Looking for a economical torque wrench

[chemgeek]

Anyone have any recommendations for a sufficient yet economical torque wrench and/or place to buy one. I need to get one for oil pan drain plug, wheel nuts, etc.. I was looking at Harbor Freight and they had a couple for about $20, but I am not sure if those are just going to be completely inaccurate to the point of being useless and/or of such poor quality that the metal alloys crack and breaks (that wouldn't be fun).

[URQ]

I use Harbor Freight but then again I dont use it much so it has lasted me a few years.

[cynicalgeek]

I use a set of digital Craftsman that I bought on sale quite a few years ago. Wouldn't trust that Harbor Freight's are well calibrated, although for your needs they're probably good enough.

[TJLILMAN]

IMO craftsman is the way to go because their tools are a good quality and if it does break, you get a new one for free

[Southpaw]

True on the Craftsman warranty.

[ncttrnl]

I don't think the craftsman warranty applies to torque wrenches.

I use the the craftsman digitork wrenches myself and I like them. Keep an eye out for sales. They put the torque wrenches on sale pretty often.

[karl]

who knows how accuratw any of those torque wrenches are? i dont recall seeing accuracy certific included with the wrenches ive bought. i have a xraftsman 3/8 drive that torques up to 80 ft. lbs. and an off brand 1/2 drive one i bought at pep boys that torques up to 200 ft lbs. i like the twist/lock desigm on that one better than the craftsman. i believe i paid about $50 each for both of them.

now at work i have to use a 1" drive torque wrench that torques up to 1100 ft. lbs and that costs about $1400 so id say how often youre going to use it would be the deciding factor on how economical. ill tell you what, that 1" wrench is about 5' long ind it sucks climbing it up ladders to torque things