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WARNING- Some Harbor Freight torque wrenches are now China made

GearHack

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Joined
Jan 28, 2014
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5
Do you realize what you've done!? You just blew the lid off of the Harbor Freight scandal! Way to go Erin Brockovich.


I'm just here to steal.
 
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Scimmia

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Dec 2, 2014
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229
Are you trolling here? You really can't be serious. Or maybe you just haven't ever used a CDI wrench.

He's not trolling, there are people that have made that claim; or rather that these hold calibration better than a Snap-On.

It really is too bad. There are two SKUs listed on the HF site as well, with one (I'm assuming the new one) listing a 90 day warranty instead of the usual lifetime.
 

mmack66

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Dec 5, 2011
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2,947
Location
Kansas City, MO
He's not trolling, there are people that have made that claim; or rather that these hold calibration better than a Snap-On.

It really is too bad. There are two SKUs listed on the HF site as well, with one (I'm assuming the new one) listing a 90 day warranty instead of the usual lifetime.

No, he's trolling, and you guys fell for it.

No one has claimed that they hold calibration better than Snap-On torque wrenches, just that they are accurate, despite the low price.
 

panknuckshovel

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Apr 29, 2014
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2,990
Location
Land o Lakes FL
The COO is only found right next to the bar code on the original outer cardboard case sleeve. The China torque wrenches had Torx screws holding the ratchet head together while the Taiwan made torque wrenches all used Phillips screws, so that might be the only real way to easily tell which one you have.

The other day I was in the store and remembered this post, so I looked. The Chinese items were wrapped in plastic the Taiwan stuff wasn't. This was across the board for torque wrenches, impact sockets, comb wrench sets.
 
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NC-Shaun

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Nov 20, 2013
Messages
662
I think that forums would be more informative if the members only chose to provide input on tools they actually owned, or used. Rather than just attacking a particular brand of tool or flooding the thread with useless replies. However I am glad that this thread was made, because I never realized there was a review done by Hot Rod magazine confirming these wrenches are good...... I have been wanting a 3/8 and 1/2 Clicker wrench and a Digital Torque Adapter as well, now I know these wrenches are good and I can double check calibration on my current beam wrench, and the new clicker wrenches as well.
 

winlinmac

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Aug 17, 2015
Messages
3,778
Location
USA
I'm sure these torque wrenches are not going to be used much. I replaced a Taiwan made 1/4 torque wrench with China one today, and found the China quality to be slightly better this time around; can't believe it but its quite appreciable. The torque setting adjuster was a lot smoother, did not budge when set at a particular value. However, at the end of day, pretty sure there really isn't any difference with these Harbor Freight torque wrenches. The 3/8 and 1/2 are still Made in Taiwan; the 1/2 came with a quality check sticker on it.

The only true torque wrench item at Harbor Freight is the adapter, and that's it. :)

Back to my Beam-Torques for now.


If you have all the time in your hands, feel free to go to Harbor Freight and choose from their mixed batch of Torque wrenches. You have an extremely high chance of walking out with a dud. Save your money and invest in quality.

On The Garage Journal, Harbor Freight only gets its praise for its Sockets, Ratchets, Oscillating Multi-Tool and Electric Impact Wrench, and some disposables (gloves, etc).
 

Stevie-Ray

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Jul 23, 2013
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2,894
Location
Michigan's Sunrise Side
Every torque wrench from there that I've tested has been within accuracy specs. Popular Mechanics also did a test that proved as much.

As much as people like to hate on the HF torque wrenches, they are actually really accurate and precise. As in accurate and precise enough to be used for engine, transmission, suspensions or whatever rebuilds.

But hey, many on this forum won't see truth if it were to walk up and hits them.
Makes them feel justified about paying ten times the price for that Snap-On.:D
 

guy48065

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Aug 12, 2012
Messages
637
Location
Calibration Lab
That's ironic. HF Torque wrenches costs $10
:spit:

I wonder how much it costs to make just one.

"We make it up in volume."

Which I guess means they sell many many many more torque wrenches at $10 than SO does at $250. Or at least that's what they teach in school these days.

I think it's just that SO has 20X the overhead. If HF delivered tools door-to-door they might have to charge a bit more for that wrench. :lol_hitti
 

winlinmac

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Joined
Aug 17, 2015
Messages
3,778
Location
USA
This is amazing, these torque wrenches sell for $20 each on eBay
Just look at the shear volume of Pittsburgh Torque wrenches sold on a daily basis. It makes me wonder, how many are even aware of the $6.99 flat rate shipping rate directly from Harbor Freight.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Set-of-2-1-...c2f79ebaf13&rpp_icid=54cea098e4b097b79946c98e

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...h.TRS0&_nkw=pittsburgh+torque+wrench&_sacat=0

Some of these sellers should be careful with stating the lifetime warranty, as many Harbor Freight locations nowadays request for original proof of purchase (receipt)
 

oldtools

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Joined
Sep 15, 2008
Messages
2,706
Shame on me, I spent $480 on a Snap On torque Wrench when I could have had a Harbor Freight.

You could have an awesome torque wrench and used that $460 you saved to take your family out for some nice dinners. You squandered on an overpriced torque wrench instead.
 
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