Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

5030 · Sep 4, 2019

Bought a Bauer 3/8" 20 volt impact wrench, very capable tool plus they offer a bunch of 20 volt tools that are compatible, complete tools (battery and charger) or tool only. Have the Icon 1/2" drive torque wrench as well. Try to find a 1/2" drive torque wrench that torque's in forward and reverse for under 300 bucks. I use left torque all the time for spindle nuts. Good wrench, helluva price.

John_Mc · Sep 4, 2019

I keep missing the rare sales on Icon Torque Wrenches. I'm in the market for a good 1/2" drive (looking to step up from the $20 Pittsburgh wrench, both in quality and in max torque rating). I was debating between the Icon, and just ordering a CDI wrench. Not sure I really want the digital Quinn torque wrench HF recently added to their line up. I've used digital a fair amount in the past. I think I prefer the "feel" of the click-type wrench.

Does anyone have thoughts on the Icon vs Quinn vs CDI wrenches?

I'm also considering picking up one of the 25" Icon 1/2" drive breaker bar. Currently $49.99. Has been on sale for $39.99. I'd love to hit the sale for that as well. I've seen three of their 25" Pittsburgh 1/2" drive breaker bars which broke after a few uses (no "cheater bar" was used on them), so I'm staying away from them.

I wish there was an alert for when these went on sale.

LouNY · Sep 4, 2019

5030 said:
Bought a Bauer 3/8" 20 volt impact wrench, very capable tool plus they offer a bunch of 20 volt tools that are compatible, complete tools (battery and charger) or tool only. Have the Icon 1/2" drive torque wrench as well. Try to find a 1/2" drive torque wrench that torque's in forward and reverse for under 300 bucks. I use left torque all the time for spindle nuts. Good wrench, helluva price.

Here's one for quite a bit under;
1/2 in. Drive Digital Torque Adapter

5030 · Sep 4, 2019

LouNY said:
Here's one for quite a bit under;
1/2 in. Drive Digital Torque Adapter

Torque range is not sufficient for my uses....Torque range: 29.5 to 147.6 ft. lbs. (40 to 200 NM) and it's right hand only. I specifically require a left hand reading wrench. Spindle nuts are left hand threaded on Dana axles.

5030 · Sep 4, 2019

The everyday price on the Icon is very reasonable. A Snap-On 1/2" drive right and left hand torque wrench is 400 plus. and I too prefer a clicker over a digital wrench. I have a couple Blu-Point dial wrenches now.

Imold · Sep 5, 2019

Picked this up almost 2 years ago and it still works fine for what I use it for.

Would like to get this so I can go back to using my air tools, my small compressor does not cut it. Anyone have one like this from HF.

Jim.

LouNY · Sep 5, 2019

5030 said:
Torque range is not sufficient for my uses....Torque range: 29.5 to 147.6 ft. lbs. (40 to 200 NM) and it's right hand only. I specifically require a left hand reading wrench. Spindle nuts are left hand threaded on Dana axles.

Interesting both of my click style work in both directions and my old beam style definitely does, where did you see that the digital only works in the right hand direction?

lostcreekranch · Sep 5, 2019

Imold said:
Picked this up almost 2 years ago and it still works fine for what I use it for.
View attachment 619863

Would like to get this so I can go back to using my air tools, my small compressor does not cut it. Anyone have one like this from HF.
View attachment 619864

Jim.

I picked up a good sized Craftsman Electric impact in the $5 bin at a local Sears store back in the early 1970's. Turned out the the strain relief, on the power cord had come loose and one wire pulled in two. It took about 10 minutes to fix and it still works great today. Retail on it was nearly $100 back then.

I've looked at that compressor and it is a 2 stage with good specifications. It's rated at 15.8 CFM @ 90 PSI, 16.4 CFM @ 40 PSI.

Less than a year ago it was $799 and would go on sale often for $749. At $899 it getting into Ingersoll-Rand price territory.