Harbor Freight Torque Wrench. Trustworthy? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

slapthefunkyfour · 09-22-2010, 11:26 AM

I picked one of these up last week. They were on sale for $12. Yeah, I know, you get what you pay for, but that's a pretty good deal. It is at least as good as the ones you can rent at Checker or Autozone.

I wasn't planning on using it on anything that is really important like main caps, connecting rods or head bolts. But then I got thinking. Would you guys trust a harbor freight torque wrench for the important things? I'm gonna put my heads on tonight and I am wondering if this wrench will be good enough.

I do have access to a nice Proto torque wrench, but it doesn't come around very often.

ERASER5 · 09-22-2010, 11:55 AM

Get the Pronto and torque a nut. A lug nut would be a good choice. Start off at 30 ft-lb. Switch to the HB also set at 30 ft-lb and see if the nut moves or not. Go up in steps, switching tools, switching which one you use first. Go up to 120 ft-lbs or so. Prove to your self weather the HB is OK or not. Anything else is just a guess based on opinion. This test will be based a trusted wrench. Of course if the Pronto is not correct, then all bets are off.

Good luck.

slapthefunkyfour · 09-22-2010, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ERASER5

Get the Pronto and torque a nut. A lug nut would be a good choice. Start off at 30 ft-lb. Switch to the HB also set at 30 ft-lb and see if the nut moves or not. Go up in steps, switching tools, switching which one you use first. Go up to 120 ft-lbs or so. Prove to your self weather the HB is OK or not. Anything else is just a guess based on opinion. This test will be based a trusted wrench. Of course if the Pronto is not correct, then all bets are off.

Good luck.

Duh. Why didn't I think of that.

GMC87 · 09-22-2010, 02:22 PM

I have the small Harbor freight one down to like 5lbs or something like that I tested mine against a craftsman and it tested out good. I have used on small engine stuff motorcycles and quads and has turned out fine.

VA72C10 · 09-22-2010, 06:22 PM

If you know a snap on or matco tool truck guy they have a tool to test the accuracy of torque wrenches on their trucks...

09-22-2010, 11:26 AM	#1
slapthefunkyfour Super Newb Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Layton, Utah Posts: 142	Harbor Freight Torque Wrench. Trustworthy? I picked one of these up last week. They were on sale for $12. Yeah, I know, you get what you pay for, but that's a pretty good deal. It is at least as good as the ones you can rent at Checker or Autozone. I wasn't planning on using it on anything that is really important like main caps, connecting rods or head bolts. But then I got thinking. Would you guys trust a harbor freight torque wrench for the important things? I'm gonna put my heads on tonight and I am wondering if this wrench will be good enough. I do have access to a nice Proto torque wrench, but it doesn't come around very often.

09-22-2010, 11:55 AM	#2
ERASER5 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 4,859	Re: Harbor Freight Torque Wrench. Trustworthy? Get the Pronto and torque a nut. A lug nut would be a good choice. Start off at 30 ft-lb. Switch to the HB also set at 30 ft-lb and see if the nut moves or not. Go up in steps, switching tools, switching which one you use first. Go up to 120 ft-lbs or so. Prove to your self weather the HB is OK or not. Anything else is just a guess based on opinion. This test will be based a trusted wrench. Of course if the Pronto is not correct, then all bets are off. Good luck. __________________ '70 GMC C1500 LWB Power disc brakes. WooHoo! Posi 6 Lug Dana 60

09-22-2010, 02:22 PM	#4
GMC87 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: N.Canton, Ohio Posts: 70	Re: Harbor Freight Torque Wrench. Trustworthy? I have the small Harbor freight one down to like 5lbs or something like that I tested mine against a craftsman and it tested out good. I have used on small engine stuff motorcycles and quads and has turned out fine.

09-22-2010, 06:22 PM	#5
VA72C10 VA72C10 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Midlothian, VA Posts: 25,267	Re: Harbor Freight Torque Wrench. Trustworthy? If you know a snap on or matco tool truck guy they have a tool to test the accuracy of torque wrenches on their trucks... __________________ Looking for a 67-72 swb or blazer project in or around VA.



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