Does AutoZone Calibrate Torque Wrenches? (Explained)
Everyone fastens a bolt or nut to a part of their car, generator, or appliance. You will surely do a good job and record time with a good torque wrench.
Are you wondering if you can calibrate your torque at AutoZone? Or do you want to know how much it costs to calibrate your torque at AutoZone?
You are sure to put to rest all these concerns and many more in this article.
AutoZone calibrates torque wrenches at their calibration section of the company. At AutoZone, you are sure of a good calibration in a record time. You will get specifications on how you want your torque calibrated at AutoZone and many other solutions for your wrenches.
Does AutoZone Calibrate Digital Torque Wrenches?
AutoZone calibrates digital torque wrenches. Their calibration of the digital torque wrenches is quite different from the non-digital torque wrenches.
The engineers at AutoZone calibrate your digital torque wrench after testing the torque using a torque wrench tester and certifying that your digital torque wrench needs calibration.
After turning on your digital torque wrench, you allow it to lie still for two or three seconds then you will see the top and angle reading on it, signifying its calibration.
Digital torque wrenches are alternatives to mechanical torque wrenches.
This type provides an electronic display of the torque readings, making it possible to see the amount of torque used.
The digital torque has electronically assisted precision and visual, acoustic, and sensory signals. Once you reach your pre-set torque, the signal alerts you.
Digital torque wrenches have some advantages over mechanical torque that you can commonly use over the years.
These advantages are as follows:
- Digital torque wrenches are more accurate when it comes to accuracy than when you use conventional mechanical torque.
- You don’t need to adjust the digital torque wrench before and even after usage. Working with it helps save time.
- There is a built-in memory the digital torque comes with; the mechanical torque has no built-in memory.
- The digital torque wrench has an In-built timer for ensuring that the fastener is tight enough for the required couple of times.
- The digital torque wrench is not affected by physical factors such as temperature, friction, etc.
How Much Does Torque Wrench Calibration Cost At AutoZone?
At AutoZone, you can calibrate your torque wrench at a price ranging from $25 to $200.
The price above is flexible; the amount you pay for your torque wrench might vary based on location.
This variation occurs because there are different sizes, shapes of torque wrenches, and varying capacities. The higher the capacity, the greater the cost of calibration.
As a result of this variation, at AutoZone, the more torques you bring for calibration, the higher the amount you are to pay.
Foremost, AutoZone is an ISO 17025 accredited calibration lab certified to calibrate torque wrenches.
At AutoZone, they have professional persons skilled in calibrating your torque wrenches.
So, with this in place, you don’t have to panic about the outcome of your calibration.
There are different types of torque for different purposes, below are various types of wrenches and what you can use them for.
| Types of Torque Wrenches | Uses |
|---|---|
| No-Hub Torque wrench | The No-Hub Torque has a T-shape handle used for plumbing. |
| Deflecting Beam Torque wrench | This type provides more accurate reading over time. |
| Slip Torque wrench | You use this type for low torque jobs. |
| Electronic Torque wrench | This type saves settings and works with digital applications. |
| Hydraulic Torque wrench | You use this type with larger bolts. |
| Beam Torque wrench | You use this type where there is no need to worry about over-tightening. |
| Click Torque wrench | You apply this type where specific tightening precision is required. |
| Slip Beam Torque wrench | Mainly for jobs that are hard to reach and require precision. |
How Frequently Do You Need To Calibrate Your Torque Wrench?
At least once every 12 months or once you exceed every 5,000 cycles, you are to calibrate your torque wrench.
This frequency of torque wrench calibration is regarded as the standard practice.
If you use a torque wrench often, you must have known over time that your tools undergo wear and tear, which could have detrimental effects on your tool’s internal working ability.
Once the internal working ability of your torque wrench is affected, it reduces its torquing capacity.
Hence, the fasteners may end up too loose or too tight, as the case may be, requiring quick calibration.
You always spend more money when you calibrate your torque wrench, and if you don’t do it for more than 12 months, you risk producing items that are not up to standard.
You may often be forced to go for calibration for factors such as dropping your tools carelessly or when you use your tools in extremely humid, cold, hot, and wet conditions.
Therefore, understanding your tools and what you can use them for should be paramount to ensure it last long.
Can You Calibrate Your Torque Wrench?
You can calibrate your torque wrench at home or take it to a professional to do it for you.
Before you calibrate your torque by yourself, these instruments will have to be available.
The instruments are;
- A bench vice
- Known weight such as 20 to 30kg
- A good string
- Marker
- Measuring tape
- A good screwdriver
- Your torque wrench
You can calibrate your torque wrench by following the steps below:
Step 1
You measure and mark the length of your reference point, and this point depends on individual preference.
You measure in inches while using a whole number from the center of the torque wrench to a point on the handle.
It will help to write the measurement down because you might need it for calculation.
Step 2
In this step, you do the necessary calculations in Newton-meter (NM) or foot-pound (ft-lb).
This calculation helps you know the torque you need to tighten your appliances.
For example, if you’re using a torque wrench measuring 30lb, 18 inches in length. Your expected torque will be (30AIb x 18 inches) divided by 13 = 45ft-Ib.
Step 3
At this stage, you can now secure your torque using a vice. You make the handle of the wrench horizontal by locking the drive of the wrench to the vice.
The handle on your wrench should be hanging away from your workbench before you can hang the weight.
Step 4
In this step, you test the calibration after hanging the weight on the horizontal handle of your torque.
You use the string to hang the weight on the marked area of the wrench; you will hear a click showing the calibration is complete.
If you don’t hear the click sound, you will lift the weight and move it towards the drive. Start with 1cm and progress further until you hear a click.
Final Thoughts
A sure place to get your torque wrenches calibrated is at AutoZone. At AutoZone, you can also calibrate your digital torque wrenches at the cost of at least between $25 to $200.
At about 5,000 cycles or at least a 12 months interval, you should make sure you take your torque wrench for calibration.
