Looking for recommendations for a 1/4" torque wrench that measures in inch lbs. Bought an inexpensive one at Harbor Freight ($19.99 retail / $9.99 with coupon) today and it didn't seem to want to 'click', and I felt that I was over-torquing bolts and nuts on the Tour-Pak. Lowered the setting to almost nothing and tried it on the wheels of a pressure washer; never clicked, so I put more pressure on it to get it to click... Snap! Not exactly the quality I'm looking for on smaller nuts and bolts on my Harley.

Thank you.

 

Craftsman has a pretty good torque wrench.

 

I use my Craftsman 3/8" drive in/lb torque wrench with a 3/8 to 1/4 converter. I have had good results with it. I use the lowest setting in any called for torque range. I find the click on in/lb torque wrenches to be softer than on the ft/lb torque wrenches and I have gotten used to knowing what to look for.

Here's another alternative. Yes, it's still a 3/8" drive. I'd still use the 3/8 to 1/4 socket.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004QO...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

 

I just bought a 3/8 drive up to 250 in/lbs at Sears for $78 (Hawaii price). I got nervous using my 225 ft/lb wrench at those low settings like 96 in/lb or 8 ft/lb.

 

Anytime someone buys a tool from Harbor Freight I cringe, man they have some cheap stuff.

 

buy decent tools

http://www.cditorque.com/

 

Yup, they do. If you're careful about what you buy, good deals on decent tools can be had. I will also say that if not abused, the stuff will work/last a fair amount of time. Finally, for someone that needs a special tool once only, HF makes sense. But 99% of my tools are Craftsman.

 

+1 on CDI, bought my 1/4 " and 3/8" on Amazon - high quality.

 

CDI is a Snap-op company. I have their torque wrenches. Great quality at a reasonable price...

 

just bought a 3/8 usa made torque wrench by using their 10% coupon code (WELCOME) + free ship @ $107. I bought it to fill the torque gap of the wrenches I already have; a 1/4" snap-on and 1/2 (usa) utica, now china made

I'd like to offer this advice given to me by an old motor builder. Never use a torque wrench to loosen, or break a fitment and never use it to run up a fitment, use it only for final torque after the fitment is snugged down. Also re-set micrometer to the lowest setting prior to putting it away. Last bit of advice get the wrench periodically re-calibrated (once every 2 to 3 years if infrequently used, every year or less if used daily, especially on sensitive settings on vulnerable fitments, i.e. steel bolts into aluminum castings.