Torque Wrench Calibration

I have access to a snap on torque checker device at my works fleet maintenance. These are the typical mechanics that have $100k in tools.

I have a Mac 0-250 and several harbor freight smaller torque wrenches. Everything has been good except for one of the harbor freight wrenches.

I was planning on doing a video comparing them all to see how accurate HF is compared to others but I just haven't gotten to it yet
 
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TJ Jim said:
Sta-bil has a shelf life of two years. The bottle on my shelf is five years old now. Seems ironic to only have a short life. 😵
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Exactly- It’s like the Barry Manilow song that was such a big hit - I write the songs- Barry didn’t write that.
 
sycboi said:
After you pick your jaw up off of the floor, once you see the prices, hopefully you realize that the home mechanic just doesn’t need that level of overpriced tools…
I have used a Snap-On 0-250 pound torque wrench for decades and it is definitely decent, but no way would I buy it new. I have used many many different brands over the last 29 years…
I can say with absolute certainty that all of my CDI torque wrenches are every bit as accurate, or better, than any other torque wrench I have ever used. Take a look at them…
I am fortunate enough to have a very good friend that is able to test our torque wrenches whenever asked…
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I like the case the Snap On comes in. The case makes it well worth the money.
 
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sycboi said:
After you pick your jaw up off of the floor, once you see the prices, hopefully you realize that the home mechanic just doesn’t need that level of overpriced tools…
I have used a Snap-On 0-250 pound torque wrench for decades and it is definitely decent, but no way would I buy it new. I have used many many different brands over the last 29 years…
I can say with absolute certainty that all of my CDI torque wrenches are every bit as accurate, or better, than any other torque wrench I have ever used. Take a look at them…
I am fortunate enough to have a very good friend that is able to test our torque wrenches whenever asked…
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Yeah I had no idea they were 500 dollars lol. If I buy any more torque wrenches it'll be years down the line and for heavy trucks so it will be worth it. CDI is apparently owned by snap on? So I would expect similar quality. Or as Artsifrtsi says they should be better.
WV Native said:
I’ve always been interested in pre set torque wrenches. I wonder if they ever need calibration.

Anyone here ever use one?
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I've never heard of preset torque wrenches, what is the application for that?
 
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97' 4 Popper said:
I've never heard of preset torque wrenches, what is the application for that?
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I do a lot of tire rotations on several vehicles and they all have wheel nut torque specs in the 100ft/lb range.

I thought it would be nice to simply pick up a pre-set torque wrench that’s ready to roll out of the gate.

I’m not in any way suggesting that setting a torque wrench is hard. I do know that if you perform alot of vehicle maintenance anything that makes things quicker and easier is appreciated.
 
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WV Native said:
I do a lot of tire rotations on several vehicles and they all have wheel nut torque specs in the 100ft/lb range.

I thought it would be nice to simply pick up a pre-set torque wrench that’s ready to roll out of the gate.

I’m not in any way suggesting that setting a torque wrench is hard. I do know that if you perform alot of vehicle maintenance anything that makes things quicker and easier is appreciated.
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For use at home, I wouldn't... unless you like storing and maintaining single function items...
 
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WV Native said:
I do a lot of tire rotations on several vehicles and they all have wheel nut torque specs in the 100ft/lb range.

I thought it would be nice to simply pick up a pre-set torque wrench that’s ready to roll out of the gate.

I’m not in any way suggesting that setting a torque wrench is hard. I do know that if you perform alot of vehicle maintenance anything that makes things quicker and easier is appreciated.
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I think in that situation the benefits are outweighed by the cons, especially if you don't have a lot of space for tools anyways. Honestly when it comes to lug nuts I worry more about over torquing then under torquing. I've had to deal with the nonsense of too many seized up lug nuts that end up requiring a powerful impact to get them out. If I'm dealing with a luxury car wheel that requires 80 ft pounds only no more or less, the torque wrench comes out. If it's like the TJ and it has a range of 85-110 I know I'm not gonna over torque it unless I stand on the wrench or something and it has a forgiving range, I just use a breaker bar.
 
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I build trucks for a living. We calibrate our torque wrenches twice per shift. And all I do with mine is put the side mirrors on, lol.

And we have a stupid expensive CLECO machine that does the lug nuts. All data from that is logged and sent on to the customer.
 
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I have a Proto torquing screwdriver, 1/4” snapon digital that is $500 last year, 3/8 CDI clicker that is 4 years old and was $350, and a Snapon 1/2” digital that was $650 this spring. Snapon 3/8” dial that is obsolete and still works, a cdi1/4” dial that was $350 last year, which I use for running torque on belts and friction lock nuts. And all are calibrated every year. Not including my fluke meter, various weight scales, dial indicators that are also calibrated. A couple are .0005” and one is .0001”. It’s expensive for calibration. And I should get my wire crimpers and strippers calibrated but I can’t justify it yet. My personal calibration bill was $1300 this year so far.
 
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astjp2 said:
I have a Proto torquing screwdriver, 1/4” snapon digital that is $500 last year, 3/8 CDI clicker that is 4 years old and was $350, and a Snapon 1/2” digital that was $650 this spring. Snapon 3/8” dial that is obsolete and still works, a cdi1/4” dial that was $350 last year, which I use for running torque on belts and friction lock nuts. And all are calibrated every year. Not including my fluke meter, various weight scales, dial indicators that are also calibrated. A couple are .0005” and one is .0001”. It’s expensive for calibration. And I should get my wire crumpets and strippers calibrated but I can’t justify it yet. My personal calibration bill was $1300 this year so far.
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Do you eat your wire crumpets with tea? :LOL:
 
If they are cheap, I wouldn't worry about them. The one's I've calibrated, they are not that accurate. If they are good then get Snap-On to calibrate them. When Bic lighters stop working, buy a new one. If it's that important to you, Buy a good one.
 
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