Gear
9 Aug 2022
Gallery11
If your work in the shed involves anything more complex than the most basic of servicing, you’re going to want a torque wrench in your toolbox. They’re sort of a ‘must have’ item in your arsenal and can be the difference between that head gasket job you just done lasting a couple of kays versus a couple hundred thousand. So yeah, having a good tighten-til-it-goes-click wrench on hand is a solid investment in your mechanical happiness.
There are plenty of reputable online retailers that stock and can speedily send out a torquey-boi that’ll have you snugging bolts up to the Isaac Newton-metre with pinpoint precision every time. We’ve gone ahead and found a bunch of them for you and collated them into a handy list below.
You’ll notice in this article we’ve kept things to 1/2in drive torque wrenches, this is because for the majority of automotive work the 1/2in units are the go-to, and most people have the same-sized socket sets. If you’re mainly working on motorbikes or smaller machinery with much lower torque figures required, you may want to check out a 1/4in or 3/8in drive wrench instead.
MILWAUKEE
- TORQUE RANGE: 16-203NM
- RRP: $927
- FEATURES: All of them.
Things we like
|
Not so much
|
It seems that many professional workshops have been embracing the 'red brand' power tools recently and despite being far and away the most expensive make-it-tight wrench on our list there’s actually a lot of good reasons to splurge on the Milwaukee Fuel Digital Torque Wrench if you can justify the outlay.
For starters, it has freaking Bluetooth. Yep, via the ONE-KEY app, you can customise, track and secure your tool from your smartphone – or to make a long story short, this is the wrench Tony Stark would buy.
It’s also the industry’s first torque wrench with a motor, delivering 50 percent faster operation than a manual counterpart, and virtually eliminating the danger of over-torquing fasteners. On top of that, it’s the most accurate on our list with a variance of only 2 percent, and, oh yeah, it’s also the only wrench on the list to deliver four torque scales: ft-lb, in-lb, NM and KGcm pushing the versatility levels into the stratosphere. If that’s not enough bang for your buck, the tool notifies you in four different ways that you’re nearing, meeting or exceeding your torque setting for your fastener
MILENCO
- TORQUE RANGE: 28-210NM
- RRP: $95
- FEATURES: 20 wheel nut indicators, 19mm & 21mm deep sockets, extension bar
Things we like
|
Not so much
|
A great addition to any tool kit, the well-priced Milenco Torque Wrench Safety Kit is perfect for throwing in the in-vehicle toolkit to ensure your wheels nuts are always at the right tightness. As anyone who has ever driven with aftermarket alloys, or who tows a trailer regularly will tell you, this should be a part of all motorists’s regular checklists.
In addition to the wrench, you get 19mm and 21mm deep sockets, a small extension and torque indicators - the latter allowing you to perform a quick eyeball safety check every morning when on a road trip.
For under a hundred bucks, there’s very few reasons not to have this bad boy stashed in your boot.
AUTSEN
- TORQUE RANGE: 28-210NM
- RRP: $49.95
- FEATURES: 125mm long extension, 1/2in to 3/8in adapter, ABS case, dual scale, black electroplating
Things we like
|
Not so much
|
The cheapest wrench on our list is ideal to have as a back-up wrench or as the tool you lend out to your untrustworthy mates, but will still see your nuts and bolts tightened to within three percent of their precise torque requirements.
The Autsen unit is built from hardened alloy steel with black electroplating for protection and includes a sealing ring to keep the lubrication in and the grit out.
The torque scale is high contrast and marked permanently for long-term use and features a dual range, even though it’s predominantly designed for NM reads.
The Autsen also comes with a 125mm long extension, a handy 1/2in to 3/8in adapter and an ABS plastic storage case to keep it protected when not in use.
TOOLPRO
- TORQUE RANGE: 20-210NM
- RRP: $79.99
- FEATURES: 3-year warranty, certified calibration, slide-locking collar, diamond grip handle
Things we like
|
Not so much
|
Coming with a 3-year warranty and a calibration certificate, the Toolpro Torque Wrench is designed for the torque amounts required for automotive, 4WD and truck work. It reads in both Newtons and foot-pounds and has a simple locking collar that slides down the diamond-pattern handle to prevent accidental torque adjustments when you’re doing your best contortionist impression under your car.
The wrench comes in an ABS case and can handle just about everything from working on your chook-chaser on a Sunday arvo to getting those big-block big end bearings seated in.
HRD
- TORQUE RANGE: 70-350NM
- RRP: $179
- FEATURES: One-year warranty, carbon steel construction, can be recalibrated, dual scale, blow-mould case
Things we like
|
Not so much
|
As far as mid-range things-that-go-clicky-when-the-bolt-is-tight the HRD is a solid example. Made in Taiwan with Japanese components from carbon steel, and with a 350NM max torque setting, it’s built to handle everything from setting your flywheel torque to snugging a head back onto the block without a drama.
The HRD is also marked in both Newtons and foot-pounds so it’ll work with a range of vehicles and is fully able to be re-calibrated by your local tool expert, which guarantees years of trouble-free use. If you’re looking to step up a notch in the torque wrench department or are looking to buy a present that’ll be treasured by the next generation of gearhead, this is a great jumping off point.
ACDELCO
- TORQUE RANGE: 14.8 to 147.5ft-lbs
- FEATURES: Digital readout, very accurate, certificate of calibration, comfort handle
Things we like
|
Not so much
|
With a variety of modes, this American-built wrench is another high-quality unit that’ll make torquing bolts up a cinch. Featuring a digital LCD display that’s designed to be readable even in low light situations (like under the bonnet), the wrench requires batteries and a little set-up to get going.
Once it’s up and running, however, it has incredible accuracy and an audible buzzer sounds when the required tension is reached on the bolt. It is even able to do lower torque settings (under 10ft-lbs) by watching the digital gauge, but the buzzer’s minimum setting is only for torque readings over 10ft-lbs. Even so, it makes it one of the most versatile wrenches on our list.
CDI
- TORQUE RANGE: 30-250ft-lbs
- FEATURES: Quality American design, dual-scale, slide locking collar, easy to use
Things we like
|
Not so much
|
This is a company that’s owned by the world-renowned Snap-On Tool brand, so it’s a fair bet that it’s probably a fairly high-quality piece of equipment. It has a high degree of accuracy and easy to use.
As an American tool, it’s scaled to foot-pounds however there is a NM scale on the inverse side of the wrench too, maxing out at 339NM, which is more than enough to handle the majority of automotive jobs. The wrench also has an easy-to-use slide locking collar and laser-marked scales. While on the upper end of our mid-range price, it’s a quality tool that’ll see many years of reliable use in your shed.
KINCHROME
- TORQUE RANGE: 10-150ft-lbs
- RRP: $120
- FEATURES: Dual-scale, plastic case, easy to use and versatile
Things we like
|
Not so much
|
The micrometer torque wrench from Kinchrome is a staple of the weekender mechanic measuring in dual-scale (although is predominantly designed as a ft-lbs tool) and with ultra-simple operation it can be used in the dark, on oily nuts and bolts, and in noisy surroundings. Once you’ve reached your desired torque, there’s a loud click and a release of tension.
The wrench is only designed for use in one direction (and really, no torque wrench should ever be used to undo bolts) and the micrometer-type sleeve allows accurate and easy pre-set torque levels to be dialled in.
PRECISION INSTRUMENTS
- TORQUE RANGE: 40-250ft-lbs (339NM)
- FEATURES: 25in (over 2ft) long for great leverage, high maximum torque, rubber grip handle, one-hand setting, flex-head, beam-style so no need to back it off – great for repetitive applications
Things we like
|
Not so much
|
Unlike the other wrenches on this list, the Precision Instruments beam wrench does not need to be backed right off in between uses, making it a super-efficient and easy-to-use means of keeping your bolts at the correct tension. The flex-head design means your ability to get into tight spaces is greatly increased.
With the ergonomic rubber handle and a one-hand-to-set adjustment knob makes it one of the comfiest and nice to use wrenches on this list. It can also be fully calibrated upon initial set-up then again by professionals ensuring years of trouble-free use.
SP TOOLS
- TORQUE RANGE: 60-340NM
- FEATURES: Micrometer, reversible ratchet (righty-tighty torque only), scale adjuster, convex lens on scale for easy reading
Things we like
|
Not so much
|
Aussie-made SP Tools torque wrenches are no-fuss micrometer-style tools, backed by a lifetime warranty. There are no bells or whistles -– It only reads in NM, only torques bolts up in one direction, it’s a basic click-wrench – but boy does it work well. If you’re chasing a great branded torque beast that’ll recalibrate accurately time and time again, SP Tools is playing your song.
HOW WE REVIEW PRODUCTS
Street Machine has been the most popular and respected source of information about modified cars in Australia for over 40 years.
Our product reviews are based on in-depth interviews with industry professionals, our own experience and by sampling thousands of user reviews, to make sure our recommendations are for the best on the market.
Disclosure: When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. We also include products from which we do not earn a commission.
TORQUE WRENCH BUYER'S GUIDE
Why do I need a torque wrench?
A torque wrench has one job, tightening bolts and nuts to a pre-set torque, but they are used in multiple mechanical jobs. Having one is a necessity if you’re doing anything that requires torsional accuracy. Building engines, head repairs, re-fitting wheels, adding a turbocharger or supercharger, bolting in a fresh set of seats, nipping up a sump plug after a service – the usage list is almost endless. The question is not why you need one, but more can you afford to not have one?
What different types of torque wrench are there?
There are actually over a dozen different types of torque wrench, all with their pros and cons, however the main three types found in the huge majority of workshops are the click-type, the beam-type and the digital torque wrenches. In general, the click ones are the cheapest, followed by the beam-type and finally the digital units being the most expensive.
How do they work?
The click-type work off a simple internal clutch and spring mechanism. When the load on the spring is increased (the higher the torque level the more load on the spring), the more pressure there is on the clutch mechanism. Once the pre-determined torque level has been reached, the clutch lets go and the ratchet shaft ‘clicks’ against the inner wall of the wrench. Over time the spring can lose tension or deform, and the torque level changes, so calibration is important with these types of wrenches, as is loosening all tension off the spring after use.
The beam torque wrenches, as the name implies, use a beam of spring steel to set the torque on the bolt or nut. They usually have both a gauge you can watch as the fastener gets tighter as well as an audible click or alarm sound to let you know you’re at your desired tightness.
The digital type features an internal strain gauge attached to a torsion rod which sends a signal to a transducer, which gives you a readout on the LED screen. There are a lot of add-on functions such as memory and torque recordings that can be uploaded to a database, but for most home mechanics, the ease-of use and high degree of accuracy are the real draw cards to the digital-type wrenches.
What torque wrench do I need?
First you need to assess what your torque wrench will be doing the majority of its life. If it’ll mainly be bolting on rims and the occasional head gasket then go for the one in your price range that has the highest degree of accuracy.
If you’re going to be changing 50+ sets of tyres a day or working mainly with low or high torque levels then you’ll need to tailor your decision, and possibly budget, to suit your requirements.
Good, Australian, European or American brands are the ideal, but don’t be shy to look at some of the lesser-known brands either. High quality does not always equal high price. Have a chat to your local mechanic, engine builder and high-end wheel & tyre shop and ask what they use - you may be surprised.
Finally, if you spend a lot of time on your mechanical projects, don’t be afraid to spend a few bucks. A good torque wrench is a lifetime purchase when maintained correctly, so spend the money once and spend it right and you’ll be passing it down to your grandkids for use on their jet bikes and hoverboards one day.
Top torque wrench tips
- Only use your torque wrench for tightening bolts, never for undoing them, even though they’re generally quite long and offer good leverage
- Keep the torque setting adjustment backed completely off when the wrench is not in use
- Working on Japanese machinery? Get an NM wrench. American or British? Get a ft-lbs one
- Alternatively, online ft-lbs to NM calculators are your friend
- If using your wrench a lot, it’s always a good idea to get it calibrated every year or so or before any big project like an engine rebuild
- It’s not a tool to be left out on the bench or under the vehicle for weeks at a time, take care and treat it like the precision instrument it is and it’ll last a lifetime
Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.
COMMENTS