Torque and Chrome

Which torque wrench do you prefer?

I can only afford one torque wrench for regular car maintenance. Which one do you prefer? 3/8" or 1/2". There are some beam type torque wrench from craftsman. One is 3/8" (0-75 ft-lb), another one is 1/2" (0-150 ft-lb). Which will you buy? thanks

Public Comments

1. click type is best or look for digital- don't trust beam type.
2. i would buy the 1/2 inch. i also would want the clicking kind.
3. Snap-On ratcheting torque wrench. If you are a mechanic and will be using it a lot, I would recommend one with a digital angle read-out in degrees.
4. Craftsman 1/2 inch (not beam type) because the most common thing you use them for is to torque the wheel lug nuts. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00944595000P?mv=rr
5. Unfortunately, you really need both. The 3/8" for intake manifolds and rod bolts and such, and 1/2" for head bolts and flywheel bolts and such. If you can only afford one - get the 1/2" because the 3/8" will be useless for any torque over 75 ft lbs - but it won't be ideal for the smaller torque values.
6. most if not all your jobs are going to take the 3/8" torque wrench. valve covers, water pumps, intakes. 1/2" is for the beg jobs like cylinder heads, some main journals, crankshaft balancers, etc. i have a snapon digital 400 dollar jober that does both jobs, plus a built in gyrometer for angle degrees. most cylinder head jobs require torque to yeild bolts that are non-reuseable. this snappy, although expensive, has paid for itself time and time again. i don't have to go searching for the angle meter, i don't have to switch between torque wrenches, plus it beeps and vibrates when the torque level is reached. LOVE IT!! other than that, get yourself a clicky craftsman and don't drop it or you'll have to recalibrate. BTW with digital you don't have to recal if you drop it. electronics don't loose their calibration unlike a mechanical clicker wrench. it goes to 100 lbs/ft. rarely will you need anything more than that, unless it's diesel. like i said, headbolts are about 50 plus 120 degrees. you can whip it out in 5 minutes with the electronic one