Sturtevant Richmont Torque Wrench - is it broken?

[tommydog35]

I purchased a used Sturtevant Richmont ccm-f150 Torque Wrench off Ebay. It is rated for 30 - 150 ft lbs. I don't have any instructions with it.

What I have noticed is that when I turn the handle to set the Torque, there is a forceful click at every increment (e.g. it will click 150 times to reach 150 ft lbs). Also the clicks are much less smooth than say a click on a socket ratchet.

All other torque wrenches I have owned (such as a Hazet wrench) are smooth to turn the handle and don't engage a click at every increment. Do you think this wrench is broken or is this a design of Sturtevant Richmont wrenches?

 

[LXCam]

I wonder if it utilizes a detent system for maintaining the setting.

Hard to tell but it sure looks like it

https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/srtorque/media/3752/869161-a.pdf

 

[Strouty]

I was is it utilizes a detent system for maintaining the setting.

Too much to drink for lunch?

 

[LXCam]

Too much to drink for lunch?

I'd say not yet, but I'm gaining on it.


Gotta luv speel check. Least it didn't have me blowing my dog like last time

 

[Strouty]

Sorry Tommy, didn't mean to hijack, but I couldn't figure out what the silly guy was trying to say.

I think it could be a detent system as well. That would be kind of cool.

When you turn it to adjust the settings does it go hard, then easy, hard, then easy?

 

[tommydog35]

When you turn it to adjust the settings does it go hard, then easy, hard, then easy?

Not that I have noticed. It tends to get progressively harder as you move up the scale (particularly over 100 FT Lbs)

 

[Strouty]

That makes sense, you are tightening against a spring. I was just curious if it felt like it was binding and then slipping past something. I really shouldn't even comment, but I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

 

[dutchgray]

Mine is the same so thats how they are supposed to be, I dont really like it though.
View media item 68079

 

[Strouty]

Maybe yours is broken too?

 

[dutchgray]

Just checked, mine is 10 clicks per handle revolution, its definitely some kind of sprung detent.

 

[tommydog35]

Mine is the same so thats how they are supposed to be, I dont really like it though.
View media item 68079

I know what you mean about not liking it. It just feels really rough. Also the way the heads go on is a bit strange. I was expecting a release button, but I have to mess about with a pick just to get the heads off. All I can say is glad the price was almost free. Think I will stick to my Hazet torque tools.

Where did you get yours from? I think mine was probably old MOD. Which makes me wonder if they are throwing out all the bad stuff?

 

[tommydog35]

Here is mine. The part circled with red seems to look a bit bashed:

 

[dutchgray]

Mine was ex MOD, and was pretty cheap for what it was, just bought it because I will never have enough need for open end torque tools to buy a new set but it is better than using crows feet on a normal torque wrench.

 

[guy48065]

Here is mine. The part circled with red seems to look a bit bashed:

I don't have one near to verify but that's likely lead melted over the adjustment to tamper-proof it. Check if it scratches easy with a pick.

 

[tommydog35]

Mine was ex MOD, and was pretty cheap for what it was, just bought it because I will never have enough need for open end torque tools to buy a new set but it is better than using crows feet on a normal torque wrench.

Did you get all the attachments with with wrench when you purchased it? Also does the part I circled in red on yours also looked bashed?

 

[tommydog35]

I don't have one near to verify but that's likely lead melted over the adjustment to tamper-proof it. Check if it scratches easy with a pick.

Thanks for the suggestion, I will have a look at it when I get in later. It seems a crazy thing to do to "tamper proof it" How would you calibrate / adjust if you needed to?

 

[guy48065]

Historically lead was used to seal the adjustment on torque wrenches. I would melt some in a little ladle and pour it in the end of the handle to bury the adjustment nut.
Today it's usually just a sticker or a cap (or a sticker ON a cap).
Lead has a very low melting point. Hit that blob with a small torch (or even a soldering iron) and it will soften and drip out before the steel handle or tube gets hot enough to cause any problems.

How would you calibrate / adjust if you needed to?

I'd be guessing. I only recall having ONE SR in circulation at my company but haven't seen it come through my lab in years. Guy that owned it must have moved on.

 

[guy48065]

Well whaddya know--I do have a SR wrench diagram in my files. Looks like that seal covers an access screw that leads to an internal adjustment that applies pre-load to a linkage. Adjustment is probably trial-and-error to get the tool to agree with the reference.