Torque Wrench Calibration

Discussion in 'Technical Help' started by TonyG, Jan 20, 2025.

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  1. TonyG

    TonyG Noble Member

    Dec 1, 2016
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    Bucks
    I have a relatively cheap Sealy torque wrench, few years old now but never been abused. Is it worth getting the calibration checked, had a look online and looks like I could get a new torque wrench for not much more than the cost to calibrate it. Sealy themselves quoted me more than the cost of the wrench.
    Cheers.
     
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  2. Iron

    Iron Elite Member

    Dec 29, 2021
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  3. Bolosun

    Bolosun Noble Member

    Aug 25, 2020
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    Crewe/Cheshire
    I followed a couple of YouTube videos and checked my Sealy basic wrench myself. It was still within spec
     
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  4. TonyG

    TonyG Noble Member

    Dec 1, 2016
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    Thanks, was thinking about doing it myself but seems a bit of a faff and not sure how accurate it would be.
    I'm sure it's fine, havn't used it for about a year and noticed I'd stored it away set to well below the minimum setting which you are not supposed to do.
    Anyway, looks like I've found a mobile service which will do it for £15. Average price was about £45 plus postage.
     
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  5. Baza

    Baza Elite Member

    Jul 25, 2020
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    When I got into doing the valve clearances on the Ducati I decided that it it was time for a new torque wrench that is calibrated in a lower range than my old Norbar wrench that I bought in the 60s.

    Fortunately my new Norbar torque handle is capable of checking torque for both right and left hand threads and there was a fair overlap of the ranges of the two wrenches. So it was easy to check the accuracy of my 50 year old wrench by connecting the two together by using a large sump plug hex bit on one and the appropriate six point socket on the other wrench.

    To my surprise the old wrench performed remarkably well which I put down to it being made by one of the most reputable manufacturers of such tools and always winding it back down to it’s minimum setting when finished with.

    Sadly, I read recently that Norbar, an hour up the road from me at Banbury, have now been bought by Snap-On.
     
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  6. Pegscraper

    Pegscraper Elite Member

    Jun 12, 2020
    3,848
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    I still use a 1/2" drive Williams Autotorque I bought around 40 yrs ago, plus a more recent 3/8" drive Halfords "Professional" which goes down to 5nm. I also have a huge, brand new 3/4" drive Draper I won on ebay for £15 when a jilted Wife was selling the contents of her husband's garage after he buggered off with a younger model. I've only used the Draper once on some suspension bolts on the SUV torqued up to over 200lb/ft.
    I checked the other two with the weight method recently and they were, near as damn it, bang on.
    I always store them wound fully back to the stop then back in 1/2 turn. There's no real zero on them as, even wound fully out, there's some light tension on the spring.
    If you don't have a TW, a basic rule of thumb is tighten until it strips, then back off 1/2 turn.:p
     
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  7. nickjaxe

    nickjaxe Active Member

    Sep 2, 2020
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    Cheshire UK
    If you buy another wrench.....how will you know if thats accurate.

    I check mine with a digital luggage scale.....very accurate.
     
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  8. TonyG

    TonyG Noble Member

    Dec 1, 2016
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    443
    Bucks
    I guess I was just thinking at the time a new wrench(which you'd have to assume was accurate) was not much more than getting mine checked, so buy a new one, check the old one and admittedly end up with 2 wrenches of the same range! Give 1 away. Anyway, posted it off to be checked now.
     
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  9. Bolosun

    Bolosun Noble Member

    Aug 25, 2020
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    Where did you send it?
     
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  10. Baza

    Baza Elite Member

    Jul 25, 2020
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    750
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    Each of my Norbar torque wrenches came with their own calibration certificate. You get what you pay for.
     
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  11. TonyG

    TonyG Noble Member

    Dec 1, 2016
    866
    443
    Bucks
    I sent it to:
    Visit Our Website www.basicwelding.co.uk
    Sent it Friday last and not heard anything back yet.
     
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