Dialing down a torque wrench

[bobcatdan]

After talking with the guys at the other shop in our dealer chain, where do you dial your torque wrench to when done. I go to the lowest setting, ie 5 ft lbs. The other two guys said alway down completely to remove any spring pressure. I said you shouldn't crank one all the way down. Who is right?

 

[Seanbev24]

You are right

 

[mkirkpatrick]

you are, always to the lowest setting.

 

[garfunkle24]

If it's a beam, dial or electronic torque wrench, you're both wrong

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

The lowest setting it's rated for is what I was taught to do. IE: 5-30 pound wrench gets set back at 5 for storage.

 

[Gregg33]

I have a licenced mechanic friend who whenever he uses a torque wrench he dials it down way below the minimum setting (and I'm guessing he's never had any problems doing that or else he would have changed his practices). However the instructions that came with my made in the USA Gray torque wrench state the following "Store torque wrench in it's protective case at it's lowest torque setting. Do not force the handle below lowest setting." So that's what I do.