Would you trust a Harbor Freight torque wrench?

[Greg]

Well, I think I'm going to buy a Tekton 1/2" drive torque wrench. I have plenty of Tekton tools and they're high quality... I'd trust them more than HF.

It won't be used for engines, I'll keep using my Craftsman torque wrench for the precision, expensive stuff.

 

[Mouse]

I'll give Tekton mixed reviews - some good, some not as good. I recommend you look for a review of what you want to buy before getting it. I believe some of their products are foreign made.

 

[Greg]

I'll give Tekton mixed reviews - some good, some not as good. I recommend you look for a review of what you want to buy before getting it. I believe some of their products are foreign made.

That specific 1/2" Tekton torque wrench has great reviews on Amazon, they claim its within 4% of spec which is good enough for me and my intended use. I'd prefer a SAE spec wrench of course, but like I said, I won't be using it for critical components.

It is foreign made and I understand the hesitation, but I recently bought a good amount of Tekton tools for work and have been very happy with the quality. Similar to Craftsman IMO.

TEKTON 1/2 Inch Drive Micrometer Torque Wrench (25-250 ft.-lb.) | 24340 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C5ZL1N...abc_3WGME1PG4KQ4C8HXMFJP?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Looks like 23k reviews and it's highly rated.

 

[Kevin B.]

I have some Tekton stuff, nothing precision but frankly it's been better than Kobalt or Husky. I'd run a Tekton torque wrench before I ran Pittsburgh for sure.

 

[Greg]

I have some Tekton stuff, nothing precision but frankly it's been better than Kobalt or Husky. I'd run a Tekton torque wrench before I ran Pittsburgh for sure.

Sums up my experience as well.

 

[Greg]

Hmmm... the Craftsman 1/2" will go up to 250 ft pounds and is just under $100 and it meets or exceeds ASME specifications.

CRAFTSMAN Torque Wrench, SAE, 1/2-Inch Drive (CMMT99434) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SQM2RQR/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_Q08MA8ZNWVR2JTGAAZZP

 

[shortstraw8]

I got my craftsman from lowes a few years back when they started carrying the line, only $65. My HF that I bought when I was 16 hasn't failed me yet, and is what gets thrown in for trips with all the in case something goes wrong.

 

[Spork]

I don't know about Craftsman, I have a socket set and feel the ratchets are several steps below Harbor Freight.

 

[Greg]

I don't know about Craftsman, I have a socket set and feel the ratchets are several steps below Harbor Freight.

Interesting... the thing I like with the TW is the ASME specifications.

 

[Tonkaman]

My go to torque wrenches have been CDI. They make torque wrenches for the tool truck brands but are very affordable under their generic brand. I do t have a large one from them, but love their smaller ones.

 

[glockman]

What @Tonkaman said. I own a couple Snap on wrenches I bought second hand and the rest are CDI. I also bought half a dozen CDI 3/8 wrenches for work where we are pretty high precision. They have been flawless and none have failed our annual calibration.

 

[I Lean]

Look what happened today! I haven't watched it yet, but it should be good for data comparisons.

 

[Kevin B.]

Slightly on topic - beam vs twisty vs digital, thoughts? Are any more likely to be more durable and accurate than another?

 

[skippy]

I like beam style torque wrenches. I use a snapon almost daily and wouldnt buy a cheaper one if it were me

 

[Greg]

I ended up with a Husky 1/2" torque wrench. It's not ASME spec, but it seemed like a better choice than a Harbor Freight torque wrench. It was pretty affordable at $50. I'm just doing suspension bolts so they're not super critical and it seems to be fine for my needs at this point. It's massive, plenty of leverage to reach that 250 ft/lbs!

 

[bryson]

I ended up with a Husky 1/2" torque wrench while shopping at Lowes. It's not ASME spec, but it seemed like a better choice than a Harbor Freight torque wrench. It was pretty affordable at $50. I'm just doing suspension bolts so they're not super critical and it seems to be fine for my needs at this point. It's massive, plenty of leverage to reach that 250 ft/lbs!

View attachment 145094

I have a Kobalt torque wrench from Home Depot (). It was a little more than $50, but for the couple years I've had it it's treated me well.

 

[Greg]

I have a Kobalt torque wrench from Home Depot (). It was a little more than $50, but for the couple years I've had it it's treated me well.

I couldn't find the link at Lowes, so the HD link had to suffice. Same thing though!

Kobalt seems like a good, reliable brand.

 

[Kevin B.]

I thought Husky was the Home Depot house brand?

 

[bryson]

I thought Husky was the Home Depot house brand?

It is. And Kobalt is a Lowes house brand. I think @Greg has inhaled too many fumes from his new plasma cutter recently.

 

[Medsker]

That's the one I got also. It seems to work just fine....