how many of you guys have had success building motors with Harbor Freight tools like torque wrenches and such? I know they're rather cheesy but just wondering.

 

Harbor freight tools will do the trick but i would invest in a craftsman torque wrench atleast.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Luserkid &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Harbor freight tools will do the trick but i would invest in a craftsman torque wrench atleast. </TD></TR></TABLE>

yeah definatly agree with you. for something like TQ. wrenches get a good one like a craftsman, snap on, stanley, mac...whatever, but for regular ratchets/sockets, just get something with a lifetime warranty, like harbor freight, or the brand "evercraft" that napa carries, (Had good success with both as far as honoring warranties and durability/endurance)

The pepboys brand "Performance tools" are some of the shittiest ratchets around and they don't honor the warranty (I stripped all the gears inside of it like they were made of a very cheap aluminum with a stubborn bolt and now it switches between tightening and loosening without me doing anything, and can't take more than about 15-20lbs of pressure)

 

Def dont skimp on a tourqe wrench.The rest of it will be fine.Harbour Freight is the SSauto chrome of the tool world, it works and gets the job done but could break into pieces on you

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by zerovandez &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">how many of you guys have had success building motors with Harbor Freight tools like torque wrenches and such? I know they're rather cheesy but just wondering.</TD></TR></TABLE>


I tried it, but then I pussed out. Tore down the whole motor and started over.
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1374918

I actually did a LOT of research on Harbor Freight torque wrenches though. From what I found, they are pretty accurate, but prone to failure. So they either work and are accurate or they break and don't work at all.

 

hand tools, no prob, but precision tools, i.e. tq wrenches and the like, nah i dont trust em. which reminds me, ill be sending out my snappy wrenches for calibrating, since it has been a while, before i build my motor, no i am not being ****, it has been 10 years on the 1/2 and never on the 3/8

did i see a sigh in h.f. about lifetime warranty on hand tools? ill try to snap one this weekend as i need to go get some piddily crap.

 

I just broke a 3 arm puller from harbor freight 3 minutes after I took it out of the package.

 

Harbor freight in general is awesome. Sure, the stuff breaks, but who cares - they exchange it for free. They have an awesome selection of hard to find tools and everything is dirt cheap.

 

^Yup. I always go there if I plan on using the tool only once or twice. Otherwise I go to Sears.

 

So bottom line, they the tq wrenches are acurate but the actual tool will break on you is what I'm understanding. I totally agree that a good named brand set like Snap On or Craftsman is the ideal way to go for these types of tools. But if HF can do the trick without comprimising the build, then I guess it would be a cost effective option.

One more thing, when using a tq wrench would you guys advise to stop after that first click? Or to continue till you can't possible click anymore?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by zerovandez &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So bottom line, they the tq wrenches are acurate but the actual tool will break on you is what I'm understanding. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Yep. If they work, they work. I've never read about anyone who had one work (click) but was inaccurate. Either way, I chickened out. I only use mine as a breaker bar now. It was only $10 after all.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
One more thing, when using a tq wrench would you guys advise to stop after that first click? Or to continue till you can't possible click anymore?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I don't know what that means. They only click once, indicating that the spec has been met. Once they click, stop turning.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Enzo Speed &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I don't know what that means. They only click once, indicating that the spec has been met. Once they click, stop turning.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Some Tq. wrenches have up to 3 clicks. Regardless of what click type tq. wrench I use I only do it till the the first one and then go over it again with the same Tq. spec.

 

They can go either way like everyone is saying...but I just think they have some awesome stuff, for <U>cheap</U>. I'm not too mechanic-savvy but even I was tempted by some of their stuff - the prices are just too good! I especially liked the parts washers, abrasive blasters and the various air tools. It seems like a good store for a "novice" enthusiast who wants some basic tools but isn't looking to rape their wallet since they aren't an actual mechanic. Me in a nutshell.

 

there tools are cheap you get what you pay for

 

I just bought this torque wrench from Snap-on, It is the best tool I owned so far.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog...talog

It has 4 features in 1 wrench. Inch/pound, ft/lbs. newton meter and 0-360 angle. Angle feature is great to use on those K series motors that uses angle to torque down head bolts.

 

well hopefully for $468!!!

 

Harbor Freight air tools rock. I had a $30 HF impact gun that I used for years. It finally broke last month when I dropped it real hard and the button broke off

I have a bunch of their air tools that I've been using for years. Air drill for $10? Can't beat it!

 

p.s. where can i find a hf?

 

use their store locations

http://www.harborfreight.com/c...s.taf

but, if there's not one near you they have an ebay store:

http://search.stores.ebay.com/...ofpZ0

 

Thanks for the reply and help guys! Very helpful. How are the TQ wrenches supposed to be maintained? Oiled? Lubed? Someone up there mentioned calibrating?

 

ive found buying cheap tools is like buying cheap car parts......you end up buying twice.

i have a decent amount of craftsman stuff just because its what i started out with.......but my snap on guy hooks me up so much everything is slowly conveting over.


i have 1/4 3/8 and 1/2 inch snap on torque wrenches that get used daily.

 

I have some things from Harbor Freight, I bought a 1/2" drive impact socket set, first time using the 19mm on my wheels it cracked, the 17 cracked too lol

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by V-SPEC 1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I just bought this torque wrench from Snap-on, It is the best tool I owned so far.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog...talog

It has 4 features in 1 wrench. Inch/pound, ft/lbs. newton meter and 0-360 angle. Angle feature is great to use on those K series motors that uses angle to torque down head bolts.</TD></TR></TABLE>

i have there digital 3/8ths torque wrench its perfect for me. it goes from 5-100ft lbs. i just bought snap-ons new 18v impact gun and it works AWSOME its nice when im not at the shop (where i have my air guns) taking off wheels, suspension work, and hell anything else that an impact gun just makes easier.

 

haha i use my snap on 18v impact even at the shop! i love that thing


Modified by Turbo-charged at 7:04 PM 9/16/2006

 

Man, I'd like to get my hands on one of those digital tq wrenches. Then again, I'm not a mechanic and will only use these tools about once and my wallet won't allow it..