Harbor Freight Torque Wrench???

[Skyking1992]

My trusty 40+ year old Snap On 1/2 inch torque wrench finally bit the dust and a Snap On guy told me they no longer service my wrench. I don't see myself building engines or working on airplanes any more. So after looking at some YouTube comparisons I bought a Harbor Freight Icon 1/2 inch torque wrench - right around $100 with lifetime warrantee.

Reading the operating manual, it says every time you use it, you are supposed to run the handle from minimum to maximum setting 3 times. I'm pretty sure I never have time to do that.

Then I read the warrantee info. Proof of purchase required - OK that's normal. It also says it must be calibrated every 6 months and that requirement is part of the warrantee. I can't believe that I would be required to keep 20 years worth of calibration certs on hand in order to get this warranted.

Do other torque wrenches have similar requirements?

 

[DSkor]

Unless something has changed over the past 40 years, I don't believe any company guaranteed their Torque wrenches for cal or cal related parts after an initial period.

My 3 Utica 1/4" hand torque drivers required yearly paper, but that was an industry requirement. I've only had my Protos in for cal checks a few times over the years only minor adjustments but no parts repair. Racking the torque all the way down after use has been the requirement for all spring/manual drivers and probably your Snappy.

Icon? You're getting what you pay for. Stores will probably swap them out anyways while still available or equivelent.

 

[M635_Guy]

My trusty 40+ year old Snap On 1/2 inch torque wrench finally bit the dust and a Snap On guy told me they no longer service my wrench. I don't see myself building engines or working on airplanes any more. So after looking at some YouTube comparisons I bought a Harbor Freight Icon 1/2 inch torque wrench - right around $100 with lifetime warrantee.

Reading the operating manual, it says every time you use it, you are supposed to run the handle from minimum to maximum setting 3 times. I'm pretty sure I never have time to do that.

Then I read the warrantee info. Proof of purchase required - OK that's normal. It also says it must be calibrated every 6 months and that requirement is part of the warrantee. I can't believe that I would be required to keep 20 years worth of calibration certs on hand in order to get this warranted.

Do other torque wrenches have similar requirements?

What did the manual for the Snap On say?

I set my torque wrenches to the lowest setting when I put them away because I was told that's what you're supposed to do. I haven't read the manuals - lol - now I kinda want to find them.

I also doubt the folks at HF have ready the manual either. Most likely, you'll walk in, say it's not working right, and they'll tell you to go grab one off the shelf.

 

[Skyking1992]

I certainly don't have the original paperwork from my Snap On. I always run my wrench back to the minimum setting when I'm not using it.

The Icon is supposedly an upscale Harbor Freight tool. I'm generally not a Harbor Freight fan, but this looks like a pretty nice wrench. It is 90 tooth, the ratchet feels smooth, and I like the how the adjustment works and feels.

I know it's not a Snap On and I didn't expect it to be. I'll keep it in my trailer for track events - mostly torqueing lug nuts. It'll get loaned out and probably dropped a few times.

Harbor Freight has a 1/2 inch torque wrench for $10, but that looked a little too cheap for me.

 

[Ricky Joe]

I once needed a torque wrench when I was away from home. I bought one at Pep Boys, about $50-$60 if I remember correctly, probably a Powerbuilt. It disintegrated during first use. I swore off of cheap wrenches then and there. Actually, swore off of any non-USA wrench. I have a Proto, four Williams, three Duro, two Snap-On, a Seekonk, a QwikWay, all giving me over thirty to forty years service.

 

[unslow1]

There have been several threads on the HF $10 torque wrenches. They have a pretty good reputation but I still wouldn't assemble an engine with one.

 

[HaiKarate]

Why anyone would care about a warranty on a $10 HF tool is beyond me. On the bright side, I guess there is at least a chance they will fix it (likely just replace) - Snap on has already failed you there.

 

[nieuport17]

Op is talking about Icon not The HF torque wrench.

Speaking of checking for calibration every 6 months, I double check my HD torque wrench (back when it was made in USA) with a torque adapter before I use it every time.

 

[Mekks082]

Ive had to return an Icon Tq wrench, they did not ask for any paperwork. Not sure if that will change in the future but I really doubt a min wage employe would bother.

 

[M635_Guy]

There have been several threads on the HF $10 torque wrenches. They have a pretty good reputation but I still wouldn't assemble an engine with one.

Why anyone would care about a warranty on a $10 HF tool is beyond me. On the bright side, I guess there is at least a chance they will fix it (likely just replace) - Snap on has already failed you there.

Y'all are missing a zero

 

[M635_Guy]

I certainly don't have the original paperwork from my Snap On. I always run my wrench back to the minimum setting when I'm not using it.

The Icon is supposedly an upscale Harbor Freight tool. I'm generally not a Harbor Freight fan, but this looks like a pretty nice wrench. It is 90 tooth, the ratchet feels smooth, and I like the how the adjustment works and feels.

I know it's not a Snap On and I didn't expect it to be. I'll keep it in my trailer for track events - mostly torqueing lug nuts. It'll get loaned out and probably dropped a few times.

Generally-speaking, the Icon stuff is pretty nice. It will be fine.

 

[Outahere]

Before you give up on your old Snap-on torque wrench, contact these people:
http://www.teamtorque.com

They calibrated and replaced an internal part on my 46 year old 1/2" drive Snap-on.

 

[Outahere]

.....The Icon is supposedly an upscale Harbor Freight tool. I'm generally not a Harbor Freight fan, but this looks like a pretty nice wrench. It is 90 tooth, the ratchet feels smooth, and I like the how the adjustment works and feels.....

I was looking at the flex head version of the 1/2" Icon recently, and it has a lot of attractive features. But I ultimately bought a Precision Instruments flex head split beam for the same price as the Icon. The Icon has no history regarding the stability of its calibration after 1000 cycles, and it's a mystery who manufactures it.

 

[unslow1]

Y'all are missing a zero

No we were saying there is no point in buying the $100 wrench at HF. Their $10 one has a long history and tested many times for accuracy. I wouldn't trust their $100 wrench any more than the $10 one so why waste the $90.

 

[visionguru]

My trusty 40+ year old Snap On 1/2 inch torque wrench finally bit the dust and a Snap On guy told me they no longer service my wrench. I don't see myself building engines or working on airplanes any more. So after looking at some YouTube comparisons I bought a Harbor Freight Icon 1/2 inch torque wrench - right around $100 with lifetime warrantee.

Reading the operating manual, it says every time you use it, you are supposed to run the handle from minimum to maximum setting 3 times. I'm pretty sure I never have time to do that.

Then I read the warrantee info. Proof of purchase required - OK that's normal. It also says it must be calibrated every 6 months and that requirement is part of the warrantee. I can't believe that I would be required to keep 20 years worth of calibration certs on hand in order to get this warranted.

Do other torque wrenches have similar requirements?

The Icon is probably the best deal for a 1/2" torque wrench with flex head and high tooth count.

Normally a click type torque wrench needs recalibration after 5000 cycles, which is almost a lifetime for a DIYer. I wouldn't worry about recalibration if use with care (turn back to lowest setting after use), based on my experience with the cheapest $10 Harbor Freight torque wrench. If you want to monitor the accuracy, get a digital torque adapter ($30ish at Harbor Freight).

 

[Rickster]

That’s an interesting procedure, I’ve not heard of it before but then I’m guilty of never having actually read the owners manual with my old Proto torque wrench...... I just set it zero after use.

 

[Nineeightyone]

After ~10 years, I finally had my first HF torque wrench fail on me -- old enough that the SKU was only three digits on the sleeve. I took it in, walked out with a new one (after some brief browsing, of course), no questions asked. The new one is Taiwanese, feels good, and checks out accurately enough compared to a digital one.

I don't know if I used a coupon when I bought the first torque wrench, but for the money, it's been good to me. If the Icon were to last half as long, I'd think the $100 was worth the money spent.

 

[InsanePyro]

Get a Snap On Tech Angle and never look back. I am far from a Snap On fanboy but that sucker is worth every penny

 

[Outahere]

...If you want to monitor the accuracy, get a digital torque adapter ($30ish at Harbor Freight).

Does the HF unit come with a certificate of calibration? Can a $30 HF tool really be trusted to check accuracy of torque tools? I am skeptical.

I would have confidence in this torque tester from CDI:

https://www.protorquetools.com/1-2-...MInqWMuaH-7wIVZT2tBh2hfQKbEAQYBSABEgIzmPD_BwE

 

[kngelv]

You can get a CDI for around $150.00 or a Precision Instruments for $200.00. why buy an Icon?

James

 

[visionguru]

Does the HF unit come with a certificate of calibration? Can a $30 HF tool really be trusted to check accuracy of torque tools? I am skeptical.

I would have confidence in this torque tester from CDI:

https://www.protorquetools.com/1-2-...MInqWMuaH-7wIVZT2tBh2hfQKbEAQYBSABEgIzmPD_BwE

I have a Powerbuilt torque adapter, which is similar to HF adapter in design and packaging. Though it does not come with a certificate of calibration, it's dead on when comparing with my Snap On Techangles in 1/2", 3/8", 1/4".

As far as I can understand, digital torque wrenches/adapters/testers are based on torque sensors, which has no moving parts. As many electronic components, torque sensors can be mass produced to great consistancy.

Before settling on the Snap On Techangles, I tried various torque wrenches, such as Matco 1/2" and 3/8" digital, Gearwrench 1/2" digital, Lowes Kobalt 3/8" digital, AC Delco 3/8" digital with replaceable heads. I found no difference in terms of accuracy among all of them, when compared against the digital adapter. Yes, I put more faith in any digital adapters than anything mechanical.

You can get a CDI for around $150.00 or a Precision Instruments for $200.00. why buy an Icon?

James

CDI and PI are basically not offering anything with flex head and high tooth count. They are probably more suitable on a assembly line than in a garage.

 

[Skyking1992]

Hi all, OP here,

I'm happy with my purchase and realize I have an import tool that is not the same as my previous Snap On. That's OK with me.

Thanks Outahere, I still have my Snap On and will check them out.

My real question is have you ever heard of the "exercise three times minimum to maximum before every use" and if you have your torque wrench calibrated every six months and do you keep the paperwork?

I'm not complaining about my purchase - I know what I have. I had just never heard of the "exercise" routine or the warrantee being contingent on the every six month calibration requirement.

 

[Outahere]

....My real question is have you ever heard of the "exercise three times minimum to maximum before every use" ....

Never heard of doing that before every use. Perhaps do it if your wrench has been in storage for a few years.

Calibration every 6 months? Yes, if the wrench is used 6 days a week at a tire store. For occasional DIY tasks, no. After 46 years of occasional use, my 1/2" Snap-on was only slightly out of spec, at 200 ft-lb. Can the Icon do that? Nobody knows, except the manufacturer.

 

[Fly YX]

I have the 1/4 hf $10 one bought it just to see what a $10 torque wrench is about. That was three years ago and it has passed calibration every time when it gets sent off. I don’t use it every day like the CDI one but it works.

 

[Mechanical Noise]

Does the HF unit come with a certificate of calibration? Can a $30 HF tool really be trusted to check accuracy of torque tools? I am skeptical.

I would have confidence in this torque tester from CDI:

https://www.protorquetools.com/1-2-...MInqWMuaH-7wIVZT2tBh2hfQKbEAQYBSABEgIzmPD_BwE

My Pittsburgh Pro torque adapter came with a "Certificated of inspection". It tells me the error at the low end, middle and max torque is 0.34%, -0.11% and 0.20%, respectively. I can't confirm that those numbers are real but I'm pretty sure electronics can measure the slight twist in the internal bar pretty accurately. Adequately, at least, as I'm not overly excited in ultra-precise accuracy from my fastener friction measuring device.

The PP adapter has been since replaced with a Quinn adapter, which looks identical and has identical specs. The obvious difference is the old PP adapter is powered with a lithium coin cell and the newer Quinn model is powered by a couple AAA cells. I don't know if they still come with a certificate.

I find the Chinglish "Certificated of inspection" more amusing than bothersome. There was a generation of Jinglish on manuals for good quality products from Japan.

 

[Mechanical Noise]

I had just never heard of the "exercise" routine or the warrantee being contingent on the every six month calibration requirement.

The big print giveth, the small print taketh away.

 

[M635_Guy]

The big print giveth, the small print taketh away.

In theory, but in practice I doubt it.

 

[javyLSU]

Does the HF unit come with a certificate of calibration? Can a $30 HF tool really be trusted to check accuracy of torque tools? I am skeptical.

I would have confidence in this torque tester from CDI:

https://www.protorquetools.com/1-2-...MInqWMuaH-7wIVZT2tBh2hfQKbEAQYBSABEgIzmPD_BwE

I have that torque tester (in Snap-on version) and also the $30 HF tool - I never thought to compare one to the other. I'll post here when I get around to it...

 

[javyLSU]

Hi all, OP here,

I'm happy with my purchase and realize I have an import tool that is not the same as my previous Snap On. That's OK with me.

Thanks Outahere, I still have my Snap On and will check them out.

My real question is have you ever heard of the "exercise three times minimum to maximum before every use" and if you have your torque wrench calibrated every six months and do you keep the paperwork?

I'm not complaining about my purchase - I know what I have. I had just never heard of the "exercise" routine or the warrantee being contingent on the every six month calibration requirement.

Yes, I've seen instructions to exercise click-style torque wrenches prior to using in every manual I've read for every torque wrench I've owned (at least 10 that I can remember). There's two different types of "exercise" I've seen referenced - exercising the spring (which is done by adjusting the torque wrench to it's maximum and minimum settings) and exercising the sliding surfaces of the levers inside the wrench, which is done by "clicking" the torque wrench. Exercising the levers replenishes lubricant on the sliding internal surfaces and breaks up any corrosion, returning the wrench as much as possible to its calibrated state. It's good practice to follow.