Torque Wrench Question

[TwoJ's]

I bought a 1/2" drive torque wrench about a year and a half ago and I haven't had it calibrated or anything since. I just bought a 3/8" drive one for the smaller stuff, and it got me thinking how off my other one is. So how long do you guys go without having them calibrated? Whenever I use it, I always back it off all the way for storage, but I just don't know how long these things stay accurate.

[blunttech]

ive got 3 of them and never had any of them calibrated. they are all very close too. of course i dont have the million dollar snap on digitals either. i have 2 craftsman clickers and one old school needle type. i imagine it would be a good idea to have them checked regularly but i dont. it would make me feel better when doing head gaskets etc. otherwise, most stuff i think close is good enough

[backtrail69]

Its like 70 bucks and takes a few weeks to get calibrated. I looked into it. Worth while to just buy a new one. I got a SK micrometer 1/2in clicker 25-250 lbft brand new on ebay for like 100 bucks.

[LINUS]

Never had any of mine done either. I have a few deflection beam & a couple detent release style too. No digitals in my collection either - I don't know why, I just don't like 'em.

I was told you really didn't need to as long as you didn't drop it or use it like a breaker bar - and to zero the setting on the clicker style when storing.

I keep mine wrapped in heavy fabric & they have their own drawer in my toolbox, as that's what Pops taught me to do.

[golde30]

hehe, my buddy has the snap-on one that takes a 9V battery. that thing is awesome.

[Axxe]

Never calibrated any of mine since new, my Dad's 30 + year old snap on clicker (with old school turn dial quick adjust) clicks at the same point as my relatively new Mastercraft (very similar to craftsman units).

[TwoJ's]

Well that's nice to hear. I had no idea that they would go that long. I had heard of someone that had built a motor, and he had his wrench calibrated before. Both my 3/8 and 1/2 in. ones are the craftsman clickers as well.

And that is a very good deal you got on the SK one.

[32.5i]

i have a snap on 1/2 that was last calibrated in 1985.. i checked it w/ a needle type and its still perfect.

[VacMan]

I have a 1/2" and a 3/8", both clicker style. Never had either one recalibrated. When I need a new one I'm going to buy one of the digital meters you use as an extension instead of buying another wrench.

Tim

[fretburnr]

I've had a craftsman 1/2" click-type for 3-4 years, with lots of use (but no abuse). Never had it recalibrated yet, and compared to a friend's recently purchased one seems just as accurate.

[benDASHDASH]

I know Griot's Garage will test the calibration of a torque wrench for $25. While the fee does not cover physically modifying the calibration, it will let you know how many foot lbs or inch lbs to take into account (if any) when torquing

[equate975]

You should be fairly safe to go for a while without calibrating. Just don't store them without backing them off, or drop them. If you do either enough I would get them re-calibrated.

I just got a snap on 1/2 one, its nice. Mu buddy has a sick digital one (name escapes me) but it has a cat5 connection on the back so you can plug it into your computer and recalibrate it.

[Beau B]

I calibrate torque wrenches for the Air Force, like said above if you drop them or don't back them off they can be way off. We calibrate torque wrenches anywhere from 3 months to 6 months depending on what the manufacture recommends. I wouldn't be to worried about it as long as it wasnt dropped etc.

[der affe]

they are supprisingly tough, i stripped the gear on my snap-on 3/8" checked, it against my 1/2" (which i should have used that time anyways) after i had Mr. snappy replace/warranty the gear and no difference. i don't think the drive gear effects the torque anyways though. always store at "0" or less if it will let you and never drop it
IIRC it is around $75 to have snap-on recalibrate it