Torque wrench recommendation
#1
Torque wrench recommendation
Can someone help recommend a basic torque wrench to use around a car for simple jobs and any other basic non-auto usage that might come up later?
I brought a Motordyne M370 and watched a DIY install video. It looks scary but looks doable and I get the satisfaction of doing it myself. Only other usage after this is maybe use it to torque the wheels. I have never worked on a car so I don't need an expensive torque wrench.
I see different torque range, as well as size. By choosing, say 3/8 versus 1/2 inch, will that limit me or maybe by choosing 1/2 inch, a socket might cost little more for example. Can someone enlighten me, thank you.
Neiko 3/8-inch Dr, 10-100 Foot/Pounds $59.99
Neiko 3/8-inch Dr, 15-80 Foot/Pounds $49.99
TEKTON 24320 1/4-Inch , 20-200-Inch/Pound $36.72
Neiko 1/2-inch Dr, 20-150 Foot/Pounds $34.99
Neiko 3/8-inch Dr, 10-80 Foot/Pounds $29.99
I brought a Motordyne M370 and watched a DIY install video. It looks scary but looks doable and I get the satisfaction of doing it myself. Only other usage after this is maybe use it to torque the wheels. I have never worked on a car so I don't need an expensive torque wrench.
I see different torque range, as well as size. By choosing, say 3/8 versus 1/2 inch, will that limit me or maybe by choosing 1/2 inch, a socket might cost little more for example. Can someone enlighten me, thank you.
Neiko 3/8-inch Dr, 10-100 Foot/Pounds $59.99
Neiko 3/8-inch Dr, 15-80 Foot/Pounds $49.99
TEKTON 24320 1/4-Inch , 20-200-Inch/Pound $36.72
Neiko 1/2-inch Dr, 20-150 Foot/Pounds $34.99
Neiko 3/8-inch Dr, 10-80 Foot/Pounds $29.99
#2
Lexus Defector
iTrader: (60)
Exact torque specs are only important on certain things. Not that many. Never use it as a breaker bar and always set it back to 0 after use when storing it and it will stay accurate longer.
Choose them based on the drive size of the sockets you'll use most often. 3/8" will be good for most things you'll do with it. If you use it for smaller precision fasteners with low torque requirements get a 1/4" drive wrench that measures in inch pounds. If you use it on heavier large fasteners, get a 1/2" drive. If you have a tight budget, you can get by with inexpensive ones and replace them more often. Harbor Freight often has them for $10-15. I have some and they aren't bad for general use. But right now Sears has some pretty good Craftsman ones on sale for $40.
Choose them based on the drive size of the sockets you'll use most often. 3/8" will be good for most things you'll do with it. If you use it for smaller precision fasteners with low torque requirements get a 1/4" drive wrench that measures in inch pounds. If you use it on heavier large fasteners, get a 1/2" drive. If you have a tight budget, you can get by with inexpensive ones and replace them more often. Harbor Freight often has them for $10-15. I have some and they aren't bad for general use. But right now Sears has some pretty good Craftsman ones on sale for $40.
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dkmesa350z (03-28-2014)
#5
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
I went to harbor freight yesterday. Picked up a 3/8 torque wrench & a breaker bar. Plus basically a dremel (to install the gen 3), grease can for the away bars &...a machete cause it was $5.00. Quality isn't that great, but right now I'm on a budget. They will work for me right now & when they break (cause I'm sure they will) I will buy better ones & exchange the wrenches at harbor freight (lifetime guarantee on hand tools) & sell them to a buddy or on eBay for like $5, but brand new.
I have a 400+ piece craftsman mechanics set I really like, but if you can afford & have a mechanic friend, go with snap on.
Also, might buy the tekton (I think) 1/2 torque wrench from amazon too, just because it goes from 20-250lbs. & it's only 60
I have a 400+ piece craftsman mechanics set I really like, but if you can afford & have a mechanic friend, go with snap on.
Also, might buy the tekton (I think) 1/2 torque wrench from amazon too, just because it goes from 20-250lbs. & it's only 60
#6
Registered Member
iTrader: (3)
I went to harbor freight yesterday. Picked up a 3/8 torque wrench & a breaker bar. Plus basically a dremel (to install the gen 3), grease can for the away bars &...a machete cause it was $5.00. Quality isn't that great, but right now I'm on a budget. They will work for me right now & when they break (cause I'm sure they will) I will buy better ones & exchange the wrenches at harbor freight (lifetime guarantee on hand tools) & sell them to a buddy or on eBay for like $5, but brand new.
I have a 400+ piece craftsman mechanics set I really like, but if you can afford & have a mechanic friend, go with snap on.
Also, might buy the tekton (I think) 1/2 torque wrench from amazon too, just because it goes from 20-250lbs. & it's only 60
I have a 400+ piece craftsman mechanics set I really like, but if you can afford & have a mechanic friend, go with snap on.
Also, might buy the tekton (I think) 1/2 torque wrench from amazon too, just because it goes from 20-250lbs. & it's only 60
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#10
A 1/4 mile @ a time
iTrader: (4)
I bought a 1/2" drive Husky from Home Depot. I probably over paid for it, but as long as I get years of use out of it I'm okay with it. I only use it for lug nuts. Any time my wheels come off, whether at the dealership or if I did it I always try to bring the lugs back to 80-85. I recently had tires put on y car and the shop that installed them used a impact gun to put the lugs back on and they were torqued well over 100. It took a really long metal pipe over a breaker bar to get them loosened.
#11
Movin On!
iTrader: (13)
I bought a 1/2" drive Husky from Home Depot. I probably over paid for it, but as long as I get years of use out of it I'm okay with it. I only use it for lug nuts. Any time my wheels come off, whether at the dealership or if I did it I always try to bring the lugs back to 80-85. I recently had tires put on y car and the shop that installed them used a impact gun to put the lugs back on and they were torqued well over 100. It took a really long metal pipe over a breaker bar to get them loosened.
#12
Thanks everyone. Looks like driver size dont really matters . I had the impression that it will limit you in some way.
Whats the torque range I should get? 10-80, 20-150..etc. Its for very light car maint. duty, ie rotate tires and maybe one day change my own oil.
Whats the torque range I should get? 10-80, 20-150..etc. Its for very light car maint. duty, ie rotate tires and maybe one day change my own oil.
#13
A 1/4 mile @ a time
iTrader: (4)
I would get the 20-150. I believe the torque for out lug nuts is 80, I usually do 85 just to be sure. The one I have is 50-250, here is the link.
Husky 1/2 in. Click Torque Wrench-H2DTW at The Home Depot
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EnYcee-G (03-31-2014)