Best source to calibrate torque wrench?

[markdtn]

About 20 years ago I bought a used 1/2" Snap-On torque wrench. I have used it to build 3-4 engines and I return to zero every time I'm done but have never had it calibrated. I would like to get it done now. Where is the best place to get that done? Is it easier to chase down a Tool Truck or find a local company that does this? What would I expect to pay for this service? I'm in no rush, just think it's (past) time to do it.

 

[Terra Nova]

I would look for a local calibration house. We send a lot of them out for work and pay right around $50 per wrench locally. Of course prices will vary with vendor and such. Whole bunch easier than tracking a tool truck down.

 

[472scout]

Google calibration lab near me, tool calibration, etc.

 

[TJMtl]

Found a Snap-On truck and my 1/2" Snap-On was still within spec, after using it lightly for 20 years. I treat it like it will explode if I knock it on anything.

I found my closest Snap-On dealer using facebook.

 

[javyLSU]

I would look for a local calibration house. We send a lot of them out for work and pay right around $50 per wrench locally. Of course prices will vary with vendor and such. Whole bunch easier than tracking a tool truck down.

The trucks just send them off anyway... A lot of guys I've talked to have used TeamTorque: (https://www.teamtorque.com/service-repairs). Prices vary according to what type of torque wrench you use, but I've heard nothing but good feedback about them.

I've also talked to guys that have used Angle Repair (https://anglerepair.com/repair-calibration-charges/).

 

[Terra Nova]

... never mind, read your initial post wrong.

There are a couple schools of thought on storage. I've read that you should take it down to it's lowest torque setting, others say to back it all the way off. Not sure the right answer but once we drilled into the guys heads to NOT leave them set at torque the number of wrenches coming back out of calibration every year dropped sharply.

 

[javyLSU]

All the instructions I've seen for click-type torque wrenches advise storing them at the lowest setting, not zero. Best practice is to read the manual for your specific torque wrench. A few of the wrenches I've seen set to zero wound up "unscrewing" and needing repair.

 

[markdtn]

All the instructions I've seen for click-type torque wrenches advise storing them at the lowest setting, not zero. Best practice is to read the manual for your specific torque wrench. A few of the wrenches I've seen set to zero wound up "unscrewing" and needing repair.

It has been stored properly.
Sounds like send it off is the best option. Thanks!

 

[TJMtl]

I set mine at the lowest setting of 50 each time I finish using it.

 

[visionguru]

...Sounds like send it off is the best option.

Likely cost $100+.

Checking for accuracy and recalibration (if needed), is actually quite easy. All you need is a torque adapter (cost from $30~$50). I have a PowerBuilt 1/2" adapter (similar to Harbor Freight). It is dead on comparing against my 3 Snap On TechAngles.

Then, adjustment is like this:

 

[charbar]

Most tool trucks have a way to at least test them on the truck. If you're not in a rush it might be worth it to at least test them first and see if it is even worth spending the money to send them in....

 

[Ricky Joe]

I’ve had two torque wrenches calibrated in forty some years. One because an employee threw it when I fired him, the other when the head assembly came loose. Both were Snap-On. The second one was about ten years ago and cost about $60. Neither were out.

 

[Sumboodie]

... never mind, read your initial post wrong.

There are a couple schools of thought on storage. I've read that you should take it down to it's lowest torque setting, others say to back it all the way off. Not sure the right answer but once we drilled into the guys heads to NOT leave them set at torque the number of wrenches coming back out of calibration every year dropped sharply.

We had to store at lowest setting in the Air Force.
Even then, had plenty that couldn't hold +-5% torque.
Snap On was HORRIBLE for that for some reason. Even brand new, many weren't able to meet calibration specs.
Crazy enough, the cheap Crafstman units ($40ish) were usually fine and held up well.

Many of my torque wrenches are throw away from work.
I figured a torque wrench that was maybe +-7% or 10% was still better than no torque wrench.

Most of the time I'm after even torque with multiple fasteners and it's not as much about hitting an exact number.

 

[Walkers]

If you have a scale that has any sort of accuracy and can measure a convenient weight at mid scale, just hange the weights off the handle at that setting and distance from the pivot, and see if it clicks, or does so at a pound or two more or less.

I used to have to calibrate my field measurement tools every quarter. I think most people would be surprised by the amount inaccuracy that is tolerable, and the non linearity of its accuracy. They most likely calibrate them at something like 80% of scale and check at the top and bottom to see if they are within a certain percentage of error.

 

[mailpup]

The trucks just send them off anyway... A lot of guys I've talked to have used TeamTorque: (https://www.teamtorque.com/service-repairs). Prices vary according to what type of torque wrench you use, but I've heard nothing but good feedback about them.

I've also talked to guys that have used Angle Repair (https://anglerepair.com/repair-calibration-charges/).

I'm a DIYer but I've have used Team Torque to calibrate one of my torque wrenches and was satisfied with their service. They certify it and as I recall they send a data sheet with technical details.

 

[javyLSU]

If you have a scale that has any sort of accuracy and can measure a convenient weight at mid scale, just hange the weights off the handle at that setting and distance from the pivot, and see if it clicks, or does so at a pound or two more or less.

I used to have to calibrate my field measurement tools every quarter. I think most people would be surprised by the amount inaccuracy that is tolerable, and the non linearity of its accuracy. They most likely calibrate them at something like 80% of scale and check at the top and bottom to see if they are within a certain percentage of error.

I used to do that until found one of these for sale for $100. Maybe the best $100 I ever spent!

 

[M635_Guy]

I’ve had two torque wrenches calibrated in forty some years. One because an employee threw it when I fired him, the other when the head assembly came loose. Both were Snap-On. The second one was about ten years ago and cost about $60. Neither were out.

Mental Note: Never fire anyone with a torque wrench in their hand...

 

[Walkers]

I used to do that until found one of these for sale for $100. Maybe the best $100 I ever spent!

Nice! I hunted just now, several on ebay for $169 and up. At $80 a pop to go with torque team that makes a lot of sense. Personally, I am going to put my head back in the sand.

 

[M635_Guy]

I used to do that until found one of these for sale for $100. Maybe the best $100 I ever spent!

I would totally grab that for $100. My only questions are how do you know that thing is calibrated and can it be re-calibrated?

I got the Quinn gizmo for checking my SO and old Griot's torque wrenches and they were both very close.

 

[NHtoolguy]

I have used Angle Repair in West Virginia for calibrating my personal torque wrenches. They charge about $40 and are prompt and friendly. They can repair most brands too.

 

[javyLSU]

I would totally grab that for $100. My only questions are how do you know that thing is calibrated and can it be re-calibrated?

I got the Quinn gizmo for checking my SO and old Griot's torque wrenches and they were both very close.

I used to have the Pittsburgh-branded one a few years ago (I probably still have it somewhere). It was always accurate against everything I measured it against, great little device for the money.

The Snap-on torque checker can be re-calibrated, it’s actually the same mechanism that’s inside the Snap-on TechAngle digital torque wrenches. I checked this one against an old-school beam torque wrench which I know to be accurate, and again when I bought my newest 3/8” TechAngle off the truck. The strain gauge-based digital torque devices tend to stay in calibration unless there’s some sort of permanent deformation of the metal inside, or damage to one of the four sensors.

 

[M635_Guy]

I used to have the Pittsburgh-branded one a few years ago (I probably still have it somewhere). It was always accurate against everything I measured it against, great little device for the money.

The Snap-on torque checker can be re-calibrated, it’s actually the same mechanism that’s inside the Snap-on TechAngle digital torque wrenches. I checked this one against an old-school beam torque wrench which I know to be accurate, and again when I bought my newest 3/8” TechAngle off the truck. The strain gauge-based digital torque devices tend to stay in calibration unless there’s some sort of permanent deformation of the metal inside, or damage to one of the four sensors.

I wound up getting the Quinn 3/8" digital torque wrench with the torque angle capability at their labor day sale, and the readings on it with the adapter gizmo were highly consistent (the calibration certificate on both was really tight IIRC), so it made me feel better about the readings I got on my two regular torque wrenches. A friend has already borrowed the gizmo and a couple more want to, which help me feel like I haven't totally wasted my money with the overlap

 

[javyLSU]

I wound up getting the Quinn 3/8" digital torque wrench with the torque angle capability at their labor day sale, and the readings on it with the adapter gizmo were highly consistent (the calibration certificate on both was really tight IIRC), so it made me feel better about the readings I got on my two regular torque wrenches. A friend has already borrowed the gizmo and a couple more want to, which help me feel like I haven't totally wasted my money with the overlap

That Quinn digital torque wrench is actually a really good unit - it’s made by Eclatorq, and they OEM torque wrenches for a bunch of other companies. You might have seen that same torque wrench sold (for much more money, and a lower tooth count ratchet head) under the Craftsman and Kobalt brands.

 

[PoorUB]

I have a 3/8" Snap-on clicker and a 1/2" Proto clicker. I just compare the two. I put a square drive socket and connect the two drives together. I set them both for 50 ftlbs and see which one clicks, then turn one up or down until the other clicks. They are within a couple foot pounds of each other. Close enough that I will not worry about it, but then there is the chance they are both off in the same direction!

 

[Mgdoug3]

I use an old beam style torque wrench to periodically check my other torque wrenches. Use an Allen socket on the beam and a hex socket on the other one. It goes from 0 to 100 lbs but it helps make sure they're close. I picked up the beam style for almost nothing.

Funny enough, my old Craftsman made by Utica torque wrench is as accurate as any torque wrench I have even at 10 ft lbs.

 

[ZRX61]

I send them to a buddy who works for a large defense contractor.

 

[mikew13]

The trucks just send them off anyway... A lot of guys I've talked to have used TeamTorque: (https://www.teamtorque.com/service-repairs). Prices vary according to what type of torque wrench you use, but I've heard nothing but good feedback about them.

I've also talked to guys that have used Angle Repair (https://anglerepair.com/repair-calibration-charges/).

I was going to suggest Team Torque but be aware there are in Bismarck, ND.

 

[javyLSU]

I would totally grab that for $100. My only questions are how do you know that thing is calibrated and can it be re-calibrated?

I got the Quinn gizmo for checking my SO and old Griot's torque wrenches and they were both very close.

A friend wanted to check his torque wrench this weekend, and I thought I would dig out that old Harbor Freight torque adapter to compare with the Snap-on unit. See results below - not bad for a $30 unit, eh?

 

[Ronson25]

find a snappy truck my guy had a rig to test on the truck not sure about the other trucks

 

[Jason45]

Hi everyone. Does anyone know how to calibrate this wrench made in Taiwan? I paid it too much money 3 years ago, now it seems a lot off specs. I'd like to give a try at calibrating it, but I don't know on which bolts I have to act. Thank you for help

 

[Qualitytools]

I used to do that until found one of these for sale for $100. Maybe the best $100 I ever spent!

Nice! I see that it has a range limit so if you need anything outside that range you're out of luck.

 

[javyLSU]

Nice! I see that it has a range limit so if you need anything outside that range you're out of luck.

I don't own (or need) any torque wrenches that go higher than 250 ft/lbs, so I'm good.