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Old 07-19-2017, 08:08 AM   #1
Desert185
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HF Torque Wrench

I've been wanting a click-type, 1/4" drive, inch-pound torque wrench. HF had a sale a few months back for $9. With my dad's reservations echoing in my head from years back, and with reservations, I reluctantly buy one from HF. Afterall, it's NINE BUCKS! What could go wrong?

I finally have a requirement for using the ugly little duckling. (I have a bar-type, but I'm tired of standing on my head with a flashlight in my mouth to read it.) Set 120 in-lbs, and on the third nut it skips like the internal gear has a broken tooth. Reverting to mild profanity, the echoing of my dad lecturing me on not buying crap tools returns. I put the flashlight in my mouth and stand on my head and reap the continuing benefits of quality and simplicity. Dad is still the MAN.

With my "local" HF being 75 minutes away, I combine the trip with other scheduled plans. As I walk into the store, the gal at the register sees the ugly duckling in the plastic case and says, "Just go get another one and we'll swap it out." I ask if this is a common problem and she advises that there is a lifetime warranty on the ugly ducklings.

150 miles round trip and 150 seconds in the store for a $9 good deal. I'm buying a used Brand S, getting it calibrated and enjoying the lifetime warranty I'll probably never need. It will have a good home next to my other Brand S torque wrenches. Dad is now looking down with an approving nod and smile.

The new ugly duckling? Probably just use it as a ratchet wrench. For nine bucks, what could go wrong?
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Old 07-19-2017, 09:08 AM   #2
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There is usually only ONE good thing about buying cheap tools like that.....it really doesn't bother you much when you "accidentally" leave it somewhere.....hoping that someone else finds their "treasure".

In fact, it's quite fun if you have a neighbor....or maybe a brother-in-law that borrows things but never seems to bring them back.
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Old 07-19-2017, 09:11 AM   #3
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that's interesting (I have the same dad voice in my head that you do) but HF torque wrenches seem to have a very non-HF reliability from my experience and from what I've heard and read. They have seemed to be the "you get what you pay for" exception from Harbor Freight ...

but, seems like either my experience is the exception, or they've decided to ensure torque wrenches now meet the same quality standards as the rest of their throw away merchandise.
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Old 07-19-2017, 10:43 AM   #4
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I do not use my tools to earn a pay check, so, I buy what I can balance price and use. I got a HF wrench several years ago for the only reason, lug nuts.
I use it on 3 motor vehicles, boat trailer and TT. It is likely far from the best. But, also light years ahead of using the star lug wrench. If it breaks I will buy another.
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Old 07-19-2017, 11:31 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken / Claudia View Post
I do not use my tools to earn a pay check, so, I buy what I can balance price and use. I got a HF wrench several years ago for the only reason, lug nuts.
I use it on 3 motor vehicles, boat trailer and TT. It is likely far from the best. But, also light years ahead of using the star lug wrench. If it breaks I will buy another.
I understand.

I used to spin wrenches for a living a very long time ago. These days, its just a hobby endeavor. I like good tools, good beer, good whiskey, a good watch, good clothing, good food, good guns, etc. My likes aren't overdone, so I can afford the good stuff. If I'm only going to have one or two beers a month, why drink the cheap stuff? Many of my dad's tools from over 70 years ago are in use. They still work and my son will be using them as generational hand-me-downs.

Looking at that torque wrench, and having the issue that I did, I am reluctant to use it on an upcoming maintenance project that involves torquing brass, tapered pipe thread fuel injectors into an aluminum head at 50 in-lbs. If the torque is wrong and I strip the head...$$$ for saving a few bucks on a torque wrench. My AK-47 and that 50 year old, bar-type, in-lb, Craftsman torque wrench has better workmanship and reliability.

Different strokes, I guess. I posted this for folks to decide for themselves. I'm sure HF will be fine for lugnuts, though. Just be careful when you might have to depend on it when you need it.
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Old 07-19-2017, 11:49 AM   #6
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I do earn money at the RV dealership and my driveway. Only had 1 HF torque wrench break. 40+ yrs on the driveway, past 5 at RV dealerships. BOTH tool boxes are filled with mostly HF stuff. My drill guns are Makita 12V.
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Old 07-19-2017, 12:10 PM   #7
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Good story about your Dad.
My dad was a structural Ironworker. Hanging I beams for skyscrapers. His tools were a spudwrench and a hammer. I was a refinery Millwright for 20 years before I jumped across the table to "the dark side". Then Inspector, Machinery Specialist and "SENIOR Machinery Specialist. whoo whoo! Any way...yeah when the calibration sticker said time for re-cal it went back to the tool room. How many torque wrenches do I have...a small one for gun scope mounting, an Armstrong 1/4", then Harbor Freight: 1/4", 1/2" and a 3/4" mostly for trailer ball torque. So far no issues. I don't have a calibrated forearm but from experience they seem close. Heck fire...I might find a good one in 1/2" to compare sometime.
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Old 07-19-2017, 12:39 PM   #8
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Personal experience, I've gone through three 1/4" JF torque wrenches in the last 5 years. They are junk and finally replaced it with a Husky brand which actually works. The 1/2" variety torque wrenches from HF are a different breed and have held up for years for me. They are accurate too. First 1/2" last me almost 8 years (good for any HF product that's abused). I have 2 others, one in the trailer, and one for my garage.
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Old 07-19-2017, 12:44 PM   #9
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I don't use my 1/4 drive inch/pound wrench very much, may be the reason it's still good to go.
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Old 07-19-2017, 12:56 PM   #10
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^^^Same here. Not even sure why I have it. Shiny I guess.
I "think" it has a different range than my Armstrong.
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Old 07-19-2017, 03:34 PM   #11
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I have HF and Craftsman torque wrenches. I get comparable readings from all no matter the brand. The directions all say to "have them calibrated" every year or so, but I never have. I compare them against each other.
I grew up on a farm with equipment, trucks, trailers, etc and never new what a torque wrench was. Somehow we survived using common sense instead, I guess. Or maybe we were just lucky.
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Old 07-19-2017, 04:39 PM   #12
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I have all sorts of torque wrenches; expensive ones and HF. In general I'm good with HF. The expensive ones feel more expensive in the way they operate but at the end of the day I just want to tighten a nut. I will say that I have a 3/8 HF that started acting flakey so now it's just a long handled ratchet...and a pretty good one at that. I doubt QC is as tight on a HF torque wrench but hey! they give you free ones!! Now, their chrome plated cheapo sockets....no.
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Old 07-19-2017, 04:39 PM   #13
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120 inch lbs !? Why not just use ft lbs wrench set @ 10 lbs. I'd never push an inch unit that far. But then again I only use an inch unit to check bearing preload.
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Old 07-19-2017, 05:41 PM   #14
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I have to reply to post #5. I am big on firearm quality since they either mean my life or food on the table. So, last year I look for a 300 price range .38 2 inch. The gun dealer I have known for about 25 years. He shows me several, then pulls out a 950 dollar S&W pro series .38. After handled it I needed it. Night/ day different from the 300 dollar guns. If HF had different grades of the wrenches, I likely would have paid more for a better one if I held both and understood why the one cost more vs the cheaper one.
Oh, the gun, I bought it and qualified with it 100% last 2 times. Only guy at dept using a revolver as a CCW or back up gun.
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Old 07-19-2017, 06:43 PM   #15
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I bought a HF 1/2" torque wrench about 10 years ago when it was on sale. Over the years I've had it calibrated at the PME lab by a friend who is still on active duty. It still works as well as any, so I keep it. The last time I was at HF they had their torque wrenches on sale for $9.99, so I bought a 1/4" and a 3/8". So far, I haven't even taken them out of the box. Maybe I ought to at least take a look? I can't say if they are made by the same company or if they are even the same type of wrench, but if they make it through the PME lab next time I'm in Dayton, I'll use them, if not, maybe a boat anchor ??? At the price, for what I use them, I can't justify an expensive set of tools that would sit for 6 months without ever being taken out of the box.

Now, for the 1/2" wrench, I use it every morning when we're towing to check lug nuts, so it does get used enough to probably justify a better quality wrench and if this one ever fails calibration, I might look at spending more money, then again, with a lifetime warranty and it's already 10 years old, maybe a replacement would last until I die ????
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Old 07-19-2017, 07:18 PM   #16
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My Snap On's and a MAC rock. Dead reliable. No failures. I just don't like failures. Apparently, the 1/4" drive HF is failure prone, something I've never heard here from those who have had good success with HF torque wrenches, which is a prime reason for me posting the experience.
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Old 07-19-2017, 09:41 PM   #17
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I've never had an adjustable 1/4" drive torque wrench. We used T handle wrenches that were permanently set at the required torque value. Orange for 12-15 inlb, blue for 18-22 and black for 25-28. Since this is my first experience with HF's 1/4" offering, I appreciate the heads up. I had already planned to take it to Dayton on our next visit with our daughter and family, so now I'll be sure not to forget the wrenches. A quick PME check sure won't hurt.
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Old 07-19-2017, 10:09 PM   #18
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My 1/4" torque wrench is going on 10 years old, granted it is rarely used.
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Old 07-19-2017, 11:37 PM   #19
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What I found as I overtightened multiple transmission pan bolts, if the rotation force on the wrench's handle changed the approach angle of the socket by more than a couple of degrees, the gear action in the head locked out the "clicker point".

The wrench seemed to work as tested on my flat work bench with a vice. The force applied did not change the angle of contact with the test bolt and it "clicked" through a range of torgue settings successfully.

But as soon as I used it lying on the ground on my back in a precarious position, the gearing would lock up that "clicker point" and the bolt would be overtightened (or striped). After you strip out 2 pans bolts, it was "shame on me" time.
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Old 07-20-2017, 08:20 AM   #20
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Bought a HF 1/2" torque wrench years ago. Finally had to take it in to be replaced late last year. .. Pretty earned satisfied. Use it on the fifth wheel, the truck and our Honda Accord...
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