Originally Posted by
Kopsis
Got any quantitative test results to back that up? I have 1/4" and 1/2" HF torque wrenches and they both test within +/-5% at mid range. Can you buy a much better wrench for a lot more money? Sure. But it's a bicycle, not a Delta V rocket -- the need for extreme precision and accuracy simply doesn't exist.
OP, the cheapest, crappiest torque wrench you can find will be plenty good enough for bicycle use. If you're only dealing with the basic stuff, the Ritchey torque keys are pre-set and super convenient. I use them to assemble my bike when traveling since they pack much smaller and lighter than a "proper" torque wrench.
Specifically... no.
But I have a number of friends that have purchased tools from Harbor Freight and found them to be substandard.
Wrenches and sockets that should be 13mm are 13.5mm or so. Leak down testers with gauges that are off. Jack stands that have welds that cracked.
US General is generally crap.
Tools are an investment, I still have S/K sockets that I purchased in 1968 when I was 12. The only time they broke was when I abused them by adding a pipe to the breaker bar.