Modern Vespa

I have a Pittsburgh 10-150ft # Torque wrench. It has developed the very unsavory habit of deciding to go on lunch breaks without notice. Really... sometimes it just decides not to click. :-/

Is it worth trying to adjust the spring and calibrate? Or am I better off investing in a higher quality option?

My personal opinion... adjusting it is not a viable path, unless you have some way of actually checking the calibration afterward. It's - what, a $20 torque wrench? $22? When we buy tools from Harbor Freight (and I'm not being critical, I have HF tools too, including a torque wrench) we have to accept that they are essentially disposable.

Buy another one, or something better. Unless you already own or have access to a calibration device, in which case go for it and have fun.

Seems there are some DIY calibration options.

https://www.wikihow.com/Calibrate-a-Torque-Wrench

I am trying not to be a lazy shit bird (Read- Standard State) and just buy another... but, I also don't wanna waste time if it's cooked and re-calibrating is a fools errand that isn't gonna help.

I guess the better question is: Has anyone re-calibrated a torque wrench and was it actually successful?

does it have a read and a click or only a click?

I still roll old school with the beam style.

toss that thing and get yourself an American made torque wrench with a certificate of calibration.

I am a cheap and lazy shitbird who keeps accumulating shitty harbor freight torque wrenches. Mr. Gick is right.

Never tried, but hear you can check the accuracy the clicky kind with the ibeam style. Weld two sockets together and go.

Probably not a true calibration

Well... after some offline back and forths we have come to the conclusion that I am in fact, still a lazy shit bird...

1. The argument was made that it is worth re-calibrating a wrench if its is a quality wrench to start with.

2. A shitty torque wrench... even after re-calibrating... is just a... "better calibrated, shitty torque wrench". Relativity applies.

3. While a professional mechanic needs a no-fucking-around high-end wrench... there is a middle ground for the rest of us hacks that wanna buy ham and not 100+ dollar wrenches. Middle ground options being some specific Taiwanese offerings. Specifically, Tekton or Lexivon.

I snagged a Lexivon as it can be delivered by tomorrow.

Will report back... eventually... on my impressions.

I have all three flavors of Icon torque wrench for projects I care about. They seem to work well.

I had a Pittsburgh one a year or two back that would only click while loosening. Took that trash right back for my jack.

I bought a Lexicon inch lb torque wrench and it's working great two years later.

I ditched the Pittsburgh one for the same reason.

And I still sometimes double check with a non clicky wire type Craftsman old school torque wrench...

Just remember to take off the pressure when you're done with it or the spring gets sprung....

See!

Good enough for the snack-masters of the Pacific North West. Good enough for me. 😀

Seriously, thanks for chiming in with your experience Scott. And, good call out on taking the pressure off the spring.

AZ those icons are fancy. (*sighs* ...I wish.)

why are the beam style so unpopular? they last forever. I dig 'em.

because they're not very accurate

Especially after you've glued the indicator tip back on several times over the decades.

If the indicator tip is off, all bets are off

Found a used stahlwille wrench at a garage sale for $125. Its a work of art.

https://www.misterworker.com/en-us/stahlwille/standard-manoskop-721-quick-torque-wrenches-with-permanently-installed-ratchet-721-quick/7808.html?gmc_currency=3&SubmitCountry=US&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwi_exBhA8EiwA_kU1MvuP4lIOCHwT5IhDtj3OdIGTD4LOjRiELBNKYYto1thbiywY5_QmtBoCc_UQAvD_BwE

I have 3 SnapOn and one Mac torque wrench that have to be certified every year. Costs $20 a pop. I don't bother with crap tools (not pointing fingers, just generalizing) that can't perform year in year out. Yeah, my ass is on the line but I only paid once for my wrenches and haven't worn one out. My experience.

I use this one.
64 bucks at Amazon.

I used the same craftsman beam wrench for decades before the scale broke off. I really liked Craftsman back in the day. Sears was the only local store that carried any automotive specialty tools. They were decent quality but reasonably priced.

Beam wrenches work fine. You have to watch the pointer move and snug smoothly to sneak up on the right torque value. It's less about reaching an exact number and more about getting the fasteners on an assembly uniformly tight. You can feel tight and when a bolt is beginning to stretch.

That's been my experience too. I have a 3/8 and a 1/2 drive Craftsman that have served me well.

Here, here!

Decent US made torque wrenches can be bought through McMaster Carr.

Very true, Sir! Just convenient when the vultures show up at my work. Matches my toolbox too.🤣

I bought a small handful of CDI clicker style torque wrenches about 15 years ago..a larger 1/2" drive, medium sized 3/8" drive, smaller 3/8" drive, and a small 1/4" drive. Before that i was using crapsman 1/2" drive and a very questionable 3/8" beam style.