is their any advantages of owning a 1/2 torque wrench over a 3/8

[Clocker]

I am going to buy a torque wrench. most sockets i own are 3/8 so i thought i would buy the 3/8 then again am i missing something if i dont get a 1/2?

my uses are mostly torqueing tires, plugs, sensors, etc. I believe at most i would need 110 lbs of torque for tires.

 

[spidey07]

Bigger is always better.

Sorry, can't offer advice. Tires is the only thing I can see the use of a half inch wrench being advantageous out of your list.

 

[tfinch2]

Usually 1/2" torque wrenches have a higher rating.

 

[Toastedlightly]

3/8 aren't as heavy duty.

 

[iamwiz82]

Many suspenion bolts require lots of torquing. IIRC, Jeep says the axle nut must be torqued down to 150lb-ft

 

[GrammatonJP]

correct.. usually the larget bolt uses a 1/2" driver.. like axle nuts.. those are hard with a 3/8 driver...

also a 1/2 can't fit in a location that a 3/8 driver goes in.. thats why you get 2...

 

[BoomerD]

Each has it's own optimum torque range and will usually be calibrated differently. The 1/2" one SHOULD also go to a higher torque rating than the 3/8. MUCH better to have one of each, than to get only one, and either second guess with the larger one, or fight to get the right torque with the smaller one.