Torque wrench
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 5,515
Likes: 2,204
From: Loveland
Torque wrench
If you use a torque wrench, have it checked for accuracy. Both of mine were way off.
I purchased a torque calibration tool.
I can calibrate your wrench if you are local. I am in Loveland CO.
I have a really good HazeMaker IPA in the fridge.
I purchased a torque calibration tool.
I can calibrate your wrench if you are local. I am in Loveland CO.
I have a really good HazeMaker IPA in the fridge.
Last edited by kodpkd; May 19, 2026 at 02:34 PM.
Popular Reply
May 17, 2026, 12:17 PM
Racer
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 264
Likes: 130
From: Effingham county GA
Before stowing your torque wrench after use, it is a good practice to always unwind it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 2,313
Likes: 2,042
From: MA/NH Seacoast
It seems like a lot of wrenches get sloppy with smaller torque numbers, especially larger wrenches that go high into the hundreds.
Always a good idea to have wrenches recalibrated from time to time!
Always a good idea to have wrenches recalibrated from time to time!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,029
Likes: 2,719
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
But the common understanding is that pistol mags where the spring is under compression, can be stored for decades without any degradation. Lots of real world examples to verify. What would be different about the spring in a torque wrench?
Racer
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 264
Likes: 130
From: Effingham county GA
That's the common understanding with mechanics, and I do it.
But the common understanding is that pistol mags where the spring is under compression, can be stored for decades without any degradation. Lots of real world examples to verify. What would be different about the spring in a torque wrench?
But the common understanding is that pistol mags where the spring is under compression, can be stored for decades without any degradation. Lots of real world examples to verify. What would be different about the spring in a torque wrench?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,029
Likes: 2,719
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
But there is a long history of of gun magazines being fully loaded for years or decades without problems, and spring engineers tell us that it's cycling (repeated loading and unloading) of springs that degrades them, not constant compression.
I'm trying to understand the difference.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 5,515
Likes: 2,204
From: Loveland
I agree that's the "official" way to do it, and that's the way I treat my two wrenches.
But there is a long history of of gun magazines being fully loaded for years or decades without problems, and spring engineers tell us that it's cycling (repeated loading and unloading) of springs that degrades them, not constant compression.
I'm trying to understand the difference.
But there is a long history of of gun magazines being fully loaded for years or decades without problems, and spring engineers tell us that it's cycling (repeated loading and unloading) of springs that degrades them, not constant compression.
I'm trying to understand the difference.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 938
Likes: 385
WAY back when I was in the Air Force, our torque wrench specific technical order stated not to use the lower 20 percent of any torque wrench as that part of the range wasn't accurate.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 935
From: near philly
likely nothing but people will be adamant that there is
The material property of a spring in compression is torsion, and obviously the wrench won't let you get anywhere near the yield point.
-So saying leaving it under slight torsion is a problem would be an identical position to saying that if you don't jack your car up on blocks if you park it long term means
that you will ruin your coil springs that it sits on. Because they are partially compressed right?
-Or saying that if you park on un-level ground and your passenger side wheel suspension is compressed up while your driver side is drooping down that means
you will ruin your sway bar because it will be left under slight torsion while parked.
-Now think about your valve springs when you shut down an engine. Numerous ones will end up fully compressed. Some guys park their cars for 6 months.
Obviously someone saying either of those things would be ridiculous. All three examples are leaving the spring rod in torsion under storage.
Am I saying that a measuring device like a torque wrench does NOT need calibration. . . . .absolutely not. Two totally different issues.
The material property of a spring in compression is torsion, and obviously the wrench won't let you get anywhere near the yield point.
-So saying leaving it under slight torsion is a problem would be an identical position to saying that if you don't jack your car up on blocks if you park it long term means
that you will ruin your coil springs that it sits on. Because they are partially compressed right?
-Or saying that if you park on un-level ground and your passenger side wheel suspension is compressed up while your driver side is drooping down that means
you will ruin your sway bar because it will be left under slight torsion while parked.
-Now think about your valve springs when you shut down an engine. Numerous ones will end up fully compressed. Some guys park their cars for 6 months.
Obviously someone saying either of those things would be ridiculous. All three examples are leaving the spring rod in torsion under storage.
Am I saying that a measuring device like a torque wrench does NOT need calibration. . . . .absolutely not. Two totally different issues.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 5,515
Likes: 2,204
From: Loveland
Most torque wrenches are only correct at one reading. It's nice to be able to check the correct torque. I have a wrench that has a max setting of 120 lb. ft. So I set the 60 lb reading at 60 lb's. I then checked the 20 lb. reading, it's a bit below 20 lbs. and the higher readings are a bit above the set readings. Now I know which way to adjust the upper and lower readings when setting the correct torque.
Last edited by kodpkd; May 18, 2026 at 10:35 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 935
From: near philly
Most torque wrenches are only correct at one reading. It's nice to be able to check the correct torque. I have a wrench that has a max setting of 120 lb. ft. So I set the 60 lb reading at 60 lb's. I then checked the 20 lb. reading, it's a bit below 20 lbs. and the higher readings are a bit above the set readings. Now I know to which way to adjust the upper and lower readings when setting the correct torque.
I have one that tops out at 250 and I actually just went to buy a smaller one for exactly what you described earlier. I needed 20 foot pounds for the stupid oil filter housing on my porsche where they use the annoying German style housing where you put the filter element inside it and re-use the housing for eternity. I knew as soon as I grabbed that wrench that the 20 ft/lb setting was probably painfully inaccurate being at the bottom end of the scale. It's good for wheel torque at 100-120.
In reality the old school ones with the little needle where the wrench literally flexes under torque are probably more accurate if they're a quality made one and not a harbor freight deluxe.
Last edited by rtv900; May 18, 2026 at 06:28 PM.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 5,515
Likes: 2,204
From: Loveland
But without testing your torque wrench, you don't know if any of the readings are correct. The three wrenches I tested averaged 3.5 lbs off.
This is about if someone needs their torque wrench calibrated.
This is about if someone needs their torque wrench calibrated.
Last edited by kodpkd; May 19, 2026 at 02:32 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,064
Likes: 1,166
From: N. Alabama
Snap on provides a sheet of actual calibration at the various settings with their torque wrenches. And yes, you pay a lot for that little slip of paper. And you can bet your left nut that I back off the torque each time I put it up as recommended. Also, I don't use it in 'lefty loosey'. If I need to back off a nut I use a regular wrench. I now have 6 torque wrenches of varying capacities. Had to buy one last month at HF to use on 250# nut on tractor. The least one is the Snap On for inch pounds such as rifle scope mounting and other various little specs.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,941
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From: EAST TENNESSEE
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 5,515
Likes: 2,204
From: Loveland
It's surprising how far off torque wrenches are. This all started with installing new valve springs. The torque spec for the rocker arms is 22 ft lbs. So if your wrench is off by just 3 lbs. that's a lot.
Last edited by kodpkd; May 23, 2026 at 11:12 AM.