Would you trust an NOS torque wrench?

[64merc]

I was considering buying what appears to be a NOS 1/4" drive torque wrench off of Ebay. Assuming that it was always stored at its minimum setting, is there a problem with buying an NOS torque wrench? Just wondering if they somehow "go bad" from sitting too long?

Thanks

 

[OneDollarSaab]

Yes, I would. If I'm concerned I can test their accuracy with a beam style torque wrench or hanging weights off the handle, but I've had very good luck with used and/or old stock torque wrenches.

 

[Pontiac787]

I wouldn’t be concerned at all. If they went bad from under use I’d say 75% of the torque wrenches in circulation would be junk.

 

[Negen]

If doing critical work you can always send it to get certified. I have an in healthy addiction to proto big dawgs and when I find them I buy and get certified locally.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[mr.lemons]

If doing critical work you can always send it to get certified. I have an in healthy addiction to proto big dawgs and when I find them I buy and get certified locally.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using The Garage Journal mobile app

Do you know if the wrenches generally needed calibration when they are certified or if most of them were already calibrated correctly? I've wondered if you can any torque wrenches, new or otherwise.

 

[Negen]

Click style "can" lose calibration over time. You could get one of those cheap digital style adaptors to double check if too far off then you could send for calibration. I use a harbor freight one. I have click style always been told to tighten til click and then back off a 1/4 turn. But I have never used it for super tight spec stuff.

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[Samuel D]

Even if it wasn’t stored at minimum setting, it’s probably fine. At least if it was made by a reputable maker (with a good spring).

Preset torque wrenches cope fine with the spring permanently compressed. If spring steel didn’t like this, your car would sink to its suspension stops while parked.

 

[MJK]

I bought a 90s Proto 6062A 1/4 tq wrench advertised as NOS. It arrived unused and properly stored but was a mile from accurate. The spring had relaxed beyond adjustment. After researching service costs, I bought a new Tekton. YMMV.

 

[SP3]

Relaxed beyond adjustment from non-use.

I would say you were sold a dud and the seller knew. If what you say is true/accurate, there's no reason to expect any clicker wrench to last any more than a year or two under regular use.

I bought a Craftsman clicker in the late 80's. It was used semi-regularly for several years before the usage went up to just about every working day. Luckily, I worked in places that had access to calibration equipment. It never once needed adjusting and was more accurate than the Snappy I bought later. The only reason it went away (after nearly 20 years) was because the plastic handle disintegrated. The Snappy is still with me and it's nearly 20 years old now.

 

[lardy1]

I bought a used 3/8 Proto off eBay. It checks well against my cheap torque meter which checks well with my beam type that I use as God.

 

[dnschmidt]

This argument has always eluded me. If a valve spring in your car can undergo about a trillion compressions and relaxations over its lifetime with no ill effects why the hell would a spring in a torque wrench have so much trouble just doing what a spring is suppose to do in a torque wrench which sure as hell isn't much.

 

[64merc]

Ok, thanks guys. It seems like it would be no more risky than buying a newly manufactured "open box" torque wrench from some guy on Ebay.

 

[RKA]

I would buy it expecting the calibration would be off. If it's not, fine, but the price you paid should have factored in the cost to get it in spec. My bigger concern is how was it stored. If you get pictures showing the outside is in good condition, likely the inside is as well. If it was stored in an environment that promotes corrosion you'll see signs of that on the outside of the tool. In that case, I would avoid it.

 

[fsae0607]

Click style "can" lose calibration over time. You could get one of those cheap digital style adaptors to double check if too far off then you could send for calibration. I use a harbor freight one. I have click style always been told to tighten til click and then back off a 1/4 turn. But I have never used it for super tight spec stuff.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using The Garage Journal mobile app

You torque your fastener and then loosen it a 1/4 turn?

Sorry if I misunderstand.

 

[Al Borland]

Torque wrenches in industrial use get calibrated on a regular schedule.

 

[APEowner]

This argument has always eluded me. If a valve spring in your car can undergo about a trillion compressions and relaxations over its lifetime with no ill effects why the hell would a spring in a torque wrench have so much trouble just doing what a spring is suppose to do in a torque wrench which sure as hell isn't much.

So, valves springs do loose tension over their life and even while sitting. In most applications they're way over engineered for what they're doing so it's not an issue. In race motors where we're pushing the limits, particularly spec series where we get extra power by ignoring redlines they get replace on a regular basis.

As far as the OPs question goes. I don't trust any torque wrench that doesn't have a current calibration. I don't do much volume any more so I send mine out annually. When I was building engines regularly they went out every three months.

 

[MJK]

Relaxed beyond adjustment from non-use.

I would say you were sold a dud and the seller knew.

Probably. I paid $60 for it last year on eBay, and while the description was technically accurate it hardly reflects what I received. "MINT PROTO 6062A TORQUE WRENCH.1/4" CALIBRATED,ALL PAPERS, 40-200 IN LBS +METRIC". Calibration certificate was from the 90s, and the wrench off by 50% or more across most of the range.

If what you say is true/accurate, there's no reason to expect any clicker wrench to last any more than a year or two under regular use.

I bought a Craftsman clicker in the late 80's. It was used semi-regularly for several years before the usage went up to just about every working day. Luckily, I worked in places that had access to calibration equipment. It never once needed adjusting and was more accurate than the Snappy I bought later. The only reason it went away (after nearly 20 years) was because the plastic handle disintegrated. The Snappy is still with me and it's nearly 20 years old now.

I've got plenty of old torque wrenches that have served me well over the years too. This is the only one I have ever had issues with.

I can't say why this one had issues whereas none of my others have. Like you, I too *suspect* someone sold me a dud knowing full well what it was.

Tools can certainly be cared for to last a long time. I'm not suggesting torque wrenches melt with age. The question on the table was 'would you buy a NOS 1/4" torque wrench on eBay?'

I might, but only from someone with a positive history of selling that type of item specifically OR a *current* calibration certificate.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I wouldn't be too concerned whether it was stored in it's original box in a climate controlled warehouse, or in My shop for the last five years. The condition of that box would play a role in My choice.

 

[Lassen Forge]

If you're concerned check it against a calibration checker. We have bolted to a wall stud in the shop... I check any wrench I get. If its a snappy the truck guy likely has one mounted in his truck and can calibrate it for you in a jif.

My big concern is with current production C'man... 100 ft lb wrench, went to pull something to 80 ft lbs, and the ratchet in the head blew out.

If it's genuine NOS and not COS (Counterfit Old Stock) I'd have no problem using it once checked... I have wrenches that were my daddy's from before when I was born, and they work as well now as they did then.

 

[mailpup]

Do you know if the wrenches generally needed calibration when they are certified or if most of them were already calibrated correctly? I've wondered if you can any torque wrenches, new or otherwise.

I sent one of my torque wrenches to be calibrated, a Mac Tools branded all metal click type. When it was returned it came with a certification and a note that said it was already within specs but they adjusted it to a closer tolerance.