Torque wrench test

[hiavia]

I would like to test my clicker torque wrench against my beam model. What size socket would I need, I believe it needs to be a 8pt socket for the square drive. These are 1/2 inch drive wrenches.

Thanks

 

[Kensgarage]

Just tighten a few lug nuts to 80 ft lb with the beam
Go back with the clicker set at 78, then 82.
If there's a discrepancy the problem is either the operator technique or the clicker.

 

[hiavia]

Ok thanks, and after thinking about it I believe it would be a 1/2 inch 8pt socket.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Just tighten a few lug nuts to 80 ft lb with the beam
Go back with the clicker set at 78, then 82.
If there's a discrepancy the problem is either the operator technique or the clicker.

So why couldn't the beam be off by 10+?

Socket size doesn't matter. Just tighten one or the other torque wrench to a certain torque on a nut and then try the other. I think I would use the clicker first and then the beam.

 

[Kensgarage]

Jjst for giggles print this out. Kinda nice when tightening questionable stuff. Too many gorillas over-tighten everything. That's probably one of the main causes of gasket leaks

 

[hiavia]

Thanks cool chart

 

[Fixnair]

Beam torque wrenches are very accurate and never go out of calibration unless you heat the beam past it's critical temperature. You have to make sure your handle is floating and not touching the beam.
Testing it by checking the torque required to move a bolt tightened by another wrench is inaccurate. You would have to overcome the static set to make it move. It would be best to turn the other wrench through a 4or 8point socket while having someone reading the other wrench or set your phone camera on video viewing the scale on the beam wrench.

 

[platform389]

Thanks cool chart

Indeed. Is there one for metric?

 

[JettaGetUpandGo]

Just tighten a few lug nuts to 80 ft lb with the beam
Go back with the clicker set at 78, then 82.
If there's a discrepancy the problem is either the operator technique or the clicker.

This is far from accurate. If a bolt is torqued to 80 ft-lb. and the bolt stops moving, it is going to take more than 80 ft-lb. to turn it further.

Using something like the digital torque adapter on a bolt or socket locked in a vise is going to be a better and more accurate test. Place the torque adapter between the torque wrench and socket. Set the torque wrench to the desired setting. Watch the display on the adapter when the wrench clicks. I believe the adapter has a setting that holds the peak value as well.

Harbor Freight sells this adapter for $30 (even cheaper with 20% coupon) and it is known for being accurate.

 

[gigamel]

You could use a regular 15mm 12pt. socket on a 1/2" square.
To be safe use a regular 6pt. socket and the same size allen bit - like 10mm -10mm or 12mm-12mm - or Torx 50 - E10 or Torx 60 - E16 - lots of options

 

[Granite80]

2x on the digital torque meter. I have an AC Delco version, but would probably buy HF if doing it over. Not that it affects the quality of the tool, but the AC Delcon instruction booklet was not written by someone who speaks English well. Disappointing for a "US" brand. I realized it was probably made in China but expected more


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[unslow1]

This is far from accurate. If a bolt is torqued to 80 ft-lb. and the bolt stops moving, it is going to take more than 80 ft-lb. to turn it further.

Using something like the digital torque adapter on a bolt or socket locked in a vise is going to be a better and more accurate test. Place the torque adapter between the torque wrench and socket. Set the torque wrench to the desired setting. Watch the display on the adapter when the wrench clicks. I believe the adapter has a setting that holds the peak value as well.

Harbor Freight sells this adapter for $30 (even cheaper with 20% coupon) and it is known for being accurate.

That's how I check mine. I use the SK beam for the control.