Picked a cheap torque wrench over a fancy one for my F150, results were scary

Needed to do the lower control arm bolts on my 2011 F150 last weekend. Harbor Freight had one for $29, Snap-on was like $300. I bought the cheap one, clicked it at 148 ft-lbs, and the bolt snapped clean. Good thing I had a spare junkyard arm. I get the 'buy once cry once' thing now, but man, is there a reliable middle ground brand for a home guy? Or do I just rent from AutoZone next time?

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the_robin3d ago

Did the bolt snap right at the head, or down in the threads? I've been there with cheap tools and it's a sick feeling when something lets go like that. I use a Pittsburgh from Harbor Freight for lighter stuff, but for anything that really matters I just borrow my buddy's or rent from the parts store. It stinks that you had to learn it the hard way, but at least the spare arm saved you.