New Torque Wrench

[James-W]

Harbor Freight had a sale going on this weekend. I picked up a Pittsburgh clicker torque wrench for $10 and a small socket set for $4 on Saturday. I realize they aren't the best tools around, but I figure for what I paid for them they should be fine. Did anybody else go and check out the sale items they had?

 

[G McKay]

No offense but, the things l torque are too critical for a harbor freight torque wrench.



________________

dunno:

_________________

GUESS WHO.

 

[3 Gun Shooter]

Hot Rod Magazine did a test comparing the HF torque wrtench against a Snap-on torque wrench and they came out pretty equal. For a weekend warrior or someone just starting out in the trade they would be an OK wrench for most automotive uses.

Now if something goes wrong with it I bet you couldn't get it serviced, but for $10 just buy a new one, you are not married to it.

 

[bczygan]

You did good.

They are good enough quality for your uses.

And they are warrantied for life.

Bill

 

[thewatusi]

I own 3 HF torque wrenches, one each of 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, and have been using them for years. They've held up well, none of my cars has exploded, and I'm still alive.

A good value for the money.

 

[mike93lx]

Harbor Freight had a sale going on this weekend. I picked up a Pittsburgh clicker torque wrench for $10 and a small socket set for $4 on Saturday. I realize they aren't the best tools around, but I figure for what I paid for them they should be fine. Did anybody else go and check out the sale items they had?

Fyi, HF always has sales, the products included sometimes change, but it is never anything special. Don't get caught up thinking it was some fantastic deal

 

[SignalZero]

Fyi, HF always has sales, the products included sometimes change, but it is never anything special. Don't get caught up thinking it was some fantastic deal

It was a parking lot sale. Usually the sales are a little better priced than the constant sales they regularly run.
I saw quite a bit of buzz about it on youtube and people posting on Facebook.

I was on-call and got hammered Fri and Sat and was scared to wander too far from the house on Sunday, so I didn't bother.
One girl at the store once told me to check back 4-5 days after a parking lot sale for good open box deals on the big ticket stuff.

 

[fatfillup]

I test every torque wrench I sell and the few HF's that have come through have tested ok. This is not a calibration quality test but will tell me if its close.

 

[ChevyEFI]

When the 3/4 goes $9.99, I am getting one.

 

[bigdav160]

I have one of these and the HF torque wrenches I've tested are hit and miss. Some are pretty good and others have been wildly off.

 

[disston]

I don't use many HF tools because I don't like the look or the feel of cheap tools. I have plenty of old name brand torque wrenches so I don't need to try those. I always test my clickers against one of my beam type wrenches so I know what I'm getting. If I was using a HF TW I'd do the same thing. I have heard good things about HF TWs but I don't have the time to play with junk. It's not going to save me any money.

The thing about TW in general is that those who use them regularly know what they feel like and I would know if any particular use was way off. I might not notice something 15 or 20 % off but I would feel anything 40% off I think.

I own 7 or 8 torque wrenches of various sizes and styles. I'm an ammeter tinkerer and I think this is the minimum. Those of you guys trying to save a few bucks on an important tool like a TW should consider taking up another hobby, like stamp collecting.

Get the $10 HF TW for now but also buy a used Sturtevant beam wrench in suitable size to check it with. When you wear out the $10 HF buy a better wrench or use the beam wrench.

Start looking at better tools so when one of those are on sale you can save some money on a quality tool.

 

[James-W]

Fyi, HF always has sales, the products included sometimes change, but it is never anything special. Don't get caught up thinking it was some fantastic deal

I have had a decent torque wrench for many years, but I saw this one on sale for $10 and figured I couldn't go wrong. If nothing else I can use it as a breaker bar. I realize the deal wasn't exactly like winning the lottery, but still, I got a torque wrench for $10 and a small socket set for $4. If I use the socket wet once and get the job done, I figure I can throw the set away and I will still be ahead.

 

[mike93lx]

I have had a decent torque wrench for many years, but I saw this one on sale for $10 and figured I couldn't go wrong. If nothing else I can use it as a breaker bar. I realize the deal wasn't exactly like winning the lottery, but still, I got a torque wrench for $10 and a small socket set for $4. If I use the socket wet once and get the job done, I figure I can throw the set away and I will still be ahead.

i get there are good deals at harbor freight...I've bought plenty of stuff. i was trying to point out that they are always having "the best deal of the year" or a "liquidation sale" or some other ********. you can probably always find a coupon to get a torque wrench for $10. just advising to not get caught up in the sales, that's all

 

[epmills]

Eh, i'll stick with my $550 Snap On

 

[6PTsocket]

A co worker brought in his newly purchased HF cheapo. It was stiff and vague and it only took a minute to decide I would never buy one. I have a couple of older Danaher USA wrenches under a couple of different brand names and they are far better. I always turn them down to 0 and don't knock them around and they have lasted for years. I see HF now also carries a better wrench. The split beams from Eastwood look like they might be a good choice at a moderate price.

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[HighwayTrout]

Hot Rod Magazine did a test comparing the HF torque wrtench against a Snap-on torque wrench and they came out pretty equal. For a weekend warrior or someone just starting out in the trade they would be an OK wrench for most automotive uses.

Now if something goes wrong with it I bet you couldn't get it serviced, but for $10 just buy a new one, you are not married to it.

Isn’t Harbor Freight a pretty big sponsor or advertiser in Hot Rod and all the other motor trend group of magazines? Of course they said nice things about HF products. Can’t bite the hand that feeds them.

 

[Tallpilot]

I have had a decent torque wrench for many years, but I saw this one on sale for $10 and figured I couldn't go wrong. If nothing else I can use it as a breaker bar. I realize the deal wasn't exactly like winning the lottery, but still, I got a torque wrench for $10 and a small socket set for $4. If I use the socket wet once and get the job done, I figure I can throw the set away and I will still be ahead.

Don't take it personally. Any mention of HF always gets people riled up.

For my part I've come to dislike all of their coupon and sale games. Open box discounts are one thing but having to play games every time I go there in order to get the best price is maddening. Same with Sears and their free cash and other nonsense. Zoro has everything priced high so they are slightly cheaper than others when you have a 25% coupon.

I like Toolsdelivered, Chadstoolbox, Tooldiscounter etc that have fair and reasonable pricing everyday so I can just order things when I need them and not have to spend 20 minutes comparing prices before every purchase.

 

[Wamsutta]

No offense but, the things l torque are too critical for a harbor freight torque wrench.

That sounds like something I would've said.

 

[Partsguy57]

Lol me too... Other then I would have added you can't even buy a good burger and frys for 10 bucks....

That sounds like something I would've said.

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[Snakebyt]

guy at work got one, its not bad at all, he did an oil pan gasket, after he torque to spec using his HF, we used my SO digital and his was not spot on, but well within an acceptable range.

 

[dnschmidt]

I have some of the best torque wrenches in the world and I have several Harbor Freight torque wrenches that I have preset for commonly used torques such as 10 N-m (the infamous 89 inch-pounds we all know and love) 75 ft-lb for my lug nuts (100 N-m) and 37 foot-lb's (50 N-m) which also seems like a favorite. I never reset these to their minimum torques and using a torque calibrator they never have been off by more than 3% of their pre-set value. This is over a five year period of never having their settings changed. Since I sell very high end Eclatorq digital torque wrenches I'd love to say that these Harbor Freight wrenches are garbage but the data indicates otherwise.

 

[guy48065]

My experience as well but you'll never convince S-Ome people.

A $10 torque wrench has the same accuracy and warranty as a $550 tool? Blasphemy!

 

[Partsguy57]

My experience as well but you'll never convince S-Ome people.

A $10 torque wrench has the same accuracy and warranty as a $550 tool? Blasphemy!

Sure... You can't even buy a good burger fries for 10 bucks.... And yet like magic a quality 10 torque wrench. 10? Really?? Lol. You are correct.... You will never convince some that cheap is cheap period... 10.00 and quality?? Lmao.

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[dnschmidt]

I'm an engineer. All of my education and training were geared toward one concept: The data is all that counts. Not my emotions, not how I feel about something not what my preconceptions are, The final judge must always be the data.

As mentioned, I sell expensive digital torque wrenches. Nothing would please me more than saying that the Harbor Freight wrenches are absolute **** so buy mine. I too hate the way they look, I hate the way they feel and I hate their ratchet heads. BUT, WHEN MEASURED ON A CALIBRATED TORQUE TESTER THEY MEET THEIR 3% SPECIFICATION WHEN STORED AT A PRESET TORQUE FOR FIVE YEARS IN THE MIDDLE OF THEIR RANGES. That's the data. Say it ain't so Joe, well sadly it's so. The data must always win.

 

[mike93lx]

I'm an engineer. All of my education and training were geared toward one concept: The data is all that counts. Not my emotions, not how I feel about something not what my preconceptions are, The final judge must always be the data.

As mentioned, I sell expensive digital torque wrenches. Nothing would please me more than saying that the Harbor Freight wrenches are absolute **** so buy mine. I too hate the way they look, I hate the way they feel and I hate their ratchet heads. BUT, WHEN MEASURED ON A CALIBRATED TORQUE TESTER THEY MEET THEIR 3% SPECIFICATION WHEN STORED AT A PRESET TORQUE FOR FIVE YEARS IN THE MIDDLE OF THEIR RANGES. That's the data. Say it ain't so Joe, well sadly it's so. The data must always win.

What is your sample size? 4? If so, You speaking for the product overall is just as valid as someone saying they are ahit because their's broke

 

[Partsguy57]

I'm an engineer. All of my education and training were geared toward one concept: The data is all that counts. Not my emotions, not how I feel about something not what my preconceptions are, The final judge must always be the data.

As mentioned, I sell expensive digital torque wrenches. Nothing would please me more than saying that the Harbor Freight wrenches are absolute **** so buy mine. I too hate the way they look, I hate the way they feel and I hate their ratchet heads. BUT, WHEN MEASURED ON A CALIBRATED TORQUE TESTER THEY MEET THEIR 3% SPECIFICATION WHEN STORED AT A PRESET TORQUE FOR FIVE YEARS IN THE MIDDLE OF THEIR RANGES. That's the data. Say it ain't so Joe, well sadly it's so. The data must always win.

Lets supply of little logic here $10 sale price for a torque wrench what kind of materials do you actually think are in that for a $10 sell price?

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[dnschmidt]

Sample size is six.

 

[mike93lx]

Sample size is six.

Hardly significant.

The data is still interesting and it is food to hear that they have worked well for you.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

HF. Last week, this week, and next week can all be different..

10-20 years back; I bought some of that stuff for fill ins on some tool sets, and gave a few to My Boys. Failure rate or non-trusted rate is 4 out of 7.. All three of US have low regards for those torque wrenches.. I am a retired Cert. Dealership Tech that still still works 40 hours a week. The oldest Boy is a 20+ year factory CNC Supervisor, His younger brother has served 12+ years as a Mechanical Engineer, so their torque wrenches only get weekend use. These torque wrenches were not over stressed and always backed off during storage. Should I be bragging about the great bargain on the remaining three? The only reason those three remain in My shop is_________

 

[Tallpilot]

Sure... You can't even buy a good burger fries for 10 bucks.... And yet like magic a quality 10 torque wrench. 10? Really?? Lol. You are correct.... You will never convince some that cheap is cheap period... 10.00 and quality?? Lmao.

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You can get a burger and fries in China for $10!

 

[Tallpilot]

guy at work got one, its not bad at all, he did an oil pan gasket, after he torque to spec using his HF, we used my SO digital and his was not spot on, but well within an acceptable range.

I have some of the best torque wrenches in the world and I have several Harbor Freight torque wrenches that I have preset for commonly used torques such as 10 N-m (the infamous 89 inch-pounds we all know and love) 75 ft-lb for my lug nuts (100 N-m) and 37 foot-lb's (50 N-m) which also seems like a favorite. I never reset these to their minimum torques and using a torque calibrator they never have been off by more than 3% of their pre-set value. This is over a five year period of never having their settings changed. Since I sell very high end Eclatorq digital torque wrenches I'd love to say that these Harbor Freight wrenches are garbage but the data indicates otherwise.

For the DIY person or a fresh faced (broke) lube tech I put forth that using the HF torque wrench is better than just doing it by feel. If you are charging me $500 labor to rebuild my engine while using a cheap clicker and eyeballing turn 90 degrees torque to yield bolts with a breaker bar then I am going to question your professionalism.

Like all tools they have their place.

 

[L.Cheapo]

You can get a burger and fries in China for $10!

Just don't ask what they're made of.

 

[Partsguy57]

Lol true.... But do you want a America cheese burger, or a Chinese one?

You can get a burger and fries in China for $10!

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[Coach James]

Today, I got three double cheese burgers and a medium drink from Burger Barf for $7.75.

Coach

 

[Jarhead0408]

It might be good...but given that they’re non-serviceable...I’ll stick with my used, and recalibrated, Snap On, Wright, and CDI torque wrenches that I bought off of eBay. Peace of mind is worth the price for me. A HF special might get it done just fine, but I don’t want to take the chance.

 

[CR888]

I'm an engineer. All of my education and training were geared toward one concept: The data is all that counts. Not my emotions, not how I feel about something not what my preconceptions are, The final judge must always be the data.

As mentioned, I sell expensive digital torque wrenches. Nothing would please me more than saying that the Harbor Freight wrenches are absolute **** so buy mine. I too hate the way they look, I hate the way they feel and I hate their ratchet heads. BUT, WHEN MEASURED ON A CALIBRATED TORQUE TESTER THEY MEET THEIR 3% SPECIFICATION WHEN STORED AT A PRESET TORQUE FOR FIVE YEARS IN THE MIDDLE OF THEIR RANGES. That's the data. Say it ain't so Joe, well sadly it's so. The data must always win.

Folks won't accept this for the emotional reasons you stated, it hurts when you spend 10X+ for a product that is essentially the same....I did & it *****. I bought a name brand 1/2" clicker style TW from Kincrome (Taiwan tool co with reputable name here) and it cost me AU$159- in a case with adapter and calibration certificate. That was about 5 years ago and si CE then I wised up and compared the wrench to a friends which is EXACTLY the same bar the logo laser etched on it. He paid $29 delivered and I bought mine from a tool store.

 

[Partsguy57]

Hmmm 10 dollars for a torque wrench and they make a profit to boot?? You can't buy a good burger and fries for 10.. Talk about living in a dream world.... Make sure feed that pet unicorn of yours.... Cheers

Folks won't accept this for the emotional reasons you stated, it hurts when you spend 10X+ for a product that is essentially the same....I did & it *****. I bought a name brand 1/2" clicker style TW from Kincrome (Taiwan tool co with reputable name here) and it cost me AU$159- in a case with adapter and calibration certificate. That was about 5 years ago and si CE then I wised up and compared the wrench to a friends which is EXACTLY the same bar the logo laser etched on it. He paid $29 delivered and I bought mine from a tool store.

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[CR888]

Hmmm 10 dollars for a torque wrench and they make a profit to boot?? You can't buy a good burger and fries for 10.. Talk about living in a dream world.... Make sure feed that pet unicorn of yours.... Cheers

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Many members here buy GW socket set on sale for $8-15 and expect perfect chrome, decent quality & should their set of sockets that cost less than a hamburger with fries fail during their lifetime, they expect a full replacement warranty to boot! The cheap tools revolution has gone completely mad!

 

[ilovevocs]

I’m not a fan of clickers so they are not for me. Nothing to do with the brand. My USA craftsman was a bigger POS out of the box than the HF had. For $10.00 i figured it was worth a try. At the time I had a riding camp in mid Michigan that I was assembling a second tool set for. Bought another CDI.

 

[guy48065]

Some ppl sure get their ******* in a wad when reality checks in.

Sample size? What's YOUR sample size? Tell me again how accurate and repeatable your wrench is that hasn't been calibrated since bought.

Comparing tool cost to burgers? That's obviously far worse then apples & oranges. Last I checked beef costs way more per pound than steel.