How To Calibrate A Torque Wrench In 8 Easy Steps
It’s preferable to calibrate your torque wrench to get appropriate torque readings for all of your car’s fasteners. But you don’t know how to calibrate a torque wrench. If you tighten the bolt too much, you may break the part or even cause damage to the part.
The best way to calibrate a torque wrench is to read the manufacturer’s torque specifications. You can also follow the below simple procedure if the manufacturer doesn’t provide torque specifications.
I will define you step-by-step instructions on how to calibrate a torque wrench. It is very important to read this article carefully to avoid getting a torque wrench that is inaccurate and not calibrated properly.
So, let’s start reading;
Step 1: Choose Your Wrench
You can choose either a digital or mechanical wrench. Both types of wrenches have their advantages and disadvantages. A digital wrench is easy to use, but it is expensive. A mechanical wrench is less expensive but isn’t easy to use.
Step 2: Measure The Distance From The Drive Straight To Where You Are Measuring
Always measure the distance from the drive straight to where you are measuring. It is crucial because it will help you calculate the correct size of the washer. Measure the distance from the drive straight to where you started measuring the length of the socket. After you record your measurement, make sure to put a permanent marker at 15 inches on the handle. You can then easily reference this measurement later.
Step 3: Secure Your Torque Wrench
It’s recommended to lock in your torque wrench with a vise for this step, but if you do not possess one, you may use a socket on your torque wrench and clamp it onto a lug nut of any piece of equipment. Make sure you have sufficient space to connect a rope and weight to execute the calibration test efficiently.
Once you’ve secured the square end of your torque wrench, whether in the vise or on the lug nut, be careful not to overtighten and damage the drive. When using a wrench with a rope and weight, face the handle outward to avoid hindering the rope. Be sure to clamp the square drive in your vise so the handle can move freely.
If you’re doing this on a piece of equipment, place cardboard behind the wrench to prevent damage to the equipment body from the hanging weight. And always wear steel-toe or composite-toe shoes or boots in case something slips, and the weight comes crashing down.
Step 4: Performing Your Calculations
To determine the exact torque setting for your torque wrench, multiply the length from step one by the weight you’ll use to get the inch pounds. (In this example, a 20-pound weight will use.) Then multiply that value by 12 to obtain the foot pounds. Remember that if you choose different measurements or lengths, your results will differ from those in this example.
- 15 inches x 20 pounds = 300 inch-pounds
- 300 inch-pounds / 12 = 25 foot-pounds
Step 5: Securing Weight To Perform A Calibration Check
Before measuring the torque necessary to loosen or tighten the lug nuts, you’ll need to ensure that the measuring instrument is correctly set. The torque wrench has a calibrated dial that measures the amount of torque necessary to loosen or tighten the lug nuts.
To secure the weight of the wrench, you need to attach a rope to the wrench’s handle. Place the rope’s end into the hole where the weight is located. Make sure to insert the rope’s end through the handle and that the loop is just above the weight.
You can easily ruin the wrench by overtightening it if you aren’t careful. If you have an adjustable wrench, you can adjust it to match the torque you need to loosen or tighten the lug nuts.
In this scenario, you will need to adjust the wrench to the correct setting for known accuracy. This is because the setting will determine the amount of torque required. If you don’t, your wrench may be too loose, resulting in a lot of vibration.
Step 6: Calibrating Your New Torque Wrench
Go through the steps below to calibrate your torque wrench for 25-foot pounds:
- Check the “0” mark on your scale. If it reads 0, then you are using the torque wrench correctly.
- Make sure your rope/cable isn’t hanging over the mark on your scale.
- Set your new torque wrench to 25-foot pounds by placing the handle of the torque wrench on the mark on your scale.
Step 7: Testing Your New Torque Wrench
Using your new torque wrench, apply a force to the handle. You can test if it is calibrated by seeing if it will move or not.
- If it moves, then it is calibrated correctly.
- If it doesn’t move, it is not properly calibrated.
Step 8: Adjusting Your New Torque Wrench
To adjust your new torque wrench, pull out the torque wrench handle until it clicks.
Tips for Using a Torque Wrench
How to Calibrate a Torque Wrench Final Thoughts
Torque wrench Calibration is simple and quick process. It’s one of those “how-to” jobs that everyone needs to do. When measuring and calibrating torque wrenches, it’s important to be careful and ensure everything is properly calibrated .You will have a more accurate reading if you calibrate your torque wrench correctly. This will make your job much easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I Know Whether My Torque Wrench Has Been Calibrated?
You can determine if your torque wrench is calibrated using an inexpensive digital multimeter (DMM). It will have a function that allows you to check the calibration of your torque wrench. If it says “Calibrated,” then your torque wrench is calibrated. If it determines anything else, it is not
How Much Does It Cost To Calibrate A Torque Wrench?
It can cost anywhere between $25 to $200 depending on how well the calibration has been done. Because several elements influence torque wrench accuracy, it is critical to have a calibrated torque wrench for giving accurate readings . To ensure this, make sure that the calibration is performed by a professional.
When Should You Calibrate A Torque Wrench?
You should calibrate your torque wrench once every six months, after which you should recalibrate it if you notice any degradation in accuracy. This ensures that the readings obtained are not erroneous.
Should I Calibrate a New Torque Wrench?
Most new torque wrenches come calibrated with an accuracy of 0.1 percent. But you should still check the accuracy of the calibration at your local hardware store. If it doesn’t match up, you can recalibrate it with the right tool to get the precise measurement you need.
Is It Possible To Over tighten Using A Torque Wrench?
A torque wrench can tighten and loosen bolts quite effectively, as long as you follow some basic rules. For instance, you should avoid over-tightening or loosening bolts since this can cause damage to the threads or other components. Instead, you might try to apply a little force while adjusting the fastener to its tightest position.
Is 4% Accuracy For A Torque Wrench Good?
Torque wrenches are accurate enough for most tasks, but if you’re working with extremely small parts or need absolute precision, then a higher-account torque wrench is better suited for the job. Most torque wrenches measure torque within 4%, so they’re good enough to perform most tasks.
How Do You Zero A Torque Wrench?
With a zeroing wrench, you can zero a torque wrench to its maximum range without damaging it. A typical torque wrench has a calibrated range of 0 to 200 ft/lbs, while this wrench ranges from 0 to 200 in/lb. It comes with an indicator to tell you when you’ve reached this point. If you’re using a digital torque wrench, it’s easy to zero it out. Enter the range of 0-200 in/lb into the tool.
Do Torque Wrenches Lose Accuracy?
Torque wrenches, like other hand tools, lose accuracy over time. They are most accurate while new and before they start to wear out. However, if you’re planning on using them for a long time and frequently, it is advisable to invest in a good torque wrench or digital scale for greater accuracy.
What Is The Transition Point Of Torque Wrench?
The transition point is that point of torque wrench when the wrench clicks whether moving weight up to the wrench or down.
How Do I Know If My Torque Wrench Is Accurate?
If you’re looking to get accurate readings, you will need to use a calibrated torque wrench known to be accurate. The most reliable approach to do this is to buy the calibration tool from your preferred manufacturer. Another option is to get a calibrated torque wrench from a hardware store or an online retailer, but it will cost you more money.
