Torque wrench set below lowest setting will it do harm?

[toolaholic]

I was setting my harbor freight 1/2 drive torque wrench to it's lowest setting which is 10 to store it in it's case. The knob was a bit stiff and the wrench went well below 10 and you could feel the tension leave the adjusting ring. I quickly set it back to 10. I tested it at 40,50, and 70 left w/ the all trade torque adapter and it spec'd out ok. Will this hurt wrenches if they briefly fall below lowest setting?

 

[jeffk14]

I don't think so. All I've ever heard is that they should be stored right at the lower end of the range, not with the tension completely released from the spring. I think you're fine.

 

[Kracin]

only time it could cause a problem is if it went so far below that there was zero tension on the innards of the wrench, causing something like the pawl or a ball bearing to fall out of place. most (not sure if any arent) wrenches when at the lowest setting should still have a small amount of tension. if you have ever tore a torque wrench down you'll see that it needs to be compressed about a 1/4 to 1/2 inch when putting the top half in before locking it in place.

 

[Zeke]

I really never knew all the tips and tricks for a torque wrench. I damn near ruined a Craftsman 3/8 drive TW by unscrewing it too far. AFAIC, the design was poor in that it let me unscrew the innards. I got it back together and re-calibrated it to the best I could with other tools and weights that I had.

AFA the HF 1/2" that I have, It's never given me a problem releasing all of the tension. I guess there's no need for me to change my ways now.

And I won't ever buy a Craftsman TW again. Mine is old enough to be "made in the USA" but I think it's a POS.

 

[SMKS]

I think the concern is more that on some designs you'll unscrew the handle and/or mechanism and things could come apart.

I would not be concerned, especially since you already checked it and know it's still working properly.

 

[toolaholic]

Thanks everyone! You were all quite helpful

 

[cheechi]

I've worked with guys who release the tension all the way when they store them. Never had an issue with them being out of spec. I see other guys from time to time that don't release the tension all the way. And they don't have issues with going too far out of spec either.

When I worked in a heavy equipment factory they ran 2 shifts and the wrenches were just set to spec all the time, tested every Friday. They still have them but now they use go/no go for most of it.

I personally prefer the beam type but I have a HF clicker type. It might be set as high as 10 ft-lb right now. I barely use it.The other thread just like this pretty much has the same mix of answers

 

[ctb]

Had a Gray torque wrench that I unscrewed too far and couldn't get tension on it after. Took it back to the place I bought it and they warrantied it. Pretty nice of them I thought. Now I leave it at 10 Ibs or so.

 

[P_I_Torque]

I think the concern is more that on some designs you'll unscrew the handle and/or mechanism and things could come apart.

This is the largest concern. Without a positive stop on the bottom, one could simply disassemble the torque wrench. Equally important, and remarkably very rare in present day torque wrench manufacturing, is a positive stop at the top to not over tighten and damage the internal components.