Just realized my torque wrench was way off for like 6 months

Old-timer at the hangar named Rick told me to get my torque wrench checked every year. I thought he was just being extra. Then last month I stripped a bolt on a 737 flap track because my wrench clicked way too late. Cost the company like $400 in parts and a half day of downtime. Rick just looked at me and said 'told you so' lol. Now I test my torque wrenches every 6 months with a calibration stand. Anyone else have a tool fail at the worst time?

2 comments

2 Comments

valwest27d ago

Used to think calibrating every year was just some old school overkill. Always figured if it clicked, it was good enough. Then my Harbor Freight special let me down on a critical hub nut and I had to redo the whole damn job on a Saturday. Learned my lesson the expensive way lol. Now I'm like Rick, checking mine every 6 months with a beam-style tester I got from a pawn shop. That one failure changed my whole mindset about trusting tools without proof.

hunt.rowan27d ago

Yeah but heres the thing that really gets me - its not just the click that can be off. I had a snap-on digital torque wrench that would give perfect readings at 90 degrees but if i held it at a weird angle to reach a tight spot it would be like 20% off and i didnt know for weeks. Found out when a torque check on a landing gear bolt came back way low and i had to pull everything apart again. The angle sensor was just lying to me the whole time. Now i check my wrenches at the exact angle i use them at work not just sitting flat on a bench.