Picked Harbor Freight calipers over Snap-on and saved $180

I needed digital calipers for a valve adjustment on my 05 Civic. The Snap-on truck wanted $220 for theirs. I went with the $40 Pittsburg set from Harbor Freight instead. Its been 8 months and they still read within 0.001 of my buddies Mitutoyo. Not saying theyll last 20 years but for occasional use they do the job. Has anyone else had good luck with cheap calipers on engine work?

2 comments

2 Comments

blairwhite1mo ago

The Pittsburg set is honestly fine for most stuff, especially valve adjustments where you're not splitting tenths. I bought one years back for a crankshaft main bearing check on a lawn mower engine (don't laugh, it was a vintage Tecumseh) and it held up fine. My buddy is a tool snob and he reemed me out for not buying Mitutoyo, but the calipers worked perfectly for that job. The weird thing is I actually dropped mine off the workbench onto concrete last month and it still zeroes out correct, so they're tougher than people give them credit for.

the_lisa1mo ago

Man that's awesome! I've got the same set and totally agree. Picked mine up a few years back for a valve lash check on my car and it's been spot on ever since. People get way too hung up on brand names for stuff that's mostly just measuring clearance. Your drop test is impressive, mine fell off the tailgate of my truck once and I thought it was toast but it still works perfect.