How To Calibrate A Digital Torque Wrench
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Mechanics rely on torque wrenches to provide accurate and reliable torque readings so they tin can apply the correct amount of force on the nuts and bolts in a vehicle. Nonetheless, torque wrenches demand to be calibrated regularly to make sure they're giving authentic readings. While it may be all-time to have your torque wrench to a professional for calibrations, you lot can do a pretty good job of keeping your torque wrench authentic by calibrating it at home.
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1
Measure from the square drive to the handle. The foursquare drive is the end of the torque wrench you'd attach a socket to. For the sake of simplicity, use whole inches rather than using whatsoever fractions. Mark the point you lot measured to on the handle and record the distance on a piece of newspaper for you lot to come back to later.[1]
- Set the paper aside in a safe space until you need it.
- Because 24 inches (61 cm) is a mutual length for near torque wrenches, it will serve as the measurement for further steps.
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2
Secure the square drive in the vice. Orient your demote vice and so you tin place the square drive of the torque wrench into and take the handle extend out, away from the table or bench. Then insert the square drive into the vice and tighten it until it's secure.[2]
- Be careful not to overtighten the vice and harm the square bulldoze on the torque wrench.
- Make sure only the square drive itself is caught in the clamp, so the wrench can motility under the weight y'all apply.
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3
Calculate the appropriate setting for your weight. The equation is: handle distance times weight divided by 12. In order to make up one's mind the right setting for the torque wrench, multiply the distance y'all measured in step two past the 20 pounds you volition be using for your weight. That comes out to 480 inch-pounds (24 inches times xx pounds) which equates to 40 pes-pounds (480 inch-pounds divided past 12).[3]
- If you're working with metric units, start by converting the weight to Newtons. To practice this, multiply the number of kilograms by ix.807. In this example ix.07 kg x 9.807 = 88.94949 Newtons. And then, multiply the number of Newtons past the length in meters: 88.94949 Newtons 10 0.6096 meters = 54.ii Newton meters.
- To convert foot-pounds to Newton meters, multiply past one.35582. For this example, forty foot-pounds is equal to 54.2 Newton meters.
- Exist sure to use the correct distance and weight figures. If your wrench is a different size or yous're using different weights, your figures will be dissimilar.
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Hang the weights from the handle of the wrench. Tie the rope to the weight and make a loop that y'all can hang from the handle of the torque wrench where you made your mark in step one. Brand sure the length of rope is short enough that the weight won't touch on the ground once yous hang it.[4]
- Exercise not securely tie the weight to the wrench. Instead, simply hang information technology.
- Exist certain nothing is in the way of or supporting the weight as it hangs.
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1
Adjust the torque wrench using the weight. You can commonly adjust the spring tension in a torque wrench by turning a spiral located midway up the wrench'south handle with a screwdriver. Hang the 20 lb (9.1 kg) weight from the torque wrench at your first marking and see if it clicks. If it doesn't, tighten the spring by turning the screw clockwise, then lift the weight and lower it again to test information technology.[5]
- Repeat this process until the torque wrench clicks using the known weight.
- Be sure to lift the weight off the wrench and lower it once more to examination for clicking each time.
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2
Motility the weights upwards the handle if you hear a click. Heed for a click from the torque wrench every bit you hang the weight from the marked betoken on the handle. If you hear one, lift the weight off the handle and set it down again farther up the neck, moving toward the head of the wrench.[6]
- Keep repeating this process until you stop hearing the click.
- Be sure to lift the weight off and set up it downward again each time. Do not slide information technology upward the handle.
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3
Lower the weights if you don't hear a click. If you don't hear a click from the torque wrench equally you place the weight on information technology, move the weight downward the handle of the wrench until you do hear ane.[7]
- Outset by moving the weight an inch or so at a time.
- It'southward okay to motion upward and down the handle of the wrench more than once every bit yous look for the point in which it starts to click.
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4
Marking the point of transition. Once yous find the bespeak in which the handle transitions from clicking to not, marker information technology on the wrench with your pen. Exist sure to mark the indicate exactly, then you may need to make multiple attempts at identifying where it is by moving the weight upwardly and down the handle.
- The function of the handle where information technology begins or stops clicking is called the transition point.
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5
Measure from the square drive to the point of transition. Use the measuring record to find the distance from the square bulldoze to the transition point you identified using the weight. Record that number on a piece of paper and fix it aside. A measurement of 26 inches (66 cm) will be used for this example, but yours may be different.[eight]
- Be careful not to misfile this number with the effigy you lot recorded in step 2.
- Y'all may want to examination finding the transition indicate more than once to be certain yous have the correct number.
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six
Calculate the applied torque. If the transition point of the torque wrench with xx pounds was at 26 inches, for instance, multiple that by twenty pounds to determine the amount of torque actually applied: so 26 inches times xx pounds equals 520 inch-pounds, or 43.33 foot-pounds (520 divided by 12 inches ).[9]
- The equation is the same every bit before: measurement length times weight, divided by 12.
- If you're using metric units, catechumen the weight to Newtons (kg x 9.807), then multiply the number of Newtons by the length in meters: 9.07 kg x 9.807 = 88.95 Newtons. 88.95 Newtons 10 0.6604 meters = 58.74 Newton meters.
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7
Correct for the difference you identify. If yous are unable to adjust the torque wrench, you can still use information technology pretty accurately if you adjust the settings you lot use on the wrench to compensate for the difference. Dissever your first measurement by the transition betoken (in this case, 24 divided by 26, which equals 0.923). Whenever y'all demand to use the torque wrench, multiply the correct torque by this number.[10]
- Multiplying your intended torque by the difference will give you the right setting for your specific torque wrench.
- This solution tin keep you lot working, but the wrench volition withal need to be calibrated.
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1
Return the scale to zero after each use. While all torque wrenches volition demand to be calibrated regularly, you tin prolong the life of each calibration past returning the setting of the torque wrench to zero later each time y'all use information technology.[eleven]
- The strain on the internal spring can cause the calibration to migrate if non left on naught.
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2
Keep a tight grip on the torque wrench. Dropping your torque wrench onto whatever sort of hard surface tin instantly touch the tool's scale. Exist sure to set the torque wrench down in safe places to avert letting information technology fall, and never use a torque wrench in identify of a hammer or lever.[12]
- Banging a torque wrench effectually will immediately touch on its calibration.
- Torque wrenches have even been known to break when dropped.
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iii
Use the torque wrench merely for appropriate tasks. Because a torque wrench looks similar to a breaker bar, people often brand the mistake of using them interchangeably. A torque wrench should only exist used in instances that require specific torque specifications. Using it for other jobs can affect its ability to maintain its calibration.[13]
- Using a torque wrench in place of a breaker bar or different type of wrench tin bear upon scale or even damage the wrench.
- Treat the torque wrench every bit a speciality tool, rather than an all-purpose ane.
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4
Stay within the torque wrench'south upper and lower limits. Exceeding the prescribed limits of a torque wrench can impairment it, or might affect the wrench'south calibration. Many torque wrenches have conspicuously indicated upper and lower torque tolerances. Never utilize the wrench for jobs that require more or less torque than your wrench is rated for.[14]
- Exceeding the maximum torque rating for a wrench may fifty-fifty break it.
- If you damage your torque wrench, information technology may not be able to hold a scale whatever longer.
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5
Store your torque wrench in its case and by itself. Considering torque wrenches tin can be so easily affected by impacts and even temperature changes, it'due south best that yous store your torque wrench within its protective example and split from other usually used tools.[15]
- Store the torque wrench depression, and so if information technology does fall, it won't be far enough to cause any significant damage to the calibration.
- Proceed the torque wrench in a climate controlled area. Big shifts in temperature or humidity can touch its scale.
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Add New Question
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Question
How do I know if my torque wrench is accurate?
Hovig Manouchekian is an Auto Repair and Blueprint Specialist and the Manager of Funk Brothers Motorcar, a family-endemic business organisation operated since 1925. With over 30 years of experience in the automotive manufacture, Hovig specializes in the process of auto repair and maintenance. He is also very knowledgeable in common automotive issues and needs including engine repair, battery replacement, and windshield accessory and maintenance. Hovig'south knowledge and hard work take contributed to Funk Brothers Auto winning Angie'due south List Super Service Honor for 5 consecutive years.
Auto Repair & Design Specialist
Expert Answer
Usually with torque wrenches, you demand to null them out. Different manufacturers have dissimilar processes for doing this, though. I'd recommend looking at the manufacturer's literature, and then follow their instructions on how to zilch them out.
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Question
What is the length of the wrench?
The functional length of a torque wrench is the altitude from the center of the square drive at the caput to the centre of the handle or grip, and varies depending on the range of torque the wrench is designed for. The overall physical length will be a lilliputian longer and is not necessarily relevant to the function.
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Question
Should I consider the local gravity during the calibration of a torque tester?
Eric Lauderdale
Community Answer
Not necessarily. While there is no harm in considering local gravity in your uncertainty equations as required past ISO certification, it is relatively insignificant in terms of torque devices. If your weights are calibrated locally, then you would take no need for a correction.
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The weight you are using must be exactly xx pounds (9.07 kilograms).
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If you accept serious doubts about your ability to calibrate your tool this way, send information technology to a professional person shop. The shop volition have the right equipment and personnel to calibrate it correctly.
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Recollect to lift the weight off the wrench'south handle when finding and double checking the click spot to ensure the spot's accuracy.
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Things You'll Need
- Demote clamp or vise
- An object that weighs 20 pounds (9.07 kilograms)
- Sparse rope or twine
- Measuring tape
- Marker
- Calculator or paper and pencil (optional)
About This Article
Article Summary 10
To calibrate a torque wrench, start by measuring the distance from the square drive to the handle to the nearest inch. Discover a weight yous can use to calibrate your wrench and multiply this past the wrench's length to go your advisable setting. So, secure the square drive of the wrench in a bench vice with the handle extending out and hang your weight from the handle with rope. If the wrench doesn't click, adjust the bound tension by turning the screw located on its handle until it does. Once you lot've adjusted it, move the weight further downwardly the handle towards the square drive until it doesn't click. When yous've found the transition point between clicking and non clicking, marker information technology with a pen and measure out the distance from the foursquare drive. Then, multiply the measurement by the weight you're using to calculate the applied torque. Yous can then adjust your wrench accordingly to get the right torque. For more than tips, including how to suit for a torque wrench yous tin can't calibrate, read on!
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