Just some minor comments on HF torque wrenches and tools...
I have a 1/4" drive, two 3/8" drive*, and one 1/2" drive torque wrenches from HF. None have ever given me problems.
*(I lost one for about a year, and bought a replacement ... only to find the original when I put the replacement away.
)
In contrast, about 5 years ago, I had a major pain of a job that required removing six tapered 1/4"-to-5/16" square socket set screws that were Lock-Tited into a 200+ lb chunk of cast iron. Heat was not an option. I ground a hex key to match (careful to keep it cool), and ruined that thing in a heart beat.
I broke two Stanley 1/4" - 3/8" drive adapters, then two Kobalt, then a Snap-On, then a HF, and twisted (but didn't break) a Craftsman; before just drilling the set screws out and using a few EZ-Outs to get the job done.
This month, I
finally got around to addressing the bag of broken tools I've accumulated over the last five years, including those adapters.
The Stanleys were toast. No real warranty.
The Snap-On guy refused to replace anything, since I'm not a regular customer.
Sears says I abused the Craftsman adapter, and refused replacement. (True, but they say that about everything...)
The Kobalt tools were replaced, even though it took 4 managers and the head cashier to eventually call the tool guy and verify that the things were guaranteed for life -- no questions asked.
But the HF adapter? The cashier told me I needed to bring in the rest of the set (apparently I bought a multi-piece set...?). I asked to speak with a manager, whom promptly walked back, grabbed a 4-piece adapter set, handed it to me, and told me to have a nice day.
Some tools
are better than others.
And
all tool companies suck.
But some handle replacement better than others.