Thread: Recommend a torque wrench

So all you blokes with Warren and Browns from the dark ages...
Are the deflecting beam units still accurate after all these years?

There are always a few floating around on ebay for modest coin... if they are as strong as a brick ****house, then it may make sense to stick with a battle proven (albeit old) unit rather than a new cheap innacurate model out of the people's republic

G'day All,

Been doing some research on torque wrenches and in particular ratchet adapters.
Have a look at Warren & Brown website for tips on using the two types of wrenches.

Torque wrench safety and usage - Warren and Brown Precision Tools

Beam & coil spring wrenches should be re-calibrated after 2,500 pulls or 1 year.
Coil spring wrenches when not in use should be left on the lowest setting for storage.
Also note that only to be used from 20% to 100% of full scale.

Interesting reading
Chris

My W&B is probably 45 years old. Has never been re calibrated and I have never had a job fail due to incorrect bolt tension.

If I was working with space shuttles or F1 cars I probably would get it done,
but I don't think it necessary for basic motor cars.

I'm thinking I might get a used one online and get someone to have a look at it.
I agree- I don't need accuracy down to the Nm, but knowing if I'm out by +-2%, or 30% would be nice to know so I can adjust accordingly.
I think I read that ideally they should be calibrated every 2500 uses. But it would only take one apprentice to use it like a breaker bar or use it to tighten a left hand thread for it to go out of whack.

Originally Posted by Toxic_Avenger

But it would only take one apprentice to use it like a breaker bar or use it to tighten a left hand thread for it to go out of whack.

That's why you don't lend your Torque wrench or your tools. Remember the saying "Don't lend your wife or tools because they both come back......" or never come back!!!!!!

Great saying!
And credit where credit is due... I read a few posts up and the 2500 pulls figure I 'read somewhere' came from you!

I don't think my usage will warrant a new torque wrench... but I'm a big believer that quality is worth it... only issue is the used wrenches could be way out from poor maintenance and improper use. I'd mainly be using for maintainence tasks, not engine building.

Maybe when Nasa offers me a job I can go all out

G'day All,

Found this interesting article on how to repair and re-calibrate those "El Cheapo" clickey torque wrenches.
The re-cal method is rough but better than nothing if you don't want to spend the $50 to have a NATA re-calibration report.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Fixi...renc/?ALLSTEPS

Bit of reading but interesting with nice pic's.

Chris

Originally Posted by BathurstTom

I have two Ritch tension wrenches - one that is rarely used. I try to keep it as a check. I also have a cheap aldi one and an old inch/lb tension wrench that is of unknown vintage.

The two ritch seem to still be in calibration with each other even though one has been used much more than the other


Tom.

I have an aldi one too. Have you checked it against your more expensive wrenches? I'm keen to see how close it comes calibration wise.

So far I've only used it on my mower, but if its reasonable i will use it on the car.

Cheers


Dan