Torque Wrench Buying Guide NZ: Click, Digital & Angle Torque Wrenches

For most workshop and automotive work in NZ, a 1/2" drive click-type torque wrench covering roughly 40-200Nm is the place to start, with a 3/8" or 1/4" wrench added for smaller fasteners. If your service manual gives a torque figure followed by an angle (for example "tighten to X Nm, then a further 90°"), you also need an angle gauge or an electronic torque wrench that measures angle. This guide explains the types of torque wrenches for sale, how drive size relates to range, and what to check on accuracy and calibration.

Types of torque wrench

Click-type (micrometer) torque wrenches

The most common type. You wind the handle to set the torque on a scale, and an internal mechanism gives an audible and felt "click" when that torque is reached. Most have a ratchet head and a lock so the setting can't drift during use. They are simple, need no batteries and suit almost every job from wheel nuts to engine rebuilds. Some are bi-directional, so they can also torque left-hand threads.

Preset torque spanners

These are set to one fixed torque and do one job repeatedly. A common example is refrigeration and air-conditioning work, where each flare-nut size has its own torque. The Teng 4pc Preset Torque Spanner Set covers four flare sizes at 18, 42, 55 and 65Nm (17, 22, 26 and 29mm), so there is nothing to set and nothing to get wrong on the job.

Breakback (break-over) torque wrenches

Instead of a click, the handle briefly "breaks" or kicks over at the set torque, giving a very clear signal. They are typically used on large-drive, high-torque industrial work where a click can be hard to feel through gloves or over noise. We list a Wayco 3/4" breakback model in the collection; check the listing for current availability.

Digital (electronic) torque wrenches

An electronic wrench shows the applied torque on a display and warns you with lights, sound or vibration as you approach and reach the target. They usually store several preset values and recent readings, and most can switch units. They suit production, inspection and anyone who needs a record or a tighter tolerance. They need batteries and a little more care than a mechanical wrench.

Torque-angle wrenches and angle gauges

Many modern engines use torque-to-yield or torque-angle fasteners: tighten to a set torque, then turn a further specified angle. A torque figure alone isn't enough for these. You have two options:

• An angle gauge fits between your wrench or breaker bar and the socket and shows how many degrees you have turned after the initial torque. It is the cheaper route if you already own a good click wrench.
• An electronic angle torque wrench measures both torque and angle in one tool, so you do both stages without changing setup.

In stock now: the Teng 1/2in Dr. Angular Gauge, which has a pair of angled scales so it can be read from any angle and a removable magnet for holding sockets, and the Rytool Torque Angular Gauge, with 1/2" male and female square drives and a 360° scale in 2° increments that you zero by turning the housing. For an all-in-one tool, the Gearwrench 120XP Flex Head Electronic Torque Wrench with Angle is available in 1/4" and 3/8" drive and has peak torque, angle and peak angle modes.

Drive size vs torque range

Drive size and range go together: bigger drives carry higher ranges. As a rough guide using wrenches in our range:

• 1/4" drive: small fasteners, trim, bikes and small engines. For example, the Teng 1/4" click wrench covers 5-25Nm.
• 3/8" drive: general automotive and machinery, typically up to around 100Nm. The Wayco 3/8" Reversible Torque Wrench covers 10-50Nm.
• 1/2" drive: the all-rounder for wheel nuts, suspension and most engine work. The Teng 1/2" Bi-Directional Torque Wrench covers 40-210Nm.
• 3/4" drive: trucks, plant and heavy machinery. The Powerbuilt 3/4" Black Series (50-350Nm option) and the 1065mm-long Teng 3/4" 140-700Nm cover the heavier end.

Choose a wrench whose range puts your common torques comfortably inside it, not at the very bottom. Makers often state accuracy over only part of the scale. Gearwrench, for example, rates its 1/2" 120XP micrometer wrench at ±3% clockwise in the upper 80% of its capability. If your jobs span a wide spread of torques, two wrenches with overlapping ranges are usually better than one very wide one.

What to look for

Accuracy

Accuracy is quoted as a plus-or-minus percentage. Click wrenches in our range are typically listed at ±3% or ±4%, while the Teng digital wrenches are listed at ±1%. Check whether the figure applies in both directions: the Gearwrench electronic angle wrench, for instance, is rated ±2% clockwise and ±3% anticlockwise between 20% and 100% of capability.

Standards and calibration certificate

ISO 6789 is the international standard for hand torque tools. Several wrenches here state conformance on their listing (for example the Wayco reversible wrenches cite DIN ISO 6789, and the Teng digital wrenches cite ISO 6789:2003). Most also come with a factory calibration certificate. Check the individual listing rather than assuming every wrench in a brand range is the same.

Ratchet, direction and ergonomics

A finer ratchet (more teeth) needs less swing, which matters in tight engine bays. Decide whether you need left-hand thread capability (bi-directional). Look for a lock on the setting, a clear dual Nm/ft-lb scale and a case to protect the wrench.

Comparison of in-stock torque tools

How to choose by job

• Home garage and wheel nuts: a 1/2" click wrench around 40-200Nm.
• Engine rebuilds: a 1/2" click wrench plus an angle gauge, or an electronic torque-angle wrench, and a 3/8" or 1/4" wrench for smaller bolts.
• Trucks, plant and heavy machinery: a 3/4" wrench sized to your highest regular torque.
• Air conditioning and refrigeration: preset flare-nut spanners.
• Inspection or production work: a digital wrench for tighter stated accuracy and stored readings.
• Electrical terminals and small assemblies: a torque screwdriver.

Torque screwdrivers

For very low torques, such as electrical terminals, a torque screwdriver is the right tool, not a small wrench. The Felo Nm Torque Screwdriver Kit adjusts from 0.6 to 1.5Nm (±6%), states that it meets EN ISO 6789, and comes with two blades and a pouch. Teng also makes 1-5Nm torque screwdrivers, including 1000V VDE versions.

Care and use tips

• Wind a click wrench back to its lowest setting after use. Teng's instructions say to always return the setting to zero after use.
• Pull smoothly on the handle's marked grip point and stop at the click. Don't keep pulling after it.
• Don't use a torque wrench as a breaker bar to undo tight fasteners.
• Store it in its case and avoid drops. If a wrench has been dropped or you doubt its readings, have it checked.
• Have it recalibrated periodically. How often depends on how much you use it and what your workplace or quality system requires.

FAQ

What is an angle torque wrench?

It is a torque wrench that also measures the angle turned, used for fasteners specified as torque plus angle. You can get the same result with a standard click wrench and a separate angle gauge such as the Teng or Rytool gauges above.

Where can I buy a torque wrench in NZ?

Our torque wrenches collection lists click, preset, digital and torque-angle tools from Teng, Wayco, Powerbuilt, Gearwrench and others, with stock shown on each product.

What size torque wrench do I need?

Match the drive to your sockets and the range to your torques. A 1/2" drive covering roughly 40-200Nm suits most automotive work. Add a 3/8" or 1/4" wrench for low torques and a 3/4" wrench for heavy machinery.

Is a digital torque wrench better than a click type?

Not always. Digital wrenches in our range list tighter accuracy and can store readings, but they need batteries and more care. A good click wrench is simpler and does most jobs well.

Does the Felo torque screwdriver meet ISO 6789?

The listing for the Felo Nm Torque Screwdriver Kit states it meets EN ISO 6789, with adjustment from 0.6 to 1.5Nm at ±6%.

Browse the full range in torque wrenches.