Torque Wrench, working ON

[JayR]

I bought a used Powerbuilt 1/2 click type torque wrench that is way out of cal, to the point that it never does click.

How do I disassemble it to see what is going on inside?

How are calibration adjustments made?

 

[Diesel-Mech]

That's not something that I would recommend anyone to attempt. You can send it off to be calibrated but I'm guessing that the wrench cost less new than that service would cost. My advice would be to use it as a ratchet and to go pick up a new one for 35 or 40 bucks from Northern Tools or Harbor Freight.

 

[billymade]

Not cost effective but these guys could fix/repair/calibrate it for you! Then again; they may not have replacement parts for it!
www.teamtorque.com
They also sell refurbished/repaired high quality torque wrenches; ebay has some too!
High quality torque wrenches are typically from these companies:
http://www.cditorque.com/
http://www.torqwrench.com/

Teamtorque is having a "buy one get one free"; calibration promotion this month!
http://www.teamtorque.com/images/coupon.jpg

 

[JayR]

Thanks to Diesel_Mech and billymade for your advice. Just what I need at my age, another learning experience.

 

[bmwpower]

wrong forum...

 

[rsanter]

I had a friend that worked for the military. they calabrated their own and my friend used to get mine done (actually checked) as if it was his.
later one of the places I worked did their own calaberations so I would take mine in to check it. never had to actually adjust it. the snap on one I have has an adjustment point on the side that is painted over. to adjust the paint would have to be removed for the adjustment to be made and then would have paint put back on it

bob

 

[billymade]

I was on the Snap-On truck the other day and they have a "torque calibration checker" mounted on the wall; a quick and easy way to see if your wrench is generally in spec.

 

[bmwpower]

I was on the Snap-On truck the other day and they have a "torque calibration checker" mounted on the wall; a quick and easy way to see if your wrench is generally in spec.

How'd it work?

 

[billymade]

Another guy that was on the truck brought his two torque wrenches in to check them out (one split beam and one techwrench); interestingly enough, both of his were in spec! This friday; I may take my uber cheap taiwanese 1/2" torque wrench out there and see if mine is ok. I still haven't gotten a nice torque wrench as of yet; the main tech in the shop, has a Precision Instruments OEM Snap-On split beam wrench, that I can use. I have been impressed with his but I also have been lusting after one of the new Snap-On electronic torque wrenches.... I work on VWs and it would be nice to punch in Nm settings and not have to go online to convert the settings over to ft lbs.... I"m sure you as a BMW nut would appreciate this a well!

 

[bmwpower]

Another guy that was on the truck brought his two torque wrenches in to check them out (one split beam and one techwrench); interestingly enough, both of his were in spec! This friday; I may take my uber cheap taiwanese 1/2" torque wrench out there and see if mine is ok. I still haven't gotten a nice torque wrench as of yet; the main tech in the shop, has a Precision Instruments OEM Snap-On split beam wrench, that I can use. I have been impressed with his but I also have been lusting after one of the new Snap-On electronic torque wrenches.... I work on VWs and it would be nice to punch in Nm settings and not have to go online to convert the settings over to ft lbs.... I"m sure you as a BMW nut would appreciate this a well!

Luckily most of my manuals list specs in ft-lbs, too, except for the factory manuals. I can't believe you've gone this far without a torque wrench. I just wouldn't trust anyone elses.

 

[billymade]

I primarily use the eBahn based Bentley manual for my New Beetle; the factory manual, only lists torque specs in Nm. I usually go this site to convert to ft. lbs.... http://www.tdiclub.com/misc/conversions.html I have a torque wrench but it is Taiwanese... I'm about due for a new one!

 

[bmwpower]

I primarily use the eBahn based Bentley manual for my New Beetle; the factory manual, only lists torque specs in Nm. I usually go this site to convert to ft. lbs.... http://www.tdiclub.com/misc/conversions.html I have a torque wrench but it is Taiwanese... I'm about due for a new one!

Just get a good one and take care of it. Worth it IMHO. Some guys use them, some guys don't. I'm too **** and OC. I would be thinking about the nut I didn't torque as I drive down the road. It would bug me.

 

[JayR]

I'm kinda new at this, and I don't know the abbreviations>

What is IMHO?
what is OC?

"just get a good one" is what I meant by learning from this experience.

Cheers

 

[xrayos]

I have the techwrench in 3/8" drive (5-100 ft-lbs) and it's actually quite handy. It's my only torque wrench now. The torque range is very useful, would've been better if it went from 5-150 ft-lbs. I rarely go over 100ft-lbs (even for lug nuts). I ended up giving my 1/2" drive PI split-beam to my father.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

IMHO = In My Humble Opinion
OC = Obsessive Compulsive

Edit: You will find a LOT of people on this board with OCD..... Not me of course.... I just make sure my tools are clean, lined up in order, placed just so, have no fingerprints, are full complete sets and let it rip. There are some guys on here who are obsessive enough to wash their tools, pat them dry, gently oil them before placing them lovinly back in their homes....

 

[billymade]

xrayos, any experience on battery life/calibration issues with the techwrench? I've been talking to a tech who works in the shop next to me and he complains about batteries draining and if he doesn't take them out of the wrench; they die. Are his cells too low grade, bad or what? I have been looking at the techwrenches but have been wondering about battery issues; also any word on getting them calibrated by Snap-On (cost, how often etc.?), any comments appreciated!

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

billymade,

I have the CDI equivalent to the SO techwrenches in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 drive. The batteries last a fairly long time but I do remove them if I don't anticipate using them for a day. It only takes a minute to remove them.

As far as calibration, your Snap-on guy will let you check them on his truck. That is part of the service you pay for with the tool truck prices. If they do need to be repaired, Snap-on will do that for a flat fee.

Edit: Make sure you buy the long life lithium cells built for electronics. They cost more but last 4 or 5 times longer than std. cells.

 

[xrayos]

yes, the batteries do ****. I also hate using batteries for mechanical items, but the electronic torque wrenches are so convenient, they're basically a strain gauge.

I don't think you can go wrong a split-beam type of torque wrench for ease of use either. I'd get 2 of them. 3/8" and 1/2" drive so that you cover from 15 ft-lbs to 200 ft-lbs.

 

[Packard V8]

Ya'll move on to the electronic TWs, as this is making the click-type cheap for the shop and the beam wrenches cheaper than a breaker bar. I've been buying the beam USAs for a couple of bucks and putting one with an extension and socket next to the spare tire in each of my rigs. Then, worst case, I'm not along, I know my girls have the leverage to loosen the lug nut and the accuracy to tighten it. The #/ft is written on a strip of tape, so they don't have to remember.

thnx, jack vines

 

[xrayos]

yea, I don't understand why the split-beams aren't more popular. they sure are much easier to use than the micrometer ones

 

[redsky49]

IMHO = In My Humble Opinion
OC = Obsessive Compulsive

Edit: You will find a LOT of people on this board with OCD..... Not me of course.... I just make sure my tools are clean, lined up in order, placed just so, have no fingerprints, are full complete sets and let it rip. There are some guys on here who are obsessive enough to wash their tools, pat them dry, gently oil them before placing them lovinly back in their homes....

"...placed just so, have no fingerprints,..."

Nope, that's not OCD. Not at all. Not even a little...