Choosing the Best Torque Wrench for the Money: A Side-By-Side Comparison of the Top Options

RF or COAX Torque Wrenches

An RF or COAX torque wrench is used for RF cabling applications that involve fasteners. It provides the operator with precise control of the fastening procedure and is designed to prevent over-torquing. An RF/COAX torque wrench is used in many settings, including electronics, aerospace, automotive, and medical equipment manufacturing.

These tools can be purchased for cost-effective prices, anywhere from $30.00 to $50.00. When you consider the precision and control this device provides, the price tag is quite reasonable.

Click Torque Wrench

Because of its versatility, the click torque wrench is one of the most commonly used torque wrenches. It is a signaling tool, meaning it alerts the operator when the desired torque has been reached via an audible “click” sound. Most click wrenches break about 3 degrees after the set torque is reached, then the tool becomes positive.The operator can feel the impulse from the wrench. Proper use and training is required so that operators stop pulling the moment the click sound is heard or felt. If not used properly, the operator influence can easily lead to an over-torqued fastener.

These tools are often available in both preset and adjustable options. Click wrenches are resilient and frequently used for maintenance or production settings such as automotive plants, electronics, and appliance manufacturing. However, you can find these wrenches anywhere people want to tighten a fastener from the aerospace industry to a home toolbox.

This popular workhorse is relatively inexpensive, as many start for as low as $35.00 for hobbyists, weekend mechanics, or for the home tool box. However, if you want a high quality industrial click wrench, expect to shell out about $125 to $1,500, depending on the size and torque requirement. Professionals who regularly use this tool will probably want to go with the costlier model because of its superior craftsmanship and the day-to-day fastening demands of their jobs.

Cam-Over Torque Wrench

Cam-over torque wrenches are preset at the factory, meaning they can only handle one setting at a time. As such, it is a torque limiting tool that prevents operator influence and over-torquing of the fastener. The design action of the cam-over wrench is such that when the tool reaches its set torque value, the mechanism disengages from the drive. thus limiting the torque applied. Inside the wrench, a precision radial ball clutch “slips free” when the set torque is reached, preventing under and over tightening. Unlike most wrenches, the cam-over wrench is a non-length dependant tool, meaning it can be gripped at any point along the handle without affecting accuracy. This type of wrench is typically used in manufacturing processes that do not require multiple torque settings, including automobile assembly lines and electronics manufacturing in which components must be fastened together.

As a quality control tool, these wrenches allow any user to deliver the correct torque with confidence, regardless of task and operator skill level. Quality is an investment, and you can expect to pay about $475 to $1,000 for a cam-over torque wrench.

Dial Torque Wrench

Dial torque wrenches are used to test and monitor the amount of torque necessary for fastening. This kind of wrench is ideal for torque auditing and measurement applications because it has memory settings on the dial display that give the operator a quick visual torque verification test. You can find these wrenches in a wide variety of industries, for virtually any task that requires torque testing.

A quality dial torque wrench is a versatile measuring tool that is a must-have for every quality control department. They are available for prices around $150 to $1,500.

Break-Over Torque Wrench

A break-over torque wrench is a signaling tool which clearly indicates once the desired torque has been attained using a “break-over” mechanism. It also has an internal tamper-proof adjustment and is typically preset with a torque analyzer. As a result, it provides reliable precision due to the decreased operator influence. Break-over torque wrenches are typically compatible with different head options, which allows for the flexibility to adapt to different fastening applications. This type of wrench is small and is particularly useful for torque applications in tight spaces between walls and appliances or working with small fasteners found in medical equipment or electronic components where space is limited.

These wrenches generally cost between $175 to $500, although they can cost more, depending on the quality.

Electronic Torque Wrench

An electronic torque wrench is similar to a dial wrench except that it is digital. This tool has a digital display for torque readings, as well as visual, auditory, and sensory signals to let the operator know when the preset torque has been reached. One advantage of this type of wrench is that it is easy to read, even for those whose vision may not be the best. As a bonus, it gives the operator real-time torque readings that help control the amount of torque. This type of wrench is most often used in loud work settings such as automotive plants, aircraft production lines, and other noisy environments that make it difficult for an operator to hear a “click.”

For basic electronic wrenches, prices range anywhere from $500.00 to $1,200.00. There are also high-end electronic wrenches that offer various testing options as well as data storage, and the prices for these tools can easily exceed a couple thousand dollars. As such, this type of tool is most often used by professionals and companies that can afford the price tag and for whom the cost is worth the added capabilities.

Insulated Torque Wrench

The insulated torque wrench is commonly used for work that occurs near electrical systems, especially high-voltage products such as battery backup systems. Because these environments are potentially hazardous, appropriate safety precautions are essential. This type of wrench is made from non-conductive plastic insulation to minimize the danger. In addition, this tool is insulated to help protect the operator from electric shock and meets Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements.

Expect to pay approximately $500.00 to $600.00 for one of these specialty torque wrenches. That might sound expensive to some, but on the other hand, is the staying safe on a job site ever too costly?