How far down do I turn this torque wrench to store it? (PICS)

[SMKS]

I have a 3/8" drive Armstrong click-type torque wrench. I know I'm supposed to turn the setting down when it's not in use, but how far down do I turn it?

This wrench goes from 10-100 ft. lbs. Do I turn it to "10" or lower than that? It will turn lower than the "10" marking.

See the pics to see what I mean. Which way is correct?

 

[Fedwrench]

Turn it to the lowest setting but, not below the lowest setiing.

 

[t100]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4535

 

[Charles (in GA)]

The lowest marked setting.

Some torque wrenches use a walking block inside that can fall out of place if the spring tension is completely and totally relieved, and the block cannot get itself into place again, it required dis assembly of the tool and recalibration. I know the older Proto torque wrenches are made that way. Not sure what else might be.

Charles

 

[pipsters]

These click style torque wrenches use a spring if I am not mistaken. Well, the general reasoning for turning the torque wrench down is to relieve pressure on the spring. However what I don't understand is springs won't wear out if they aren't moved no matter what position they are in. So in fact by reducing the tension on the spring you are just causing additional wear via metal fatigue. In other words, you are doing more harm than good.

A good spring will last a long time, the cheaper the torque wrench the cheaper the spring, and the less adjustment it will be able to handle. You're better off not touching it until needing to set it to another setting.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

These click style torque wrenches use a spring if I am not mistaken. Well, the general reasoning for turning the torque wrench down is to relieve pressure on the spring. However what I don't understand is springs won't wear out if they aren't moved no matter what position they are in. So in fact by reducing the tension on the spring you are just causing additional wear via metal fatigue. In other words, you are doing more harm than good.

A good spring will last a long time, the cheaper the torque wrench the cheaper the spring, and the less adjustment it will be able to handle. You're better off not touching it until needing to set it to another setting.

Wrong. What happens when you leave the magazine (clip) of a pistol or rifle loaded all the time? The spring loses its strength and the gun cannot feed properly. Leave that gun cocked (as in afraid to dry fire it) and what happens to the hammer spring or firing pin spring, it loses tension, causing mis-fires.

Relieving the tension of the spring is a recommendation of every torque wrench manufacturer that makes that type of clicker torque wrench. They don't recommend it for the fun of it, there is a reason, leave that spring compressed, and it does not return properly when finally relieved of compression, it has lost tension.

Charles

 

[jhelrey]

Just buy a digital like I did!

 

[ETravis]

These click style torque wrenches use a spring if I am not mistaken. Well, the general reasoning for turning the torque wrench down is to relieve pressure on the spring. However what I don't understand is springs won't wear out if they aren't moved no matter what position they are in. So in fact by reducing the tension on the spring you are just causing additional wear via metal fatigue. In other words, you are doing more harm than good.

A good spring will last a long time, the cheaper the torque wrench the cheaper the spring, and the less adjustment it will be able to handle. You're better off not touching it until needing to set it to another setting.

As far as springs go I'm with pipsters. I don't know a whole lot about storing torque wrenches but I have been taught that springs in compression don't wear out, magazines included. I could be misinformed but this is what I have been told and read in other places.

 

[MrMark]

Charles knows what he is talking about and I do what he says but I have a new Armstrong Torque wrench (it is really nice) and it says in the instructions that it doesn't have to be turned down. I do it anyway just as you show in the first picture.

Question for the OP: do you find the hash marks are a little off on the Armstrong? On mine, when I turn to the zero on the rotating handle the hash mark on the handle seems a little bit too far below the number on the wrench tube. You follow what I am saying?

 

[MrMark]

I believe my instructions say it doesn't have to be turned down unless it will be stored for long periods of time. I don't know what would be considered "long periods," but I always turn it down just to be safe.

Also, if you look in the pic, the mark in the tube lines up pretty well. I'd have to go out in the garage to see if it still lines up higher in the scale.

Right. Mine does say the same. What is a long time? I am super careful with stuff and I just turn it down like you did.

 

[pipsters]

Charles knows what he is talking about and I do what he says but I have a new Armstrong Torque wrench (it is really nice) and it says in the instructions that it doesn't have to be turned down. I do it anyway just as you show in the first picture.

Question for the OP: do you find the hash marks are a little off on the Armstrong? On mine, when I turn to the zero on the rotating handle the hash mark on the handle seems a little bit too far below the number on the wrench tube. You follow what I am saying?

You're dealing with Hooke's Law here, it's physics, not wives tales.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/109990-can-you-keep-magazine-loaded.html

To address his specific example of guns...

Smith and Wesson customer service also says magazines can stay loaded indefinitely without hurting the spring.

You're actually doing more damage exercising the spring back and forth because it might one day lead to metal fatigue. That being said, you will probably die before it gets to that point. Really what kills springs is over compression/extension.

 

[Tool Pants]

..........

 

[rayzor32]

as said before you turn it down to the lowest setting but not below that. FWIW I left my craftsman 3/8" turned up to 75ftlbs and it sat in my box at home for a whole year like that and still tested accurate.

 

[IDASHO]

You're dealing with Hooke's Law here, it's physics, not wives tales.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/109990-can-you-keep-magazine-loaded.html

To address his specific example of guns...



You're actually doing more damage exercising the spring back and forth because it might one day lead to metal fatigue. That being said, you will probably die before it gets to that point. Really what kills springs is over compression/extension.

Thanks for the link. Thats a good read.

 

[psychoclaw84]

My first torque wrench was a click-type 1/2 drive craftsman.

The instructions said to release the tension, but did not specify which setting to use. So I backed the tension past the lowest setting and unscrewed the handle mechanism to the spring. Craftsman only has a one year warranty and the repair center said it would cost $95 plus parts to repair.

My current torque wrench, I set the wrench at the lowest setting and store it until the next use.

The calibration technicians where I work; recommend setting the click-type torque wrench at it's lowest setting when in storage. This is the setting it is set on when it comes back from the calibration lab (in-house).

So far I have not encountered any issues.

 

[Thedroid]

A Proto 3/8 torque wrench at work was left cranked up in the case for about a year, and now it needs to be exercised. If you leave it cranked up and put it away it wont click when you reach the setting. Procedure now is make sure its all the way down, then i clamp the drive in the vice and set it for half of what I need and click it a few times, then set for the final setting and click it a few times. After that its good to go until next time.