Torque Wrench Buying Advice Wanted

[clevo]

I'm replacing the head gaskets on my 1990 3.1L engine and need to get a torque wrench.

Anyone got any advice on a good quality wrench, as well as what to avoid. I've seen a wide range of prices, and really don't know what makes one torque wrench better than the next.

It won't get real frequent use, so it doesn't need to be super-deluxe-top-of-the-line heavy-duty grade equipment, but I would at least like find a wrench that is somewhat accurate and will hold up for the occasional repair job.

Thanks in advance for any ideas on this.
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[sharkey]

craftsman makes a decent click type one for a decent price. avoid beam style and gauge style ones, they are utdated and not as accurate. go with a click type.

[geoffinbc]

Thats not true. Beam and guage qrenches are very accurate but people dont use them right.

[Guest]

I use a $99 model from Canadian Tire.

The most important part is not nessiarily that the bolts are a certain torque, but moreso that they are all the same.
I'm sure that even with some very expensive models you'll find variances in actual torque, but the end result of the job is always the same. The 1 or possibly 2 ft/lbs of tourque won't make or break an engine. If that were the case, many more engines would break down much more often.

[clevo]

The Farm and Fleet near me (US equivalent of Canadian Tire) carries click torque wrenches that are pretty reasonably priced. I also had seen some pretty inexpensive click torque wrenches at Harbor Freight.

I guess I was really wondering what the difference was between a high priced model and a more moderately priced torque wrench. I'm guessing the higher price gets you a wrench that is made to stand up to daily use vs occasional weekend mechanic use. So long as it is somewhat accurate and consistent as Raven said, I think I'll be OK.

I've used the beam type torque wrench before and never had a problem. I'm looking to get a click type just because it seems like it would be a little easier to use in some situations.

[Mach10]

Click-types are more precise
Sway/Beam types are more accurate.

Click-types have to be recalibrated every so often, and are easily knocked out of adjustment by dropping

Simply re-zeroing a beam/sway wrench is the only adjustment needed.

[bszopi]

I own 3-4 Craftsman click-type and have never had any problems with them.

[sharkey]

i personaly have a very expensive snap on 1/2" drive click type. its very nice, have the calibration checked every so often and its never been out yet.