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Torque wrench. Resetting after use.

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shDK

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Me and a good friend/coworker was discussing the subject today. When resetting a torque wrench after use. Should it be set at the lowest operating value. That meaning a 40-200 mm wrench should be set at 40 nm. Or should it be turned further down untill it cannot be turnt further down? I always assumed the last since first then the spring will be completely without tension.

Thanks all. :lol2::lol2:

Søren
 
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rlitman

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On many torque wrenches, you can turn it too far. All of my micrometer torque wrenches have a 0 setting that I reset them to.
 
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Dave455

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Generally speaking you should store them with the spring untensioned, which usually means turning the setting screw as low as it will go!

A good torque wrench will stay accurate much longer this way!

A hangar I used to work in had a sign asking engineers to return torque wrenches
to the stores in this state!
 
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franzdom

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You don't want to relieve all the tension on the spring, it can become dislodged and will reposition itself in a different way next time. The former is the correct answer (40nm in this example).
 
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bmxdad

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I always back it down from the 100 ft/lbs I usually use, to 20-30 ft/lbs, which is what is needed to fit back into the case.
 
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firworks

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Might I suggest a neato split-beam torque wrench that can be left at MAXIMUM TORQUE at all times. :p

For the best answer to this you'd probably need an engineer who designs either torque wrenches or calibration equipment. Anyone could have anecdotal evidence of what they either know or think works for them but it might not apply to a different torque wrench even of the same design or different shop with different humidity levels or different local gravity or different magic pixie dust content.
 
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SMKS

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I just put it to the lowest indicated setting on the torque wrench. On some wrench designs you can unscrew the handle by turning it too far beyond the lowest setting.
 
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bmwpowere36m3

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Anywhere between 0-20% of full-scale (or lowest marked setting)... here building helicopters, the standard is to leave them at 20% of FS.
 
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Loscaldazar

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Generally, whatever is the lowest value on the scale. Turning it further can allow there to be no tension on the spring, allowing components to fall out of alignment.

Some torque wrenches, like the Harbor Freight, are actually built to prevent you from being able to turn them down too far. I assume some higher quality brands have this feature too, but no way to tell unless you take them apart (which would probably ruin the calibration).
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=336500
 
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jdlong

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As others say. Lowest setting is best. On many, you can feel the spring start to disengage slightly after the lowest setting. That's when you stop.
 
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wafrederick

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I set mine to the lowest setting,set my Matco 1/2 drive clicker to 10 foot pounds which is the lowest setting on it.It is the same with my Matco inch pound torque wrench in 1/4 drive,to the lowest setting.
 
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winlinmac

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Lowest torque setting (specified in included manual) is the way to go.

I would have preferred a split beam, but the lack of metal cap made me opt for a micrometer torque wrench. May be I didn't check thoroughly.
 
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Qualitytools

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My Norbar Torque Wrenches (click type) manual states never set or store above or below the marked scale! Or as BMWPOWERE36M3 stated above :)
 
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bmwpowere36m3

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To sum this thread up.................


Doesn't really matter, so long as its "somewhere" near the lower-end.
 
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shDK

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Turning it down to lowest operating value seems logic when reading the arguments about keeping a bit of tension on the spring. But...would the people here believe that a new wrench can jump out of calibration if it is being turned down to full stop, longer then the lowest operating value?
 
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rlitman

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shDK said:
Turning it down to lowest operating value seems logic when reading the arguments about keeping a bit of tension on the spring. But...would the people here believe that a new wrench can jump out of calibration if it is being turned down to full stop, longer then the lowest operating value?
Click to expand...

That depends if the wrench comes with a stop. Not all do.
 
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shDK

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Weird Tolkienish Figure said:
Says right on "Application":

"After use, relax spring and set to lowest value."

I have a HF one that says the same thing.
Click to expand...

I know...but it still happened ones or twice by the guy who was fideling with it at work. So my wonder was if it have bin damaged but that one or two times. :)
 
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guy48065

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Nearly every manual of micrometer-set click-type torque wrenches says to store the wrench "at the minimum setting" between uses.
I have had to repair & recalibrate a few that were wound down too far.

In the photo that little cube ("pawl") is held in place solely by spring force. If you unwind the spring too far the block can change positions or come out of its recess entirely. Both will require the tool to be adjusted and recalibrated.

tilt-block-area-close-1.jpg
 
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OmegaTechnologies1

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Hi All,

My source at APEX gave me the following response.

"Return the wrenches to the lowest setting, do not unwind all the way because some wrenches have toggles and levers in their internal mechanisms that can 'come loose' and render the wrench useless until the tool is taken apart and fixed. Wrenches should also be 'wound up' a few times before use to loosen the mechanisms and move around any grease that is inside the tool prior to use. Going further, the tool should be clicked over on a non critical bolt a few times to prepare it for use.

Sturtevant wrenches can be unwound beyond the lowest setting as their internal components are fixed and cannot fall out of place."

I hope this helps you and everyone out.

If anyone has any questions regarding Apex Tools please let me know and I can contact their Engineering Department.
 
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