R50/53 Harbor Freight el-cheapo torque wrench
#1
Harbor Freight el-cheapo torque wrench
Harbor freight had a 1/4" torque wrench on sale for a super low price so I bought one. Does anybody know how to read this torque wrench? The lb increments are such that there is a line coming from the # and then that line zig zags down. I am unsure of where to set the torque setting. Does it go right where the line is @ the number or does it get set at the lower portion of the line after it zig-zags down.
Thanks,
K
Thanks,
K
#3
The Sears wrenches have the same basic markings as the HF units. I have a Craftsman, my Dad has the HF unit.
I have always set mine in between the numbers. Take into consideration I have never used it on something other than lug nuts. I'm interested as what others have to say also.
#7
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#8
#13
I have never had Sears refuse to replace any tool that was damaged and I have returned everything from steel chisels, broken screwdriver tips, broken tape measures and even a table saw that wouldn't align properly. No questions asked.
#14
I have found that if your nice and to the point Craftsman will be replaced .. I have had more than 1 "Precision instrument' replaced...
Harbor freight is hard to beat ... I have MANY of their tools and ALWAYS buy the extended warrantee.. Last purchase was a 18 volt 1/2 " drive impact wrench ... 39.99 and 9.99 for a3 yeay warrantee for ANYTHING !
REALLY nice for my tire changes at the track !
Torque wrench ... to be honest I may shop one or two steps up from Harbor ...
Harbor freight is hard to beat ... I have MANY of their tools and ALWAYS buy the extended warrantee.. Last purchase was a 18 volt 1/2 " drive impact wrench ... 39.99 and 9.99 for a3 yeay warrantee for ANYTHING !
REALLY nice for my tire changes at the track !
Torque wrench ... to be honest I may shop one or two steps up from Harbor ...
#15
That's been my experience as well... Of course, they usually replace the defective unit with a crappy "reconditioned" unit with an impossible-to-remove sticker on it, but it's better than re-purchasing a tool. I bought my socket set in 1987 and I've replaced both wrenches more than once. Good deal for them - I always seem to buy another tool when I'm in replacing the broken one.
#16
#18
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3/8" drive for most tasks. You could use it for lug bolts, but that may be pushing it a little. The half in drive is better suited for the wheel bolts, comfortably within its most accurate range (generally the middle third of its adjustment), and the longer handle makes for easier tightening. Don't use a torque wrench to break nuts 'n bolts free; the initial effort needed to start turning can easily exceed the wrench's working range. IMO.
#21
NEVER use the t wrench for removal ... GREAT advice
Also ... ALYAYS return the setting mechanism to 0 (ZERO)
#22
Join Date: Feb 2007
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New school: 89 ft/lbs +/- 7 ft/lbs. (120 Newton meters for our brethren across the pond using that new-fangled French metric measurement system)
#25
Torque Wrenches
The break-away/ratcheting torque wrenches usually come as follows:
1/4 in drive: 10 - 150 in/lbs
3/8 in drive: 100 - 750 in/lbs
1.2 in drive: 700 - 1400 in/lbs
I used these a great deal in the Air Force, and while extremely easy to use, they require annual calibration, unless it is dropped or handled roughly; then it needs immediate calibration. I always keep the type that has the long pointer that indicates the torque via diflection of the torque wrench. These usually have in/lb, ft/lb, and nt/mtr scales on it. These are a bit more rugged and have worked very well for me.
Cheers-
1/4 in drive: 10 - 150 in/lbs
3/8 in drive: 100 - 750 in/lbs
1.2 in drive: 700 - 1400 in/lbs
I used these a great deal in the Air Force, and while extremely easy to use, they require annual calibration, unless it is dropped or handled roughly; then it needs immediate calibration. I always keep the type that has the long pointer that indicates the torque via diflection of the torque wrench. These usually have in/lb, ft/lb, and nt/mtr scales on it. These are a bit more rugged and have worked very well for me.
Cheers-