Torque wrench storage

[Rocketman]

So I have my lovely new torque wrenches a Carolus 40-200Nm & a Norbar 8-50Nm. Very happy with both after doing a few jobs on the car. Probably prefer the Carolus if I was pushed to say which is better for ease of use IMO.

But anyhow when storing I am a wear that you are supposed to put them on the minimum setting - even mentions this in the Carolus instructions (not in the Norbar as far as I can see though?)

Does this actually mean.
1. Set the torque wrench to the min usable setting on it's scale. In other words 40 for the Carolus and 8 for the Norbar.
2. Set it as low as you as it will screw too. Both torque wrenches screw past the min setting on the scales on them.

The Norbar actually says in the instructions never adjust beyond the marked scale. I don't know if that applies to storage?

 

[harvey639]

it means 1. Set the torque wrench to the min usable setting on it's scale. In other words 40 for the Carolus and 8 for the Norbar.

 

[gordon stephenson]

Do not screw lower than minimum setting as there might be a possibility of the thread coming out of the adjusting nut.

 

[Rocketman]

OK thanks guys. I was over thinking it and you guys have put my mind at rest now. So will just set at min setting on the actual scale and stop worrying.

 

[zzr1200]

I've always unwound them fully, even at the lowest setting the spring is still under compression , also I've never had an adjuster unscrew all the way out.

 

[moose]

I have always done the same as ZZR1200 never thought about only going to the min setting? my thoughts are it will still be under load???

 

[madkayaker]

My 3/4 lives unwound to min (won't let me unwind further) then it lives under sofa so it stays nice and warm/ dry

 

[Rocketman]

Well this has opened up a can of worms. I thought it might just be a straight answer one way or the other is correct.

Maybe dropping a mail to the manufacturer(s) will clear it up.

 

[Rocketman]

My 3/4 lives unwound to min (won't let me unwind further) then it lives under sofa so it stays nice and warm/ dry

MY 3 year old would soon have it out to play with

 

[madkayaker]

None of that fear here
1 no three year olds (unless you count dog and he is only interested in smelly socks)
2 as it goes upto stupid torque 3 years couldn't lift it !

 

[zzr1200]

Well this has opened up a can of worms. I thought it might just be a straight answer one way or the other is correct.

Maybe dropping a mail to the manufacturer(s) will clear it up.

I don't see a can of worms at all.

Just don't leave wrench under tension, I was always taught to fully unscrew the adjuster when not in use, provided its not forced I don't see a problem....

 

[doubleboost]

I have had a "snap on" 200 ft lb torque wrench for 40 years
Always fully unwind it
Had it recalibrated a couple of times

 

[zzr1200]

I have had a "snap on" 200 ft lb torque wrench for 40 years
Always fully unwind it
Had it recalibrated a couple of times

That's the key have it checked/re-calibrated.

My old (25 years) Snap-on 250 ft lbs failed calibration, gave it to snap-on for repair and re-calibration, 2 weeks later a brand new one arrived for the cost of a calibration because they couldn't repair/re-calibrate the old one.

Considering at that time I been rebuilding commercial vehicle engines (MAN/Scania/Volvo) for the last 4 years all the time, plus all the other work done over the previous 21 years of commercial repairs.

If I remember correctly it cost about 75-00 GBP

Considered the price a total result...

 

[Rocketman]

OK found this write up on torque wrenches

http://www.circletrack.com/techarticles/ctrp_1111_torque_wrench_myths/

extract from it -

' You always want to keep a minimum amount of pressure on the spring so that the ball can’t fall all the way out of the detent. '

Basically reading it in full it advises to store on the min setting on the scale not unwind to the bottom realising all tension. To me this makes sense with their full explanation into it.

 

[Rocketman]

http://www.norbar.com/portals/0/ntts torquepaper2a nov08 nab.pdf

Norbar's turn out to be never be adjusted to zero as this can adversely effect the calibration.

20% of the scale is recommended for long term storage!!

OK so there seems more to this then initial thought even.

Looks like the correct storage for the mine are.

Carolus - minimum setting on the scale
Norbar - 20% of the scale

 

[brightspark]

and if they get used on a regular basis they realy need checking for calibration regula.r i was working at cummins diesel and the fitters checked calibration every day before use