Left my inch lb torque wrench on setting for two months. Is it ruined now?

[rangerfredbob]

I wouldn't worry about it, chances are if it is off any from that it might be a percent or two tops... checking them on a bolt isn't a great way to test as the breakaway torque is harder than the rotational torque unless you have some clutch or something... best to compare against a beam style wrench if checking a clicker...

 

[mikester]

If you need to get your torque wrench certified annually and have a NIST certificate then yes you "may" have an issue. Otherwise no.

 

[Halftrack]

Check at your local airport for an aircraft repair station. They will have their wrenches checked at least annually, by a roving tech. Throw your wrench(s) into the stack to be checked.

 

[thepumpguysc]

Don’t give it a 2nd thought..
Torque away..

 

[WranglerX]

If really despirate you can put a bolt in vice and set torque wrench to a value about mid scale and use a small digital scales to get a reading where it clicks...

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[ROUSTABOUT]

I'm the go to guy around here for ring and pinion set up. I have wanted an inch pound wrench. Most times I don't use a torque wrench on the pinion nut. But still, I'd like to get right.

 

[hoozie]

Like others have mentioned, clamp the head in a vice, and use a digital scale (I have a luggage scale) to see if it's off, or not.

If it's off, open it up and add a spacer between the spring and the adjuster, then re-test. I calibrated my 20-120(ish) ft-lb torque wrench this way.

something like this: (mine doesn't have the fancy adjustment; I had to add a washer to take up the extra space)

 

[MinnesotaEric]

When I needed to torque something yesterday I was shocked to learn I left my inch lb torque wrench set on 108 inch lbs from it's last use of two months ago. It's a Husky brand I got it at Lowe's. Did I screw up my torque wrench by leaving it set?

Get your torque wrench calibrated or purchase a new one. Also, look into the split beam style of toque wrench that will not screw up when left on a torque setting. The split beam style is what I use for 3/8, 1/2, and 3/4" torque settings, with quarter-inch getting either a dial indicating or a very good scroll-style torque wrench and 1" getting the air gun.

That said, all torque wrenches need to be calibrated from time to time, and in aviation, calibration is an absolute requirement.

 

[thepumpguysc]

As long as we’re telling stories..
I worked at a fuel injection manufacturing plant.. I took along my SNAP-ON torque wrenchs.. although they were furnished, I didn’t like the quality of them..
All the torque wrenchs were recalibrated 1/4 lee by the QC dept..
MINE was the ONLY ONE that never had to be readjusted in the 3 years I worked there. (SNAP-ON 3/8 & 1/2 drive)

 

[hiddentacocatneddih]

I imagine most of yall are just working on engines and junk so who cares


If your working on something major like aircraft, it's out of service. I could go on and on about proper torque wrench use but most people do pretty minor things with them