How to calibrate a torque wrench

Geo-TH,In · May 17, 2017

There have been many posts about torque wrenches in the past. So I googled how to calibrate them. I never thunk of using a fish scales to calibrate one. This is just one of many DIY ways to get the job done.
There are tons of U-tube videos too.
geo
calibrate a torque wrench.

Hobo,NC · May 17, 2017

If in doubt run down a snap-on tool truck most have a calibration fixture on there truck.

Geo-TH,In · May 17, 2017

Don't know how to get a hold of a snap-on truck. I did read where you an buy a professional calibration fixture.

jeffcat · May 17, 2017

Just stop at any gas station repair joint. They will tell you when "snappy" shows up. Usually once a week.

Sprint 6 · May 17, 2017

Why worry about it? We aren't doing aerospace stuff, so close is good enough. You will be able to tell if it is way off. My 44 year old Penncraft half inch is still nearly right on.

Steve in VA · May 17, 2017

I completely agree. There's not much to affect them other than physical abuse. When new, I took my 150# wrench into our cal facility and had it tested low, mid, and high range. It was +/- 3%. After several years I had it rechecked and still there. Don't use it as a hammer or pry bar and motor on.

Steve in VA · May 17, 2017

I'd wager that your torque wrench has much tighter range after years and years than some old fish scale ever had. Kinda goes along with measuring with a micrometer, marking with chalk, and cutting with an ax. Still, its a unique idea.

My experience has been that way too many people misuse torque wrenches by tugging or either they don't properly clean the fastener and receiver so they get fault results.

El Hombre · May 17, 2017

(quoted from post at 18:45:42 05/17/17) Why worry about it? We aren't doing aerospace stuff, so close is good enough. You will be able to tell if it is way off. My 44 year old Penncraft half inch is still nearly right on.

Mine is only 42 years old...That's a J.C. Penney tool. Amazing what you could buy from them back then....It was either Penney or Sears that had a Savage over/under 22-410 I wanted back in the '60s. $59.95.

Adirondack case guy · May 17, 2017

Gee George, the Snap=On truck was at my house yesterday. He replaced a 5/16 tap that needed dental work. He stops by every Tuesday morning.
Loren

gab · May 17, 2017

I don't generally use mine for hammers or breaker bars, old 47 year old Craftsman was recalibrated once, the Snap On and Utica are close enough for me.

PJH · May 17, 2017

Here's what we used.
Skidmore

guido · May 17, 2017

Hello Adirondack case guy,

Maybe he doesn't know that you have to invite him? HE! He!

Guido.

Hobo,NC · May 17, 2017

(quoted from post at 23:45:42 05/17/17) Why worry about it? We aren't doing aerospace stuff, so close is good enough. You will be able to tell if it is way off. My 44 year old Penncraft half inch is still nearly right on.

I bet you could do 95% of your work without one. My first job one of the largest shops around I don't remember them having one other than a inch pound for automatic transmission work then it was used to set the bands that's it. I was taught how to tell torque with standard ratchets and pull bars.

That being said that was in the days you did not need as many tools and mechanic's did not make much money. I got the first Toyota head/timing chain job no one in the shop wanted anything to do with them. The shop had a cigar box with a few metric wrenches and 3/8 drive sockets. No one in there right mind owned metric tools unless they worked on VW's...

Now tools are so cheap everyone can own decent tools..

jim_uny · May 18, 2017

i bought a tektron wrench with external adjustment screw with powerbuilt digital calibration unit. $ 50 each.

here is a review

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EeQeH5YAcA
Untitled URL Link

Bret4207 · May 18, 2017

(quoted from post at 07:50:11 05/17/17) There have been many posts about torque wrenches in the past. So I googled how to calibrate them. I never thunk of using a fish scales to calibrate one. This is just one of many DIY ways to get the job done.
There are tons of U-tube videos too.
geo
calibrate a torque wrench.

FISH SCALES???!!!! Really? Any idea what the accuracy of your common fish scale is? About plus or minus 1000%! :lol: If it's a real concern, send it out to a place that does it as a profession.

Geo-TH,In · May 18, 2017

Guido,
Snap on usually stops off at places in business expecting to sell something.

I'm not in business and really don't need anything on their truck.
geo

How to calibrate a torque wrench

Geo-TH,In

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Hobo,NC

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Geo-TH,In

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jeffcat

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Sprint 6

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Steve in VA

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Steve in VA

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El Hombre

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Adirondack case guy

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gab

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PJH

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guido

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Hobo,NC

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jim_uny

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Geo-TH,In

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