$20 Torque Wrench, are they accurate? | Harbor Freight 1/2' and 3/8' Drive Review and Test

Today let's review and test Harbor Freight's cheapest torque wrenches, are they good enough for the DIYer?

Description from Harbor Freight:

Utilizing a heavy duty cam and pawl mechanism, this reversible 1/2 in. drive click type torque wrench is the go-to tool when precise torque is needed. The click type wrench design provides a torque range from 20-150 ft. lbs..

Click-type, accurate within +/- 4%
Heavy duty cam and pawl mechanism
Torque range: 20-150 ft. lbs.
Reversible

Specs:

SPECIFICATIONS
SKU(s)
63882, 239, 94850, 62431
Brand
PITTSBURGH
Accessories Included
Blow mold case
Accuracy
+/- 4%
Drive size (in.)
1/2 in.
Finish
Chrome Plated
Material
Steel

SPECIFICATIONS
SKU(s)
63880, 807, 61276, 94892
Brand
PITTSBURGH
Accessories Included
Blow mold case
Accuracy
+/- 4%
Drive size (in.)
3/8 in.

[HerbOMatic]

Music? Does it make the video more or less enjoyable for you? Let me know!

[jrryan]

I'm glad to see that you did not get hurt and I appreciate the testing.

[jameswheeler]

It’s important to remember to return the wrench to the lowest setting when storing your torque wrench.

[thiaguinhooitodois]

I just got it for $13 and it does the job. Im a weekend diy guy and can’t see myself spending $100 for a torque wrench.

[MichaelMechanix]

I've had my 1/2" Harbor Freight torque wrench for almost a decade and never had any problems with it. Not sure if it would hold up in a shop being used every day but it's perfect for DIY at home use.

[whip-its_dad]

Lesson learned, always always wear PPE . My friend lost an eye when a cord like that snapped .Very informative video, thank you .

[Levish]

I had both of those, they are really easy to re-calibrate. They do need to be stored at the lowest torque rating and cycled three times before using from lowest to highest torque. Something to bear in mind at 5lb/ft being off by 33% is something like +-1-2lb/ft which yes, is high but still probably better than not using a torque wrench where you can fairly easily end up with + or - 100% accuracy or more at that level.

[brianglancy]

You do know that these wrenches can be recalibrated. Any torque wrench would need to be checked and calibrated periodically, regardless of brand or cost. These wrenches, while they are very inexpensive, are very easily calibrated. Your demonstration was very clear, however it would have been helpful to go through the calibration procedure while you had your rig set up and also it's important to release the spring tension when storing a torque wrench as that will shorten the calibration period. Good video.

[ridge]

Yes, sometimes you need to reverse it. Not to loosen, but for left hand threads. Mower blade on a push mower is an example

[BrokenPortriats]

I have used and own many torque wrenches over my 45 years as a mechanic. Snap-On Tools required I have them recalculate my 3/8" drive ft/lb torque wrench every 2 years or they would not warranty it for accuracy. The tool cost me $150.00's back twenty years ago. Their 1/2" drive was much more money. As mechanics we were taught to only trust any torque when set between 20% to 80% of it's max measurements. Below or above those torques we were to chose a smaller or larger tool. We were never allowed to use any tool at the lowest or highest settings. So why are those numbers on there anyway?? I own only six torque wrenches today. Ranging from 1/4" to 3/4" drive. Four of them are Harbor Freight tools.

[peterottes]

For my job in water work, aka municipal water, I've bought roughly 6 of the 1/2 inch for tightening down or torqueing our mechanical joints for various things like new install and water break repairs. For $20 or less these are perfect for our work. Our bolts are 3/4" generaly and these torque wrenches have been perfect for us. Gets us close enough for our work. The thing is they are subjected to very harsh conditions in general. Muddy, wet, sandy trenches aren't kind to tools in general so that's why we've purchased the 6 or so wrenches in the time I was the foreman. Great for us and a god send. It's aweful to spend $120.00 on a wrench that gets dropped in water on a cold night.

[gratefuldale]

This is a very important tutorial for inexperienced new diyers that don't have any idea what 20 ft/lbs torque on a 3/8inch ratchet would even begin to feel like!
I appreciate it as I never saw that instruction to cycle to full torque setting & back 3 times!!!
Fortunately, my old Craftsman pair confirmed my HF pair to be adequate without recalibration.
But be damned sure I will be testing them both before going in to retorque my 3 yr old LBJs/Ft Suspension parts while doing my next tire rotation!
83 ft/lbs on my Tundra lugs.
Test one for the 1/2inch drive...
Glad you survived that Reverse guillotine move 👏 🙌 👍

[stevenhensley]

I have these two also. Used them to install performance rear end suspension parts on my 2012 mustang. Had to use an aluminum extension over the torque wrench (and my leg) under the car to reach spec, but it made it. Before that I used them maintain my 92’ Celica. Almost 200k on that car. Sold it to my brother and he drives it daily. The wrenches need to be maintained. Open up the pawl, disassemble, and re-oil them. Motor oils fine. They work good and cheap for DIY. I have not had an issue with either one. I paid 25 for the 1/2” and 19 for the 3/8” I’m glad these are available at that price range. Thanks HF.

[pavels]

Thanks. This saved me a lot of money. I recently bought a Tesla. Great car, but it comes without a spare tire. Bought a spare from Modern Spare (comes with a jack & J-bar lug wrench). Tesla lug nuts need 129 ft-lbs. I'll buy the ½" drive for $20 instead of a more expensive one. With the spare, a tire inflator and this torque wrench, I'll be safe on the road. You saved me ~$80.

[jhowd]

Thanks for doing this. I'm actually more comfortable buying this wrench now.

[notyouraveragegoldenpotato]

FYI, they also sell an electronic torque wrench addition. Like 20 some odd bucks. It just beeps when you hit the set torque. I measured it on a snapon and craftsman torque wrenches and it is quite accurate. I use that in line with my HF torque wrenches for a sanity/accuracy check. The battery sucks on it but it does the job if you need some real accurate low torque (in/lb) or real accurate torque specs.

[Sci-Mon]

I bought a digital torque wrench and it’s one of he best purchases ever. I love it. Definitely worth the money.

[MrPaulSimone]

Just an FYI: In normal usage, socket adapters or extensions will have an effect on the torque wrench's accuracy due to torsion.

[boosted._sky]

I have a good digital 3/8 Gearwrench 120xp torque wrench for my engines... but I do have the quarter inch Pittsburgh Pro from Freight and a 3/4 inch Pittsburgh Pro from Harbor Freight ($80) and they are actually really good to me... they out perform the 20 bucks and 80 bucks...
Do that with an expensive torque wrench and your results will be pretty much the same most torque wrenches work best at the higher end of their capacity..
So if you're trying to tighten something Titan something at 10 foot pounds get a quarter inch torque wrench not a 3/8 or 1/2 in ....and vice versa if you want something at 128 ft lb get a 3/8 or 1/2 in .... right tool for the job....

[rickbk]

One reason for the poor readings at the low setting of the 3/8 wrench is that your method does not consider the weight of the wrench handle. The wrench weighs a little over 2 pounds so you are starting out with nearly a pound of static torque just from the way it is configured on your test set up. I measured my 3/8 wrench (not HF but similar size) and found the handle adds just over 0.9 pounds. Negligible at high settings but very substantial when testing at the low end. Unfortunately it will only make the 1/2 performance worse!