Did HF torque wrenches go from $10 to $20?

[Jacobson]

I could swear these used to be $10. Right?

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-drive-click-type-torque-wrench-239.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-drive-click-type-torque-wrench-807.html

 

[winlinmac]

With coupon, they're $9.99
Coupons not valid all the time though

There were coupons available for Angle Grinders, not available at the moment either
Seems like prices have increased $1-$2 per item

Could it be related to China's economy? (Disclaimer: Even though majority of HF's Hand tools are now being made in Taiwan)

 

[firworks]

I could swear these used to be $10. Right?

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-drive-click-type-torque-wrench-239.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-drive-click-type-torque-wrench-807.html

They were 11.99$ for a long time as a "Liquidation Sale" price. I think they're just back up to full full price. Wait a little bit and they'll come down again.

 

[jobo1004]

With coupon, they're $9.99
Coupons not valid all the time though

There were coupons available for Angle Grinders, not available at the moment either
Seems like prices have increased $1-$2 per item

Could it be related to China's economy? (Disclaimer: Even though majority of HF's Hand tools are now being made in Taiwan)

Disclaimer to your disclaimer. Harbor Freight's torque wrenches have gone from being made in Taiwan to new stock being made in China.

 

[winlinmac]

Since when?


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[SMKS]

I'm not sure they're all being made in China. My local HF has been getting new stock that's Taiwanese.

I've seen the same thing happen with other items. They go Chinese, but then the Taiwanese version continues to be available, too.

 

[dclassical]

They have the "same" product with 2 different item numbers (239 and 62431). Possible one is China and one is Taiwan.

 

[Gone Boating]

I believe there's a sale or event next month where they go on sale for $9.99.. Same event has the 44" cab on sale at $349


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[BlackAce]

I've used a few of them and my opinion they are garbage and not accurate.

I bought one and used it a few time and the screws in the head started falling about. Then returned it under their lifetime warranty and got it replaced. After replacing it, the new one started falling apart again. Since then I just won't use them. I have a Utica torch wrench that has lasted me almost twenty years but it's 50 -200 ft lbs and needed one from at least 5 - 50 foot pounds.


I have a shop as a side business and use them quite often. Do your self a favor and spend some decent money on a torque wrench.

If you don't believe try the HF torque and you'll see.

 

[Showkey]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^. Yup^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

This post pretty much covers the accuracy or lack of it :

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=319794

 

[Jacobson]

I would be willing to bet $1000 they are reading the HF reading incorrectly. The lines are really close together, I always you need to count off the number of turns. It's VERY easy to be off by 10, unless you count starting from 0. They set it way too fast. I bet $1000 it was set to 60 and not 50, when it was reading 60 and it was set to 50 and not 40, when it was reading 50.

 

[firworks]

That was quick:

 

[jdepiero]

As others have said: they are garbage. I bought the 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 and they all went in the trash after I stripped out some head bolts with the 1/2"

 

[48RON54]

I've used a few of them and my opinion they are garbage and not accurate.

I bought one and used it a few time and the screws in the head started falling about. Then returned it under their lifetime warranty and got it replaced. After replacing it, the new one started falling apart again. Since then I just won't use them. I have a Utica torch wrench that has lasted me almost twenty years but it's 50 -200 ft lbs and needed one from at least 5 - 50 foot pounds.


I have a shop as a side business and use them quite often. Do your self a favor and spend some decent money on a torque wrench.

If you don't believe try the HF torque and you'll see.

Agree with this guy. Not worth the aggravation IMO. Hard to tell if you have it at the right setting for starters........ I did one head job on a little 4 banger so like 16 bolts maybe? Thing was falling apart after that one job. Debated warrantying it but it was such **** that I just tossed it.

 

[1982fxr]

hf torque wrenches = how to be your own worst enemy.

 

[stang2007]

Normal retail price has always been 20-ish bucks but they are always on sale or 10-12 bucks.. I have a 1/2 and 3/8 both work really well but i'm also not working on engine components.

That video does not really Give any insight into its accuracy how many did they test of snap on and HF, what where all the values of the tests?

For 10 bucks how much Accuracy do you expect... 10ish Lbs does not seem out of line.
if I was rebuilding a engine I would fork over the money for a Torque wrench with better QC.

 

[lightning02]

I've used a few of them and my opinion they are garbage and not accurate.

I bought one and used it a few time and the screws in the head started falling about. Then returned it under their lifetime warranty and got it replaced. After replacing it, the new one started falling apart again. Since then I just won't use them. I have a Utica torch wrench that has lasted me almost twenty years but it's 50 -200 ft lbs and needed one from at least 5 - 50 foot pounds.


I have a shop as a side business and use them quite often. Do your self a favor and spend some decent money on a torque wrench.

If you don't believe try the HF torque and you'll see.

i tryed one about a year or 2 ago and it was awful. couldnt even adjust it. i returned it the next day.

 

[SMKS]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^. Yup^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

This post pretty much covers the accuracy or lack of it :

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=319794

Other tests and people have found them to be quite accurate.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=199759
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=203010

I've had one for years and it's still accurate when checked with my toque adapter. It's not as nice as my other torque wrenches, but it works well and is accurate.

 

[chipss36]

of all the places to save money.....this is not one of them. and I do have some HF in my box.

If you spend 10$ on a torque wrench bet you do not spend **.** $ to calibrate it.
and just because its new does not mean its calibrated.

 

[SMKS]

of all the places to save money.....this is not one of them. and I do have some HF in my box.

If you spend 10$ on a torque wrench bet you do not spend **.** $ to calibrate it.
and just because its new does not mean its calibrated.

You could also buy a torque adapter and use it to check all your torque wrenches or check it against another torque wrench if you're that paranoid.

I bought a torque adapter and it's quite an interesting tool. I've used it to check all my torque wrenches. It was well worth the price to me.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

You could also buy a torque adapter and use it to check all your torque wrenches or check it against another torque wrench if you're that paranoid.

I bought a torque adapter and it's quite an interesting tool. I've used it to check all my torque wrenches. It was well worth the price to me.

Which torque adapter?

 

[BlackAce]

After I replaced the HF torque wrench, I bought an SK and checked all the bolts I torqued and all were under torqued. So I had to redo everything I did.

Believe me when I say I like to buy cheap. Most my tools are craftsman cause I don't want to spend money on snap on and other high end brands. But unfortunately some tools you just have to spend money on.

 

[winlinmac]

Beam torque wrench ftw


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[chipss36]

You could also buy a torque adapter and use it to check all your torque wrenches or check it against another torque wrench if you're that paranoid.

I bought a torque adapter and it's quite an interesting tool. I've used it to check all my torque wrenches. It was well worth the price to me.

ya I got that way after a HF special snapped bolts on a harley pymary cover, one snapped right at the case.....great fun to fix. and it was close with a tool truck sanity calabration check, it just stopped clicking. cheep POS

never again.
I trust all my PI's , I cringe at all HF/TR.
even my german gudintight t/r rarey ever breaks bolts anymore....gittin old.

 

[DSM_PWR]

A torque wrench is not a tool I would cheap out on.

 

[blown94conv]

If you buy a $10 torque wrench, you deserve what you get. Just another case of someone spending money on **** just to say they have it.

 

[Jacobson]

Other tests and people have found them to be quite accurate.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=199759
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=203010

I've had one for years and it's still accurate when checked with my toque adapter. It's not as nice as my other torque wrenches, but it works well and is accurate.

I tested mine HF against a digital torque adapter and they were accurate.

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[goforride57]

Using as a torque wrench=zero stars
Using as a hammer=one star

 

[1982fxr]

Beam torque wrench ftw


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lol

 

[winlinmac]

But its true

lol

 

[chipss36]

wow there is an idea, and to think i thew mine in a ditch, and could have had an extra hammer.

yet another lession learned.

 

[winlinmac]

I use some of the free HF Screwdrivers as chisels
It just makes sense

wow there is an idea, and to think i thew mine in a ditch, and could have had an extra hammer.

yet another lession learned.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

After I bought mine, ($18.99) I gave it to my buddy, a professional mechanic to check against his Snap-On. Told me it was perfect and he could hardly believe it himself.

 

[Coach James]

I have no doubt a HF torque wrench can be accurate.

To me, this is the difference. If I pick up 10 CDI torque wrenches, I am confident all 10 will be accurate. If I pick up 10 from HF, I have no idea how many will be accurate.

Coach

 

[1982fxr]

After I bought mine, ($18.99) I gave it to my buddy, a professional mechanic to check against his Snap-On. Told me it was perfect and he could hardly believe it himself.

use it a bunch and then try that again...

 

[winlinmac]

You think they're inconsistencies with their products? They're inconsistencies in their lifetime warranty as well

Cashier was asking for my proof of purchase on a $3 2lb Rubber Mallet. I mean, seriously, do I really need to say more?

 

[panknuckshovel]

If the price doubled, did the amount of space they take up in a dumpster double as well?

 

[kctyphoon]

I've used a few of them and my opinion they are garbage and not accurate.

I bought one and used it a few time and the screws in the head started falling about. Then returned it under their lifetime warranty and got it replaced. After replacing it, the new one started falling apart again. Since then I just won't use them. I have a Utica torch wrench that has lasted me almost twenty years but it's 50 -200 ft lbs and needed one from at least 5 - 50 foot pounds.


I have a shop as a side business and use them quite often. Do your self a favor and spend some decent money on a torque wrench.

If you don't believe try the HF torque and you'll see.

Question - if you use them "all the time" why buy an $12 torque wrench for a shop?
The most important thing for the wrench is to repeat the same (about the same - let's be realistic) torque, which most will. It's also a good idea to store them without any tension on the spring inside. For the most part - it doesn't matter if the toque rating is slightly off, as long as the torque is relatively even across multiple bolts on the same object. It's far better to have a HF torque wrench then nothing at all, if it's for something that kinda matters.. But if your rebuilding engines and doing head gaskets, common sense dictates you don't buy the cheapest torque wrench on the planet. Many people own them and with casual use they will work just fine. I have the HF version, an OLD snap on, and old craftsman beam style.. None of them are worlds apart from the other if I test them all against each other, but it's something I needed for constant important projects that demanded accuracy - I wouldn't buy the HF..

 

[chipss36]

I suppose HF is great if you tighten lug nuts? but head bolts? cam caps? or a plastic manifold to the block? any performance engine building ? not me, rather do the job one time, and get it right, not putting 2.5k heads on with a $10 torque wrench. there are HF products in my box, I have a slim budget like most do, like to save money were I can,
I don't wrench full time.
but had a hard lesion learned about HF torque wrenches. Just tighting bolts on a primary cover...
which had worked fine until that one day....

so many great options out there PI, CDI, The USA Husky's, lifetime tools, worthy of a $40 calibration every once in a blue moon.

 

[guy48065]

It's a screw pushing a spring against a little metal block--Not quite rocket science.
You can buy one for $10 or $200+.

HF clicker is a crappy feeling tool but much as I hate to admit it every HF torque wrench has calibrated as well year after year as any SnapOn, PI, Proto, Wright, Mac, Matco, Craftsman, Jetco, Armstrong, CDI, Sturtevant, yadda yadda I've calibrated.

That said, I only cal about 100 per year of various brands and sizes. There are others who do nothing else day in, day out. THEY would be the experts--not me and certainly not anyone who owned just one or read some bad reviews online.