Finally figured out why my torque wrench was always off

I had been using my torque wrench for three years and kept getting inconsistent readings on wing bolts. Turns out I was storing it with the spring compressed the whole time, and the calibration got all jacked up. Anyone else learn basic tool care way later than they should have?

3 comments

3 Comments

wyattrobinson8d ago

So your buddy's smaller wrench gave solid readings at low torque without calibration issues?

foster.charles8d ago

The wing bolt thing might actually be more about how you're using the wrench than the storage. Most torque wrenches have a specific range they work best in, and if you're way down at the low end of that range like with small wing bolts, the readings get really squirrely no matter how you store it. I had the same problem with my bike's stem bolts until I borrowed a smaller inch-pound wrench from a buddy and suddenly everything clicked. Storing it compressed definitely doesn't help though, you want it dialed all the way back down to its lowest setting after each use.

tarag287d ago

Yeah wait but what about when you're using it at the upper end of the range too? Like I had a big ass 3/4 drive wrench that I stored compressed for years and it was fine for lug nuts and big stuff, but anything under like 50 ft-lbs was totally off. I think Charles is onto something about the range thing being the main problem, but storing it wrong probably makes the low end even worse. I started backing mine all the way down after every use and now my smaller bolts are way more consistent. Still gotta double check with a beam style if I really wanna be sure though.