Inexpensive Torque wrenches from HF any good?

[LCHIEN]

Does anyone have any experience wilth HF's inexpensive 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2" square drive Torque wrenches? $20, $13, $20, respectively.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=94735

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=94892

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=94850

[BigguyZ]

I have experience with the 1/2" drive wrench. I bought it to use on my car. I haven't had any issues with it at all, and consider it a quality tool. However, I can't compare it at all with any other wrenches.

[drlien]

I've had a 1/2" drive one 6-7 years. I've used it to torque the lug nuts on our 3 cars every time I rotate the tires. Only gets used 5-10 times a year, but It's been really good to me. My dad has one too and has had similar results.

[Thom2]

For years I've had a cheap $20 (non-HF, but probably the same supplier) torque wrench that I've always said I would upgrade at some point. Well, 15 years later and I still have it, with no real complaints. IMO, the goal when using a torque wrench is to have EQUAL torque among a group of fasteners. In most cases, I don't feel that it's nearly as important that the torque be accurate to the ft lb as it is for all the fasteners in the group to have a fairly consistent torque.

The only reason I can honestly say that I'd replace what I have is just to have the piece of mind knowing that I have a more accurate tool. I honestly don't feel that I'd ever see any 'real' benefit out of spending the extra money.

[LowerUnit]

For years I've had a cheap $20 (non-HF, but probably the same supplier) torque wrench that I've always said I would upgrade at some point. Well, 15 years later and I still have it, with no real complaints. IMO, the goal when using a torque wrench is to have EQUAL torque among a group of fasteners. In most cases, I don't feel that it's nearly as important that the torque be accurate to the ft lb as it is for all the fasteners in the group to have a fairly consistent torque.

The only reason I can honestly say that I'd replace what I have is just to have the piece of mind knowing that I have a more accurate tool. I honestly don't feel that I'd ever see any 'real' benefit out of spending the extra money.

keywords; cheap, upgrade, accurate, fairly consistent...

I am new to woodworking, but have been a mechanic for a long time. I honestly DO feel that I've seen the benefit out of spending the extra money on such a tool. I also make sure I reset torque wrench to zero after every use before storing it (important to remove spring pressure and help maintain accuracy).

Q: Would you be happy with a professional mechanic you are going to pay $5000 to for rebuilding your engine if he used these torque wrenches?
A: Probably not.

It's seems the question is more subjective than "are they any good". Good is relative. I have owned a couple of tools for 15-20 years now and they were never any good, even when new. Length of possession has nothing to do with good.

Maybe for tightening wheels on your car, a consistant tightness is adequate. Tightening engine main bearings or nylon/plastic intake manifolds to an aluminum block without distortion, I believe you're going to want accuracy.

Ask yourself what your purpose is for the tool. Is this the type of tool you would want to upgrade or need quality results from?

Like I said, I'm new to woodworking. Woodworkers need clamps. I saw a knife block in the "finished projects" section. I made one last Sunday. Clamped it together using HF clamps (harmless - how important are clamps right?). Let's just say that one completely broke and the other two didn't work that well. I have a knife block that the layers shifted (requiring I plane it back flat again) and that two pieces didn't get tightly clamped well enough and appear to be delaminating. I'm ok with that as it's project #2 for me and I have a lot to learn. What I learned was, that I needed to get better clamps than the HF ones.

[LinuxRandal]

First, (said while rotfl), I think these were covered when we swapped forum software. (several posts were replaced with HF torque wrench post)

Second, like the above poster said, what are you using it for?

My experience is a bit different from his (and yes, I've turned some wrenchs). I have several different torque wrenchs, INCLUDING some high dollar ones. A friend sent his in to be recalibrated, via requirements (F.A.A) and I sent several in (he did this for me, since I didn't charge him for some work). A brand new one of the high dollar was WAY off, yet the HF one (his son sent in, needed a cheapy quick, as the shop had been broken into), was on the money. I was peeved.

A machinist friend also made the statement to me about backing them off (still have my first one, cheapy, from when I was 16, and it stays that way for storage). He said, most of the things your average person will work on, they will be fine, as long as all the bolts are evenly torqued, hence the torque wrench.

[LCHIEN]

First, (said while rotfl), I think these were covered when we swapped forum software. (several posts were replaced with HF torque wrench post)...

yeah right that was the sears micro-tork and I though about that when i posted. ( for those of you just arriving there was a post about the micro-tork that contaminated about 100+ other posts, about a year ago.)

As for the quality of the HF stuff, I have actually found the pittsburg hand tools to be fairly nicely finished and workable. Not as much poor fit & finish like the chicago power tools.
Sone other tools like the calipers have been low cost (one-fifth the price) winners just as accurate as high-dollar name brand tools I use at work. So I was just wondering if these fit the bill. I use a torque wrench every couple of years.

[Uncle Hook]

I am glad you asked this question. Over the years, I have needed a torque wrench on a few ocassions and have regretted not having one.

Over XMAs I bought a 3/8 Craftsman torque Wrench for $35.00 because it was on sale for 50% off.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...seBVCookie=Yes

Now I am debating whether to return the Craftsman and get the Harbor Freight Model.

[Stytooner]

I did spring for a higher quality wrench myself. I only use it on vehicles though. I have a book with torque specs found before I ever open the wrench box. Then when complete, I do reset to zero.
I have seen what a poor torque job or wrong torque specs can do. I was a mechanic in the Army and saw my share of oppses.
That said, I think the HF ones might be worth the money.
I haven't tried them, but if they are anywhere near the same accuracy I get with the digital calipers, then it would be fine for tightening lug nuts. At least on the right side of the vehicle.

[Hellrazor]

Loring,

Would you allow your surgeon to buy his scalpel at HF?

[LCHIEN]

Loring,

Would you allow your surgeon to buy his scalpel at HF?

I don't know about the scalpels, but I would fly in a jet plane built with HF calipers. I think they're that good.

What I want to know is if I would want to ride in a car assembled with HF Torque wrenches.

I've checked the calipers and they work fine. I may be able to check some of the HF torque wrenches, now that I think about it.

[Texas splinter]

In addition to storing the wrench at zero, you should always "warm it up" prior to using it. clamp the portion of the wrench that fits into the socket (the 1/4, 3/8, or 1/2' part) into a vice (lightly) and set the wrench to the torque you will be using. then turn the wrench to the torque break point - till the wrench "clicks". Do this several times. Now the wrench is ready to use.
Doing this distributes the lubrication in the wrench and assures even torques per the setting. Not doing this may result in the first few fasteners being torqued having a higher torque than the later ones.
I havn't worked my A&P license in 20 years, but this was a requirement by the FAA when I was working.

[Andrew Benedetto]

I have all 3, actually several 1/2" drives(keep in the trucks) in and use them all the time. They are made in Taiwan not China and are good quality, never had one fail. I Keep the lubed and always back off to zero when done as said. I warm them up on wheel lugs by setiing at a lower value and click,click on the nut , them set to proper torque and again always click at least 2x even when set at the proper setting. Do not store with tension. When on sale they can not be beat for the price and a Lifetime Warranty unlike the Sears which cost more and is less accurate.
BTW I have use them on my Motorcycles for 15 or more years too, 1/4" one for light torque and no problems w. Al threads, the click is somewhat faint on the 1/4" drive at low settings. The one time I got lazy and was torqueing the allen bolts on the triple clamp(handle bar area) w.o. the torque wrench, I stripped the threads and had to helicoil that one. I also had done extensive engine and suspension mods with them on my '95 Mustang Cobra, and that car ran great. Never should have sold that car, my wife made me do it!

[JimD]

Loring,

You may remember from some of my earlier posts that I am not a huge HF fan (I do not order from them mail order due to too slow delivery, for instance). I have an old beam type 1/2 torque wrench from Sears and rarely need a torque wrench so I thought I was set. Then I needed a wrench to put a trailer hitch on a new vehicle and my son wanted to use his HF. It was noticably easier to use than my old beam type. I then bought my own 1/2 and 3/8 and the next time they have the 1/4 on sale I will probably buy that too. I do not trust them to be real precise (but maybe we shouldn't trust the ones that cost 10x as much either from what I am reading) but I think they are a lot better than my guess at what the torque is. I have probably done all the heavy duty wrenching I am going to do (unless it is helping my son with something) and I am pretty confident the HF wrenches are good enough for my needs. You have to listen for the setting - it does not blare at you or anything - and you need to understand how to read a micrometer type device because that is how it is set (but the instructions are not bad) but I think they are basically one of the good ones at HF. Almost unbelievably cheap but fine for a casual user.

Jim

[Hellrazor]

I don't know about the scalpels, but I would fly in a jet plane built with HF calipers. I think they're that good.

What I want to know is if I would want to ride in a car assembled with HF Torque wrenches.

I've checked the calipers and they work fine. I may be able to check some of the HF torque wrenches, now that I think about it.

I would not.. unless I could test the wrench against one I knew was good. We passed on buying one for work. Once and a while we have to torque a walk mount toilet and I am not using a HF wrench on porcelain.