Can we talk about those cheap torque wrenches from Harbor Freight?

Henry Moore · 2026-03-12T21:15:09.418797+00:00

I bought one for a quick job on a Cessna 172's wheel assembly, thinking I'd save some cash. It was about $40, so way less than a Snap-on. After torquing a few bolts, I had to redo the whole job because the wrench started clicking at different values. That mistake cost me nearly three hours of labor, which at our shop rate is over $300. Some guys say those tools are fine for non-critical stuff, but I think any aircraft work is critical. What's your take on using budget tools for certified repairs?

barbarah197mo ago

Tell that to my lawnmower after I over-tightened the blade...

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young.nora7mo ago

What's not critical about a plane's wheel?

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jason_henderson7mo ago

Saw a video once where a guy tested those and they were all over the place after a few uses. I mean, maybe it's fine for a lawnmower like barbarah19 said, but for a plane? Idk, that seems like a bad place to save a few bucks.

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