what torque wrnch should i buy?

[MoparJ]

Got a snap on digital that i love. Does angle as well, which is great for head bolts. Its not cheap but i figured i might as well have one good torque wrench laying around.

I borrowed my friend's Snap-on Techangle when I did the head gasket on my e36.......that is easily the most bad-ass wrench I've ever used.

[e30vert]

Also , always leave the torque wrench dialed down to zero pounds of torque when not in use so that they have a better chance of staying within calibration.

[nando]

AFAIK not zero. You want it low, but not too low. I usually set mine at 20-30.

[marshallnoise]

Mine says lowest setting. I think that is the main point.

[Vivek]

the HF wrenches are fine for home use. they should be recalibrated every once in a while, but at $20 you may as well just get a new one. Mine is due for replacement, I've had it for 10 years with no issues though.

no need for a $500 snap on to use in your home garage, unless you have cash to burn.. I buy expensive tools when I know they will make me money, not to have them sit in my tool box to be used once or twice a year. :p

I bought a craftsman one after snapping an oil filter housing bolt with my HF one

[nando]

craftsman quality sucks. it's also overpriced.

I'm not really sure why you were using a torque wrench on the OF housing anyway? it's a hollow bolt, it wouldn't be hard to break..

[Vivek]

What would you recommend above HF quality that's not overpriced, or super expensive like snap on? It was a bolt securing it to the block, not the top bolt that holds the cover on.

[nando]

sorry I assumed M20

M10 bolts don't take much torque. I wouldn't expect the 1/2" wrench to be very accurate at lower values (no matter what brand it is). it would still be pretty easy to break one.

[TimbyMaTombo]

I got an Ace Hardware torque wrench. Cost $50 and has a lifetime warranty. It's easy to adjust and the click is both very audible and tactile so I would recommend it.

[dnguyen1963]

I bought HF wrench for $9.99. It does not feel like the high end wrench, but works just fine. Like Nando said, it's something I use only a few times a year. Invest in a good one if you work on your car weekly.