Torque Wrench Re-Calibration

Forum rules
Please can you post items for sale or wanted in the correct For Sale section. Items / bikes for sale here will be removed without warning. Reasons for this are in the FAQ. Thanks
Post Reply
User avatar
Man_Named_Dave
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
Posts: 359
Joined: Mon Apr 26, 2010 5:41 pm
Bike owned: NC30(K)
Location: Nairn, Highlands
Torque Wrench Re-Calibration

Post by Man_Named_Dave »

My wrenches were both around £35-40 so I'm wondering if it's actually cost-effective as the only price I've found online (Sealey) was about that much, so I might be as well to just buy new ones! Any thoughts?

And are the deflecting-beam types better?
User avatar
thunderace
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
Posts: 1584
Joined: Fri Sep 10, 2010 9:03 pm
Bike owned: R6, YZF600R
Location: Blackburn, Lancs.
Re: Torque Wrench Re-Calibration

Post by thunderace »

I prefer the click type. Although I can't actually remember the last time I actually used my torque wrench. Not sure if I even know where it is :oops:

Re-calibration should only cost about £10 tops, it's only ten minutes work - including the certificate!
Conventional wisdom says to know your limits. To know your limits you need to find them first. Finding your limits generally involves getting in over your head and hoping you live long enough to benefit from the experience. That's the fun part.
arsey30
Senior Member
Posts: 1218
Joined: Tue Apr 29, 2008 9:13 pm
Bike owned: ftr223 650 bros
Location: Surrey
Re: Torque Wrench Re-Calibration

Post by arsey30 »

If you have more than 1 you can check them against each other.
If they read the same or close, a good bet they are OK.
If not you need a third one to prove which is correct

Cut a short length of hexagon bar[an old allen key] and fit it into 2 sockets the same size on each torque wrench.
Set them to the same readings say 5, then 10, 15 etc.
Pull them against each other to see if they both click off together.

You can adjust the setting until they do, that will tell you how far out one if them is, hence the need for a third one.
User avatar
Man_Named_Dave
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
Posts: 359
Joined: Mon Apr 26, 2010 5:41 pm
Bike owned: NC30(K)
Location: Nairn, Highlands
Re: Torque Wrench Re-Calibration

Post by Man_Named_Dave »

That's a clever technique Dave,

I've seen a few online that involve suspending weights off the end of the wrench.

However I have 2 different types. What I do know for certain is that it'll be out of sync now as I couldn't help taking a peek inside and it's all come apart! There's a tiny pin that I'm not sure where it lives, and the spring needs compressing (I think) as I can't push it in by hand. Never mind.
arsey30
Senior Member
Posts: 1218
Joined: Tue Apr 29, 2008 9:13 pm
Bike owned: ftr223 650 bros
Location: Surrey
Re: Torque Wrench Re-Calibration

Post by arsey30 »

Buy a new one and then check your working one against it.
Its useful to have different ranges.
I have 3 to cover different ranges, up to 10, 50 and 150ft/lbs

You can check with weights if you happen to have some, as torque is distance x weight, but easier with another wrench.
NZgatch
Settled in member
Posts: 26
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2011 1:47 am
Re: Torque Wrench Re-Calibration

Post by NZgatch »

If you have an airfield nearby, you could enquire with the technical staff there. Most airfields will have a calibration rig on the wall somewhere.

Post Reply