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I've been tempted to buy a very inexpensive $22.00 1/4-inch torque wrench at Harbor Frieght. They look like they are pretty well made, but when an equivalent from Craftsman costs even $80, it makes you wonder about how well they work and will continue to work. I'm not going to be using it every day, just to perform occasional maintenance on my R and my cars.

Any thoughts on the Harbor Freight units?

Many thanks.

I like buying quality tools but this is one instance where I got burned recently. I had one of those nifty $80 Craftsman wrenches and the handle broke. I couldn't fix it myself so I called Sears thinking they would just replace it but NO! They only have a one year warranty on torque wrenches

Sooo, I went to the local Harbor Freight and picked up the 1/2" and the 3/8" flavors. They aren't silky smooth working like the Craftsman was but they get the job done. They also carry a lifetime warranty if you keep the receipt... I believe they are stated as being within 4% of accurate so not the best but that's a whole lot better than guessing.

Back when I used to work in Sears Product services, torque wrenches was one of the things they 'serviced'. They were sent out to their small item repair in New Jersey and calibrated. They recommended doing it at a regular interval. I never sent mine out.

I've had nice torque wrenches to only disappear to friends garages and never return and others ruined by being used as a breaker bar. Not using any torque wrench wouldn't be good, so I guess the Harbor Freight one is better than nothing. Currently I have the Harbor Freight one in my garage and it's the only one my 'buddies' haven't kept. BTW, I bought it on sale for $15!

Someday I'll get a real good one.

If you also have the bending beam flat or round bar type you can creatively hook the two to each other with sockets and a tall nut to check the clicker torque wrench's calibration. Yes, the bending beam types are the most accurate and they do not loose there accuracy. I know this, as 15+ years ago I worked in a Metrology (calibration) lab in P&WA where, among many other types of test equipment, torque wrenhes were checked with a master dial reading unit. The spring types were so good that the clicker types weren't allowed on the production line. Now-a-days there are electronic strain gauge units that are very accurate and really expensive. Even a good clicker type torquewrench should be calibrated every year and not mistreated. Any Snap-On Tool truck can perform the calibration for your wrench if you ask them.

Long story short: I long ago bought one of those Harbor Freight 3/8" drive units and after checking it found it very close to perfect. I adjusted it to match my good bending bar type wrench and it gets used when needed and reading the bar type is difficult or not possible in tight places. If you can't justify spending $80, then a $22 unit is a lot better than winging-it.

Thanks to all for your advice.

Cyclrob, I think you're right. I've opted for a round-beam version from KD tools http://www.toolsource.com/ost/product.a ... 94XF500439 and the 1/4-inch click unit from Harbor Freight. I like the simplicity and price of the round-beam unit and can get both for less than a Craftsman unit. I'll be checking the accuracy of the Harbor Freight using the round-beam.

BTW, I have and highly recommend the Precision Instruments split-beam unit (20-100 ft. lbs.) that I really like, even though it does require occasional recalibration.

Thanks again.