Finding the right torque wrench doesn’t have to be like pulling teeth, it can be relatively easy if you know what you’re looking for. First of all, torque wrenches are tools that are used to tighten bolts to certain bolts down to a certain ft-lb. So, if you’re working on a vehicle you may need a torque wrench to get certain bolts tightened into place properly.

Torque wrenches are good to have around because they are a very useful tool for any project. Whether its mounting window bars to a home, tightening bolts on a car or motorcycle having one around could be the difference between a secure bolt and an unsecured bolt.

 EPAuto 1/2″ Drive Click Torque Wrench, 25 ~ 250 ft./lb., 33.9 ~ 338.9 N/m

If you need a 25~250ft/lb. torque wrench this one offers a non-slip grip and knurled handle for easy use. You don’t have to worry about blistering your hand on just the metal, instead, you can comfortable grip and use the handle easily without having to worry about stripping the bolt.

This wrench is even simple to use because it creates a clicking sound to tell you that the torque value has been reached – which means you just have to stop applying force when you hear the sound. You don’t have to worry about guessing as to whether you have reached the proper force or not.

It’s important to have an accurate torque wrench, so this one has a pre-calibrated accuracy of about 4%.  Typically, this tool is well liked, and worth the money that it costs. Though this tool leaves a little bit to be desired in the form of accuracy. If you need something to be as accurate as possible, you may want to find a different torque wrench, but for guns and car parts, this tool seems to do the trick.

For longevity, it seems this torque wrench won’t be an issue because it’s made from steel, and has a chrome vanadium steel allow ratchet head. And, sometimes tools are created with their numbers drawn on, this torque wrench, however, has the measurements engraved in, meaning that you won’t have to worry about smudging measurement numbers off of your precision tool. It’ll last for years and you’ll still be able to read the numbers.

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Snap-on Industrial Brand CDI Torque 2503MFRPH 1/2-Inch Drive Adjustable Micrometer Torque Wrench, Torque Range 30 to 250-Foot Pounds

This Snap-on Industrial Brand CDI Torque Wrench has a torque ranch of 30-250 ft-lbs and has a dual scale. To make sure that your heads don’t call off, this torque wrench has a positive lock, and a spring loaded pull down lock ring to ensure nothing slips or falls out of place while you’re doing your handiwork. Then there are quick release buttons to make socket removal even easier. Just like the competition this wrench has a comfort grip to make getting the dirty job done easier. Though sometimes the grip is a little small, depending on the hands using it.

While this is a mostly well-liked torque wrench, sometimes there are issues with the lock ring staying in place, especially if you have larger hands, so that may be a concern that you have if you’re looking for a torque wrench to do the job you need. Also, this wrench is a bit long compared to some of the others, so while it will make putting the right amount of force on it easier to reach the desired torque it could get in the way if you’re working in confined spaces. However, this Snap-On wrench is even made from metal with a laser marked scale, to make it easy to use and read. So, depending on what you’re looking for this could be the wrench for you.

The accuracy on this wrench is 0.6%, and it comes with the certification of calibration just to give you a little piece of mind when you’re working with this tool. You will only have to deal with minute changes in the foot-pound torque, instead of having to worry about a larger discrepancy.

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CDI 752MFRMH Torque 3/8-Inch Drive Micro-Adjustable Torque Wrench

The CDI 752MFRMH Torque Wrench is accurate for 4% to 6%. This wrench is accurate at 4% on clockwise and counter clockwise use, but is dropped to only 6% when used counter clockwise at 20% to 100% of full scale. Though usually, this wrench is accurate to .1% to 1.2%, which is a great accuracy – the certificate will vary.

This wrench is most accurate with the numbers in the middle of its range, and it loses a bit of the accuracy as it reaches either end of its range.  Thankfully, you’ll get the peace of mind you’re looking for if you want a calibration certificate because this one comes with one. You’ll know that you’ve reached your desired torque when you hear a distinct click.

You don’t have to worry about your tool failing because this wrench is industrial strength and reliable. It has a spring loaded pull down lock ring and the button to allow for easy socket removal.  If you needed a wrench that is accurate with a lower range of foot pounds this is it because this torque range is between 5 and 75 ft.-lbs. But if you need a dual scale, this wrench comes with both ft-lbs and Nm. If you’re tired of the 15lb graduation, this wrench is set to have micrometer adjustments in the 10s, which means you don’t have to do much guesswork to get to where you want.

Overall, this torque wrench seems to be worth the price. It is a durable wrench with great accuracy, sometimes even more so than the stated 4-6%. It also comes with easy removal buttons and a sturdy lock ring to make getting the job done, that much easier.

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CDI Torque 2502MRMH 3/8-Inch Drive Metal Handle Click Type Torque Wrench, Torque Range 30 to 250-Inch

If you like the sound of an industrial strength, a durable torque wrench with a smaller torque range, this may be the wrench for you. It has a clicking sound to designate that it has reached the desired torque, and it has a range of 30-250 of inch-pounds. Make sure you’re paying attention to the difference on this one, because you don’t want to purchase it thinking you just read foot pounds, this torque wrench is offered in inch-pounds.

Like most of the wrenches on the market, this wrench offers an ergonomic grip, which is lightly knurled to allow for a non-slip grip. Like a lot of the other wrenches on the market, this one offers a dual scale calibrated in dual directions for both inch-lbs. and Nms. This is a reliable metal wrench with laser cut numbers for easy measurement readings.

Thankfully, this torque wrench comes with a certificate of calibration, but sometimes this product has issues with the wrench being set to 0. Often times the wrench is slightly ahead, meaning it isn’t exactly set the way it should be and may have to be returned to be recalibrated. And sometimes, the wrench can be further pressed even after it has clicked to signify the proper torque.

So, there are a few hiccups with the design which may be a deal breaker for this torque wrench, especially when considering the quality of the product for the price. However, aside from those few hiccups, there haven’t been many other complaints or concerns with this product, overall it doesn’t rank too poorly on the scale.

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Precision Instruments PREC4D600F Wrench (3/4″ Dr. “Split Beam” Torque w/ Detachable Head (200-600 Ft/Lbs.))

If you’re looking for a torque wrench with a higher, larger torque range this could be the torque wrench for you because this Precision Instrument has a 200-600 foot pounds range and a detachable head for your use. This wrench offers 4% accuracy clockwise and it doesn’t have to be turned down to the lowest torque setting after use, it’ll maintain its accuracy regardless. No more annoying readjusting, hello ease of use. Thankfully this tool on requires light force to adjust, so there won’t be any fighting with the tool to get the measurement you want.

The length of this wrench is 48”, so you know already if this wrench will fit in your workspace before you even purchase it. However, this is a reliable, durable tool because it is composed of all steel construction and is resistant to industrial fluids and the abuse of heavy use.

This wrench was designed with convenience in mind because this product is seen as one of the best around. And it isn’t heard to adjust the settings because there is no spring tension on the adjustment knob. So, you can spend less time fussing with your tools and more time working. As if the other features weren’t enough icing on the cake, the length of this torque wrench allows for easy application of the torque without having to strain too much to gain leverage.

This wrench is considered even more bang for your buck than you anticipated. With a calibration certification for accuracy, and easy to use features that ensure your convenience this tool may become your favorite it no time at all.

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Usage

To use one, simply tighten the bolt down as much as you can with your fingers, be sure the thread is lined up and it screws on nice and easily, then when it’s as tight as you can get it with your fingers, use the torque wrench to apply the list bit of pressure to get it in place.

The last thing you want to do is strip your bolts, so be sure that you keep the torque wrench securely on the bolt you are trying to tighten, and you’re using the right size. If your wrench head is too big the constant slipping of the wrench will strip down the bolt’s head.

Then, you’ll want an accurate torque wrench so that you don’t tighten the bolts so much that they will never come undone. Or, so you don’t tighten the bolts not quite tight enough to remain in place.