broken Craftsman torque wrench

[Donald]

This is a microdial torque wrench that is maybe 15 or 20 years old but looks new, always in its case screwed down to zero.

I started to adjust it to 135 lbs and the handle you adjust with got loose and then came off. Looks like the nut that holds the handle against the adjustment nut came loose.

Where is the best place to get it calibrated? Does Sears do it?

 

[oldhp]

Will Sears warranty it? I would try that first.

 

[doitmyself]

That model does not come with a lifetime warranty.

The cost to repair and/or calibrate it will probably exceed $40-$50 with shipping, about the same as the purchase price new on sale (sometimes on sale at 50%)

Unfortunately, the new ones are made in China.

 

[Kira]

Hello, Do tell, where would you send one for repair? Kira
.

 

[Nyquist]

I just got a new one from Lowe's (Kobalt) that is a click-style torque wrench. It comes with a lifetime warranty & occasionally goes on sale. For $60 it's hard to go wrong with this one:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_337334-22328-85602_4294707923__?productId=3381202&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNs%3Dp_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1&facetInfo=

http://www.lowes.com/pd_337333-22328-85601_4294707923__?productId=3381200&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNs%3Dp_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1&facetInfo=

 

[Falken]

I have two Unipro from Napa, a 1/2" drive and a 3/8" drive and they are cheap and work well.

 

[dparm]

Only the very most expensive torque wrenches from Sears have the lifetime warranty. All the others are only a year.

 

[Gillsy]

Originally Posted By: Donald
This is a microdial torque wrench that is maybe 15 or 20 years old but looks new, always in its case screwed down to zero.

I started to adjust it to 135 lbs and the handle you adjust with got loose and then came off. Looks like the nut that holds the handle against the adjustment nut came loose.

Where is the best place to get it calibrated? Does Sears do it?

Torque wrenches are not covered under the lifetime warranty. They burned me once. I didn't give them a second opportunity. I just buy them off eBay for 20 or 30 bucks. I don't have any critical applications. The torque wrenches I've owned say to store them at 10% of the max ratings, but not at zero.

 

[doitmyself]

Originally Posted By: Kira
Hello, Do tell, where would you send one for repair? Kira

If you have one of the major brands, you can send it directly to the company (Precision Instruments, CDI/Snap On, Sturtevant-Richmont, Proto). The Craftsmans used to be made by JS Technology in Georgia (also NAPA, Armstrong, KD, etc.).

If not, you can google Torque Wrench Calibration Service and hope that one of the many dozens are close by to you.

One popular example is Team Torque: http://www.teamtorque.com/

I found several in my state of Michigan, such as this one within 40 miles: http://www.belknaptools.com/repair-and-calibration-department/


I wonder who Sears sends theirs out to?