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pittsburgh tools

DIAZ 87

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How many of you guys have heard of Pittsburgh pro series clicker type ratcheting torque wrench? and if so what do you thing about them:headscrat
 
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M900

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You can use your favorite search engine and type this in.


torque pass fail site:garagejournal.com

The harborfreight pass fail thread on this website had maybe 4-5 people comment on that wrench. All positive.


Or click here and read through 40+ pages to find a few comments.

or try this website. Click 'all reviewed items index"
 
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mjozefow

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Overall the reviews are favorable, and for the money it is hard to beat. As with anything from Harbor Freight you take a gamble. The gamble seems to pay off on these though.
 
OP
D

DIAZ 87

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i found what i was looking for,a friend of mines was telling me about this tools but im going to pass on this junk tools.im just going to stay with the name brand tools instead:beer:
 

t100

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bought the 3/8 dr. for less than $10, honestly, never had the balls to use it for almost 2 years.

I did tested it once on a lug nut, seems it worked just fine. here is what I did(not the most precise way, but that's all I got)

I used my 1/2 dr. Snap On split beam to torq the lug nut to 65#,
set the Pitt torq wrench to 75#, it turned the lug nut about 30* then "click"
set the Snap On to 70#, tried to turn the lug nut, only "click", no movement
set the Snap On to 75#, only "click", no movement,
set the Snap On to 80#, tiny turn then "click".
 

autoace

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For torque wrenches, Precision Instruments brand has served me the best. When I was younger, way younger, I did assemble plenty of small block Chevy engines with a Harbor Freight torque wrench, and never had any problems, but when I was in my early 20's I was not very picky on tool brands.

If you make a living with your tools, forego the HF torque wrenches, but for the weekend warrior, heck I have used them in the way past to assemble everything, and never had a problem. I just like the insurance of a high end torque tool, even if it is not necessary, it only takes one bad one, to ruin an engine.
 

Mickey O

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I can tell you they aren't made in Pittsburgh or anywhere in this country for that matter. I have a special box for any Pittsburgh tools I might run across.
 

sk farmer

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i don't have one and cannot say, but didn't nissan say that they stay in calibration better than any of the other ones that get used in his shop/hanger. it may not have been him but someone has that story. someone may remember and pipe up. i have a couple cman's and they seem to work for the infrequent times i use them.
 

Mickey O

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SK,

You are right someone a few days ago did talk about the calibration being better on the HF torque wrench! Darn my memory is also going.

Yeah someone did, but I also heard a story about a guy with an axe in the back seat of a car.


.
 

sk farmer

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Yeah someone did, but I also heard a story about a guy with an axe in the back seat of a car.


.

oh , i am sorry. i must be mistaken. i am sure that since october you have read every torque wrench thread on garage journal. i have not picked a side on this but i have a pretty good idea that no matter what anyone says on this, you have your mind made up.:lol_hitti
 

Mickey O

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oh , i am sorry. i must be mistaken. i am sure that since october you have read every torque wrench thread on garage journal. i have not picked a side on this but i have a pretty good idea that no matter what anyone says on this, you have your mind made up.:lol_hitti

I was referring specifically to a post about this very subject the other day, I remember because I wrote even a broken clock is accurate twice a day (or something like that), but I am a fast reader.

I'm a firm believer in you get what you pay for, and I don't buy that a ten or twenty dollar torque wrench from HF is better and/or more accurate than a Snap On, Armstrong, Proto, etc.

I wonder if air plane manufacturers are using Harbor Freight torque wrenches on their planes because of their great accuracy and low price.
 

48548

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My father also had one that was off by 50 or so pounds and striped out the block on his 67 impala that he was rebuilding the factory 327. He had to get helicoils and put them in on the block for both heads. I did have it calibrated after, but he would never use it again because of what happened. I can't say they are all like that, I think a random fluke. But seriously I wonder how often the snap on, precision instruments split beam need to be calibrated and or lose the factory calibration? Also a that time I worked at AlliedSignal and they calibrated if for me for free, and no they didn't use HF wrenches, but I can't say which are better. I do own a snap on split beam and after using a split beam that is the only type I would ever buy because I like the loud click on them.
 
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arkangel06

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I wonder if air plane manufacturers are using Harbor Freight torque wrenches on their planes because of their great accuracy and low price.

oh yeah all the time the whole boeing plant is outfitted with HF torque wrenches the 787 dream liner was built with them...


:lol_hitti
 

Hiball

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Too be honest with you guys... The "Overseas" tool bashing is getting really old fast. It seems to be the same people over and over who continually just sit at there computer and get off bashing the cheap tools. NEWS FLASH.... NOT everyone can afford the Higher end tools, Some people have to make do with the lower-end stuff. Having to Make due with what you have is part of Life, Its not all Good times in this world. YES... you can rebuild a motor/ Maintain your car with a Pittsburgh Proffesional set.. Will they last a lifetime? Who Knows? Seriously last time i checked this was a General Tool discussion not a "Truck Tool Discussion only, Everything else is Junk" To the Regular Bashers, We get it.. You dont like Imported Tools, We understand... I choose to buy American Made tools, Its my choice. But im not gonna bust anyones balls over what tool they buy or use. Frankly its none of my business. Regardless of how many posts you make, Harbor Freight is gonna open there doors in the morning, Blue Point is still gonna Produce tools. Im sure im not alone when say "Find a New Hobby". I swear this site used to be something i could spend hours reading and listening to other peoples experiences, Anymore its "My tools is better than yours".
 

ATTappman

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Apr 28, 2009
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The OP asks about Pittsburgh torque wrenches.

He gets two quick, helpful replies that say they're OK for the money.

He concludes 14 minutes later that they're "junk tools."

And away we go. :deadhorse
 
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Joe H

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Newport News, VA
Too be honest with you guys... The "Overseas" tool bashing is getting really old fast. It seems to be the same people over and over who continually just sit at there computer and get off bashing the cheap tools. NEWS FLASH.... NOT everyone can afford the Higher end tools, Some people have to make do with the lower-end stuff. Having to Make due with what you have is part of Life, Its not all Good times in this world. YES... you can rebuild a motor/ Maintain your car with a Pittsburgh Proffesional set.. Will they last a lifetime? Who Knows? Seriously last time i checked this was a General Tool discussion not a "Truck Tool Discussion only, Everything else is Junk" To the Regular Bashers, We get it.. You dont like Imported Tools, We understand... I choose to buy American Made tools, Its my choice. But im not gonna bust anyones balls over what tool they buy or use. Frankly its none of my business. Regardless of how many posts you make, Harbor Freight is gonna open there doors in the morning, Blue Point is still gonna Produce tools. Im sure im not alone when say "Find a New Hobby". I swear this site used to be something i could spend hours reading and listening to other peoples experiences, Anymore its "My tools is better than yours".

Amen. :beer:
 

ATTappman

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I'm a firm believer in you get what you pay for, and I don't buy that a ten or twenty dollar torque wrench from HF is better and/or more accurate than a Snap On, Armstrong, Proto, etc.

Have you tested them on a calibration tester, or is this just speculation?

Never mind.
 

sk farmer

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Too be honest with you guys... The "Overseas" tool bashing is getting really old fast. It seems to be the same people over and over who continually just sit at there computer and get off bashing the cheap tools. NEWS FLASH.... NOT everyone can afford the Higher end tools, Some people have to make do with the lower-end stuff. Having to Make due with what you have is part of Life, Its not all Good times in this world. YES... you can rebuild a motor/ Maintain your car with a Pittsburgh Proffesional set.. Will they last a lifetime? Who Knows? Seriously last time i checked this was a General Tool discussion not a "Truck Tool Discussion only, Everything else is Junk" To the Regular Bashers, We get it.. You dont like Imported Tools, We understand... I choose to buy American Made tools, Its my choice. But im not gonna bust anyones balls over what tool they buy or use. Frankly its none of my business. Regardless of how many posts you make, Harbor Freight is gonna open there doors in the morning, Blue Point is still gonna Produce tools. Im sure im not alone when say "Find a New Hobby". I swear this site used to be something i could spend hours reading and listening to other peoples experiences, Anymore its "My tools is better than yours".

well said hiball. if sheep were worth more we could round them up and sell them for new tools. as it is the only purpose for them is to stink the joint up. tired of people getting bashed who don't need the premium stuff or can't afford it. i love great tools and have many but no need to bash the other just because you can. if you don't have anything good to say sometimes you shold not say it.
 

48548

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I hope that my posting wasn't taken as a bash, and if so I applogize just being honest with my experience. I did say it could have been a fluke that the tool we had was out of calibration and ruined something. Also I said I like the split beam not because it was snap on but because of the loud click.
 

sk farmer

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I hope that my posting wasn't taken as a bash, and if so I applogize just being honest with my experience. I did say it could have been a fluke that the tool we had was out of calibration and ruined something. Also I said I like the split beam not because it was snap on but because of the loud click.

if you have an actual experince that is valuable information not bashing. if you just bash it beacause it say hf on the package and you have no other info to add i don't think you have anything of value to add to the conversation.
 

Mickey O

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Too be honest with you guys... The "Overseas" tool bashing is getting really old fast. It seems to be the same people over and over who continually just sit at there computer and get off bashing the cheap tools. NEWS FLASH.... NOT everyone can afford the Higher end tools, Some people have to make do with the lower-end stuff. Having to Make due with what you have is part of Life, Its not all Good times in this world. YES... you can rebuild a motor/ Maintain your car with a Pittsburgh Proffesional set.. Will they last a lifetime? Who Knows? Seriously last time i checked this was a General Tool discussion not a "Truck Tool Discussion only, Everything else is Junk" To the Regular Bashers, We get it.. You dont like Imported Tools, We understand... I choose to buy American Made tools, Its my choice. But im not gonna bust anyones balls over what tool they buy or use. Frankly its none of my business. Regardless of how many posts you make, Harbor Freight is gonna open there doors in the morning, Blue Point is still gonna Produce tools. Im sure im not alone when say "Find a New Hobby". I swear this site used to be something i could spend hours reading and listening to other peoples experiences, Anymore its "My tools is better than yours".

I don't know the quality of most newer overseas tools because I don't buy them, my beef isn't necessarily with the quality. I can tell you my experience with older imports is terrible and it's been bad with a few of the import items I've bought more recently. What I know for a fact is that you can buy comparable or better US made tools for the same or a little more.

I'll tell you what's old to me, it's reading posts where someone is trying to convince us a Pittsburgh wrench or torque wrench is on par with a Snap On or any of the other top US made tools or maybe even better.
 

Hiball

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I don't have to drive a Yugo to know a Cadillac is better, some things you just know.

I owned/Drove a 95 Ford aspire back and forth to work 80miles round trip when gas was $4 a gallon. Does that make My 13MPG 2005 F150 4 x 4 better? No doubt it rode better, Had A/C, But 6+ gallons compared to 2 gallons per trip? I put 25K on that turd :thumbup:

I'll tell you what's old to me, it's reading posts where someone is trying to convince us a Pittsburgh wrench or torque wrench is on par with a Snap On or any of the other top US made tools or maybe even better.

Reference to 4 reviews in the Harbor freight Pass/Fail thread isnt Neccessarily someone saying that Pittsburgh torque wrenches are better than Snap on. There is no doubt in my mind that Snap on Torque wrenches are a better made tool and probably more accurate but considering the price difference they should be. NO Doubt.
 
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caper

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cape breton
Too be honest with you guys... The "Overseas" tool bashing is getting really old fast. It seems to be the same people over and over who continually just sit at there computer and get off bashing the cheap tools. NEWS FLASH.... NOT everyone can afford the Higher end tools, Some people have to make do with the lower-end stuff. Having to Make due with what you have is part of Life, Its not all Good times in this world. YES... you can rebuild a motor/ Maintain your car with a Pittsburgh Proffesional set.. Will they last a lifetime? Who Knows? Seriously last time i checked this was a General Tool discussion not a "Truck Tool Discussion only, Everything else is Junk" To the Regular Bashers, We get it.. You dont like Imported Tools, We understand... I choose to buy American Made tools, Its my choice. But im not gonna bust anyones balls over what tool they buy or use. Frankly its none of my business. Regardless of how many posts you make, Harbor Freight is gonna open there doors in the morning, Blue Point is still gonna Produce tools. Im sure im not alone when say "Find a New Hobby". I swear this site used to be something i could spend hours reading and listening to other peoples experiences, Anymore its "My tools is better than yours".

So glad I'm not the only one with the same opinion.All this bashing is getting old real quick.I've been a member of this forum for almost 4 yrs now and lurked for a while before that and until today had never considered using the ignore feature.That is saying something considering the amount of ridiculous stuff I've seen posted in that time.I think it's time to finally press the button.
 

Mickey O

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I owned/Drove a 95 Ford aspire back and forth to work 80miles round trip when gas was $4 a gallon. Does that make My 13MPG 2005 F150 4 x 4 better? No doubt it rode better, Had A/C, But 6+ gallons compared to 2 gallons per trip? I put 25K on that turd :thumbup:

Not sure what a Ford Aspire is but I'd take the F150 4x4.
 

Mickey O

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Funny how very few seem to get mad about all the Craftsman bashing. I hear all types of stories about how bad they are and break all the time but never see any pictures. Many times I think the people bashing Craftsman don't even own them.
 

Hiball

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Not sure what a Ford Aspire is but I'd take the F150 4x4.

I owned both, 16 bucks in my pocket everytime i drove it instead of my F150 to work. Oh.. and for future bashing the Aspire used Kia Drivelines and numerous parts. :bounce:
 

j-easy

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Dec 17, 2009
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I have a harbor freight torque wrench that I paid like $20 for. It has worked fine for me.

It's funny that aviation was brought up, I have seen an guy that repairs large business jets use a torque wrench for his job that looks absolutely identical to my HF one. It must be calibrated and certified at specific intervals so stay within some kind of guidelines or regs. I don't know where he bought it but is an identical looking tool to the one that is sold at HF.
 

caper

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Maybe it's just me but I don't feel the need to bash anybody's tools.If you want to buy craftsman,HF or Toptul because that's what you can afford or feel it's good enough to get what you need done accomplished then go for it.Just because I have a couple Snap on tool boxes and a pile of tool truck tools doesn't mean that I think all others are junk.For many people they are more than adequate to accomplish what they need done.The main reason I went from Mastercraft to Snap on was because if I didn't spend the money on tools my ex wife would have spent it on some **** for the house.Mastercraft served me well working professionally for many years and for many things it still does.I know lots of guys who own nothing but Princess Auto and Mastercraft/Craftsman tools who are professional techs making a good living and their paychecks are not suffering for it at all.
 

jpoe

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Thank you Hiball! Very well stated. I could not be more of a tool novice if I wanted too. I have quickly learned that there are some people who are here to "discuss" and help, and others who are not. I have learned to listen to what you have to say on any topic, as it seems to always be well thought out and w/o bias.
 

t100

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for you experts on either side, I have a question, please answer with your experience, or scientific facts.

for the last 10 years, are the Chinese/TW handtools getting better faster than the American tools progresses? someday, they will be the same.

or

the American tools are so far ahead, the Chinese will never be as good.

or

with more and more American tool makers shifting productions to China, the day of Micky has nothing to buy is approaching faster then most people thinks.
 

RodneyPierce

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Cedar Rapids, IA
I absolutelly LOVE Harbor Freight. Yes, you do have to sift through the bad, but there sure as hell is ALOT of VERY good stuff there! There Pittsburgh line of tools is just fine. Ive got there Impact sockets, and paid seriously, 25% of what a snap on set would cost, and they will work just the same. Ive also got an el cheapo 9 dollar Pittsburgh ratchet, along with quite a few others, allen, craftsman, proto, etc and 90% of the time I end up with the cheapo in my hand. Dont let all the guys on here that HATE HF tools turn you away. Sometimes its good to make your own judgement. Not all is junk!
 

Davefr

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How many of you guys have heard of Pittsburgh pro series clicker type ratcheting torque wrench? and if so what do you thing about them:headscrat

If it measures, turns, cuts, requires precision, or if safety is a concern never buy this HF ****.

For the other 1% you might find a few deals.
 

Hiball

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Thank you Hiball! Very well stated. I could not be more of a tool novice if I wanted too. I have quickly learned that there are some people who are here to "discuss" and help, and others who are not. I have learned to listen to what you have to say on any topic, as it seems to always be well thought out and w/o bias.

Thanks, Man. :rocker:. Dont worry your novice status will grow by leaps and bounds if you stick around here. Its just like anything else in life, You sometimes have to look past the BS to get to the real goal, which is to own every possible tool in the whole wide world. LOL
 

Rusty Kustoms

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So glad I'm not the only one with the same opinion.All this bashing is getting old real quick.I've been a member of this forum for almost 4 yrs now and lurked for a while before that and until today had never considered using the ignore feature.That is saying something considering the amount of ridiculous stuff I've seen posted in that time.I think it's time to finally press the button.

The ignore feature works pretty good, the only downside is when someone quotes the ignored post it shows up. I think that a certain member should be banned, he is very close minded and thinks we should change and adopt his tool buying requirements. Until that happens I will use the ignore feature and try to ignore the quoted posts as well.:beer:
 
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