Toque wrench - Best one for a budget

Any opinions on a Torque Wrench for a budget of $150.00 or less?

I have had a Harbor Freight one for years. It’s ok and has held up well. But I’m not sure how accurate it is. I use it for lug nuts and not so critical applications.

I also have a Husky. The first one let loose while torquing the lugs on a trailer. That was a bit scary. Nothing like hitting your hand on the ground. Thankfully it was on grass. I will say their warranty is top notch. No questions asked. Have me a new one.

Now, the new has started to have the handle come loose. It seems to still work fine. But it gets aggravating to have to keep pushing the handle back in place. All the plastic handle does is keep the setting ring locked in place for the torque setting.

Anyway Best Torque Wrench for the money (Budget)

 

Home Depot, they had Husky’s for ~$45

 

I have a Matco torque wrench. I only like the "click" type.
I had mine calibrated before installing my lift (about a year ago).
I've also had it for about 15 or 20 years

 

Thats the one I have. It’s in the picture.
I’d rather not warranty it for a second time.
I thinking maybe a “better” one?

 

Yeah, I suppose I can afford one of those.
But I figured I’d ask you guys on here. There’s lots of guys on here with lots of tools. (Lol, if you know what I mean?)

BTW, Do you back the torque all the way down when storing your wrench? (I do)
And how much was it off after all those years?

 

I've been using the HF Pittsburgh one for a few years with no complaints, $20 I think it was. 1/2", up to 150 ft/lbs.

I have a Tekton that goes up to 250 ft/lbs, 1/2" I got on Amazon for $40 or so. Except that one I over loosened one time and the pins in the bottom fell out and got lost in the yard, lol.

 

Can you wrap the shaft with golf grip tape, activate it (mineral spirits) and put the plastic back in place.

That stuff holds really well

 

I don’t know?
I never thought of that. Plus I don’t like golf. Lol
I never heard of Golf Tape?
I will look into it. Thanks

 

Been using a little ACDelco my kids gifted me. I can't imagine it cost too much. It is digital, beeps and flashes! I have noticed, as I get older, the current torque wrench manufactures are installing extra quiet clickers.

 

HF torque wrenches are very accurate. I ran my 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" through our metrollogy lab and they were ALL within +/-2 lb on and off.

 

If that piece stays in one position (not supposed to move) it should work great.

It's a type of double sided masking tape. But appling the mineral spirits makes it slippery so the grip can go on the club. And you have to cut them off.

Take it to a golf store / pro shop, look pitiful, and you might get it done for less than buying a whole roll of tape.

 

I always back the wrench off to it's lowest setting. It was off 10% to 15%, the bad part was that it cost $100 to calibrate and I had to wait a couple weeks.

 

I can't remember if it was my HF or my Tekton one, but the instructions mentioned to always put the wrench on it's lowest setting when storing it after use. To help it maintain accuracy

 

I was always taught to back it down.

The Husky says -
When stored or not in use the wrench should be set to less than 25% of the maximum capacity.

Which to me reads, - Anything less than 185 ft/lb. Since the wrench is rated at 250 ft/lb maximum.

No thanks, I’ll just back it all the ways down.

 

I totally misread that, the more I thought about it.
The more it didn’t make since.

25% or 250 is 62.5.
So, you’ll want to store it at LESS than 62.5.

Me, I’ll just set it as low as it will go. Lol

 

unfortunately harbor freight icon brand torque is pretty good, i also bought one from Amazon Lexivon was pretty decent.

Also keep in mind i think your husky wrench has a life time warranty. i would take it back to home depot and have it swapped

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ck_O5U1Tyz8

 

I bought a Craftsman wrench that goes to 250lb (specifically bought for my wheel bearing job) from Lowe's and it was under $100 on sale I think.

 

For budget brand tools, I really like Tekton and Gear Wrench. GW's prices are starting to go up, so it may be out of budget. Tekton has good prices and the tools of theirs I have work great. They're warranty replacement is easy and fast. I had to warranty a wrench and I was impressed how easy it was.

HF quality has taken a huge upswing of late, so you probably can't go wrong there.

What are you torqueing? Are you assembling engines? Just wheels? If you're just doing wheels, buy a set of torque sticks. Way easier and faster. Yeah, they're not exact, but close enough. I've never touched a torque wrench to a lug nut or bolt and never experienced a single warped rotor. The only reason I have torque sticks is because my impact wrench has gorilla strength and I've had problems getting lug nuts off on the trail by hand.

 

Yup, that's pretty important long term for the spring mechanism inside. But no one ever seems to do that haha

To OPs question, Ive had good luck with my 1/2" drive Tekton. As far as how accurate it is... Hard to say as I have no way to calibrate it