Torque wrench miscalibrated?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Torque wrench miscalibrated?
Hello everyone,
I own a Icetoolz Ocarina torque wrench, which is a cheap beam style torque wrench.
https://www.amazon.com/IceToolz-Ocar.../dp/B015DJGECA
After using it a couple of times, I see that the beam has become miscalibrated. It now reads 2Nm when not applying any pressure at all. I think I may have used it to loosen some bolts instead of only tightening.
Is there any way I can recalibrate it, or should I just throw it away to be safe?
If it reads 2Nm when applying no torque, can I just subtract 2Nm from whatever reading it shows?
Thanks!
I own a Icetoolz Ocarina torque wrench, which is a cheap beam style torque wrench.
https://www.amazon.com/IceToolz-Ocar.../dp/B015DJGECA
After using it a couple of times, I see that the beam has become miscalibrated. It now reads 2Nm when not applying any pressure at all. I think I may have used it to loosen some bolts instead of only tightening.
Is there any way I can recalibrate it, or should I just throw it away to be safe?
If it reads 2Nm when applying no torque, can I just subtract 2Nm from whatever reading it shows?
Thanks!
#2
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I'm confused, your link indicates this is a click style wrench that you set the desired torque, then it "clicks" once it reaches the setting.
With a beam style wrench, you must read the torque value while turning the wrench. You cannot take a static torque reading with a beam wrench.
With a beam style wrench, you must read the torque value while turning the wrench. You cannot take a static torque reading with a beam wrench.
#3
Really Old Senior Member
Hello everyone,
I own a Icetoolz Ocarina torque wrench, which is a cheap beam style torque wrench.
https://www.amazon.com/IceToolz-Ocar.../dp/B015DJGECA
After using it a couple of times, I see that the beam has become miscalibrated. It now reads 2Nm when not applying any pressure at all. I think I may have used it to loosen some bolts instead of only tightening.
Is there any way I can recalibrate it, or should I just throw it away to be safe?
If it reads 2Nm when applying no torque, can I just subtract 2Nm from whatever reading it shows?
Thanks!
I own a Icetoolz Ocarina torque wrench, which is a cheap beam style torque wrench.
https://www.amazon.com/IceToolz-Ocar.../dp/B015DJGECA
After using it a couple of times, I see that the beam has become miscalibrated. It now reads 2Nm when not applying any pressure at all. I think I may have used it to loosen some bolts instead of only tightening.
Is there any way I can recalibrate it, or should I just throw it away to be safe?
If it reads 2Nm when applying no torque, can I just subtract 2Nm from whatever reading it shows?
Thanks!
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I'm confused, your link indicates this is a click style wrench that you set the desired torque, then it "clicks" once it reaches the setting.
With a beam style wrench, you must read the torque value while turning the wrench. You cannot take a static torque reading with a beam wrench.
With a beam style wrench, you must read the torque value while turning the wrench. You cannot take a static torque reading with a beam wrench.
Really, is it just that simple? Is it just always off by 2Nm in this case?
#5
Really Old Senior Member
Or bend the pointer to Zero if it makes you feel better.
#6
Sr Member on Sr bikes
Well, I don't even see that particular 'orange handled' torque wrench on their website (at least not under the torque wrench pulldown menu). But, there is one with a black handle...the torque scale is a bit different. And there is a "contact us" on the top menu that says "We will have a specialist at your service." Maybe you can ask them, or even get it replaced. Good luck.
???? - IceToolz********************?Lifu Bicycle Co., Ltd.
Dan
???? - IceToolz********************?Lifu Bicycle Co., Ltd.
Dan
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I have looked at the link for that tool and I have a question. Do you think that loosening or tightening bolts may have exceeded the maximum value for that tool? If so,then you may not still have a useful tool. Inexpensive tools can work very well as long as you do not try to use them for anything beyond what they are supposed to do.If you have gone beyond the limits of what that wrench was designed for, either for tightening or for loosening a bolt, you may have damaged it
#9
Senior Member
Hello everyone,
I own a Icetoolz Ocarina torque wrench, which is a cheap beam style torque wrench.
https://www.amazon.com/IceToolz-Ocar.../dp/B015DJGECA
After using it a couple of times, I see that the beam has become miscalibrated. It now reads 2Nm when not applying any pressure at all. I think I may have used it to loosen some bolts instead of only tightening.
Is there any way I can recalibrate it, or should I just throw it away to be safe?
If it reads 2Nm when applying no torque, can I just subtract 2Nm from whatever reading it shows?
Thanks!
I own a Icetoolz Ocarina torque wrench, which is a cheap beam style torque wrench.
https://www.amazon.com/IceToolz-Ocar.../dp/B015DJGECA
After using it a couple of times, I see that the beam has become miscalibrated. It now reads 2Nm when not applying any pressure at all. I think I may have used it to loosen some bolts instead of only tightening.
Is there any way I can recalibrate it, or should I just throw it away to be safe?
If it reads 2Nm when applying no torque, can I just subtract 2Nm from whatever reading it shows?
Thanks!
Metric torque is force in Newton (N) times distance in meters (m).
To re-calibrate or check calibration hold the head/square of the wrench in a vice, with the handle parallel to the floor, measure the length of the handle (square to end), hang a known weight from the end of the handle, then read the scale.
Example: Measured length 10"= 25.4cm = 0.254m , weight 1kg = 9.8N
The reading on the scale should now be 0.254m * 9.8M = 2.48N ~ 2.5N
If the scale reads something else then move the scale and re-check with other known weights.
Hope this helps.
#10
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I have one of these. You just twist the black shaft and you can zero out the scale. So, looking down at the scale from the top, twist the shaft in a clockwise direction and watch the indicator as it moves to zero. Voila!
#11
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Yes, the scale is linear. Just as you would if weighing yourself on a scale that zeroed at 10#s, you can add or subtract the zero error to the actual reading. Or, as pointed out above, reset the zero point with a bit of brute force on the indicator bar.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
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#13
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Brad
#14
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#15
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This. Dial and beam style tq. wrenches can last decades if not abused. The pointer can be rezeroed as needed, but can indicate that the wrench exceeded it's capacity at some point and may no longer be accurate in either direction. A testing lab can certify accuracy (semi costly).
Brad
Brad
All you need is a vise or some other way to support a bolt projecting horizontally a few feet off the ground, the wrench, a ruler some string and a 10# bag potatoes or other known weight.
Simply arrange the setup so the torque wrench handle extends horizontally. It'll probably be necessary to support the wrench in line with the bolt so it doesn't simply flop sideways, but that can be a friend lending his hand. Hang the potatoes a measured distance from the fulcrum to establish the desired torque, ie. at 6" for 60 inch pounds or 5 foot pounds.
Click type wrenches can be calibrated the same way, by dialing in the test torque and gently lowering the weight looking for the click to happen just as you are about to release it. (the actual calibration method varioes with the tool).
This method may not meet Mil Spec, but is good enough for bike related applications. Note that it depends on the spring constant of the tool being unchanged from new, so may be less accurate on tools that were severely abused, but in most cases, the spring constant stays true even when the tool it off. If concerned and wanting greatest accuracy, calibrate at a torque closer to those you actually use.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I have looked at the link for that tool and I have a question. Do you think that loosening or tightening bolts may have exceeded the maximum value for that tool? If so,then you may not still have a useful tool. Inexpensive tools can work very well as long as you do not try to use them for anything beyond what they are supposed to do.If you have gone beyond the limits of what that wrench was designed for, either for tightening or for loosening a bolt, you may have damaged it
Never use a torque wrench to loosen a bolt.
Metric torque is force in Newton (N) times distance in meters (m).
To re-calibrate or check calibration hold the head/square of the wrench in a vice, with the handle parallel to the floor, measure the length of the handle (square to end), hang a known weight from the end of the handle, then read the scale.
Example: Measured length 10"= 25.4cm = 0.254m , weight 1kg = 9.8N
The reading on the scale should now be 0.254m * 9.8M = 2.48N ~ 2.5N
If the scale reads something else then move the scale and re-check with other known weights.
Hope this helps.
Metric torque is force in Newton (N) times distance in meters (m).
To re-calibrate or check calibration hold the head/square of the wrench in a vice, with the handle parallel to the floor, measure the length of the handle (square to end), hang a known weight from the end of the handle, then read the scale.
Example: Measured length 10"= 25.4cm = 0.254m , weight 1kg = 9.8N
The reading on the scale should now be 0.254m * 9.8M = 2.48N ~ 2.5N
If the scale reads something else then move the scale and re-check with other known weights.
Hope this helps.
Oh awesome, I didnt know about this. I will try this. Thanks so much!