Looking for recommendations for a good, basic torque wrench for basic owner maintenance.

I have a dedicated one for the oil filter, but need one mainly for torquing wheel bolts.

I don't mind paying for quality, but don't want to go overboard since it'll only get used once a year or so.

Thanks!

Snap-On digital. Oh wait- that would probably count as going overboard. But it is nice.

-DP

Snap on is a leader in wrenches and/or calibration. But, not inexpensive.

I have a Snap-on and Craftsman. No complaints with either. They both only get used a few times a year. You can usually find them on eBay for much less than the new price. Try to find one with a current calibration certificate, otherwise certified calibration isn't cheap and you might as well buy new. I check mine periodically with weights. Not exactly certified but close enough for what I do.

I have a couple of Craftsman click wrenches (lo range and hi range). I have tested them for calibration a few times. They are both more accurate and more precise than a new SnapOn unit at work that I also tested with the calibrated torque tester. All were no more accurate and less precise than the simple, inexpensive Craftsman flex bar torque wrenches I also have. And the calibration is really simple on the flex bar.

TL; DR: The simple Craftsman flex bar torque wrench is just as accurate and more precise than either the Craftsman or the SnapOn click units, and it costs way less. Torque calibration instruments are usually flex units, BTW.

I've had both the shorty and long bar Craftsman click torque wrenches for years and have no complaints. Just store them untensioned and they usually function perfectly, though to be honest I've never calibrated either.

The shorty is labeled in inch-lbs and is appropriate for smaller diameter fasteners, and I think I use it 90% of the time.

Nice use of the TL;DR Lesuther