Welcome to Just Commodores, a site specifically designed for all people who share the same passion as yourself.

New Posts Contact us

Just Commodores Forum Community

It takes just a moment to join our fantastic community

Register

Do old Warren and Brown torque wrenches need calibrating

GK813

Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2017
Messages
138
Reaction score
17
Points
18
Age
45
Location
Victoria
Members Ride
VS Berlina
I have this Warren and Brown model 3220 deflector beam torque wrench that belonged to my dad he only used it for the occasional car repair and maybe for work as a diesel mechanic I was a kid back then but I didnt see him use it often its about 30 years old or more now and before I use it ide like to know if these wrenches need calibrating and if so is there a way to do it myself or is it better to send it to a specialist, what would it cost to have a specialist do it?
 

Attachments

  • W&B Torque Wrench.jpg
    W&B Torque Wrench.jpg
    228.8 KB · Views: 128

krusing

Well-Known Member, Possibly for the wrong reasons
Joined
Jun 21, 2014
Messages
5,349
Reaction score
3,940
Points
113
Location
Melbourne, Bayside
Members Ride
2002 VY L67 Calais Sedan, 2012 VE L77 Calais Wagon
They were one of the best at the time [in the 70's / 80's] doing Head Bolts, Harmonic Balancer Bolts and Flywheel Pulley Bolts ;)

They shouldn't need calibrating, but that depends upon how they were treated, and/or looked after,
[Not just chucked into a tool box so to speak]

Maybe find a ratchet type and compare the torques settings as a comparison.
Place a huge bolt on a vice or similar, and use that as Torque Test rig.

I guess you could get it calibrated, but not sure who would do it now, a lot of the manual tradies have retired, and other tools have come along and are different.

[My rule of thumb is, my three [Ratchet Type] Torque wrenches 1/4, 3/8 & 1/2in live in the containers I purchased them in, and unscrewed with no tension on them]
 
Last edited:

shane_3800

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 13, 2011
Messages
4,187
Reaction score
1,753
Points
113
Age
35
Location
places
Members Ride
vr commo
It's probably fine, but, if it's unkowen probably best to get it checked.
For home use it'll only need one calibration.

Torque Calibrations is the buisness that does east NSW/ACT other states I can't help.
 

Drawnnite

Obviously Unsensible
Joined
Sep 2, 2010
Messages
2,026
Reaction score
2,105
Points
113
Location
Victoria
Members Ride
2000 Vs Ute
It all comes down to, how much you trust it and if you also need a cal cert for any reason.

If its for your own personal ususe and youre not overly fussed, compare it to another torque wrench (bench vice and some nuts/bolts), do so in about 3 or 5 torque settings.

To get it done professionally it will vary.
Ie do you want/need it NATA certified and traceable?
 

_R_J_K_

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 20, 2008
Messages
6,723
Reaction score
1,856
Points
113
Members Ride
Zenki S14
If you're putting an engine together, probably get it done. Anything else will probably be fine.
 

vs-lover

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 9, 2013
Messages
2,639
Reaction score
1,803
Points
113
Location
Adelaide
Members Ride
VS S2 Calais, VS S2 Exec Wagon, VS S2 Acclaim
Tension Wrenches are generally calibrated at 20 degrees Celsius. From there if you use it from laying out in the sun for a length of time on a hot day it will alter but should return when it fully cools down. Apart from that normal deflecting beam wrenches don't need any calibrating over time unless abused.
 

Immortality

Can't live without smoky bacon!
Staff member
Joined
Apr 15, 2006
Messages
22,480
Reaction score
19,935
Points
113
Location
Sth Auck, NZ
Members Ride
HSV VS Senator, VX Calais II L67
[My rule of thumb is, my three [Ratchet Type] Torque wrenches 1/4, 3/8 & 1/2in live in the containers I purchased them in, and unscrewed with no tension on them]

Same here, I have a Warren and Brown and ratchet type torque wrenches that all live in their original boxes safely tucked away for their next use.
 

woteva

NEED 4 SPEED
Joined
Jul 18, 2005
Messages
2,094
Reaction score
6,199
Points
113
Location
Adelaide S.A.
Members Ride
VE2 Sportwagon - VR2 V6 ecotec Wag - VS2 V6 Wag
You just want it checked and no need for calibration for home use.
Is there any way on these type of torque wrenches to adjust if it is out ?
 

EYY

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2011
Messages
5,752
Reaction score
2,032
Points
113
Location
Vic
Members Ride
VS Statesman
We have two of those and they’ve been punished for at least 40 years and still seem more accurate and repeatable than the cheap newer wrenches. Haven’t had them calibrated.
 

lmoengnr

Donating Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2012
Messages
6,889
Reaction score
44,495
Points
113
Location
Sunbury Vic.
Members Ride
MY12.5 Maloo R8, MY12 Redline ute, Magnum 224
Where I used to work, torque wrenches were part of the 'calibrated tooling system', and were checked every 6 months.
We had a heap of Warren and Brown deflecting beam wrenches, from 1/4" dr to 1" dr.
Most were at least 30 years old, and were always within calibration limits.
We had an in house Metrology section for checking wrenches, gauges, measuring equipment, etc.
 
Top