I have a craftsmand torque wrench that does not go up to 90ft/lbs, is Sears the only place to get a really good torque wrench? I tried Harbor Freight but their wrench was just too cheap looking.

 

Sears is good, also check Lowes/Home Depot, places like that. You can spend anywhere from like $30-50 for a basic up to $400+ on an electronic Snap-On. Just make sure it hasn't been screwed with and has some form of a warranty on it. I'd avoid Harbor Freight for anything requiring precision. A lot of their stuff is closeout items and left overs.

 

I got mine at Home Depot but you can find much cheaper ones that will also work. Remember to store it with 0 torque after use.

Tirerack has this one for $29.99 up to 150 ft-lbs in 1/2" drive.
http://www.tirerack.com/accessories/tools/tw605.jsp

They also have thin walled sockets and gorilla breaker wrenches
http://www.tirerack.com/accessories/.../tools_all.jsp

 

I have two Harbor freight torque wrenches (3/8 and 1/2) and both work just fine and seem plenty accurate - as minihume says, just ensure they're stored with no spring tension and, for the home garage, they should last a long, long time... I chose to spend all the extra $$ I saved on MODS...

 

Just purchased both.

 

I still prefer the beam type of torque wrench for the home mechnic. Any clicker type wrench requires recertification every so often to be sure it is accurate.

With the beam type as long as the pointed is set at zero you are good to go. No worries about setting it each time and then taking it back to zero between uses.

To make it easier to read I use a Post-It stuck to the scale at the appropriate place.

If you are set on getting a clicker wrench I would highly recommend Snap-On, Matco, or Craftsman.

 

I have the same Snap-On wrench I purchased new in 1986. It's been recalibrated two times (both good) and is ALWAYS reset to zero after use. I trust it from wheels to gearboxes to head bolts. QJR3200C

Today; probably nearly $250 and worth every penny over the "throw aways" I know other go through 3-4 times.

Hmm...ebay is your friend today!
http://cgi.ebay.com/SNAP-ON-QJR3200C...QQcmdZViewItem

 

Whoa, 1986! pretty good stuff.

But you have to keep an eye on those tools from keeping them from growing legs and running away to another guy's toolbox.

Snap-On tools. Highest quality.

 

How important is it to reset the wrench to zero? I've never done this, and neither has my dad. It used to be his torque wrench. I believe the tool is at least 15 years old.

 

It's important.

http://www.jlwinstruments.com/torque-tips.htm
Improper Storage: Storing any instrument in a location that has high temperatures, humidity or in a corrosive atmosphere may cause failures. Storing adjustable click style wrenches above the lowest setting will cause premature main spring wear.

 

I have a Harbor Freight torque wrench and it seems to work just fine. It may not be precise but I'll bet it's a lot more accurate than what most tire changers use.