victorofhavoc
Autocross Champion
- Location
- Kansas City
At one point I had like 7 torque wrenches ranging in price from 15$ to 180$. The most expensive was a digital one I liked a lot until the screen stopped displaying some lines. There's no difference on a digital tick screen between 40 and 90 when the top middle screen line is permanently missing. The next most expensive was a snap on, which was sweet. Great, easy to use, felt hefty, and after 3 years of regular use just needed a recalibration for an offset of about 3%, which was right in the error range for a clicky wrench that measures up to 200 lbs. It was a rubber grip with a simple to read paper dial and a twist and button press lock. I gave it to my grandfather as a gift when I moved halfway across the country. I now own a similar one made by "eTork" and it has been a beast but at a lower price.
I had a myriad of wrenches that had traditional metal construction with a set wheel at the bottom where the whole handle rotates to set force and then said set wheel tightens to hold in place. I hate these. Don't get these. They lose accuracy the moment you have to torque anything because inevitably your hand will slip. They're only really good for tight spaces because they tend to consume less space and the more expensive ones have more ratcheting teeth in the head. More ratchets means more chance to tighten a bolt in a snug area and more precision on the torque click. I keep one for this reason... It sees 2 uses per year.
I've also had a couple needle gauges! On a budget, there is no better or more reliable wrench than a good needle gauge! Their downside is having to read a gauge while yanking on a bolt at 100lbs +. That's where the clicky or digital beep totally wins.
I had a myriad of wrenches that had traditional metal construction with a set wheel at the bottom where the whole handle rotates to set force and then said set wheel tightens to hold in place. I hate these. Don't get these. They lose accuracy the moment you have to torque anything because inevitably your hand will slip. They're only really good for tight spaces because they tend to consume less space and the more expensive ones have more ratcheting teeth in the head. More ratchets means more chance to tighten a bolt in a snug area and more precision on the torque click. I keep one for this reason... It sees 2 uses per year.
I've also had a couple needle gauges! On a budget, there is no better or more reliable wrench than a good needle gauge! Their downside is having to read a gauge while yanking on a bolt at 100lbs +. That's where the clicky or digital beep totally wins.
. This was the only protected, thin wall, extended, American made socket I could find. 
so much for that...