Time to replace old torque wrench

I have an old Craftsman needle type torque wrench and want to step up a little. I would like something in the $50.00-$60.00 range since Christmas took its toll. What would you recommend and why?
Thanks.

 

I have 2 each craftsman that are old say ten years or so and they work excellent. Back in the day when I worked in a aircraft repair station they were cal'd with no issue.

HF and Northern tool have torque wrenches I would think they are probably ok but I wouldn't have the faith in them myself.

 

I've got a couple of Craftsman and Husky.
Standard click type, about $75.
I don't care for the electronic digital type.

 

Bought one of these at $100 about 10 years ago. Now they are $80:
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-micr...p-00931425000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

 

Anybody familiar with either of these?

Mountain 16250 1/2" Drive Torque Wrench - 25-250 ft/lbs (with varying case colors)

http://www.amazon.com/Mountain-1625...&qid=1356303718&sr=8-3&keywords=torque+wrench

or

TEKTON 2445 1/2" Drive Click Torque Wrench, 25-250 Ft./Lb.

http://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-2445-2...&qid=1356303809&sr=1-4&keywords=torque+wrench

or

Neiko 1/2" Drive 20-150 ft/lb Adjustable Torque Wrench - 3 piece

http://www.amazon.com/Neiko-2-Inch-...qid=1356303855&sr=1-12&keywords=torque+wrench

 

^They are probably as bad as the HarborFreight torque wrenches, just with higher retail markup...

 

I had one craftsman and it immediately went out of cal. Got a replacement and took it home and bought a snap-on for the shop. Been using them ever since.
I'm sure it was a fluke because all my tools at home are craftsman and they live in a extreme environment there. You will be fine with a Craftsman however I would suggest going after the higher priced one if there is a choice. I also don't like the digital ones.

 

I wouldn't trust those on engine parts.

I've got a cheapie from Autozone that I use ONLY for lug nuts... that's all I would trust those to do.

 

I have a kobalt that works great for me, was marked down from $119 to $9 at lowes (i think it was a mistake but i snagged it in a hurry)

 

What about this?

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-micr...p-00931425000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

 

I have a snap on..would buy nothing else.

 

I'm also looking for a torque wrench and cheap bench vise.

 

That'll do well for you.

It's a 1/2" drive, 20-150.
Torque wrenches do not generally work well near their extremes, I would limit this one to the 35-125 range.
Grab a 3/8" drive to handle tasks below 50.
I also have a 1/4" drive in inch-pounds, but it's overkill for the Tacoma. About the only thing I use it on is the cam bearing caps and other 5-6mm fasteners on my dirtbike.

 

I'd go bigger. 150 is low IMO.

 

I appreciate your insight. I had a real nice Snap-On inch pound torque wrench but I donated it to a group of military snipers in Iraq for their scopes. I figured it was more important for them to be that accurate.

Also was looking at his one but it does not go very low.

http://www.homedepot.com/Husky/h_d1...word=torque+wrench&storeId=10051#.UNeUJHfNnTo

 

20-150 is good, and it'll handle lug nuts and most suspension parts.

Going over 150 in a quality wrench is going to get expensive fast... which is why my 250 is a cheapie that's only used for lug nuts. Most lug nuts are 80, I think my Duramax was 120.
I've got a clutch hub nut on my motorcycle that takes 105 and that's the highest I've got on anything that's remotely routine.

 

That one is going to be comparable to Craftsman in quality.
I wouldn't get that one just yet since you're on a budget.

The Craftsman 20-150 is going to be a decent all-around tool for now. I would add a 3/8" drive 10-75 such as this one, and those two will hold you well for most tasks. The 10-75 will be perfect for spark plugs and similar... the big 1/2" drive is just too much, and too easy to fumble it and damage something.
$140 for the pair... not cheap, but more than adequate for anything you're likely to need.
You can add the 50-250 later if you find that you're getting into heavier work frequently, but I don't see it being needed on the Tacoma.
Like Chris said, 100 is pretty much max.

 

Tundra wheel torque 150 as an example. Crush collars. Just saying if he wants one and the price is close I'd go bigger. Like I said IMO.. He may never use it but he has it