Icon Torque Wrench Calibration is Remarkably Good

[Treeman]

Now I think your point is we should evaluate the bolt and the bolt hole, do our best to solve any out of spec friction problems and then based on the amount of remaining out of spec change in friction, which we can't measure, we should guess at the appropriate torque value to achieve the ideal tension which we don't know and can't measure.

I do understand and believe what you are saying and that there are times when mechanics have to take torque specs with a grain of salt. I don't see this in my world because I just wrench bolts occasionally in my garage and I never work on anything with corrosion. For my level of experience and my easy projects, following torque specs and using perceived good wrench is good for morale.

Bingo. The take home for you should be that a person should study and understand the principles of torque,the limitations of torque tools, and the best standard operating practices.

That's the best we can do in the real world. I see many people that assume because they have an expensive high precision/accuracy tool that it automatically results in high precision/high accuracy results. No. A skilled shooter could hit the same targets with a $200 Mossberg as a with a $2,000 Browning. And vice versa with an unskilled shooter - miss with either gun.

The engineering forums state that torque can vary +/- approximately 27% using a torque wrench due to all the variables. That DOES make the difference between a 3% vs. 4% wrench spec. a moot point.

Have fun with your new wrench.

 

[DugT]

It’s not about a one time calibration, it’s about maintaining the the internal parts that keep the TW calibrated when used on a daily basis.. The repeated stretching (clickers) over time can change the spring rate, which require adjustment and sometimes new parts, other scenarios require periodic calibration and documentation to back it up.

I’ve always been in the camp that I’m buying from a company that specializes in Torquing fasteners, especially since PI and CDi under there own branding is extremely affordable.

I don’t send many TW’s off for calibration, I’m pretty reliable in regards to keeping my clickers dialed down and have a HF strain gauge that when checked seems spot on across a variety of torque values.

Just so we are clear, I’m not bashing the Icon. It looks nice... It’s just not my cup of tea.

I'm pretty sure that HF's torque wrenches are made by companies that specialize in torque wrenches.

My older torque wrench is a Matco. It was sold with a lifetime warranty but because I don't work in a shop as a mechanic Matco wasn't interested in honoring that warranty. They said I could send it to an authorized repair center that would take it apart and let me know how much I would have to pay for them to fix it and put it back together. If I thought the repair charge was too high they would return the wrench in pieces. That turned me off the big truck premium tools. I've heard that Harbor Freight is real good about honoring their lifetime warranty.

I considered getting a Precision Instruments split beam. They cost 60% more than my Icon so I wouldn't call that "Extremely affordable". Their warranty is only 90 days! I use a torque wrench about once every 90 days so if it broke the second time I used it, the warranty would be useless. I think a lifetime warranty makes a lot more sense for hobbiests like me. Just so we are clear, I’m not bashing Precision Instruments. It looks nice... It’s just not my cup of tea.

 

[Hiball]

My older torque wrench is a Matco. It was sold with a lifetime warranty but because I don't work in a shop as a mechanic Matco wasn't interested in honoring that warranty. They said I could send it to an authorized repair center that would take it apart and let me know how much I would have to pay for them to fix it and put it back together. If I thought the repair charge was too high they would return the wrench in pieces. That turned me off the big truck premium tools. I've heard that Harbor Freight is real good about honoring their lifetime warranty.

I considered getting a Precision Instruments split beam. They cost 60% more than my Icon so I wouldn't call that "Extremely affordable". Their warranty is only 90 days! I use a torque wrench about once every 90 days so if it broke the second time I used it, the warranty would be useless. I think a lifetime warranty makes a lot more sense for hobbiest like me. Just so we are clear, I’m not bashing Precision Instruments. It looks nice... It’s just not my cup of tea.

Don’t be under the impression that my choices have to mimic yours... that’s silly.

I don’t know of any torque wrench supplier with a Lifetime warranty on Calibration, HF is No exception as it’s only 90 days. The torque wrench itself cares a “Limited” Lifetime warranty for the tools “usefulness” life (whatever that means).

Having Torque wrenches calibrated on occasion is part of the game, At min verified at a test station or other methods. I’m sure your Icon TW will more than fit your needs, get to wrenching.

Good chat..

Hf Icon TW Warranty link

 

[sberry]

I think 27% is generous, the error cab be way higher. Right to the point they stick.

 

[DugT]

Don’t be under the impression that my choices have to mimic yours... that’s silly.

I don’t know of any torque wrench supplier with a Lifetime warranty on Calibration, HF is No exception as it’s only 90 days. The torque wrench itself cares a “Limited” Lifetime warranty for the tools “usefulness” life (whatever that means).

Having Torque wrenches calibrated on occasion is part of the game, At min verified at a test station or other methods.

Good chat..

Hf Icon TW Warranty link

If you think I was being silly, maybe you are projecting.

Yes, calibration is never included in the warranty. I never said it was. That would be silly.

At Precision Instruments website I could find nothing about their warranty. That makes me very skeptical about its usefulness beyong 90 days. I suspect anything beyond that depends on who you are and who you work for. My experience with Matco gave me a bad attitude.

By the way, I owned one of the PI spit beam wrenches for a day and I agree that it is an excellent wrench. I believe its beams would be much more stable than the springs in a clicker. Setting the torque dial is very fast and easy. Not having to reset to a low setting is icing on the cake. If I was a mechanic I would want one except the warranty would give me pause.

 

[Hiball]

If you think I was being silly, maybe you are projecting.

Yes, calibration is never included in the warranty. I never said it was. That would be silly.

At Precision Instruments website I could find nothing about their warranty. That makes me very skeptical about its usefulness beyong 90 days. I suspect anything beyond that depends on who you are and who you work for. My experience with Matco gave me a bad attitude.

By the way, I owned one of the PI spit beam wrenches for a day and I agree that it is an excellent wrench. I believe its beams would be much more stable than the springs in a clicker. Setting the torque dial is very fast and easy. Not having to reset to a low setting is icing on the cake. If I was a mechanic I would want one except the warranty would give me pause.

I Personally put very little weight with warranty on Calibration equipment, Tool trucks included, Parts and serviceability is High on “My” List. I have more PI clickers versus Split beam, but there tech is attractive.

FYI I was thumbing thru that HF warranty, It appears if you want to exercise your Limited Lifetime warranty. It requires that it’s “professionally recalibrated every 6 Months”.

 

[DugT]

I Personally put very little weight with warranty on Calibration equipment, Tool trucks included, Parts and serviceability is High on “My” List. I have more PI clickers versus Split beam, but there tech is attractive.

FYI I was thumbing thru that HF warranty, It appears if you want to exercise your Limited Lifetime warranty. It requires that it’s “professionally recalibrated every 6 Months”.

“professionally recalibrated every 6 Months”, that is rediculous for several reasons as probably everyone here knows. I read that before I bought my Icon and it caught my attention but I bought it anyway because an HF employee said they quickly replace any handtools as long as they don't look abused. If I can't get confirmation of that from a reliable source I will return the wrench soon. Thanks for bringing that to my attention.

For me, a seldom torquer, a $10 Pittsburgh would suffice. They have the same warranty but I wouldn't mind buying another one every five or ten years if necessary.

 

[Hiball]

“professionally recalibrated every 6 Months”, that is rediculous for several reasons as probably everyone here knows. I read that before I bought my Icon and it caught my attention but I bought it anyway because an HF employee said they quickly replace any handtools as long as they don't look abused. If I can't get confirmation of that from a reliable source I will return the wrench soon. Thanks for bringing that to my attention.

For me, a seldom torquer, a $10 Pittsburgh would suffice. They have the same warranty but I wouldn't mind buying another one every five or ten years if necessary.

I wouldn’t sweat it... keep it dialed back when not in use and stored in its case and I’m sure it will remain accurate for many years. If it bothers you, You can always run a occasional home check or find someone with a torque testing machine.

 

[noid]

so now I'm wondering what OEMs like Toyota are thinking when they specify a torque value. Are they assuming clean/lubed or rusty/dry. Can't recall reading anything about this in any shop manual. Guaranteed Toyota has thought tons about it, maybe they just pick a middle point and call it a day.

 

[DugT]

You guys are awesome. Here is a totally unrelated photo I took today of a bear in my neighborhood.

 

[M635_Guy]

It’s not about a one time calibration, it’s about maintaining the the internal parts that keep the TW calibrated when used on a daily basis.. The repeated stretching (clickers) over time can change the spring rate, which require adjustment and sometimes new parts, other scenarios require periodic calibration and documentation to back it up.

I’ve always been in the camp that I’m buying from a company that specializes in Torquing fasteners, especially since PI and CDi under there own branding is extremely affordable.

I don’t send many TW’s off for calibration, I’m pretty reliable in regards to keeping my clickers dialed down and have a HF strain gauge that when checked seems spot on across a variety of torque values.

Just so we are clear, I’m not bashing the Icon. It looks nice... It’s just not my cup of tea.

+respect I wish more people disagreed like you

I don’t know of any torque wrench supplier with a Lifetime warranty on Calibration

There was a time when Griot's Garage (which sold detailing and care care stuff, but sold a few tools) offered free calibration of "their" torque wrenches. Here's mine, made in England and think it might be a Norbar they rebranded:

Hf Icon TW Warranty link

I don't think they're saying if you don't have it calibrated they won't honor the warranty. I think they give themselves outs, but...