I am a new amateur mechanic, and I went to pick up a torque wrench at a box store. My immediate plan was for torquing my lug nuts to spec after rotating my wheels (80 ft/lbs for my Civic). I was planning on buying a 3/8" drive which goes to up to 100 ft/lbs, but the store employee strongly recommended that I go for a stronger 1/2". He said the 3/8" would not be adequate for torquing my lugs. Was he right? I ended up buying the 1/2", but I think the 3/8" would be more useful for the entry-level maintenance that I’ll actually end up doing, and it would still work for the lugs. Should I return the 1/2" and swap it for the 3/8"? Maybe I’ll just end up needing both eventually anyway …
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You need 2 torque wrenches.
Keep the 1/2, use a 3/8 adapter that’s your ft/lbs wrench.
Get a 1/4 drive in/lb wrench as well.
Eh you already have the 1/2" and it will be sturdier. I’d keep it.
3/8” can work but 1/2” is better. Its not just the size of the drive, 1/2” normally has a longer handle than a 3/8 so less effort is needed due to the increased leverage.
Also understand that an uncalibrated click type torque wrench is not better than using a breaker bar while drunk. They need calibration every 12months or 5000 uses. Beam type torque wrenches dont need calibration but is only as accurate as the person reading it.
Keep the 1/2 inch. What are you going to do when you get an SUV or truck that needs to be torqued to 120 or 140. I know this is a touchy topic but a lot of techs use torque sticks also.
The idea of a torque stick is so you don’t over torque with an impact gun. And they are not to be used for the final torque. The wheels must be torqued by hand after. It would be irresponsible not to check by hand after.
No offense, but you guys check lug nuts?
That’s wild to say, when you know that mfer isn’t coming back for retorque
Guess you’re too good for safety
You want a torque wrench where most of your torque jobs fall into the middle of the torque wrench’s rating. That’s the most accurate portion of the wrench. See this article on how to buy a torque wrench
Besides being more leverage with a 1/2 than a 3/8, it’ll be most accurate in the middle of its range, with a 3/8 being likely 20-100 ft lb and 1/2 50-250 range, the 1/2 will be easier and more accurate.