torque wrench

[Bill Conquest]

Does anyone have a recommendation about which torque wrench to buy? I've been looking at the Northern Tool site & see a large range from 40.00 to 300.00! I presently have a cheap one ( the kind with the bar that points to the number when torqued). Are the "clicker" type o.k. - have seen some for reasonable money. Any thoughts on this are appreciated by this novice mechanic!
Bill Conquest

[montmil]

Both styles are OK. Both styles may need to have their accuracy checked every few years... so say the "experts".

Personally, I try not to drop my beam-style Craftsman torquer and it has served me well for over 30 years. Still lives in its original box and foam cushion. I have built a number of VW Type 1 engines with it, along with work on my Cabriolet and Beemer.

You can spend a lot with the brand names. I would avoid the low-ball $ Chinese Harbor Freight varieties. Shop with your budget and take good care of what you buy. I have never met anyone who has ever been accused of under-torquing a bolt! As my Granddaddy said when I asked him how to torque cylinder head bolts, "Snug 'er down 'til she pops, then back off half a turn." Crazy old man...

Monte

[nhmaf]

The beam types are less glamorous, but if handled with proper care they'll last a long time and stay accurate.
The clicker types have greater potential for mechanical failure/error, so definitely don't get a cheapy one if getting a clicker wrench.
I have a beam wrench for my stuff under 70 ft pounds.  Might get a clicker for either a much lower or much higher range.   The beam wrenches
need more working room, typically, which

The Sears Craftsmen wrenches still have the Craftsman tool guarantee, at least in the U.S. of A - another plus.

[Justin B.]

I picked up a NOS SK 3/8" drive beam type on e-Bay for around $15 a while back.  It's calibrated in lb/in and lb/ft and perfect for head torquing and the swingarm bearing preload.  

[MrRiden]

Craftsman are decent middle range tools. I have a 30yr old beam and love its simplicity. I also have a newer click type voodoo one that I just can't resist checking against the beam one. Both are sufficient for werk on the livery of vehicles here at the ranch. Just a warning, these wrenches are nice but they won't prevent problems caused by incorrect torque specs that have been published even by the factory!! Know your bolt grades and their limits. I like what Monte had to say and had similar instruction as his Granddaddy gave. There is an intuitive touch to snugging a bolt that a good mechanic has and you either have it, or you have a torque wrench.
rich
Never buy anything with a handle, it just means work
(advice given to me by an old Italian gentelman)

[Jon_P]

if your not making a living with using your tools you can go wrong with craftsmans, good price and a good tool that will last with some simple care given.

[Danie]

Somewhere in the past somebody told me that the adjusting knob on the clicker type should always be turned back to "zero" after the torque wrench has been used - aparantly the inner spring should not be under stress for long periods, as this could cause the torque wrench to be inaccurate.

Not sure if this is true, but I always turn the adjusting knob back to zero anyway........

[suecanada]

I heard that too Danie and always turn it to "0" when I'm done. What happened to the old days when I just used to turn the wrench? Considering I do more work now than I did I guess it's a good idea to use the torque wrench on some jobs like the head bolts  but I did strip the fork oil drain bolts because i read the "too high and incorrect" torque for those wee tiny 10mm bolts. I think the "book" said 5-6 ft. lbs. for the drain bolt...yikes that is Waaay too much!! Hand "feel" is better with a light touch with the 10mm little BMW wrench.

[montmil]

... you can go wrong with craftsmans...

Didya mean Can't go wrong with Craftsman?  

Monte

[nhmaf]

I've also heard to reset the dial to "0" on those wrenches.   I think that it is the right thing to do - it may be many many many days before you go to use that wrench again, and you don't want that little spring to take a set and be off.