Question about torque wrench calibration - I had it backwards

Been a mechanic for about 8 years and always thought you set the wrench to the lowest setting when storing it. Just last month I had a calibration check fail hard on a torque wrench I used for flight control bolts. The tech told me I should have stored it at mid-range, not zeroed out. Now my whole preflight tool check routine feels off. How often do you guys actually send yours out for calibration?

2 comments

2 Comments

matthew70319d ago

Hold up, are you actually stressing about this? I've been turning wrenches for over a decade and never once sent a torque wrench in for calibration. I just check it against a known good one every few months and call it good. Storing it at zero vs mid-range feels like splitting hairs unless you're working on something super critical. Honestly, flight control bolts or not, I bet 90% of the guys in my shop couldn't tell you the last time theirs was checked. You're probably overthinking it, just use it on a test bolt and see if it clicks right.

terryrobinson19d agoMost Upvoted

Using it on a test bolt and seeing if it clicks right" is basically what I call the "close enough" method, and honestly it's worked fine for my Harbor Freight special for years. Ngl, if my torque wrench is off by 5 ft-lbs, my rusty truck bolts probably won't even notice.