Calibrating an Older Torque Wrench

[Turbo_Prop]

I dropped off a Snap On 1/2" drive torque wrench with the Snap-On dealer to be calibrated. Right away he started about it being old, parts not being available, etc. Two weeks later, I have to call him, and I get the 'they couldn't calibrate it because they didn't have parts, etc, etc''.

Here's the deal. The SO dealer is slowly going out of business, his truck is practically empty and he seems to have lost his drive.

The wrench was given to my boss by his father before he died sort of a heir loom. It is an old SO micrometer style, has a round head, but it still works, even the lock on the handle.

I can help but think the SO dealer was trying to get me to buy a new wrench. What do you guys think?


Ps - There are a couple of places not far from me that specialize in calibrating torque wrenches. I might send it to one of them.

 

[billymade]

You might give these guys a call and see what they can do for you.

www.teamtorque.com

Got a picture? What part number is it? Is there anything mechanically wrong with it; aside from the calibration needs checked? Many of the older snapon TW's were made by Precision Instruments, they may be able to help as well. So, you just want to use it or is this a tool that has sentimental value that you want to repair, regardless of the cost?

http://www.torqwrench.com/home.php

 

[Turbo_Prop]

The wrench works perfectly, even the case is in good shape. I borrowed it because I didn't have one that went to 210 ft lbs. I would like to have it calibrated before returning it to my boss.

Another question I have about this is when wrenches get recalibrated, is it common to have to replace parts if everything is working?

 

[Stephenw]

How do you know it was working perfectly?

It might have been out of tolerance.

The pawls inside sometimes need to be replaced. They are the part that makes the "click" when the torque setting is reached.

 

[Turbo_Prop]

How do you know it was working perfectly?

It might have been out of tolerance.

The pawls inside sometimes need to be replaced. They are the part that makes the "click" when the torque setting is reached.

True. It may, well it probably is out of tolerance. That is why I want to have it calibrated.

It does operate though without any issues, the ratchet mechanism is without issue, the lock on the handle works, and when I used it the 'click' seemed normal.

Like I said earlier, aside from being really old, it does work and it's a Snap-On.

 

[Stooge]

Sound like it's one of those, "for what it will cost in repairs and calibration,you might as well buy new" shpeals. I hate to say it and hate telling customers, but it's at least tue 50%of the time. A lot of manufactures don't want to carry old stock to fix older equipment anymore and sometimes the current calibration equipment isn't compatable depending on how old it is, making it a pain to repair and can make for an unaccredited cal. A new Snappy torque wrench isnt cheap but when the repair and calibration can cost a few hundred dollars, it starts to question it. I believe we use AAjansson http://aajansson.com/index.htm for our torque wrench cals that we farm out

 

[Turbo_Prop]

Not ready to toss in the towel just yet. I have an estimate from a place in Charlotte that calibrates torque wrenches, $55 plus approx $15 for shipping. Will post the results here.

 

[wjamyers]

what were the results?

I have a 20 year old Craftsman that's been used probably 15 times in it's life. was left sitting set at the lowest setting.

It's the only one I have and I'd like to feel confident in it's measurement.