When replacing parts in vehicles, it can be tempting to cut corners and skip torquing fasteners at the end of a job. Not only does it save time and effort in the moment, but the owner of the car probably won’t notice an overtightened head gasket — at least not until the engine starts misfiring a few weeks later. A digital torque wrench can save you time and spare you grief, and Gearwrench’s 1/2-inch drive model is on sale for $249 , a big discount from the original $331.
Gearwrench 1/2-inch digital flex head torque wrench $249 (was $331) at Amazon
With the Gearwrench driver, torquing fasteners could not be easier. All you have to do is set the torque on an LCD screen based on the manufacturer’s recommended spec (found in either the owner’s or service manual depending on the job). Then start wrenching to your heart’s desire until you feel a vibration letting you know that you’ve reached your target.
This torque wrench is awesome, making rebuilding a Subaru engine so much easier,” said one reviewer. “For any application requiring torque to angle specs this wrench makes it a breeze. The controls are simple to learn and will have you up and running in minutes. It is a robust design and the flex head is wonderful in tight spaces.”
With a torque range of 25-250 ft-lbs and an accuracy of ±2%, this model is precise enough to avoid under- or over-tightening.In addition to promising finely tuned precision, the Gearwrench torque driver is pretty flexible. Along with a low-profile tube, 15-degree flex teardrop head, and flush-mounted on/off switch, its 120XP ratchet head gives way to a tight 3-degree arc swing that makes it possible to swap parts in and out even in the most hard-to-reach areas.
“If you’re a DIY guy or a Semi-Professional like me who’s not working on cars enough to justify selling both kidneys to pay off a 96-month lease on a Snap-On digital torque wrench, this is the perfect example of getting more than your money’s worth,” another shopper remarked.
You might think he’s joking, but the cheapest Snap-On digital torque wrench really is $750. Some even cost a grand or more. Compared to that, this Gearwrench driver is far and away an easier pill to swallow at $249.
At the end of the day, you’re still getting an electronic torque wrench constructed from sturdy alloy steel that comes with a decent year-long limited warranty — and saving more than 70% versus the leading brand.