For you Harbor Freighters.........

[bigdee]

I am against the Chinese demise of American manufacturing BUT to say China builds junk is a myth. The real truth is American retailers are demanding low cost from the Chinese to bolster their bottom line. The Chinese infrastructure and very high tech manufacturing plants are far superior than most antiquated U.S plants. Because of unbalanced trade the Chinese have been able to invest into one of the most advanced manufacturing empires in the world. Harbor Freight demands low cost (low quality is net results) from China.

 

[WIMUSKY]

I had a Craftsman torque wrench when they were still made in USA...piece of junk.

I have an inch pound made in the US and a foot pound that doesn't say where it's made. Maybe China. Had the smaller one a lot longer. I like them both.

What didn't you like????

 

[bruceb58]

What didn't you like????

The torque wasn't accurate. Eventually something loosened up and the knob you set the torque with eventually slipped so you had no idea what torque you were setting. Ended up in the trash can.

I now have 4 different CDI torque wrenches which are made by Snap-On.

 

[gm280]

The torque wasn't accurate. Eventually something loosened up and the knob you set the torque with eventually slipped so you had no idea what torque you were setting. Ended up in the trash can.

I now have 4 different CDI torque wrenches which are made by Snap-On.

bruceb58, unless you actually calibrate your torque wrench or have it checks periodically for verification, you have no idea what even a Snap-On torque wrench is set at. The government actually requires all aircraft workers to test and turn in any torque wrench that doesn't make specs. They actually have test stations for the workers to test before using. So even a great torque wrench is merely a close reading at best. Just saying. JMHO

 

[bruceb58]

bruceb58, unless you actually calibrate your torque wrench or have it checks periodically for verification, you have no idea what even a Snap-On torque wrench is set at.

The CDI torque wrenches I purchased came with calibration certificates. I am well aware they need to be calibrated periodically.

The Sears torque wrench wasn't even within 50%. It could not be calibrated.

 

[MTboatguy]

I have 3 HF torque wrenches calibrated every single year here locally at one of the machine shops, works out just fine for me.

 

[gm280]

I have 3 HF torque wrenches calibrated every single year here locally at one of the machine shops, works out just fine for me.

I never have had any of my torque wrenches checked or recalibrated. Why? Because for the most part they are close, and the fact that you torque everything in a pattern and to the same numbers means the item you are torquing is tightened equally all the way around. And I have never ever had any issue with a blow head gasket or leaky assemblies or such. And you can bet that torquing a bolt or nut without lube and without lube will yield different tightness. So even though no torque wrenches are absolute, they do what the initial idea is to get surfaces close but equal when assembling. If this were a rocket ship or a life threatening issue, I absoltuely would have calibrated and daily checked torque wrenches. And that IS what military aircraft works have to do daily as well. But household issues, I'll continue doing like I've done for years. No problems and this is only my opinion and not trying to change anyone's opinions or minds. JMHO

 

[WIMUSKY]

I never have had any of my torque wrenches checked or recalibrated. Why? Because for the most part they are close, and the fact that you torque everything in a pattern and to the same numbers means the item you are torquing is tightened equally all the way around. And I have never ever had any issue with a blow head gasket or leaky assemblies or such. And you can bet that torquing a bolt or nut without lube and without lube will yield different tightness. So even though no torque wrenches are absolute, they do what the initial idea is to get surfaces close but equal when assembling. If this were a rocket ship or a life threatening issue, I absoltuely would have calibrated and daily checked torque wrenches. And that IS what military aircraft works have to do daily as well. But household issues, I'll continue doing like I've done for years. No problems and this is only my opinion and not trying to change anyone's opinions or minds. JMHO

That's where I stand too..... We also know you meant "with, w/o lube"........

 

[bruceb58]

I had a 3/8" HF torque wrench fail as well. Ripped a bolt head right off. I checked the thing after and it was 40% high. That's when I gave up on cheap torque wrenches and went to CDI.

Penny wise pound foolish using a cheap torque wrench, especially on something critical like suspension, cylinder heads and aluminum assemblies.

Of course even more foolish not using a torque wrench at all. I use a torque wrench every time I can, even on lug nuts.

 

[bruceb58]

I never have had any of my torque wrenches checked or recalibrated.

LOL....in one post you claim that I have no idea what my snap-on torque wrenches are set at and then you post this?

 

[gm280]

LOL....in one post you claim that I have no idea what my snap-on torque wrenches are set at and then you post this?

Whatever bruceb58, seems you missed the point again.

 

[bruceb58]

Whatever bruceb58, seems you missed the point again.

Maybe because you had one point in one post and the exact opposite point in the next! :facepalm:
JMHO

bruceb58, unless you actually calibrate your torque wrench or have it checks periodically for verification, you have no idea what even a Snap-On torque wrench is set at.

I never have had any of my torque wrenches checked or recalibrated.

 

[Grub54891]

I have a cheapo torque wrench, have had it for 20+ years. I have checked it, comparing it to a snap on. I place a bolt in a vice, torque a nut on to it starting from low torque on up to max torque. I tighten it with mine, then mark the nut where it stops, and note the setting. Then I loosen the nut, torque it with the snap on, and check where the nut stops. I compare the two all the way through the settings, jumping 10 pounds between each setup. By golly the settings are pretty darn equal all the way through. One of the key things I've always done is unload the setting before putting it away. If left loaded, the spring will be under tension all the time, and lose its "spring".

 

[bruceb58]

Easier way is to hang a weight 1 foot down the arm or get a pipe and extend it further and measure at 2 and 3 foot lengths with various weights. That is how I measured how bad my HF and Sears torque wrenches were.

Another huge problem with the HF torque wrenches are that they are not linear as I found out. They may be dead nuts on at 50 and way off at 100.

 

[bigdee]

I never have had any of my torque wrenches checked or recalibrated. Why? Because for the most part they are close, and the fact that you torque everything in a pattern and to the same numbers means the item you are torquing is tightened equally all the way around. And I have never ever had any issue with a blow head gasket or leaky assemblies or such. And you can bet that torquing a bolt or nut without lube and without lube will yield different tightness. So even though no torque wrenches are absolute, they do what the initial idea is to get surfaces close but equal when assembling. If this were a rocket ship or a life threatening issue, I absoltuely would have calibrated and daily checked torque wrenches. And that IS what military aircraft works have to do daily as well. But household issues, I'll continue doing like I've done for years. No problems and this is only my opinion and not trying to change anyone's opinions or minds. JMHO

I agree. Most mechanics can pretty much feel proper torque,the torque wrench is necessary on certain things for equal tightening. The exact torque on most things around the farm/home is not that critical unless the user is OCD.

 

[bruceb58]

I agree. Most mechanics can pretty much feel proper torque,the torque wrench is necessary on certain things for equal tightening. The exact torque on most things around the farm/home is not that critical unless the user is OCD.

Every auto mechanic I know that works at a dealer and good aftermarket shops uses a torque wrench. Very important for suspension work, engine assembly, even spark plugs. There are torque settings in your service manuals for a reason.

 

[MTboatguy]

Yup, just tighten the nut down until your eyes bulge out of your head and say that is Good!

LMAO

:facepalm:

 

[bruceb58]

Every bolt on the suspension of my mountain bike has the torque rating embossed on them. even my dropper post is very specific that you use the exact torque on the binder bolt.

I have a friend who is a mechanical engineer who does case work in liability cases. He is a firm believer in torque wrench for everything.

 

[StarTed]

I've checked a clicker torque wrench against a pointer type. I think that the pointer type tend to be more accurate although not as convenient or readable. I have a socket with a 1/2" square on both ends. It works great for such a check. I have 2 HF 1/2" clicker torque wrenches. One seems to work OK while the other is useless for accuracy unless set up with a known torque.

Another HF tool that doesn't have any accuracy or linearity is their tire pressure inflator gauges Now that the tires have digital gauges built into each wheel I found that my HF inflator reads way low. To get to 70 psi it needs to read around 80 to 85 psi. To get to 80 psi it needs to read around 100 psi. I complained at a tire shop and they verified that the built in gauges in the tires are very accurate on my pickup;.

 

[Pusher]

Yup, just tighten the nut down until your eyes bulge out of your head and say that is Good!

LMAO

:facepalm:

Huh, wish I'd known your method sooner! I wait till my tail pops out and use the preparation H later.