If you’re a DIYer, a professional mechanic, or enjoy tinkering with cars, then you’ve probably heard of torque wrenches. They’re a great tool to have in your toolbox and make it easy to fasten nuts, bolts, and other fasteners with precision. But, to make sure that your torque wrench is giving you accurate readings, you need to make sure it’s calibrated. In this article, we’ll go through the step-by-step process of how to calibrate a torque wrench.
What Is Torque Wrench Calibration?
Torque wrench calibration is the process of checking and adjusting the accuracy of the readings. When using a torque wrench, it’s important that it’s calibrated correctly, otherwise, you may end up over-tightening or under-tightening your bolts and fasteners, which can lead to a lot of problems. Calibration isn’t a difficult process, but it is a crucial one.
How Often Should You Calibrate a Torque Wrench?
Most experts recommend that you calibrate your torque wrench every 6-12 months, or after every 1000 uses, whichever comes first. It’s also a good idea to have it calibrated if it’s been dropped, stored in an extreme environment, or if you notice any changes in your readings. If you’re a professional mechanic, then you should get your torque wrench calibrated more often – every 3-6 months.
Tools You’ll Need to Calibrate a Torque Wrench
Before you start the calibration process, you’ll need to make sure you have all the necessary tools. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Torque wrench
- Calibration wrench
- Calibration stand
- Torque wrench adapter
- Calibration weight
- Calibration assembly
- Torque wrench calibration gauge
- Calibration log book
Step-by-Step Guide to Calibrating a Torque Wrench
Now that you have all the necessary tools, you can start the calibration process. Here’s our step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Set Up the Calibration Assembly
The first step is to set up the calibration assembly. To do this, you’ll need to attach the torque wrench adapter to the back of the torque wrench. Then, attach the calibration weight to the calibration wrench. Finally, attach the calibration wrench to the calibration stand.
Step 2: Set the Torque Wrench to the Calibration Weight
Once the calibration assembly is set up, you can start calibrating your torque wrench. The first step is to set the torque wrench to the calibration weight. To do this, you’ll need to use the calibration wrench to adjust the torque wrench setting to match the calibration weight. Make sure you’re careful not to over-tighten the calibration weight.
Step 3: Check the Torque Wrench Reading
Once the torque wrench is set to the calibration weight, it’s time to check the reading. You’ll need to use the torque wrench calibration gauge to measure the torque wrench reading. It should match the calibration weight. If it’s off, you’ll need to adjust the calibration weight until it matches the reading.
Step 4: Adjust the Torque Wrench
Once you’ve checked the torque wrench reading, it’s time to adjust the torque wrench. You’ll need to use the calibration wrench to adjust the torque setting until it matches the calibration weight. Make sure you’re careful not to over-tighten or under-tighten the calibration weight.
Step 5: Document the Results
Once you’ve adjusted the torque wrench, you’ll need to document the results. You can do this in your calibration log book. Make sure you record the date, the calibration weight, and the torque wrench reading.
Conclusion
Calibrating a torque wrench is an important step in making sure it’s giving you accurate readings. If you’re a DIYer or professional mechanic, then it’s a good idea to make sure your torque wrench is calibrated regularly. Hopefully, our step-by-step guide has given you a better understanding of how to calibrate a torque wrench.