$329 torque wrench at Harbor Freight

[Donald]

HF promotes it as a new product. Large digital angle torque wrench. Seems like a lot of money to spend for a torque wrench from any company short of SnapOn.

 

[Rand]

how about a link.. cant find it.

speaking of links.. this one is an EXACT replica of my precision instuments split beam torque wrench
HF ICON
https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-...fessional-split-beam-torque-wrench-57923.html

Precision instruments
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002XMSFIM/

Even the specs are the same.. makes you wonder if its a knockoff or a private labeling.

only one I could find is not 329$ shows 159.99
It does torque angle.
https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-drive-digital-torque-wrench-64916.html

Seems like a nice piece but I would need one once every 5 years.. and I love my split beam for anything not requiring angle.

 

[Donald]

https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in..._08_wk0622_new_tool_tuesday_ENGAGED_DY&plcc=N

 

[Rand]

https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in..._08_wk0622_new_tool_tuesday_ENGAGED_DY&plcc=N

That link shows up as this

This link works
https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-professional-flex-head-digital-angle-torque-wrench-56683.html

For the price I'd try to use the 160$ model if I used it everyday.. I'd probably spend on the snapon.
330$ is abit rough for HF but then again it is lifetime warranty.. so that would give me a little more confidence.

 

[demarpaint]

I get the email about it today. I can't justify that kind of money for anything from HF. I'll stick to my PREC3FR250F which cost me about half of the HF tool.

 

[atikovi]

What can it do that my $80 Craftsman DigiTork can't?

 

[E365]

ICON DATW12-250 $330

Cornwell CTG5000ANGX at $550

I’d guess it’s just made by Cornwell for HF

 

[drtyler]

ICON DATW12-250 $330
View attachment 88218
View attachment 88222


Cornwell CTG5000ANGX at $550



View attachment 88219
View attachment 88223

I’d guess it’s just made by Cornwell for HF

More likely, both are sourcing from the same vendor in Taiwan.

 

[SubLGT]

I get the email about it today. I can't justify that kind of money for anything from HF. I'll stick to my PREC3FR250F which cost me about half of the HF tool.

I have that 250 ft-lb PI split beam wrench you linked. I am very disappointed with it and with PI in general.

I bought it last year, have put it through less that 50 cycles, none of them over 150ft-lb, and recently sent it to an accredited calibration lab. It tested 12% high at 50 ft-lb, and 4.3% high at 150 ft-lb. After a calibration adjustment, all test values were within +/- 1% of the target value.

I also have a 600 in-lb PI split beam that I bought in 2020. It tested 5.4% high at 120 in-lb and 4.3% high at 360 in-lb. It had less than 50 cycles on it at time of testing. After a calibration adjustment, all test values were within +/- 1.2% of the target value.

PI split beam wrenches are hugely overrated, IMO. You get a wrench that fails to meet its 4% accuracy specification, you get a pseudo calibration certificate with no test data on it, you get a wrench that was very likely not tested after manufacturing, and you get only a 90 day warranty.

 

[The Critic]

More likely, both are sourcing from the same vendor in Taiwan.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/electronic-digital-torque-wrench.462191/post-8678805

If eclatorq is still making these for HF, $329 for the 1/2" is a great deal.

I just wished it went up to 300 ft-lbs.

 

[demarpaint]

I have that 250 ft-lb PI split beam wrench you linked. I am very disappointed with it and with PI in general.

I bought it last year, have put it through less that 50 cycles, none of them over 150ft-lb, and recently sent it to an accredited calibration lab. It tested 12% high at 50 ft-lb, and 4.3% high at 150 ft-lb. After a calibration adjustment, all test values were within +/- 1% of the target value.

I also have a 600 in-lb PI split beam that I bought in 2020. It tested 5.4% high at 120 in-lb and 4.3% high at 360 in-lb. It had less than 50 cycles on it at time of testing. After a calibration adjustment, all test values were within +/- 1.2% of the target value.

PI split beam wrenches are hugely overrated, IMO. You get a wrench that fails to meet its 4% accuracy specification, you get a pseudo calibration certificate with no test data on it, you get a wrench that was very likely not tested after manufacturing, and you get only a 90 day warranty.

That sucks. I still have more faith in the PI wrench than the HF wrench. @Trav had turned me onto them, he has been using the PI wrenches for years IIRC w/o issue.

 

[TheLastWord]

Torque angle will just continue to be more common. Would like to see this in 3/8 and 1/4 drive.

 

[The Critic]

It looks decent:

 

[Trav]

It does look decent. I am not seeing $565 worth of difference.

 

[The Critic]

It does look decent. I am not seeing $565 worth of difference.

Eclatorq makes good stuff. They make the MAC/Proto ones.

 

[Trav]

I have that 250 ft-lb PI split beam wrench you linked. I am very disappointed with it and with PI in general.

I bought it last year, have put it through less that 50 cycles, none of them over 150ft-lb, and recently sent it to an accredited calibration lab. It tested 12% high at 50 ft-lb, and 4.3% high at 150 ft-lb. After a calibration adjustment, all test values were within +/- 1% of the target value.

I also have a 600 in-lb PI split beam that I bought in 2020. It tested 5.4% high at 120 in-lb and 4.3% high at 360 in-lb. It had less than 50 cycles on it at time of testing. After a calibration adjustment, all test values were within +/- 1.2% of the target value.

PI split beam wrenches are hugely overrated, IMO. You get a wrench that fails to meet its 4% accuracy specification, you get a pseudo calibration certificate with no test data on it, you get a wrench that was very likely not tested after manufacturing, and you get only a 90 day warranty.

I have had mine for years and use it a lot, it is still accurate under 4%, it is possible the initial calibration was off.

 

[JHZR2]

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/electronic-digital-torque-wrench.462191/post-8678805

If eclatorq is still making these for HF, $329 for the 1/2" is a great deal.

I just wished it went up to 300 ft-lbs.

Is eclaitorq who makes the SO one? I suspect SO is also from overseas if it’s digital…

I need to do some bolts that require angle. I’m thinking to just buy a quality mechanical angle gauge. I get
It that a digital wrench is going to be more convenient. But I am not sure the cost differential is worth it outside of a production environment.

 

[The Critic]

Is eclaitorq who makes the SO one? I suspect SO is also from overseas if it’s digital…

I need to do some bolts that require angle. I’m thinking to just buy a quality mechanical angle gauge. I get
It that a digital wrench is going to be more convenient. But I am not sure the cost differential is worth it outside of a production environment.

No, Snap-On is in-house.

 

[atikovi]

I need to do some bolts that require angle. I’m thinking to just buy a quality mechanical angle gauge. I get
It that a digital wrench is going to be more convenient. But I am not sure the cost differential is worth it outside of a production environment.

For a few bolts? Why not just mark the bolt or socket with the angle and tighten to it. If you just want to justify buying another tool, I can sympathize.

 

[RooflessVW]

For a few bolts? Why not just mark the bolt or socket with the angle and tighten to it. If you just want to justify buying another tool, I can sympathize.

Yeah I use a protector and paint pen on some pretty pricey stuff.

I love buying tools, but...