Best Torque Wrench brand?

[Mjfan12]

I need to do the valves on the car and now the bike, and I need a TW to do the job properly.

I have all Craftsman stuff but on their website, the reviews for their TW are all bad. Break fast, bad warranty, etc. The price is 80 a piece.

So what brand is out there that is reliable and will last years and not months?

Snap on has great stuff and I am finding used ones on Ebay for 120 which is 40 more than craftsman but worth it if it is quality stuff.

Matco?
Mac tools?
Falcon or something like that?

I plan on having the whole set eventually, but to do most work, which size is the most versatile?

3/8 or 1/2? ft lbs right? what's a good range?

thanks

[C91BLX7]

Snap-On

[accordmaniac]

I have Tohnichi 1400QL-MH (Made in Japan) torque wrench. US$140.000

[Mjfan12]

I think i need the in lb one as well if not for the cb, than the bike needs it.

[Mjfan12]

Im trying to research this and I read of a brand called SK. Lifetime warranty, made in the US and their TW are going for the same price as the affordable craftsman like 80ish.
so I'll have to spend 170 for 3/8 ft lb and inch lb. These are the clicker style which I like.

But I read that the beam style or the one with the scale and pointer on it are more accurate and don't need to be calibrated that often. And this kind is pretty cheap.

30 bux for this compared to 80 for a clicker type.

[TheNextEpisode]

30 bux for this compared to 80 for a clicker type.

That type of price range isn't going to get you the 'best torque wrench' that you asked for in your thread title.

A professional torque wrench can run upwards of 300 bucks, with annual calibration running $100+.

Understandibly, most of us can't afford, and don't really need, a torque wrench like that. Just don't expect the end all of torque wrenches for under a c-note.

Happy hunting. With patience, you'll find just what you need.

[wed3k]

we runt he snap on beam style at work.

[Mjfan12]

when i said best I didnt mean the top of the line.

I read bad reviews on the craftsman clickers but it seems their beams are good since there are few moving parts, and their beams ARE lifetime warranty so if it goes out of spec which I believe is rarely, than I can just swap it.

I just need to get the inch pound and ft pound. Be done for 60 bux.

how do you use these though, I mean you need to be gentle so the needle goes exactly to the spec you need right? since there is no click to let you know when to stop, you need to watch the scale carefully.

These just need to be good enough to do a proper valve job.

[wed3k]

when i said best I didnt mean the top of the line.

I read bad reviews on the craftsman clickers but it seems their beams are good since there are few moving parts, and their beams ARE lifetime warranty so if it goes out of spec which I believe is rarely, than I can just swap it.

I just need to get the inch pound and ft pound. Be done for 60 bux.

how do you use these though, I mean you need to be gentle so the needle goes exactly to the spec you need right? since there is no click to let you know when to stop, you need to watch the scale carefully.

These just need to be good enough to do a proper valve job.

you dont use a torque wrench to do a valve job...maybe to torque a valve cover but not for a valve job.

[Scubasteve_dan]

Sanp-on

Snap-on is expensive, but probably one of the most accurate and durable brands. And if it breaks I believe you get it replaced under warranty. I have a snap on digital torque wrench, it's my favorite toy.

[Mjfan12]

you dont use a torque wrench to do a valve job...maybe to torque a valve cover but not for a valve job.

You need one for various jobs here and there so I need one sooner or later.

the bike forum is saying I need it for something or another, I need to study the DIY before doing it.

Its more involved than the cars but even for the cars dont you need to torque the rocker assemble and stuff? and the VB to get a proper seal?

Im leaning towards this beam style since its cheap and has a warranty, and I'll get a snap on down the line but Im just a hobbyist so I probably dont need something so expensive and high end.

[C91BLX7]

Clicker style ftw!

[wed3k]

You need one for various jobs here and there so I need one sooner or later.

the bike forum is saying I need it for something or another, I need to study the DIY before doing it.

Its more involved than the cars but even for the cars dont you need to torque the rocker assemble and stuff? and the VB to get a proper seal?

Im leaning towards this beam style since its cheap and has a warranty, and I'll get a snap on down the line but Im just a hobbyist so I probably dont need something so expensive and high end.

a valve job consists of grinding the valve seat and valve itself, valve stem seals and then reassembly of the valve train.

[EJX_Michael]

Clicker style ftw!

Haha Yeah! I have a cheap $20 Chicago brand. got it at harbor freight tools. I buy what I can afford...

[Mjfan12]

Haha Yeah! I have a cheap $20 Chicago brand. got it at harbor freight tools. I buy what I can afford...

cheap clicker kind aren't accurate and that defeats the whole point of having this. You use this to ensure the proper tightness.

The accurate ones are too much money for me to spend on one tool.