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I finally found a torque wrench that actually clicks consistently after 3 cheap ones failed me
Picked up a used Snap-on from a retiring mechanic at the local airfield for $75 and it held spec through 50 cycles on a control cable turnbuckle where my Harbor Freight special drifted after 10, anyone else had bad luck with budget torque wrenches on critical hardware?
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jason1121mo ago
Wait, you got a Snap-on for $75 from an airfield mechanic? That's an absolute steal, those things usually go for triple that on the used market. I've had the same problem with Harbor Freight stuff, it's fine for lug nuts but I wouldn't trust it on anything that could kill someone if it fails.
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That Snap-on find was a score @jason112, I'd be bragging about that for years. My own experience with budget torque wrenches on aircraft hardware was a nightmare. Had a brand new Pittsburgh one from Harbor Freight that was 10 ft-lbs off on a prop bolt after just 6 uses. I only use beam style or old name brand stuff for anything critical now. Cheap tools just aren't worth the risk when a failure means a crash.
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