Chinese Torque Wrenches
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 38,428
Likes: 896
I have checked the accuracy of both the 1/2 and the 3/8 drive from Harbor Freight against both my MAC and my Snap On wrenches. They are all within a couple of pounds as tested on a Snap On Torque Wrench Test bench.(we had one in our tool room at the place I worked)
Keep in mind that all fasteners have a tolerance...usially +/- a few pounds....this can be found in the specs.
What you are really intrested in with the use of a torque wrench is repeatibility.
You not only want to get a fastener pulled down to its optimum holding point, You want to insure that ALL of the fasteners which are holding that particular part are ALL pulled to that same point.
As long as your wrench accomplishes this, it really makes no difference to me who makes it.
Keep in mind that all fasteners have a tolerance...usially +/- a few pounds....this can be found in the specs.
What you are really intrested in with the use of a torque wrench is repeatibility.
You not only want to get a fastener pulled down to its optimum holding point, You want to insure that ALL of the fasteners which are holding that particular part are ALL pulled to that same point.
As long as your wrench accomplishes this, it really makes no difference to me who makes it.
Thread Starter
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,906
Likes: 145
From: SE Louisiana
Agreed, I just wanted some assurance the accuracy claimed for the Pittsburgh wrenches (+/-4%) has some relation to reality.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 4
From: Celebration, FL
Harbor Freight torque wrenches are junk. I stripped out my primary cover using one. I took it back, and the cashier said that she gets them back broken all the time. I have nothing against their tools, I get stuff from them all the time, but will never trust one of their torque wrenches again.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,059
Likes: 1
From: Little Elm, TX
I've used Harbor Freight tools for many years. They proudly lay in the box with all the others, Snap-on, Mac, Craftsman... Never had a problem with any of them that I haven't had with some of the others also. I dooo love my little Snap-on 3/8" stubby ratchet tho.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 445
Likes: 33
From: irwin pa.
calibration
If you look at the torque wrenches they all have a plus/minus number in the reading and you will find that the hfrght ones have the very same numbers as the really expensive ones. The accuracy should be the same.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 715
Likes: 0
From: 22 miles west of South Bend
Craftsman brand hand tools, made in USA by Danaher Tool Group. (Craftsman power tools are imported). This is from the website
http://www.stillmadeinusa.com/tools.html#handtools
http://www.stillmadeinusa.com/tools.html#handtools
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,022
Likes: 3
From: Hudson Valley- NY
I have used Harbor Freight power and hand tools without any problems for several years, with the exception of their screwdriver bits which strip easily and are crap. Of the 3 torque wrenches I have, my first is a beam type SK Tool which is over 30 years old, a clicker Craftsman in foot lbs. and a smaller 3/8" drive Pittsburgh one which measures in inch lbs. All have been very accurate as far as I can tell, never broke a bolt, never had anything shake loose that wouldn't have shaken loose anyway 
and never had any problem with the wrenches. The clicker type are easier and I would guess a little more accurate than my old beam type. Just my experience.
and never had any problem with the wrenches. The clicker type are easier and I would guess a little more accurate than my old beam type. Just my experience.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5,914
Likes: 3,205
From: On one of 10,000
Harbor Freight torque wrenches are junk. I stripped out my primary cover using one. I took it back, and the cashier said that she gets them back broken all the time. I have nothing against their tools, I get stuff from them all the time, but will never trust one of their torque wrenches again.
Same here with their torque wrenches; "Fool me once, shame on U, fool me twice, shame on me"...
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
Likes: 29
I called a calibration lab and spoke to a tech about HF torque wrenches. He said they were as good or better than the Craftsman wrenches. He said the major difference was the Crapsman had a better finish and handle.....With that said, I have 2 HF wrenches that work just fine. I have checked them against a couple of high buck big name wrenches and found them to be accurate.
