Foreign Service Keeping your torque wrench calibrated may be the simplest

way to avoid broken fasteners. This month, Dan tells us

about a company that does the job quickly and efficiently.

A
s a kid, the first things I learned tion vs. a pound of cure. Doubt us? Then con-
about wrenchin’ cars—good or sider the cost of labor to pull a job apart again
bad—came from the older gear- to remove a busted fastener or repair stripped
heads in the neighborhood. And threads caused by inaccurate torque!
Dan the first time I ever thought To get the straight scoop on torque wrench
about torque wrench accuracy calibration and maintenance, we sought out
Marinucci was when one of those older guys broke a Ben Spurlock at Angle Repair and Calibration
head bolt while assembling an MG motor. Al- in Beckley, West Virginia (304-253-5720,
though the problem generated some cussing, www.anglerepair.com). If this company’s name
and a whole lot of theorizing about the cause, rings a bell, it should. If you own an Ameri-
the issue went unresolved. Looking back, I can-made torque wrench, the owner’s manual
doubt that mechanic thought seriously about for that wrench probably lists Angle Repair as
having his torque wrench tested. a factory-authorized repair/calibration source.
I don’t think attitudes have changed after all Typically, the first thing a tech wants to
these years. That is, torque wrench accuracy know about torque wrench maintenance is
and calibration are still probably the farthest how often a wrench needs to be checked. The
things from a technician’s mind. But there’s no second thing is cost. Spurlock responded with
denying that a torque wrench is a mechanical this rule of thumb: If you use a torque wrench
device, and as such it can and does go out of three to four times a month, you should have
whack with use. it checked at least once a year. (Hmm...sounds
Today, having your torque wrench checked like most techs we know!)
periodically amounts to an ounce of preven- Angle Repair charges 25 bucks to calibrate
any 1⁄2-inch drive or smaller torque wrench, 45
bucks for 3⁄4-inch jobs. Shipping is extra, and
the turnaround time is usually a couple of
days. If your torque wrench needs repairs be-
fore it can be calibrated, Angle Repair phones
or faxes an estimate to you. An interesting side
note is that Angle Repair won’t touch anything
but domestically built torque wrenches.
Photos courtesy Angle Repair and Calibration

Spurlock emphasized that his company has

been servicing torque wrenches for more than
25 years. So they’ve learned what the typical
failures are and have built up a massive inven-
tory of repair parts to minimize torque wrench
downtime.
Based on the number of used and abused
torque wrenches coming in the door, Spurlock
said, tips on proper use and maintenance are of-
ten ignored. But a handful of these tips can save
you a bucketful of bucks.
First of all, remember that a torque wrench
is a precision measuring instrument, so treat it
In this photo, an Angle Repair technician is adjusting a torque accordingly. That means don’t drop it, pitch it
wrench to the appropriate torque setting prior to a calibration test. into a toolbox drawer, slide it across the floor,
continued on page 14

12 February 2002
Foreign Service

leave it unprotected or hurl other

tools on top of it.
Never use a torque wrench as a
breaker bar for loosening fasteners.
Don’t try to tighten a fastener beyond
the range of the wrench and never
use a “cheater pipe” on a torque
wrench.
Ratcheting-head torque wrenches
are a favorite of many techs because
they’re very convenient. However,
ratchets are designed for constant
ratcheting, torque wrenches aren’t.
Using a ratcheting torque wrench in
place of a traditional torque wrench
will wear out its ratchet mechanism
prematurely.
Sometimes, this ratchet mecha-
nism slips because it’s dirty. Spurlock Here the technician is recording actual torque readings from the wrench af-
reminds us that some ratchet mecha- ter the calibration test was completed. Remember that a torque wrench is a
nisms are very easy to remove, clean precision instrument, so treat it with lots of tender, loving care.
and lubricate.
“A little bit of light oil or very light
grease is all you need. Don’t pack the
thing with wheel bearing grease,” he
explained. Of course, some ratchet
heads are not easy to service. Over
the telephone, Spurlock has tried to
coach more than one surprised tech-
nician through reassemblying a dis-
combobulated ratchet mechanism.
Click-type or microadjustable torque
wrenches dominate the marketplace.
Spurlock said a smart way to preserve
the calibration of these popular wrench-
es is to always adjust the torque back to
the lowest setting or increment on the
barrel of the wrench before you put it
back in its storage case.
Suppose you have a click-type
torque wrench and you haven’t used
it for several weeks. If so, “prep” it Here a technician disassembles a torque wrench for repair. Angle Repair and
for use by getting its parts moving Calibration stocks repair parts for most, if not all, brand-name wrenches.
again. Adjust the torque setting to the
middle of its range (for example, wrench so you’re constantly pulling in 50-ft-lb range, buy a 100-ft-lb torque
about 50 ft-lb on a 100-ft-lb wrench). a level plane, not upward or pushing wrench.
Next, put it on a fastener and make downward on the wrench as you pull Finally, remember that you get ex-
the wrench click five or six times at the handle. actly what you pay for in a torque
the 50-ft-lb setting. Then adjust it to Third, always avoid the uppermost wrench. Several years ago, I was
the required torque for the job at and lowermost ranges of any given sending my trusty old Proto to Angle
hand and you’re ready to go. torque wrench. Staying within the Repair for a regular checkup. A
Regardless of the type of torque middle 60% of a wrench’s range friend asked me to send his bargain-
wrench you use, Spurlock offers the yields the best and most accurate re- basement, offshore torque wrench
following tips to enhance accuracy: sults. This also helps you decide along in the same package, so I
First, always torque fasteners with a which range of wrench to buy. For obliged. Spurlock told me that they
smooth, steady pull of the wrench. example, if most of the fasteners you calibrated my pal’s torque wrench,
Never jerk or snap the handle abrupt- tighten are in the 70- to 90-ft-lb then let it sit overnight. When they
ly; smooth and steady does it. range, buy a 150-ft-lb wrench. If retested it in the morning, it was al-
Second, always position a torque most of your work falls in the 45- to ready out of calibration! ’Nuff said?

14 February 2002