I spent over £400 on certificated torque wrenches years ago which I use regularly, but I do not agree that everything needs a torque wrench. If it were please answer: how many car manufacturers have ever supplied a torque wrench with the spare wheel kit found in all cars? As you suggest- wheels staying on is a pretty big safety factor, yet Mr and Mrs Bloggs over the entire world are trusted with a 10" long wheel nut bar.
And for a big castellated nut you can easily work out how hard to do it up, if its 90ft/lb then its quite simply 30lbs on a 3ft bar, and a locking pin makes it safer still. Dont get me wrong- on things like that I do sometimes use a torque wrench but I'm just saying I dont see it as absolutely necessary except with particular parts and in particular applications. Most of the old skool mechanics I know probably used a torque wrench once in a blue moon, and none have any embarrasing stories about not doing things up tight enough.
To the OP, yes a torque wrench should be in your tool kit, use it when you can, but the more stuff you do the less you will feel you need it for everyday things, not ideal perhaps but more than likely to happen at some point! And with regards to which one- dont forget you get what you pay for, Teng tools are very good, as are halfrauds tools, personally I wouldn't consider buying a cheapo no name one as I could never trust it.
Most automotive manuacturers that I know use torque wrenches on all fixings, especially wheel nuts........ just because there isn't one in the car doesn't mean it doesn't have to be done..... The owners handbook will tell you what to do after a wheel change, most will say take it a specialist to get it all checked out..... The onus is then on the garage to check that the work has been done correctly.
Although you may be able to work out the torque rating in "sacks of spuds" it doesn't mean it's right, in calibration testing of torque wrenches you will clearly see that if it is held differently or at a different angle you will get different readings.
There is no locking pin in the CV joint of a Mini, if the nut comes loose the pin will in 9/10 times simply shear off.
Old school mechanics without embarrassing tales to tell who are you trying to kid.....
What a good torque wrench will do is to preload a fixing to ensure no movement and hence lower chance of failure.
I use several torque wrenches for my own and for my customers, that way if I get a failure I can honestly say I used a torque wrench, I did my job properely.
How would you feel if your loved one was hit by a car........ and the owner says I wished I had used a torque wrench ? (they may not say that but VOSA would when they finish inspecting it
)
The OP has got their hear screwed on properely they have already started looking for a torque wrench , good on you
