[Shotimes] (OT) Cheap Torque Wrenches

[Steve Tatro]

I've been using the cheap torque wrenches from Harbor Freight for quite some
time.  They're obviously not the greatest tool ever made, but they do seem
to stay accurate.  I have the large model (also bought on sale for $9.99)
and also the smallest model ($27.99) which measures in inch-pounds.

Regarding the large model, store it at 10 ft-lbs, and don't ever go below.
The thing will fall apart ;^)

I personally wouldn't trust the large one for anything below about 30 ft-lbs
of torque.

Later,

Steve Tatro
Red/Black '93 with 171k miles
Cincinnati, Ohio


----- Original Message -----
From: "Ron Porter" <ronporter@prodigy.net>
To: "Shotimes" <shotimes@autox.team.net>; "V8List SHO" <v8sho@v8sho.com>
Sent: Friday, October 03, 2003 5:37 PM
Subject: [Shotimes] (OT) Cheap Torque Wrenches


> We have had a discussion of torque wrenches on the 911 for the last few
> days.
>
> Anyway, this guy mentioned the $10 Harbor Freight wrench below. Sounded
> great, and I ordered one for each car, just to use for lug nuts. If you
> enter the p/n online, you can see the picture & info, plus it's $19.99. Do
> as he says and "order from printed catalog", and it's $9.99!! For the
> catalog, enter as 239 - 3 - vga in the three p/n windows.
>
> Yes, it is a 1/2" drive, but it is good to 150 lbs/ft. They have a 3/8"
> drive for $17.99, but it's only good to 80 lbs/ft.
>
> Ron Porter
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Kevin Schwall [mailto:kschwall@bellsouth.net]
> Sent: Friday, October 03, 2003 8:10 AM
> To: 911/993/996
> Subject: [911] Torque wrenches
>
> After reading a similar account regarding a very successful test of the
> Harbor Freight click-type torque wrench a year or so back, I picked one up
> for the princely sum of about $10.  For a ratcheting CLICK-type torque
> wrench!  Anyhow, while I haven't tested it against anything more precise
> than my old Craftsman beam-type torque wrench, it has done its job
> perfectly.  Fit and finish is not Snap-On quality, but for 1/20th the
price
> it's a STEAL.  Disclaimer:  I use it for lug nuts, not commercial jet
> landing gear bolts.  For the latter I might go the Snap-On route.
>
> If you go to www.harborfreight.com and enter part number 239-3VGA in the
> "order from printed catalog" window, you'll get it for $9.99 now.
>
> Kevin
> $10 wrench, $60 lug nuts
> _______________________________________________
> Shotimes mailing list
> Shotimes@autox.team.net
> http://www.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shotimes