My nephew (20 yrs) is really getting into cars. His brother is getting him a good mechanic's tool set, and I want to get him a torque wrench for Christmas.
I also don't want to spend $300. I'm hoping there is a bang-for-buck option that will get him started. At this point, he's not doing things like head swaps or main bearings, but he wants one for lug nuts, brake calipers, and other more forgiving tasks.
HF? Amazon? Good, bad, passable?
The best cheap-ish option I've had is Kobalt, there's a lot of plastic on the other options that ends up cracking and just generally doesn't feel as well made. But from an accuracy standpoint, all of my torque wrenches are within a ft lb of each other (old craftsman, new craftsman, harbor freight, kobalt, snapon, and a digital torque measuring adapter that just goes on a normal ratchet). for what he's doing, it sounds like anything is better than nothing.
Look up CDI torque wrenches. Snap-On buys from them and either puts their name and branding on them, or changes out the head for one of theirs. In other words CDI makes torque wrenches for Snap on, without the insane markup in price.
I have a 3/8" CDI torque wrench and love it, it's a good option where accuracy is important. Also have the typical HF 1/2" one that I use for lug nuts, and Home Depot's Husky 1/2" torque wrench is a good one, as well. I appreciate the longer length of that one over the HF when torquing lug nuts or brake caliper brackets.
This is from a few years ago, but maybe it also helps (although the article reference above uses the same data):
I've been really happy with my S-K 1/2" drive "good" torque wrench, my Kobalt 1/2" drive autocross torque wrench (not as expensive as the S-K), and my Icon 3/8" torque wrench. No losers in my eyes in that group and none were that expensive.
I have three CDI torque wrenches and they literally say "Snap On" on them. They're great
The top drawer of my box....
I knew you folks would have the tea. Thanks. Off to shop.
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