Torque Wrench Recommendations

[arry]

Some assistance please folks.

I have a 60nm-200+nm torque wrench - a cheapy but it's decent enough for what I need it for. What I don't have is a low to mid torque range wrench which will plug the gap at the bottom of the scale.

A lot I've seen are ~5-50nm, and ideally I'd not want to leave that 10nm gap between the two (even though in reality I'd no doubt work around it).

What I'm after is a ~5-65nm wrench but I'm hoping not to spend a fortune getting one. I am rarely spanner twirling these days so don't fancy having a £200 bit of kit sat in the garage that'll get used once in a blue moon.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a modestly priced but acceptable quality bit of kit that'll do the job?

Cheers

[MarJay]

I have the two Halfords Professional torque wrenches, the medium sized one and the small one. The small one sounds like it would meet your needs.

Years ago Ride mag did a test and the Halfords Professional ones came out as super accurate and great value. I've been using mine for a long time. They probably could do with recalibrating, but I'm really careful with them so I hope they aren't too far off.

It seems they are called Halfords Advanced these days...

https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand-tools/spanners-and-wrenches/halfords-advanced-torque-wrench-model-60-488695.html
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[NJD]

I also have the Halfords 12-60 Nm linked above, and have never had an issue with it.

You simply pull the metal at the bottom (seen in 3rd photo on Halfords page) then twist the bottom until the line on the gauge reads the torque you require. Push it back in and you're away. Reversible head (probably best to loosen a bolt and then make sure its set to tighten / leave it that way thereafter).

A word on the warrenty, mind: IIRC from when I purchased it the guy told me it had to be calibrated every year for the warrenty to be valid. I've no idea how long I've owned it, but I've never done that; and haven't had an issue... I just make sure its unloaded / reset after use and in my case will probably last a little while longer to come. I've no idea if they'd ever refuse a claim should it go bust, but at the same time I never expect to make one / care enough when I have to.
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[Nobby the Bastard]

I have a 10-60nm and a 60-300nm Halfords Advanced. Nery nice click. Would reccomend.

If I really need <10nm I borrow Ste's tiny little one. As yet I haven't felt the need.
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[Pigeon]

I've had a Halfords Advanced 3/8 for 7 years and its used a lot.
8–60Nm. Newer ones claim 12–60Nm

But it was £75 (now £85).

I've also got Bergen 1/4 which seems decent enough and was £25.
5-25Nm

And a Draper 1/2 that was I think £40, again, use it regularly.
30-210Nm


I recommend Bergen as a cheap but good item. But I see they sell under US Pro instead. US Pro "Industrial" seems decent, but £60, might as well go Halfords.
The cheaper US Pro is bound to be a re badged something else.
£20 and probably fine
Not very low range though. 19-110Nm


Or Sealey. Half way. £40. Always found Sealey stuff to be decent. Would happily buy this.
Plus 7Nm-112Nm

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

I believe the Halfords torque wrenches are still designed by Norbar, a reputable company from my home town of Banbury dating from WW2, now international and I think owned by Snap-On. I’ve got three Halfords ones in different sizes although it’s the big one for the rear axle which has had most use. In terms of a personal review, they’re affordable, they do the job and they’re robust. I haven’t had them recalibrated ever but they get little use compared to an industrial application, and I always back them off after use, so I don’t doubt they’re still in spec. Can’t go wrong.

[MCN]

I mentioned this before.
I bought a torque meter doofrus thing.
£<50.

It's as accurate as any torque wrench I've used. (Frequently third party certified tools).
The range in that one tool/instrument is useful.

This sort of dooforus.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/High-Precision-Electronic-Digital-Display-Torquemeter-Torque-Meter-Wrench-S2H3-/174368701445?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[MCN]

I always back-off torque wrenches but I found one at work recently that specifically mentions that the wrench can be set, used and then put away with that setting. No need to back it off.
The maker's name escapes me.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.