Harbor Freight Torque Wrench
11-08-2010, 01:22 PM
#1
Race Director
Thread Starter
Harbor Freight Torque Wrench
on sale for $9.99. Stated accurace is +-6%, but that's better than nothing if you don't have one.
Coupon attached
Coupon attached
11-08-2010, 03:54 PM
#5
Le Mans Master
I'm on HF torque wrench #3.
It's a triple purpose tool; when it breaks as a torque wrench, it can be used as a breaker bar, and also as a hammer.
It's a triple purpose tool; when it breaks as a torque wrench, it can be used as a breaker bar, and also as a hammer.
11-08-2010, 04:16 PM
#6
Race Director
Thread Starter
I've had "good" one break as well, but considering 99% of wheels are installed with an impact wrench, I still think a $10 torque wrench is worth trying.
11-08-2010, 07:17 PM
#9
Former Vendor
I have tens of thousand$ in tools for everything from framing, plumbing, electrical, cabinetry, carpet, tile, roll cage building, furniture, refinishing, just not many tools I ever really need I do not have, no matter the task. Most of mine are very good tools, some are HF as they do the job and may get used just a few times.
I just sold my dually wheels and the guy was a bit short on funds so I accepted a MAC tools 3/4" torque wrench as part of the deal, it was very costly when new and barely used. I may not use it much and the HF would of been ok as I have a 35 year old Proto 1/2 " that was tested on the finish calibration system ever made and it was the most accurate they had seen out of the thousands at the base, some that cost a small fortune. It was accurate to 1/4 lb at the ends of the ranges, even closer the middle majority of the range, dead on right in the middle. I take very good care of that tool!
I would never pay what they charge for a big name brand tool unless it was the only one worth buying or I know I will use it a great deal and want to know it will last and work or I take one in trade. I got the Proto one because somebody owed me $75, it was brand new and cost $125 and glad I did as it has served me through engine builds, all sorts of stuff.
My tools place of importance to me is only listed below my family and a few special friends, not even above cars, booze, food, etc....well, maybe booze and food
Rick
I just sold my dually wheels and the guy was a bit short on funds so I accepted a MAC tools 3/4" torque wrench as part of the deal, it was very costly when new and barely used. I may not use it much and the HF would of been ok as I have a 35 year old Proto 1/2 " that was tested on the finish calibration system ever made and it was the most accurate they had seen out of the thousands at the base, some that cost a small fortune. It was accurate to 1/4 lb at the ends of the ranges, even closer the middle majority of the range, dead on right in the middle. I take very good care of that tool!
I would never pay what they charge for a big name brand tool unless it was the only one worth buying or I know I will use it a great deal and want to know it will last and work or I take one in trade. I got the Proto one because somebody owed me $75, it was brand new and cost $125 and glad I did as it has served me through engine builds, all sorts of stuff.
My tools place of importance to me is only listed below my family and a few special friends, not even above cars, booze, food, etc....well, maybe booze and food
Rick
11-08-2010, 08:25 PM
#10
Drifting
Rick, there are tools I buy that aren't high end. Things like screwdrivers, sockets, etc. I have had sockets break, good and bad. Sears will take back a cracked socket and a box endwith the bolt welded to the end in order to remove after the socket cracked. Snapon will tell you to get bent.
Then again, I've had $50 sears torque wrenches that last about a year with moderate use. I figured I wanted to only by a torque wrench once, so I went snapon, paid the $250 or whatever it was. They're now 10 years old, and do not have any issues whatso ever. I imagine in another 10 I'll send em in for a check up.
10 years at even 2 years' use from the $50 sears wrench is $250. Everything past what I'm doing now is gravy.
Then again, I've had $50 sears torque wrenches that last about a year with moderate use. I figured I wanted to only by a torque wrench once, so I went snapon, paid the $250 or whatever it was. They're now 10 years old, and do not have any issues whatso ever. I imagine in another 10 I'll send em in for a check up.
10 years at even 2 years' use from the $50 sears wrench is $250. Everything past what I'm doing now is gravy.
11-08-2010, 08:34 PM
#11
Former Vendor
I understand completely buddy but one thing after wrenching on stuff for 42 years is having a tool break is taking away valuable time I care not to give up, how many more do I have do this, who knows!
So, I buy good when I need good and ok when I think it will do the job and sometimes ok but buy two just in case
Sears has always been good to me, never once said no, not even given me any grief at all. (most of my hand tools are from them for that reason and I have not really broken many but have worn out a few)
Rick
So, I buy good when I need good and ok when I think it will do the job and sometimes ok but buy two just in case
Sears has always been good to me, never once said no, not even given me any grief at all. (most of my hand tools are from them for that reason and I have not really broken many but have worn out a few)
Rick
11-08-2010, 10:51 PM
#13
Safety Car
Had mine for over 3 years. Wheels haven't come off yet. I will have to say, when my car came back from the tire place, it took me setting mine to 105 ft/lbs to match the tire place's 100ft/lbs. So that is what I set mine to. The tools I have gotten from HF have held up pretty good. The 1/2" ratchet I got from them, we tried to break it when repl motor, but it is still going strong. $11.99 at HF vs $33 for Craftsman - no brainer. Also, their 3 piece thumb ratchet set for 3.99 is handy to have in tool box.
11-09-2010, 02:11 PM
#14
11-09-2010, 06:38 PM
#15
Le Mans Master
My first one broke after 4 years.
I bought two more and use them for lug nuts. One in the track box and one in the garage.
It works fairly well.
I bought two more and use them for lug nuts. One in the track box and one in the garage.
It works fairly well.
11-09-2010, 11:57 PM
#16
I have one, been using it all season without problem.
I don't know if a torque wrench counts as a hand tool, but their hand tools are guaranteed forever (or at least as long as they are in business).
I don't know if a torque wrench counts as a hand tool, but their hand tools are guaranteed forever (or at least as long as they are in business).
11-10-2010, 04:34 PM
#18
Pro
Member Since: Apr 2001
Location: Arizona by way of Ohio,USA
Posts: 686
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I had one when it went after more than a year, they replaced it free. The next one is still going after several years.
I use the HF wrench to pre-torque at 50 and then 75 lbs and use a Harbor Freight nylon-protected socket with it. I have a second bigger name TQ-wrench with a second (Harbor Freight) nylon external-jacketed socket to do the final wheel torque.
It is much quicker for me to multi-torque using the two wrenches and the $10 wrench is perfect.
Mike
11-12-2010, 03:19 PM
#20
Burning Brakes
I'm on my second one. Got the first using a coupon like Dave's and when it broke I took it back and the handed me a new one. We have a dozen or so brand names that we use at tech inspections and I've checked mine against one of those and was close enough ( 2lbs high ). People make fun but they aren't bad for $10.