torque wrench recommendation

It really depends on what you are planning to do.

The wheels need c 75lbft, there are a couple of things on the engine that need 140-150 lbft

At the other end, the cam cover nuts (and most other things that need a 10mm socket) need 6.5 lbft

I find myself having ended up with 3 Torque wrenches in the end to cope with most eventualities. The one I use most is the one in the middle (3/8 drive) that goes from 6-45 lbft & I have a 1/2" drive that overlaps with this but goes up to about 150 & then a 1/4 drive to do the small stuff at the bottom . Although the middle wrench goes down to 6 lbft I wouldn't trust it to be that accurate that close to the bottom of its range.

Not sure about brands in the States but most torque wenches should come with a calibration certificate - if it doesn't then avoid.

 

I bought a 3/8 CDI(snap-on) 5-75 ft lbs torque wrench that has Nm and ft lbs. Cheap at $125 but good quality and I have never needed more torque as a DIY mechanic...yet.

Dual scale, Calibrated dual direction
Positive Lock with spring loaded pull down lock ring
Fast, accurate and easy to set
Easy-to-read Laser marked scales
Most feature Quick Release buttons which provide good socket retention as well as easy socket removal
Accuracy: ± 4% clockwise ± 6% CCW of indicated value, CW, from 20% to 100% of full scale
Meets or exceeds ASME B107.14M-1994, ISO 6789 Standards
Individually serialized with matching certificate of calibration traceable to N.I.S.T

the CDI Brand is now part of Snap-on Specialty Tools a unique member of the Snap-on Incorporated family of companies and responsible for ATI Tools brand. Specialty Tools manufacturers products for other Snap-on business and select OEM and Industrial customers world-wide.

CDI is the primary supplier of torque wrenches and torque screwdrivers to the GSA (General Service Administration of the U.S. Government) since 1968. All CDI products are individually serialized and meet or exceed appropriate ASME and ISO standards. CDI’s mechanical torque product lines include click type torque wrenches, dial indicating torque wrenches, torque limiting screwdrivers and a number of special application torque products.

http://www.cditorque.com/

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=285771&highlight=torque+wrench

 

Personally, I go with MAC or Snap-On (I keep 1/2", 3/8" and 1/4" drive on hand). When they need calibration, these guys can handle it: http://www.teamtorque.com/

 

I only use the best!! Look on E-bay you can get some great deals.
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I have CDI digital torque angle wrenches made by Snapon.

A 3/8" one is good for 5-100 foot pounds and will do the heads on my 328. (35 ft lbs and then 120 degrees of turn). within 2% Clockwise and 3% CCW and easy to use.

not cheap at $300 but you will never need to replace it if you don't drop it and it holds calibration really well.
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I confirm, Snap-On is the best and the greatest, but its a torquemter, and regardless the type or manufacturer he needs to be recalibrated once a year.

Normally you can test it free of charge in your Snop-On shop & dealer

 

CDI torque wrenches are the best. Make sure to buy a CDI and not a re-branded Snap-On wrench to save money. The Snap-On logo would have cost an additional $120 on my 1/2" wrench.

 

Personally, I love my MAC and Snap-On click torque wrenches (non-digital). 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" are great to have. Main job for my 1/2" is wheel bolts, so far

This is one of those areas where you'll see a hundred preferences Just shoot for accuracy and quality, in a price range that works for you. You'll find many reviews around the web. You can find good wrenches second-hand and have them calibrated/checked by a good lab, such as Team Torque.

 

I use a clicker for my 1/2" and 3/8" drive and a digital Computorq3 for the 1/4" since I feel better about the added precision and being able to watch the screen (or at least check the final value after finishing) for small stuff. If you can swing the cost the digital are great but not really necessary, keeping what you have calibrated and using the correct ranges are the more important issues as others have already pointed out.

 

I needed 3 different wrenches to cover all the jobs. I chose Proto and have no complaints.

 

I have 2 digital ones, and 4 clickers. The digital ones come out only on jobs that matter. When they are put away, one of the batteries is removed and stored in the same case. That way, all the batteries are not drained, for the next time. In the same cabinet are a stack of spared batteries for other odd things around the house anyway so I am never short of batteries.

 

Found a nice comparison of some torque wrenches (in german).

http://www.krafthand.de/fileadmin/eigene_dateien/krafthand/Anlasser_Dokumente_pdf/Anlasser_2007/reihenweisegutangezogen_blenk_23_24_2007.pdf

I really like Stahlwille tools and would prefer them over Snap On, not only because of the price! Stahlwille has some very nice products.
Gedore / Rahsol offers a torque wrench called Drehmometer - this product is over 30 years old and practically unchanged - very accurate, durable but without rachet. For me the best looking torque wrench.

 

The results of the test are quite exciting, Facom and Gedore had the lowest percental deflection, Snap On had the highest absolute deflection with about 6,5 Nm deflection at 200Nm. Didn't expect that.

 

Man, I have torque wrench envy after reading this thread! Haha! Thanks for the links people...need to replace my old beat up husky wrench soon.

 

Before you get all insistent on high-dollar wrenches, check this out:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/525822-harbor-freight-torque-wrench-really-bad.html

Personally, I have had great success with HF wrenches for routine DIY tasks. I'd never use one for really critical stuf like internal engine assembly, but for lug nuts and external engine fasteners, I'd be totally satisfied with a HF unit

 

Thanks for the link! No doubt there are some great wrenches out there for cheap!

Although on engine, as you mentioned, best to spend the extra cash for piece of mind, or at least ensure that your wrench is calibrated properly.