Anyone recommend a decent value low range torque wrench?

[E-MAD MALC]

This is the 1/4" drive wrench I bought so I can always carry this with me
Have a 3/8" and 1/2" in my workshop for anything else
TOPEAK Torq Stick Torque Wrench,Black https://amzn.eu/d/0hIEE0Rq

 

[TommyC]

No one’s mentioned Teng tools. I bought this one

Amazon.co.uk

I’m no expert but it feels much better quality than the larger Sealey one I have.

 

[edruid]

I got a cheap tenq and it makes me nervous. What i do is start on a low setting say 2/3rds of taget then take it up to the corrct setting 1-2Nm at a time. that way I feel reassured it hasn't just jammed and I'm mashing my bike. I'll probably upgrade at some point but that works for me where I am now ...

 

[irie]

No one’s mentioned Teng tools. I bought this one

Amazon.co.uk

I’m no expert but it feels much better quality than the larger Sealey one I have.

Have a lot of 10 years old Teng Tools spanners, sockets, etc. - not cheap but very good quality.

 

[p3eps]

This is the one I use for most things. 4 - 20Nm.

 

[Hattori-Hanzo]

What i do is start on a low setting say 2/3rds of taget then take it up to the corrct setting 1-2Nm at a time.

I was always told to use one like this, especially if a fixture has more than 1 securing bolt, and when tightening in a cross pattern., maybe not 1-2 at a time but definitely in stages, as long as the last stage has the wrench in motion, you shouldn't torque on a static bolt.

Each to their own, but for a diy home mech I don't think you need to spend any more than £50 on a torque wrench for a mountain bike. Cheap ones will vary in accuracy, but they should be in the ballpark.
If you're going into business, using one day in day out, then of course a branded one makes sense.

Manufacturing has come on a long way, so the cheaper ones are all much of a muchness, it's just tension on a spring and even my cheap one can be user recalibrated. Material quality may differ, so just go for one with plenty of good reviews. The best thing to remember is always store your torque wrench at it's lowest setting and never use one to undo fasteners, this way it should stay accurate for longer.

For a 1/4 wrench, I'd avoid the ones with the securing bolt at the bottom and go for one with an indentation lock on the handle and a smaller, higher tooth ratch head.

Personally, I'd put the saved money into very good quality bits, as the ones that come bundled with the wrenches are poor quality, both in material and sizing, and are more often than not the reason for a stripped head, rather than the wrench itself.

Lastly, if you've never used one before, I'd practise on a spare bolt in a block of wood to get used to the feel of the wrench and the subtle click. The amount of videos I've seen of people over torquing with a torque wrench is mad.

 

[markloch]

You could do a lot worse than this - I bought this set after all my nice tools that I spent 30 odd years adding to, were stolen last year and I had to start from scratch, with no budget either.

This has served me well and has caused no damage - LifeLine Essential Torque Wrench set

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I have the same one but as with so much stuff from Amazon-slash-China, different brand. It’s served me well for three years, until few weeks ago when I twisted the head off of a water cage bolt on my brand new Orbea when mounting the range extender cage! If I were limber enough I’d have kicked myself in the ass. I’ve been meaning to recalibrate it since then.