torque wrench question- 1/2 or 3/8 inch size?
 

My intended use is for checking lug bolts. I have read some posts suggesting the 1/2 inch is the best one to get. Which one should I purchase? Thanks.

1/2"

You don't want to be using the 3/8" wrench for 80 ft.-lb. You'll kill yourself.;)

Get the 1/2" and if you dont already have one, one of these:

Sears item #00904259000 Mfr. model #4259

http://s7.sears.com/is/image/Sears/0...=0.5,1.0,0.0,0

Thanks Brian & Tom for such a prompt reply. Also, would it be unwise to use the torque wrench's extra leverage from its long handle to loosen something really tight, like an oxygen sensor that I can't budge with my regular ratchet?

Yes, unwise. Especially when breaker bars are so inexpensive compared to a torque wrench.

BTW, generally speaking, the more you use them, the more rapidly they will need to be recalibrated (click types). Hard pulling, busting stubborn nuts, leveraging etc, all will shorten the life of it.

A torque wrench is for fine adjustments not for brute force applications.

Haasman

Harbor Freight has them on sale occasionally. I bought two, and don't use one of them. I occasionally compare them at a few points. So far, so good. Important point; all click type torque wrenches would probably be better off if stored in a zero torque state, leaving the metal part inside untensioned.

<<Harbor Freight has them on sale occasionally.>

I usually don't use Harbor stuff, but they had a 1/2 drive clicker on sale last month , so I bought it and I was amazed .. not bad at all.....

If you do in/lbs stuff, you would want a better quality wrench...........

I've got the Harbor Freight wrenches in both 1/2" and 1/4" and am quite satisfied with them. Let's admit right up front that they might be off calibration by 5% or so. We're not building jet engines here............;)

I agree..

But I do prefer my Snap-On Torque-O-meter when setting bearing pre-loads ...