Got schooled by a 19-year-old apprentice about torque wrenches

This kid straight up told me my favorite click-style torque wrench was probably out of spec because I never stored it at zero. I've been tossing it in my toolbox loose for 15 years without thinking twice. Has anyone else been humbled by a new guy lately?

2 comments

2 Comments

blake_bell2920d ago

Ain't that the truth, got shown up by a parts kid just last week myself.

grantadams20d ago

and actually, he's not totally wrong about storing it at zero, but it's a bit more about the mechanism wearing down over time than just the storage setting. most click-type torque wrenches have a spring inside that can get a little tired if you leave them cranked up high for months on end, but fifteen years of just tossing it around loose is probably doing more harm than the storage thing. the real trick is to also have it calibrated every year or two if you're using it a lot, because those internal parts do drift even if you baby it. i learned this the hard way when i started stripping bolts on an engine rebuild and couldn't figure out why my readings felt loose. so yeah, humble yourself and send it in for a checkup, or just grab a new one if the cost is close.