My local HD has the new USA-made Husky torque wrenches -PICS-

[SMKS]

I've seen some other people post about these, but I've never seen any pics.

It appears these new torque wrenches are the same as the USA-made GearWrench torque wrenches, meaning they're made by Apex Tools. They retail for $75. That makes them a pretty good bargain, IMO. The GearWrench version sells for $88 on Amazon and $93 on Tooltopia.

This is the 3/8" drive model that goes from 20-100 ft-lbs. Link to the HD website.

One thing to note - The older Taiwanese version has a lifetime warranty, while the new USA version has a 1-year warranty, which is standard on most of the quality torque wrenches.

Here are a few phone pics of the new wrench:
View attachment 266079
View attachment 266080
View attachment 266081
View attachment 266083

Here's the previous Taiwanese version, which sells for the same price:
View attachment 266082

 

[SMKS]

Here's another thing they had that I've never seen before in my local store.

This is a 1/4" drive torque wrench. It's Taiwanese and appears to have good build quality, but of course I've never used one. The head is an obvious copy of the old Proto design.

The retail price is $69.99, so it's not quite the bargain of the USA-made model, IMO.

 

[ADSR]

Where is your local HD?

 

[ADSR]

ill have to check and see if i can get them in canada. The usa ones look nice!

 

[Brownsfan]

They were at my local HD as well. Cleveland Ohio. I almost bought the 3/8 one but just didn't need it YET.

 

[dleonard1122]

Ater seeing this thread I went online and found out my HD in South Jersey has 3 in stock. I know where I'll be going tomorrow.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I need a new torque wrench (and a 3/8" drive). I was looking at the Gearwrench, so those USA ones might be a go for me...

Anyone have any HD promo codes that would work with this?

 

[Super Sport]

Of course I just bought some GW versions a couple months ago...

I have been considering the 20-100 ft/lb model though, so maybe I'll take a look at the Husky. If I can use a HF or Lowes coupon, it'd be a bit cheaper than going with the GW.

This move really surprises me though!

 

[ihateminimumwage]

This move really surprises me though!

Me too. It'd be great if this was an example of things to come, but I definitely won't hold my breath.

 

[allinon72]

I didn't know these were new, I saw them at HD several weeks ago. The reviews seem to be mixed.

 

[woody 73]

Funny thing but my lowes is selling a nice Kobalt 3/8 drive click 20Ft-lbs- 100 Ft-lbs -torque wrench on sale at half-price for $39.97 Dollars (Item # 337333); I see the only difference between the two is the HD is made in the USA and the Kobalt is made in Taiwan.

 

[allinon72]

Several weeks is still "new" to me. My store just got them in the last week or so. They've had the previous style for years.

Where are these mixed reviews? These are the only two I can find that are the USA-made GearWrench rebrands:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-1-2-in-Click-Torque-Wrench-H2DTW/202916180#.UdHndNiwXJo
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-3-8-in-Click-Torque-Wrench-H3DTW/202916179#.UdHnb9iwXJo

Now, the old style does have mixed reviews. I would never buy one because it doesn't look like a very good bargain for $75:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-3-8-in-Drive-Torque-Wrench-39103T/100050843?N=rd#.UdHnudiwXJo

If you're claiming the GearWrench torque wrenches have mixed reviews, I don't know about that. I think I've read far more good than bad, but I don't own one.

Guess I was looking at the reviews of the older style on accident.

Funny thing but my lowes is selling a nice Kobalt 3/8 drive click 20Ft-lbs- 100 Ft-lbs -torque wrench on sale at half-price for $39.97 Dollars (Item # 337333); I see the only difference between the two is the HD is made in the USA and the Kobalt is made in Taiwan.

That's a big difference to a lot of us.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

If this indeed a gearwrench clone, I'd take the kobalt torque wrench over it. The kobalt has a lifetime(no hassle) warranty and has all metal parts.

It is good to see HD introduce a new product though

 

[woody 73]

Now this is the part that gets tricky so please don't shoot the messenger...

I bought that lowes torque wrench and the outside of the box indeed does read lifetime warranty on kobalt tools, but this is the part that confuses old woody on the inside you fill out a form along with your receipt and send it in and you are good for one year. So which is it lifetime or one year???

Allinon 72 do you mean price wise or coo wise???

 

[NC-Fordguy]

What are the non-metal parts on the HD torque wrench?

If you're looking at the handle, I don't think it's plastic. From what I've read, it's a metal handle with a rubber coating on it.

I also thought it was plastic from looking at the pics, but I was wrong. Here's what member Fedwrench says about it:

Looks to be in the pics you posted. Since you saw them in person you can verify this better than I can.

Either way I won't be buying any. HD shuttered all their stores in this area a few years ago when they were in their store closing phase. Closest one is nearly 100 miles away now.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

Now this is the part that gets tricky so please don't shoot the messenger...

I bought that lowes torque wrench and the outside of the box indeed does read lifetime warranty on kobalt tools, but this is the part that confuses old woody on the inside you fill out a form along with your receipt and send it in and you are good for one year. So which is it lifetime or one year???

Allinon 72 do you mean price wise or coo wise???

Didn't see one of those cards in mine, but I could have overlooked it. If I ever have to warranty one I guess I'll find out what the deal is

 

[dleonard1122]

In the OP's pictures in the first post, the handle looks metal to me.

I don't really NEED a torque wrench, don't use one that often, buttttttttt... I kinda want one of these USA made ones, and then, I convince myself that If i'm willing to buy a USA made one maybe I should just get the cheaper Kobalt one? or the HF one?

Decisions, decisions, decisions...

 

[vintagefan]

Buying a cheap torque wrench is a BAD idea, yes, some are fairly accurate, but others are not even worth using as a doorstop.

Anything that has a torque spec is usually somewhat critical (I have seen some pretty silly torque procedures on pipe flanges, that type of thing though), so I wouldn't risk it.

I think that this is a superb deal, and a great torque wrench for almost anyone that doesn't yet have one.

 

[plinker]

I saw them last weekend, Kinda suprised me that they had them. Good price too. The particular store also increased the open stock sockets and wrenches quite a bit as well.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

Now this is the part that gets tricky so please don't shoot the messenger...

I bought that lowes torque wrench and the outside of the box indeed does read lifetime warranty on kobalt tools, but this is the part that confuses old woody on the inside you fill out a form along with your receipt and send it in and you are good for one year. So which is it lifetime or one year???

Allinon 72 do you mean price wise or coo wise???

the box trumps the manual in this situation.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

the box trumps the manual in this situation.

Just as long as you save the box

I've used the 1/2" drive Gearwrench USA torque wrench, and really like it. Pretty sure Matco re-brands the same one, so no argument from me on the price. That, and it would be cool to own a new Husky tool with USA on it.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

or just as long as the box in store says lifetime warranty.

 

[allinon72]

If the Husky one is indeed made by Gearwrench, the handle is plastic according to the Amazon reviews.

 

[gsmornot]

I have 3 torque wrenches at the moment that are roughly 5-6 years old. They have never been calibrated or tested and so far have only needed a gear replaced in one because the spring broke in the head. How often should I have them checked and being they are Craftsman would you replace them with one of the HD models or try to find a place that will check them out? I don't use them as much as I did in the past and keep them set to zero so I don't stretch the spring.

Just thinking ahead to the future. If replacing them from time to time is the way to go, I will keep an eye out for the US model here in my local stores in case they do ever go on sale.

 

[X1 Mike]

I for one am happy to see it. People that still say they would buy the Taiwan model the only thing I will say to them is don't ***** when you can't buy any American made tools. Our buying power has the chance to speak volumes to retailers. If everyone that buys it sends an e-mail to HD that they bought because of USA label, it just could make a difference.

 

[Trey T]

Looks like there's gonna be more and more USA-made products to come in the next decade.

 

[CNGsaves]

Kansas City area.

Why not update your GJ profile ??

Been watching torque wrenches and other tools at Gov Liquidation site (military bases) but most are such a big lot wouldn't know what to do whole toolbox full of torque wrenches. Most are SnapOn or Proto.

Few auctions had 800 lbs of assorted open-end wrenches !!

 

[Super Sport]

If the Husky one is indeed made by Gearwrench, the handle is plastic according to the Amazon reviews.

Amazon reviews are not a very reliable source for correct information. According to the GW website, it is an elastomer handle.

I own two GW torque wrenches, and have no doubt this Husky is of the same OEM. I have been pretty impressed with the two I own, they feel much more solid than the USA-Craftsman versions they replaced. The handle and lock ring on the GW feels a heck of a lot better since they are not cheap plastic.

 

[P_I_Torque]

I would guess that this is an indication that Apex will be supplying at least some Husky tools. It may be that Apex only makes torque wrenches in the US, so that's why HD gets USA made torque wrenches at a pretty good price.

Great stuff, love seeing Made in the USA! Keep your hard earned money right here in your backyard, not someone else's

With the Apex group recent acquisition, what products will remain in the USA is all the chatter these days.

 

[Deskmechanic]

This is awesome - I've been in the market for a new 1/2 drive torque wrench. I have a craftsman digital torque meter but it's a pain to use for many things. The online system doesn't show my local store having any stock though.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

This is awesome - I've been in the market for a new 1/2 drive torque wrench. I have a craftsman digital torque meter but it's a pain to use for many things. The online system doesn't show my local store having any stock though.

Last I looked the 1/2" is out of stock even online.

 

[Deskmechanic]

Just saw that too. Guess I'll have to be patient, or get the GW one.

 

[allinon72]

Great stuff, love seeing Made in the USA! Keep your hard earned money right here in your backyard, not someone else's

With the Apex group recent acquisition, what products will remain in the USA is all the chatter these days.

While encouraging, this torque wrench and some screwdrivers are literally the only thing Husky branded that is made in the USA. Their brand new line of sockets, ratchets, and wrenches are all Taiwan/China.

 

[Brownsfan]

Last I looked the 1/2" is out of stock even online.

They are in stock at my local HD. Was there today.

 

[allinon72]

Do not trust HD's inventory tracker. It's as bad as Lowe's.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Just picked one of the 1/2" drives yesterday. I can confirm these are identical to the GW wrenches, with just a different logo stamped in the head. Matco also offers the same torque wrench, but with a bare metal handle. The Husky, just like the GW & Matco are 36 teeth.

The handle on the Husky is metal with a rubber grip over it. I'll get some pictures of it next to my co-workers Matco next week.

Can't argue with the price for a Made in USA tool. $85 vs $102 for the GW, or $312 for the Matco.

 

[allinon72]

Just picked one of the 1/2" drives yesterday. I can confirm these are identical to the GW wrenches, with just a different logo stamped in the head. Matco also offers the same torque wrench, but with a bare metal handle. The Husky, just like the GW & Matco are 36 teeth.

The handle on the Husky is metal with a rubber grip over it. I'll get some pictures of it next to my co-workers Matco next week.

Can't argue with the price for a Made in USA tool. $85 vs $102 for the GW, or $312 for the Matco.

Looking forward to the pics!

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Matco & Husky USA Torque wrenches. (Sorry, my camera is almost 6 years old, so the pics are a little funky)

Identical besides the rubber grip over the Husky's handle, and the selector area being modified to match the rest of Matco's ratchet heads.

You can see the difference in the selector area...(the heads are the same, they just look off from my camera angle)

Both come in the same case (as well as the GW)



Besides minor cosmetic differences; These are the same torque wrench, with the same tooth count and action, but for under 1/3 of the cost, by the same manufacturer. I'll get pics of it with my buddy's GW torque wrench when he gets back from working in ND in a few weeks.

Honestly, it feels weird for me to feel good about a Husky tool purchase, as they've now been so long associated with Chinese junk tools in my eyes. Just seeing the logo bugs me a bit, but these torque wrenches are a steal even at full price, especially being the same product sold by Snap-On's biggest competitor. I will definitely be buying the 3/8" drive shortly. Just wish they (or GW) offered the flex head torque wrenches, I'd be all over those.

 

[soloz2]

Ill have to keep an eye out for these next time I have a coupon. I currently have hf ones, but would prefer something better. The way I look at it hf is better than nothing for torquing lug nuts.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I've been using a no-name torque wrench that came in a lot of tools for over 6 years now. I've tested it against name brand wrenches multiple times, and it's still accurate enough to get the job done. Problem with that one is it's only good up to 150 ft/lbs, and we regularly get up to 200 ft/lbs at work.

So far I'm really liking the Husky. I wish it was a fine tooth though, since the 36t slop makes it a bit of a pain in tight spaces (had to torque down engine mount bolts on a Kenworth to 180 ft/lbs last night). It's still nowhere as bad as my old Craftsman ratchets, but I think I've just been spoiled by my Snap-On and Gearwrench fine tooth stuff .