Micrometer torque wrench storage at lowest value?

[308guru]

Does anybody store their micrometer torque wrench set at the lowest value as this info from Tekton is stating? I always just mine down to zero, or until the handle stops backing out. I’ve never seen this direction from any manufacturer before, but maybe I haven’t been looking hard enough.

This seems to be one of those topics that stirs up all sorts of experts with varying methods and opinions.

1/4 Inch Drive Dual-Direction Micrometer Torque Wrench | TEKTON | TRQ21101

1/4 Inch Drive Dual-Direction Micrometer Torque Wrench: 10-150 in.-lb. (1.1-16.9 Nm). Designed for use on bicycles. High-contrast scale and zipper case.

www.tekton.com

 

[4xdog]

My old Craftsman instructions state to store the wrench backed off to the lowest scale setting. Not below scale.

That makes sense and it’s what I’ve done for 40+ years.

 

[DrinkMan]

I've seen those instructions on all my torque wrenches.....(correction, all the wrenches that I bothered to read the instructions)

I was also told to do that by a retired master tech that I consult with. So, that is what I do as well.

 

[goldtang]

This is from the Norbar. Web site

The ten things you should know about your torque wrench

Torque wrenches are common place across a variety of industrial processes, commercial garages and even homes wherever there is a precision assembly process utilising threaded fasteners. Considering their widespread use however, there remains a number

www.norbar.com

• Storing your torque wrench

When a torque wrench is in regular use it does not need to be wound back. However, when storing a torque wrench for an extended period of time, users should always wind it down to the minimum scale setting and never to zero.

A fully loaded torque wrench, left in storage for a long period, can cause a set in the spring, causing it to weaken over time. On the other end of the scale, by completely off-loading the spring, other components within the wrench may move fractionally relative to each other. When you reapply spring compression the orientation of these components can change, therefore affecting accuracy. All in all, it is better to leave a bit of compression in the spring while in storage.

hope this helps

 

[Burt Shaver]

I always store my torque wrenches at the lowest scale setting

 

[308guru]

Interesting....I guess I'll start storing my torque wrenches at the lowest setting instead of "zero".

 

[acer66]

My old Craftsman instructions state to store the wrench backed off to the lowest scale setting. Not below scale.

That makes sense and it’s what I’ve done for 40+ years.

Yeah, I learned that the hard way since I did not do that and it was toast after that.

 

[djbmw]

Yes, all torque wrenches suggest storing at the lowest setting, when not in use. Torque Test Channel on Youtube tested this and, if you leave your wrench set somewhere other than 0, it will weaken the spring and you'll be under target a couple points.

Once out of spec, you can buy a digital torque adapter to use to re-calibrate your wrench.

 

[acer66]

Yes, all torque wrenches suggest storing at the lowest setting, when not in use. Torque Test Channel on Youtube tested this and, if you leave your wrench set somewhere other than 0, it will weaken the spring and you'll be under target a couple points.

Once out of spec, you can buy a digital torque adapter to use to re-calibrate your wrench.

I did not know about digital torque adaptors.

Is there a affordable reliable one out there?

 

[djbmw]

They are $35 to $45 on Amazon for a 1/2" digital torque adapter. Since they use an electric strain sensor they are generally much more accurate than a traditional click-type (spring) torque wrench and do not go out of calibration (unless you break it).

Here's one: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BPLQK5H4?tag=atomicindus04-20

 

[Certified Drunk]

I always backed mine off all the way, Guess, I learned two things today.
1 set torque wrench to the lowest scale setting
2 read the instructions

 

[djbmw]

I always backed mine off all the way, Guess, I learned two things today.
1 set torque wrench to the lowest scale setting
2 read the instructions

Backing it off all the way is "fine" too,... however, then debris and rust can form between the handle and spring base/perch. If you remove the handle and check the spring (and lubricate it with oil) semi-regularily you'll be fine.

 

[RTM]

Probably a dozen more I've missed.

stirring them up in 2018

Torque wrench storage

How are you guys storing your torque wrenches that don't have a factory molded case? I've got 4, that have always just rolled around loose in my tool box. I'm about to calibrate all of them, and figured it's about time to treat them right. The first thing that came to mind was a padded PVC pipe...

www.garagejournal.com

Stirring up people since 2012

WRIGHT clicker torque wrench storage question

I have Wright tool #4478 1/2" clicker torque wrench. Couldn't find a close up picture anywhere, but on the scale it goes down to 30 and then basically stops. Am I supposed to 'guess' where zero is? I think it's a 30-250 range. If you keep turning the handle left, it goes a long ways until...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[Outahere]

Setting the wrench at zero can affect its calibration. You should check the calibration on your wrench.

Do Torque Wrenches Need To Be Wound Back To Zero After Use?

Certainly, if a torque wrench is wound back at all it should not be adjusted below the minimum scale marking (usually 20% of maximum) - never to zero as this can adversely affect the calibration of the wrench. Beyond that, it really depends on the ap

www.norbarusa.com

 

[rust in the eye]

I've wound mine down all the way forever. I don't see any difference between a low setting(essentially zero load) and unwinding until slack. Either way the spring isn't going to be fatigued which is what we're trying to avoid.
Having said that I've not checked or re-calibrated in that same, forever, period.
The other variables when using a torque wrench are going to be more than any difference between storing at the lowest setting and a completely slack spring.

 

[dallastide]

That's how I store both mine.

 

[308guru]

They are $35 to $45 on Amazon for a 1/2" digital torque adapter. Since they use an electric strain sensor they are generally much more accurate than a traditional click-type (spring) torque wrench and do not go out of calibration (unless you break it).

Here's one: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BPLQK5H4?tag=atomicindus04-20

Do you serious believe that these low cost "torque adapters" (without calibration per ISO and using NIST standards) are the end all be all? Why would anyone believe their torque wrench is out of calibration when compared to one of these?

I've brought my torque wrenches (Snap On and PI) to work during calibration days and had them tested. Very little drift/error over time (One S.O. ~30+yrs. ) despite routinely backing them all the way off.

Zero chance I'm believing the $35 Amazon special vs. a reputable brand torque wrench that has been treated well.

 

[dnschmidt]

It matters but not as much as people think. Let's say you have a 100 ft-lb max wrench and you store it at 25 ft-lb. it's very unlikely to have any effect at all. Storing it at 80 likely would, over time, cause it to be a couple of ft-lb lower torque than it should be.

 

[GeoBruin]

Do you serious believe that these low cost "torque adapters" (without calibration per ISO and using NIST standards) are the end all be all? Why would anyone believe their torque wrench is out of calibration when compared to one of these?

I've brought my torque wrenches (Snap On and PI) to work during calibration days and had them tested. Very little drift/error over time (One S.O. ~30+yrs. ) despite routinely backing them all the way off.

Zero chance I'm believing the $35 Amazon special vs. a reputable brand torque wrench that has been treated well.

A $20 Timex digital watch will keep time much better than a spring driven mechanical Rolex costing 100x more. It sounds like djbmw is saying that something similar is going on with digital torque adapters and mechanical torque wrenches.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I never leave tension on my torque wrenches. Many torque wrenches have a ripple plate and spring pressure on that plate. Overcoming the resistance between the two matching plates is measured as torque,
Next, many of us have noticed the spring suspensions in some cars start to sag as the car gets old. The spring in the TW will take a new set if left under tension.
My employer had and encouraged us to use the supplied torque wrench tester. After 50 years , my ancient Craftsman was never out more than 1 foot-pound.

 

[djbmw]

A $20 Timex digital watch will keep time much better than a spring driven mechanical Rolex costing 100x more. It sounds like djbmw is saying that something similar is going on with digital torque adapters and mechanical torque wrenches.

This is exactly correct. The digital torque adapters use an electric strain sensor which never "falls out of calibration" like a spring does. I havent cracked these open to see if the snap on brand uses the same sensor as the "cheap ones" (i also dont own a snap on branded one) but, from what I've seen, the primary difference is down to the variety of functions the adapter offers.

 

[oldschoolcraft]

If you fully unthread the handle to get it to zero, I'd be worried about potentially cross threading it at some point when I reassembled it to use it again. I just store mine at the lowest setting it has, which is 20% of the overall torque value.

 

[NHtoolguy]

It matters but not as much as people think. Let's say you have a 100 ft-lb max wrench and you store it at 25 ft-lb. it's very unlikely to have any effect at all. Storing it at 80 likely would, over time, cause it to be a couple of ft-lb lower torque than it should be.

If I remember correctly, Proto says to store their micrometer torque wrenches at the lower 20% of scale. So, not at the minimum setting, but low enough to relieve compressive stress on the coil spring.