Torque Wrench calibration

[Dirty Diesels]

I've got a pair of Snap-On torque wrenches in 3/8" drive & 1/2" drive & was wondering where is the best place to take them for a recalibration, so I can determine that my torque settings are correct, I know not all torque wrenches are 100% accurate, just after an up to date recalibration certificate, so I'm covered insurance wise.

Will Snap-On recalibrate them ?

 

[mrborohachi]

http://www.cditorque.com/contact.html
^that's where your torque wrench was made/calibrated.

Damn just saw your in Jolly 'olde England. Just contact Snap-On Europe

 

[Cope]

Once you get them calibrated, be aware that micrometer type wrenches need to be stored at minimum torque.

 

[Dirty Diesels]

http://www.cditorque.com/contact.html
^that's where your torque wrench was made/calibrated.

Damn just saw your in Jolly 'olde England. Just contact Snap-On Europe

Okay thanks

 

[Dirty Diesels]

Once you get them calibrated, be aware that micrometer type wrenches need to be stored at minimum torque.

That statement is in snap ons warranty info paperwork when you buy them, but thanks

 

[BirdMobile]

You can do it yourself.
All you need is an accurate scale and a little bit of simple metal fabrication.
Lock torque wrench in a vise. Use soft jaws to avoid damage to wrench.
Weld or bolt a 25" long piece of 1/2" rod stock to an old socket - so the socket is in the center of the bar. Drill a hole slightly larger in diameter than thin (3/32 or 1/8") wire rope in the very end of the rod, exactly 12" from the center of the socket.
Snap the whole assembly to the torque wrench so the bar is horizontal (parallel to the Earth's surface).
Suspend various weights to the wire rope for the torque value you are interested in testing, or add/subtract weight to the end to make the wrench "click" to see the actual value it triggers at. Example: 10 lb. weight = 10 Ft. Lb.
The excess bar on the other side of the socket cancels out the bar weight from the system, as gravity affects both halves of the bar equally, creating 0 torque.
If you want to be super **** about it, drill an equal hole at the same distance on the other side of the rod, use a level when setting the rod angle to assure perfect parallelness, and weigh your wire rope and add its weight to the values you obtain.
For inch-pound torque wrenches, multiply the weight by 12 (eg: 10 lb. on the wire rope = 120 Inch Lb.)

 

[Dirty Diesels]

You can do it yourself.
Lock torque wrench in a vise.
Weld or bolt a 25" long piece of 1/2" rod stock to an old socket - so the socket is in the center of the bar. Drill a hole slightly larger in diameter than thin (3/32 or 1/8") wire rope in the very end of the rod, exactly 12" from the center of the socket.
Snap the whole assembly to the torque wrench so the bar is horizontal (parallel to the Earth's surface).
Suspend various weights to the wire rope for the torque value you are interested in testing, or add/subtract weight to the end to make the wrench "click" to see the actual value it triggers at. Example: 10 lb. weight = 10 Ft. Lb.
The excess bar on the other side of the socket cancels out the bar weight from the system, as gravity affects both halves of the bar equally, creating 0 torque.
If you want to be super **** about it, drill an equal hole at the same distance on the other side of the rod, use a level when setting the rod angle to assure perfect parallelness, and weigh your wire rope and add its weight to the values you obtain.

I never thought about DIY calibration, because I'm after a recalibration certificate for insurance purposes, but thanks for that info

 

[BirdMobile]

I never thought about DIY calibration, because I'm after a recalibration certificate for insurance purposes, but thanks for that info

Thanks!
I figured that wouldn't accomplish your particular goals, but it's a good thing to know for other people who want to calibrate their wrenches "on the cheap".

 

[Dirty Diesels]

Thanks!
I figured that wouldn't accomplish your particular goals, but it's a good thing to know for other people who want to calibrate their wrenches "on the cheap".

Yes it is

 

[pipsters]

Thanks!
I figured that wouldn't accomplish your particular goals, but it's a good thing to know for other people who want to calibrate their wrenches "on the cheap".

100x easier and probably just as cost effective is to buy a $30 electronic torque adapter and put it in a vise.

I'm always amazed at the convoluted things people try to do on here.

 

[Cope]

That statement is in snap ons warranty info paperwork when you buy them, but thanks

You have to understand that no one stateside reads paperwork. I had a Snap On I bought from a pawn shop and it came w/o paperwork. The next two I bought were off the truck, and my dealer warned me.

 

[dnschmidt]

Get one of the digital torque adapters from Powerbuilt: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009MBG4MG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

These things are dead on accurate and are very commonly used to calibrate torque wrenches.

What I've done with them is buy a bunch of Harbor Freight torque wrenches and used this to calibrate them to the commonly used values I typically run into. I have one for 89 inch-pounds, 18 foot-lb. 37 ft-lb, and a bunch of others. I never change them I just change wrenches for whatever value I need. At $9.99 per torque wrench with a coupon this is the only way to go. I stick P-touch labels on them telling me what their torque values are set to. When needed I pull that wrench off the shelf.

The Powerbuilt units come with an adapter you clamp into a vise. You then put the torque wrench into the torque unit and play with it's setting until it clicks at the desired value as shown on the torque adapter. The HF units maintain their setting very well. I check mine about once a month and they never change. LOVE IT.

 

[Mooky]

If you're bound by any certifications, ISO for example (since you mentioned your insurance concerns), have it certified by an accredited shop. The documentation will include the equipment used to calibrate yours for traceability if the need arises.

Snap On can provide the certifications, an instrument calibration shop can as well.

 

[Dirty Diesels]

If you're bound by any certifications, ISO for example (since you mentioned your insurance concerns), have it certified by an accredited shop. The documentation will include the equipment used to calibrate yours for traceability if the need arises.

Snap On can provide the certifications, an instrument calibration shop can as well.

Yeah it's just for insurance purposes, say if something went wrong on a job & a customer were to sue, I'd then be covered with the necessary paperwork insurance wise. A gas cylinder manufactor I used to work for, had to have all their torque wrench calibration certificates updated regular for the insurance broker they had otherwise the company would or could be liable if something went wrong & that is why I'm looking to do the same with mine.

 

[Dirty Diesels]

You have to understand that no one stateside reads paperwork. I had a Snap On I bought from a pawn shop and it came w/o paperwork. The next two I bought were off the truck, and my dealer warned me.

Yeah the last dealer I bought off of, advised me of the ways of storage et al of these torque wrenches

 

[xrayos]

Can this tool be used for find out the breakway torque? i.e, how much a nut was torqued to?

Get one of the digital torque adapters from Powerbuilt: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009MBG4MG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

These things are dead on accurate and are very commonly used to calibrate torque wrenches.

What I've done with them is buy a bunch of Harbor Freight torque wrenches and used this to calibrate them to the commonly used values I typically run into. I have one for 89 inch-pounds, 18 foot-lb. 37 ft-lb, and a bunch of others. I never change them I just change wrenches for whatever value I need. At $9.99 per torque wrench with a coupon this is the only way to go. I stick P-touch labels on them telling me what their torque values are set to. When needed I pull that wrench off the shelf.

The Powerbuilt units come with an adapter you clamp into a vise. You then put the torque wrench into the torque unit and play with it's setting until it clicks at the desired value as shown on the torque adapter. The HF units maintain their setting very well. I check mine about once a month and they never change. LOVE IT.

 

[PBCampbell]

Breakaway torque will not tell you what the fastner was torqued to.

*This is a reply to the following post by Fcvapor05* I took the question as someone working in a repair garage hoping that there was a direct correlation between fastening torque and breakaway torque. I don't have any direct experience with torque audits but from what I've heard and read it's a fairly involved process requiring knowledge far beyond that accessible to an auto mechanic.

 

[Fcvapor05]

Can this tool be used for find out the breakway torque? i.e, how much a nut was torqued to?

Any torque instrument that tells you an accurate actual value (i.e. not a click-type wrench) can be used to determine tightening torque on a fastener in-situ with correct technique. In industry torque audit is usually done with a digital system that can plot torque vs. tightening angle, so that audit can be done accurately. It *can* be done with hand tools but it's not always the most accurate- much depends on joint conditions.

The simplest, most accurate method to determine what tightening torque is in-situ is to mark the fastener, loosen it, and re-tighten to the exact same angle. Results of this method also depend on joint condition, but for most applications, unless the fasteners have corroded, you can get a very accurate result if you're careful.

Breakaway torque will not tell you what the fastner was torqued to.

It can, if you have the correct tool and know how to use it.

 

[dnschmidt]

I've never tried to do it but I believe so. You would need to put it into PEAK mode but I believe they are bidirectional although I've never tried to use them that way.