Sears torque wrench

[CJDave]

I have a Sears Digitork that I bought about 45 years ago. Doing some checking I have determined that it is reading 70 ft.lb. when set at 75. Is that close enough? Have it recalibrated? Replace it? Replace it with what brand? I have an idea that recalibrating will cost more that a decent replacement wrench. I have several places near me that do such work but I haven't called one yet. I rarely use the wrench, it is a leftover from my jet boating days, but when needed it should be accurate. Thanks. CJDave.

 

[M635_Guy]

Re-calibration is $$. I guess the close-enough question depends on what you're torquing.

I'm not sure what to tell you about brands, but interested in the responses. I have an old Griot's Garage 1/2" that is very nice, and I love how easy it is to read what you're setting it to. I bought a nearly-new Snap On flex-head 3/8" years ago too. I wonder if they're accurate, and I think they're pretty close, but...

 

[BTL-A4]

How did you tell it was off?

 

[4xdog]

There's a saying that a man with one watch knows exactly what time it is. A man with two is never sure.

Are you sure your check is more accurate than your wrench? I'd say for less than 10% difference you're good to go.

To make it most accurate, has it been stored with the spring tension backed down to the lowest scale reading?

My 40 year old Digitork instructions say to store it that way, and to allow 4 hours "resting" at lowest tension if it had been left with a higher torque setting for more than a few hours.

Here are its instructions, in case you don't have yours any more.

 

[nafterclifen]

Rarely use it? Home hobby use? I'd let it go. That's less than 10% difference.

But if you want to tinker, calibrate it yourself. Here are two options. I did both.

https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-...12-in-drive-digital-torque-adapter-63917.html

 

[CJDave]

How did you tell it was off?

My bench vise, a luggage scale and some basic math. The luggage scale matches the scale at the Delta ticket counter. CJDave.

 

[CJDave]

There's a saying that a man with one watch knows exactly what time it is. A man with two is never sure.

Are you sure your check is more accurate than your wrench? I'd say for less than 10% difference you're good to go.

To make it most accurate, has it been stored with the spring tension backed down to the lowest scale reading?

My 40 year old Digitork instructions say to store it that way, and to allow 4 hours "resting" at lowest tension if it had been left with a higher torque setting for more than a few hours.

Here are its instructions, in case you don't have yours any more.

I have the same instructions in the original Sears wrench box. I have always stored the wrench per the instructions. Thanks though. CJDave.

 

[CJDave]

Rarely use it? Home hobby use? I'd let it go. That's less than 10% difference.

But if you want to tinker, calibrate it yourself. Here are two options. I did both.

https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-...12-in-drive-digital-torque-adapter-63917.html

I followed that youtube video to check mine. Maybe the torque adapter is the way to go. Thanksnafterclifen. CJDave.

 

[PBCampbell]

It used to be advised for infrequently used torque wrenches to "exercise" them before use for best results. That meant to "click" them a few times at 20%, 60%, and 100% of scale. Same technique is used when checking torque values which are an average not a once and done.

 

[engineer2]

I have the same one and it has never failed me, nor have I checked it. Same deal, reset it to 10 when done using it. I have a Snap-On TE100 dial type for critical work. I suppose I should check it.

For home use, 7% off will be OK. If you are building an engine, You might want to have it calibrated or buy a new one.

4xdog, thanks for posting the manual!

 

[doctordirt]

I have the same torque wrench as well, still stored in original plastic case and folded instructions. I forgot how many years ago I bought mine.

 

['52Chevy]

I'd say 10% isn't bad for not having a super scientific test. I'm sure the scale you used wasn't calibrated.

At work ours are calibrated to +/- 5% and that's for aircraft use. 10 is probably fine for home use.

For those that said to "exercise" the wrenches, we have to click them 6 times at the highest torque value for smaller wrenches, and larger ones at the highest value that will be used. Every time you check one out that must be done.

 

[CJDave]

Compared my wrench to my mechanic's Snap-On wrench. Mine seems dead on to his at 140 ft. lb. I became suspicious of mine a year ago after having my FE engine rebuilt, I was installing the flywheel and the bolts didn't feel right. Broke off 2 of them. Bought new bolts and they torqued up just fine. But that made me question my 40+ year old wrench. All is well now.
doctordirt, yours must be a little newer to be in a plastic case. Mine is in the original cardboard box. Thanks to all. CJDave.

 

[doctordirt]

Yes can not remember exact time frame when I purchased it but a rough guess would be late 80's or early 90's

 

[CJDave]

In 1975 they were sold in a cardboard box. CJDave.

 

[Lucid Moments]

Depends on what you are using it for, but for most uses I suspect it is fine. If you choose to get a new one anyway (this is Garage Journal after all) I like the split beam style like this one from Precision Instruments. They are a little pricey though.

 

[DFB]

I used one of the Quinn digital torque wrench adapters to check my old Craftsman 1/2 Microtork wrench and also $10 HF one.

Numbers were consistent enough I have no worries using them, especially with the Craftsman for my torquing jobs up over 100ft lbs. And very virtually spot on the midrange.

The HF is for my use down at the the farm it did it got a funky over 100ftlbs in few of my tests on lugs at around 120 ftlbs

 

[anndel]

I have a Craftsman I bought in 1979 which I regularly used up until around 2012 when I bought a Snap-on TorqueAngle digital and Precision Instruments split beams. I had my driver check the Craftsman and it was 5% off after all these years. I've stored it at 0 lb-ft every time after use since day 1. Your's is 10% off which isn't bad. I would keep using it.

 

[Team Torque]

Hi, I am not sure if this is against protocol - I am the owner of a torque calibration lab - For this group - I am offering up a calibration check for $20. Use "VIP Group Check" and I will notify my technicians to help you out. teamtorque.com or call 1-888-682-8675. Our regular pricing with adjustment runs about $80 and includes a certificate. Please delete if not allowed. Take care. Mark Anderson, owner, Team Torque - 27 years of calibration. P.S. Sears torque tools are a very good tool. Much better than Harbor Freight "Fake" ****.

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

That's a great offer, I've been meaning to get mine checked. I'll have to go dig them out now.

 

[clubairth]

It's interesting that for years the recommendation has been to back the wrench down to zero after use and for storage. I have one that has never been reset to zero in over 30 years.

I finally got the chance to get all 3 of my torque wrenches calibrated for free. I have a friend who is a helicopter mechanic and his employer does this yearly for all their mechanics. No limit and he just threw mine in with his and called them his. I think all together we had 8 TQ wrenches.

Surprisingly all 3 came back within spec. I also noticed that all 3 are more accurate in the clockwise direction which makes sense. So I don't know if they will take a set or not?
Mine did not.
2 were Craftsman and 1 was SK.
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