Harbor Freight Tools, from another forum

[jmcarruth]

I am on the KLR forum and found the following very interesting, especially about the torque wrenches:

http://www.klr650.net/forums/showthread.php?t=119451

I have many of their Pittsburg Pro tools and am very happy with them. I also own their US General Pro tool chests, top and bottom, and they are as good as anything I have seen.

http://www.harborfreight.com/44-in-13-drawer-glossy-red-industrial-roller-cabinet-69387.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/44-in-8-drawer-glossy-red-roller-cabinet-top-chest-68787.html

And this thing is absolutely great!

http://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools/impact-wrenches/12-in-professional-air-impact-wrench-68424.html

 

[caldercay]

I am on the KLR forum and found the following very interesting, especially about the torque wrenches:

http://www.klr650.net/forums/showthread.php?t=119451

I think this post that's most interesting, in another thread:
Aircraft mechanic speaks up

If you Google, you'll find praises for the HF torque wrenches:
Car Craft testing

 

[dwalby]

Haven't tried the torque wrenches but bought one of their digital calipers last year when they were on sale for $10, figured I had nothing to lose. Compared it against my analog dial calipers and it was usually off by a few hundredths of a mm (on valve shims) so I returned it. What's the point of buying a precision instrument that isn't precise?

 

[caldercay]

Haven't tried the torque wrenches but bought one of their digital calipers last year when they were on sale for $10, figured I had nothing to lose. Compared it against my analog dial calipers and it was usually off by a few hundredths of a mm (on valve shims) so I returned it. What's the point of buying a precision instrument that isn't precise?

What did you compare your analog dial calipers against?

 

[st1300r]

.05mm is about 2 thousandths of an inch which ain't bad for a $10.
Even a $100+ mitutoyo set won't get you tenths.
Never looked but does harbor ever have micrometers on sale?

 

[st1300r]

What did you compare your analog dial calipers against?

A shim?

 

[dwalby]

What did you compare your analog dial calipers against?

.05mm is about 2 thousandths of an inch which ain't bad for a $10.
Even a $100+ mitutoyo set won't get you tenths.

A shim?

My reference was a combination of micrometers, calipers, and the size stamped on the shim all agreeing, with the HF caliper always being the odd one out.

Also, I think on small dimensions like shims, the real accuracy of a caliper is better than the typical stated accuracy which applies to the entire 6" range, so 0.01mm readings are probably fairly reliable at the smaller dimensions. Even the analog caliper that's marked in 0.02mm increments can be read to 0.01mm if you split the lines. If I'm trying to measure an unmarked shim and I'm off by 0.02-0.03mm that's a shim size, so I decided I'd pass on it. Wasn't surprised, like you say for $10 you can't expect perfection, but I thought I'd give it a chance anyway. As infrequently as I measure things to that accuracy the analog versions work OK for me, but I'd prefer a digital readout in either inch/mm for its convenience.

 

[T_C]

but I'd prefer a digital readout in either inch/mm for its convenience.

The one with fractions is pretty handy too.

 

[Skunkape]

I have to put a nod out to the Harbor Freight ultrasonic cleaner. I watch in amazement every time I turn it on.

 

[Svrdhd]

Their composite ratchets are among the best ratchets I've ever used.