Just found out most torque wrenches are off by 20% out of the box

I was reading through a calibration report from a shop in Atlanta last week and it hit me hard. They tested 50 brand new torque wrenches from three different brands and nearly all of them were reading 15-25% off from the actual value. I always thought new tools were good to go, but that stat changed my mind completely. Been using a cheap click-type for 6 years and never once checked it. Now I'm wondering how many cylinder heads I've torqued wrong on those Lycoming engines. Anyone here actually calibrate their own wrenches or just send them out?

2 comments

2 Comments

robinson.leo1mo ago

Wait, you're telling me my 20 dollar Harbor Freight special might have been lying to me this whole time? That's wild lol. I've been torquing my truck's lug nuts by feel for years now and I bet I'm still closer than these factory wrenches. Might just start borrowing my buddy's Snap-On from now on.

zara4471mo ago

Honest question though, how often do you actually check the calibration on that Harbor Freight special? I bet most people buy one and never even think about it again until something snaps or flies off. Your buddy's Snap-On might cost a fortune but at least you know it's actually doing what it's supposed to.