torque wrench, whish is about $70 but only goes up to 20 or 30 ft-lbs.

 

the wife got me the same one last year, it's about 10 or so dollars less, and well worth it

 

The ATD 1/2" drive click type torque wrenches are very good for the money and will last a LONG time with out losing calibration. They sell for around $120, its the only "cheap" torque wrench I trust and I have about 35+ torque wrenches.

 

i have the craftsman 1/2" digitorq like the ones posted above. i like it. serves its purpose but i only use it for lug nuts so far.

 

is it necessary to torque wheel lugs?
is it that easy to over torque it by hand? or are you worried about under-torquing?

 

Over or under torquing isn't as much of an issue as uneven torquing is, which a torque wrench will guaranty. That being said most honda's are torqued to 80ft/lbs and it is VERY easy to over torque them.

 

I had a craftsman "clicker" torque wrench for years.. it was okay, nothing great. Recently picked up an "SK" one. Awesome torque wrench! Think I got it for $80 at thetoolwarehouse.net

Craftsman are okay though. Especially for lugnuts. They don't have to be super accurate.