Please note that Danaher Tool Group mfg's torque wrenches for Armstrong,K-D Tools, Matco, Craftsman and NAPA (read here ...basically the same item with a different label and different pricing all over the place, with many of them actually being made overseas as with most anything). Proto torque wrenches are made by Stanley Tools. Snap-On's (the ones many of us are used to) for the last 4 years or so haven't been made by their original Mfg. and have been out-sourced like everything else nowadays. Precision Instruments made the torque wrenches for Snap-On since the 1930's. If you really want one of the original Snap-On style units with the quality we're used to and pricing better than the Snap-On pricing check out
www.torqwrench.com.
Otherwise in my opinion Craftsman and Proto's work just fine and both are reasonably priced. I use them (and trust them) as much as I do my 20 plus year old Snap-On's. Just make sure they are calibrated on a regular basis.
I calibrate torque wrenches and other types of test equipment for a living. Been doing it for 35 years. Beam type wrenches are good and accurate, it's just that you can't read them too well in tight places. Expect 4-6 % accuracy on clicker wrenches and as stated above the accuracy is only assured from 20-100 % of the range.
Shorty
