[Gary_L]

Life is too short to buy tools from Harbor Freight.

 

[CerealKiller]

I have a Tekton 1/4" torque wrench. I use that for the small stuff. It's a nice little tool.
CK

 

[CerealKiller]

I got 20% off though.. on the impact set. It was a hard bargain to pass up.
CK

 

[arathol]

Life is too short to buy tools from Harbor Freight.

Not impressed by tool snobbery or by "mechanics" who judge their own capability by how much they spend on their tools ....I have seen expensive Crap-on tools break quite regularly. I've used all sorts of hand tools for 40 years, Snap-on, Matco, Armstrong, Blackhawk, Craftsman, just about everything ever made, on stuff a lot bigger and harder to work on than a Mazda. The high dollar tool truck stuff is just not worth it. You might be surprised where some of those much vaunted overly expensive tools actually come from and how good they really are - or aren't....

Here is a good example, speaking of torque wrenches....

And watch this one, he tells you like it is

 

[Datsun1600]

A friend who used to work as a mechanic had to buy Snap-On tools - it was required for the shop he was at. He no longer works as a mechanic and he lent me his whole toolset when I did the engine swap on my daughter's Mazda3. I had never used Snap-On before, but certainly had heard of them and new of other high end bands like Mac and Proto.

I was in awe at how nice the Snap-On tools were to use, and even to look at. The fit was very precise, the wrench handles were long, thin, and graceful like my woman (kidding), and the ratchets had a very fine pawl that made operating in tight spaces a breeze. I really wish I could find a used set because I can't afford new ones.

Eventually I'll buy a real set of mechanic's tools. For my money I'll probably go with SK. No toolset is perfect, so buy what you can afford. But I do like Gary's motto of "buy once, cry once."

I very recently rounded a couple of bolts heads tearing down an engine. I was using a 6pt 10mm Craftsman socket. I thought the first bolt was a fluke, but I knew the second one wasn't. I figured I was somehow using the wrong size socket or that it was an SAE bolt size. Nope. It turns out my 6pt 10mm socket was off. I took out all my 6pt 10mm sockets (1/4" drive, 3/8", deep well, shallow) and only one of them fit tightly on the bolt heads. All three were different. ARGH!

Now I'm angry...need to grab a beer and chill for a bit.

 

[arathol]

I really wish I could find a used set because I can't afford new ones.

Exactly my point. For what it costs to buy a single set of Snap-On wrenches you can go to HF and get a lifetime supply of wrenches of all sorts and a nice tool box to put them in...
For example, I have a 9 piece set of Snap-on GVS 4 way angle head open end wrenches, sizes 1/2" to 1". Replacement cost today is about $460....:surprise: I would never even consider spending that much on a set of wrenches....They were a road find from when I worked on the highway. :smile2: Free stuff is the best kind....but they are not any better than the much less expensive stuff I have, they do the same thing as a $2 HF wrench without the huge cost attached.

 

[CerealKiller]

The lifetime warranty is nice at HF.

The 1/4" ratcheting socket wrench I was using last week broke..they replaced it with no questions asked.
CK

 

[mpp12]

I mostly do motorcycle stuff and use Wera a lot, but quality vs price you cannot beat Husky, have a socket set runs for 10 years with no problems...

 

[CerealKiller]

Don't turn things too much without a torque wrench, especially the smaller stuff...

https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-drive-click-type-torque-wrench-63882.html
https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-drive-click-type-torque-wrench-63880.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZR92kNpoRQ

https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-Drive-Digital-Torque-Adapter-63917.html

What about digital torque adapters? Might save some space (and weight in my bag) over getting several different torque wrenches.

Anyone have any experience with these? The reviews seemed pretty positive, from what I read.
CK

 

[arathol]

Depends on what you are doing. The main issue is size. It won't fit in many spots where you might need a lower profile wrench, like doing the rear sway bar mounts.