[Shotimes] Re: Harbor Freight 1/2" Torque Wrench for $9.99

[fwhittle@mindspring.com]

Actually, what you're describing would be a 4 lb. error, not 4%.  With a 4% error at 20 lbs, that would amount to less than a pound off.  I agree with Ron that any error tends to be greater at the extremes.  Also, when using a torque wrench at the low end of its range, the click can be very difficult to feel.

No Harbor Freight store near me, but as it turns out, I'll be driving RIGHT past the one in Bakersfield (on Hwy 58), on my way to Vegas later today.  Guess I'll have to stop and get one and save the shipping and handling of about $8.

Frank Whittle
'95 ATX

Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2004 20:34:57 -0800
Subject: RE: [Shotimes] (OT) Harbor Freight 1/2" Torque Wrench for $9.99
From: Alan Fanning <Awfanning@earthlink.net>
To: SHOtimes <shotimes@autox.team.net>

One thing to check is whether the stated accuracy is at any setting (over
some range like 20%-100% of rated) or X% of rated. In the latter case, if
you have accuracy of, say, 4% of rated torque over the whole range, that
means at 20 ft-lbs you might get 16 ft-lbs or 24 ft-lbs and still be within
the rating. For that reason, I think you'll find that the accuracy of most
torque wrenches is higher at the top end of the peak torque rating and lower
at the bottom end. I would not recommend using a torque wrench below about
20% of it's peak rating if you really care what torque you're getting.

I had one of those 3/8'ths drive Craftsman, click-type, torque wrenches that
only clicked when it felt like it at the lower settings. A real POS that
could ruin your day in a hurry.

    Alan

> Message: 8
> From: "Ron Porter" <ronporter@prodigy.net>
> To: <shotimes@autox.team.net>
> Subject: RE: [Shotimes] (OT) Harbor Freight 1/2" Torque Wrench for $9.99
> Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2004 15:23:26 -0500
> 
> They claim calibration of +/- 4%, and IIRC from the LONG torque wrench
> discussion on the 911 list, these are quite accurate when new (as are most
> TWs).
> 
> One tip was to always set it back to the lowest setting when storing, and
> obviously don't use it as a hammer!!
> 
> OTOH, I wouldn't use this one to assemble a blueprinted race engine! 99% of
> my TW usage is for lug nuts, and 100 lbs/ft is right in the middle of this
> wrench's range, which should leave it calibrated finely enough for that
> task.
> 
> As I understand, the loss of calibration occurs at either extreme of the
> wrenches operating ranges.
> 
> Ron Porter