Buying Torque Wrench
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,065
Likes: 163
From: Colorado Springs Colorado
2024 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Buying Torque Wrench
Hey All, I've got a 2000 Torch Red vert and I like to do simple jobs like oil, brakes, remove wheels, etc. I've always borrowed a torque wrench from my neighbor or Autozone, but now I want to buy my own. Can I get some suggestions for which one to buy? I'm thinking a 1/2" drive, 25 - 250 ft/lb or so. Here is what I have researched so far:
Kobalt, $100 - bad reviews
Craftsman $100 - bad reviews
OEM (autozone) $100 no reviews
Northern Tool (Storm) $65 good reviews
Snapon $290 no reviews
These were just reviews on the websites so i have no idea if they are accurate or not. I'd like to hear your opinions/experiences and also if you know where to get one. I'd rather pay $100 or less, but I'd like to get one for the long term that will last.
Thanks,
Sean
Kobalt, $100 - bad reviews
Craftsman $100 - bad reviews
OEM (autozone) $100 no reviews
Northern Tool (Storm) $65 good reviews
Snapon $290 no reviews
These were just reviews on the websites so i have no idea if they are accurate or not. I'd like to hear your opinions/experiences and also if you know where to get one. I'd rather pay $100 or less, but I'd like to get one for the long term that will last.
Thanks,
Sean
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,431
Likes: 3
From: Iowa City Iowa
I own a Craftsman that I bought several years ago. It still works like new and I'm very happy with it. One recommendation most will make is--turn the torque setting back to "0" when your done using it each time so the wrench will continue to give accurate readings. Leaving it at a high torque setting causing the spring mechanism to become distorted and give incorrect readings.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Range is important as well, you shouldn't use it near its low or maximum but rather switch to a wrench with a different range. I have three, all Craftsman and haven't had any issues. You can't go wrong with Snap-on and I wouldn't buy from Northern Tool myself.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,520
Likes: 5
From: Long Island NY
Recently bought a Kobalt from Lowes for about 70 bucks and it works great. Easy to set from 10 - 150 lbs. Seems well made and has a good grip handle. Can't give you a long term review but it does come with a lifetime warrantee. I would think that any of the more poular names would do a good job and as long as they come with a good warrantee you should have no worries. Just make sure whichever one you go with starts at 10 lbs, some don't and a lot of torque specs on the Vettes are pretty low. Good luck bro!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Harbor Freight under $25 
5 years and torqueing
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-hal...rench-239.html
5 years and torqueing
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-hal...rench-239.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8,077
Likes: 4
From: Scarborough ONTARIO
Iam pro mechanic and use craftsman as well both 3/8" and 1/2" click style and care should be taken not to drop or use reckelssly and it will serve you a long time, buy both 3/8" and 1/2". Although i dont use them much these days as i already knew most of bolts by its size, type of metal, and where this bolt goes, how much i can torque without torque wrench.
i love to own snapon or Matco is my favourite (because it looks sexy..lol), but craftsman gave no trouble sofar.
i love to own snapon or Matco is my favourite (because it looks sexy..lol), but craftsman gave no trouble sofar.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 22
Likes: 5
I bought a Snap-On 1/2 inch drive 250lb.ft. and it's great. Claims to be 4% accuracy and came with a test data sheet that supposedly proves it. Everything looks and feels like top quality and also I trust it because of the Snap-On reputation.
I've used the 3/8 inch Harbor Freight and the "click" was so vague that it's actually hard to tell if it's clicking or not, especially when you're reaching into awkward places. Also the adjustment handle seemed really vague and full of friction. It claimed to have 4% accuracy (I think) but who knows how realistic that is.
I've used the 3/8 inch Harbor Freight and the "click" was so vague that it's actually hard to tell if it's clicking or not, especially when you're reaching into awkward places. Also the adjustment handle seemed really vague and full of friction. It claimed to have 4% accuracy (I think) but who knows how realistic that is.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 199
Likes: 7
From: Henderson Nevada
I own 3 different Craftman (Click Type) Torque wrenches. 1 - 250 in/lbs max, 1 - 75 ft/lbs max and 1 - 150 ft/lb max. I've had them for about 5 years and never had any problems with them. I think they are a good value for what they cost.
Resident moron
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,746
Likes: 20
From: Assachusetts
Craftsman is absolute crap, don't waste your money - they are insanely expensive considering how terrible they are.
Harbor freight is the best I've used for CHEAP. I have never had one break and they cost nothing.
Snap-on is the best, but it will cost you (like 10x the harbor freight).
I've also had pretty good luck with Husky, it's only a little more than the HF and seems better built.
Dope
Harbor freight is the best I've used for CHEAP. I have never had one break and they cost nothing.
Snap-on is the best, but it will cost you (like 10x the harbor freight).
I've also had pretty good luck with Husky, it's only a little more than the HF and seems better built.
Dope
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,736
Likes: 7
From: Redding CA
Craftsman is absolute crap, don't waste your money - they are insanely expensive considering how terrible they are.
Harbor freight is the best I've used for CHEAP. I have never had one break and they cost nothing.
Snap-on is the best, but it will cost you (like 10x the harbor freight).
I've also had pretty good luck with Husky, it's only a little more than the HF and seems better built.
Dope
Harbor freight is the best I've used for CHEAP. I have never had one break and they cost nothing.
Snap-on is the best, but it will cost you (like 10x the harbor freight).
I've also had pretty good luck with Husky, it's only a little more than the HF and seems better built.
Dope
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,464
Likes: 2
From: Cedarburg, WI
I have a barely used Kobalt 1/2" #148619 with case I will sell you. had it a few months and then bought a digital snap on, so it has been sitting. 25-250 ft lb range, limited lifetime warranty, sells for $95 at Lowes. Let me know if your interested or not. 
Last edited by vsocks1; Dec 13, 2010 at 07:15 AM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,493
Likes: 1,178
From: Dyer, IN
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 184
From: Ohio
Harbor Freight under $25
5 years and torqueing
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-hal...rench-239.html
5 years and torqueing
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-hal...rench-239.html
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 154
Likes: 1
From: Huntley Illinois
Harbor Freight under $25
5 years and torqueing
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-hal...rench-239.html
5 years and torqueing
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-hal...rench-239.html
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,315
Likes: 17
From: Near Jacksonville Fl.
Snap-On if you want the very best.
Back when I was turning wrenchs for a living I had a wise old guy tell me, "I never met anyone who was sorry they bought the best tools."
And no he wasn't the salesman.........
Back when I was turning wrenchs for a living I had a wise old guy tell me, "I never met anyone who was sorry they bought the best tools."
And no he wasn't the salesman.........
Resident moron
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,746
Likes: 20
From: Assachusetts
I ended up buying a Husky to replace it (it was on sale for $50 I believe). I have been using that one for the past 8 years without issue.
I also have a HF 1/4 and 3/8 drive that I've had for about a decade, and the 3/8 sees about double the use as the 1/2 and it's been fine the whole time (even though they were less than $25 a piece).
Don't get me wrong, I was a Craftsman nut hugger for a long time (at one point I'd say 99% of my handtools were craftsman), but I've more or less given up on them nowadays. For the most part, it's the same cheap chinese made crap as HF but at several times the cost. If I want a really good tool I get a MAC or Snap-on. If I want something cheap I get HF.
Sad, but true
Dope
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,493
Likes: 1,178
From: Dyer, IN
My first torque wrench was a craftsman 1/2" drive (up to 200 or 250 ft/lbs if I remember). The first one broke within a year with VERY limited use (I am just an amateur shadetree mechanic and 90% of the time it's just used for lugs, I use a 3/8" for smaller stuff). I went to exchange it and it turns out that torque wrenches are not covered under Sears' typical lifetime hand tool warranty. Bam, $100 gone. So I buy another one (shame on me). That one also broke within a year.
I ended up buying a Husky to replace it (it was on sale for $50 I believe). I have been using that one for the past 8 years without issue.
I also have a HF 1/4 and 3/8 drive that I've had for about a decade, and the 3/8 sees about double the use as the 1/2 and it's been fine the whole time (even though they were less than $25 a piece).
Don't get me wrong, I was a Craftsman nut hugger for a long time (at one point I'd say 99% of my handtools were craftsman), but I've more or less given up on them nowadays. For the most part, it's the same cheap chinese made crap as HF but at several times the cost. If I want a really good tool I get a MAC or Snap-on. If I want something cheap I get HF.
Sad, but true
Dope
I ended up buying a Husky to replace it (it was on sale for $50 I believe). I have been using that one for the past 8 years without issue.
I also have a HF 1/4 and 3/8 drive that I've had for about a decade, and the 3/8 sees about double the use as the 1/2 and it's been fine the whole time (even though they were less than $25 a piece).
Don't get me wrong, I was a Craftsman nut hugger for a long time (at one point I'd say 99% of my handtools were craftsman), but I've more or less given up on them nowadays. For the most part, it's the same cheap chinese made crap as HF but at several times the cost. If I want a really good tool I get a MAC or Snap-on. If I want something cheap I get HF.
Sad, but true
Dope
Last edited by lucky131969; Dec 13, 2010 at 01:09 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
I've got two click type CRAFTSMAN torque wrenches in 3/8" and 1/2" (in lb and ft lb) that I used to build two tri-five Chevy cars and two HARLEY motorcycles. Neither have failed me, but I do take care of them and re-set to zero when not in use.
My first torque wrench was a 3/8" HARBOR FREIGHT in lb click type that makes a better hammer than a torque wrench...
My first torque wrench was a 3/8" HARBOR FREIGHT in lb click type that makes a better hammer than a torque wrench...
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Three Craftsman breakaway torque wrenches here. One is 1/2" and the other 2 are 3/8" (one for lbft and the other for inch/lbs)
No problems either. I agree with the re-setting to a lower setting before storing.
Craftsman tools are not Chinese made junk like much of Harbor Freight or Northern Tools.
No problems either. I agree with the re-setting to a lower setting before storing.
Craftsman tools are not Chinese made junk like much of Harbor Freight or Northern Tools.