Pittsburgh Tool Reviews By an Expert
It’s a typical Sunday afternoon. You’ve decided to change the front wheel bearing but after removing the wheel, alas! You realize you don’t have the proper tool to pull out the axle nut.
Yep, I know how frustrating it can be to know that you’re missing a tool when working. But tell you what? Buying tools one by one is a hassle. Wouldn’t it be better to purchase a set of tools so you have them all at once? It’s more convenient and it is way cheaper!
If you’re thinking about purchasing a toolkit for use in your garage or shop or just for personal use around your home, Harbor Freight is a fantastic consideration. They have a wide range of tools and they’re known for their huge discounts.
Although some of the products from Harbor Freight are plain junk, their Pittsburgh tools are pretty good-quality and offer overall great value.
This Pittsburgh tool review counts down 5 of the best sets that come with everything from wrenches and pliers to screwdrivers, sockets and more.
Let’s get started.
Who Makes Pittsburgh Tools?
Before we even dive into the reviews, you might ask – who is the Pittsburgh tools manufacturer anyway?
Pittsburgh tools are normally sold by Harbor Freight, a popular store in the US. But as you might already tell, these stores don’t actually make what they sell. They source it from manufacturers, usually outside the country.
Like a majority of hand tools, most of the Pittsburgh tools come from China or Taiwan. Often, it is a single manufacturer that makes them, but then puts different labels and packaging.
Even though these products are made oversees, they pack great quality. A set can give you a service of over 10 years!
Pittsburgh tools are slightly less quality than Craftsman Pro tools, but their price makes them a better buy. Yes, they’re far cheaper. Moreover, they come with a lifetime warranty, so that if you break a piece, you can get a new one shipped without a hassle.
Well, let’s jump in and see what’s in the reviews.
Pittsburgh Tools Reviews 2023 Our Top 5 Picks
1. Pittsburgh 130 Piece Tool Kit with Case
There’s nothing quite as fulfilling as having a tool set in the garage. It lets you work on your DIY building and repair projects around the home anytime.
If you’re seeking a good comprehensive set, the Pittsburgh 130 Piece Tool Kit might be a nice consideration. As the title says, it comes with a case for carrying and storage.
The reason why I say the kit is comprehensive is that it comes with virtually all the tools a DIYer would need. From a hammer, screwdrivers, wrenches, sockets, pliers, wrenches, and cutters to driver bits, they have everything included in there.
You even get a few extra tools that I haven’t seen in many other kits, including a tape measure and a utility knife.
What I find very appealing about the kit is this wide variety of tools that it packs. The assortment of accessories in there is quite broad. For instance, the sockets are available from 4mm all the way to 7/8 inches. This allows you to tighten or loosen any nut or bolt.
Many of the other common tools in the set, including the screwdrivers and the allen wrenches are in many different sizes. That, of course, makes it possible to handle almost any handywork task.
Apart from the rich diversity of tools included, something else that users of the set love is the quality. I cannot say the tools are industrial-quality, but they’re well made for someone that will not use the tools on a daily basis. Mostly, they’re made from chrome steel.
The case is well made and it comes with a handle. The only thing I did not like is that some of the compartments don’t work very well, which causes a few tools to fall off.
I would not recommend this set for professional work, but if you’re looking for a good option for personal use, it will be a great selection.
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2. Professional 301 Piece Mechanic's Tool Kit
Many handtools are, these days, made in China. I don’t want to sound like a snob here, but let’s face it, when you hear a tool set is made in the US, you know it is much better in quality than those China-made sets.
The Professional 301 Piece Mechanic's Tool Kit is made in the USA. That alone got me optimistic about the kit, and when I dug deeper, I am happy to report that I was not disappointed.
Just as the name suggests, the set is professional. Yes, you can use it for more than just personal tasks. The tools are manufactured from chrome vanadium steel, which contains adequate sturdiness to withstand everyday use.
These are the sort of tools that you can use daily and they won’t break. I would highly recommend them for a starting mechanic.
When you hear that a tool set has 301 tools, you know it brings you practically everything. In the case, you will find almost all the tools a beginner mechanic would need. From sockets, screwdrivers, and extensions to wrenches, pliers, and drive sets, you get them all.
What’s more, the tools come in a broad array of sizes to suit many different needs. For example, there are countless sizes of sockets going from 5/32 inch, to 3/16 inch to ¼ inch and more.
These sockets are available in a range of types including SAE & Metric, star bit, extension star, and so forth.
The same case applies to the rest of the tools, which come in various types.
This diversity gives you freedom and expands the range of projects you can work on.
There is just one issue that you might find annoying – the fact that the tools often flop around inside because the slots don’t hold them reliably. That aside, the case is strong and sturdy.
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3. Pittsburgh 130-Piece Mechanic Hand Tool Set
Perhaps you’re looking for a small set for personal use. If that’s so, there’s no need to get a big box of over 200 or 300 pieces. The 130-piece Pittsburgh Mechanic Hand Tool Set might be what you need.
With regard to the quality, the kit is quite good. What tools does it contain, you ask? As the name denotes, there are 130 tools in the box. Among these, there’s practically everything that you will require for personal utilization.
What many users love is the versatility offered. For instance, there are three different types of pliers.
There are 8 screw drivers of different sorts and sizes. The kit also contains numerous sockets and bits of different sizes. Aside from that, it also provides you with other tools, including a hammer, allen wrenches, and more.
The pieces are made from chrome steel. They look and feel strong but if you’re thinking of using them daily for professional work, you will get disappointed. These are more suited for DIY work and not for daily use.
And now about the case. It is made from hard plastic and looks like it will hold up. The clips seem sturdy and they give you easy access inside. But the carry handle is less than impressive. Feels good for now but it is obviously flimsy, doesn’t look like it will last.
I was let down to see that the tools fall out of their holders rather easily. But apart from that, the kit is great and the price is unbeatable.
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4. Pittsburgh Pro Reversible Click Type Torque Wrench Set of 3
The kits I have talked about above can be categorized as general as they contain many different sorts of tools. But perhaps what you’re looking for is a specialized tool. If that tool is the reversible click type torque wrench, then this Pittsburgh pro tools review is for you.
As the title reveals, the set includes only 3 pieces, all of which are reversible click torque wrenches.
There are several applications where you will need this crucial tool. For instance, when tightening car wheel nuts, you might need to apply a specific torque. That is where the torque wrench comes in.
These are not made for professional use. But if you plan to use them once in a while, they do a good job and also hold up.
How do they manage to work so well? The reason is simple – the torques employ a heavy-gauge cam and pawl mechanism.
The torque range is also impressive. You can tighten your fasteners to any feet pound level between 50 and 300 when using the ¾ inch option.
If you use the ½ inch drive, the available range is from 20 to 150 feet pounds. And when you employ the 3/8 drive, you can tighten nuts to anywhere between 5 and 80 feet pounds.
That, as you might agree, gives you lots of flexibility, allowing you to handle more projects with the wrenches.
I love that the tools come calibrated.
For the record, it would cost more to buy them individually if they’re calibrated. Getting this kit, you’re able to save as much as 9 bucks per unit, totaling to 27.
The only negative I found is that the torque wrenches lose calibration if you don’t loosen them after use. But of course, you can just loosen them to avoid the issue.
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5. Pittsburgh 5-Piece Harbor Freight Tools Test Probe Set
Thought test probes were only for the electricians? There’s a whole world of things you can accomplish with this handy tool.
Apart from circuit probing, you can use it to weed vinyl, remove o rings, retrieve washers, and perform other fine-detail tasks. And that’s what the fifth item on my harbor freight pittsburgh tools review is about.
If you’re looking for good-quality probes for personal or professional use, the Pittsburgh 5-Piece from Harbor Freight might be just what you need.
First, I have to say that the quality of these is quite remarkable. They are made from high-grade stainless steel. That makes them strong and ensures they last.
I have encountered probes from other brands that broke without a struggle, but these don’t. I also love the fact that they don’t rust so easily.
The strength that the probes have makes them easy to use, as you don’t have the constant fear of breaking that other models give.
Another quality that users love is the versatility offered. The five probes vary in style. There’s a straight one, a bent one, a curved one, and so on. You know what that means – you can handle different tasks and reach those difficult places.
Some folks complain that the units are hard and the texture makes your fingers hurt after a period of using them. But that is what probes do. Besides, the texture gives you a firm grip.
For the price, the Pittsburgh 5-Piece Harbor Freight Tools Test Probe Set is certainly a good pick. Check it out.
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Final Word
When looking for the right tools, quality is a factor that you cannot overlook. But the price also plays an important role in helping you choose. The right tools are the ones that offer you good quality for your needs without breaking the bank.
In my Pittsburgh tool review above, I considered the two factors above all else. My intension was to assist you in finding tools that are well-made and affordable.
The sets I have talked about offer you everything a toolkit should have from wrenches, hammers, pliers, and sockets to extension bars and more. It is now up to you to make your choice.
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