Does it Damage Click Stop Torque Wrenches to Loosen Nuts

[TimeFlies]

Click stop style torque wrenches, does it hurt them to loosen nuts and bolts with them?

 

[dishdude]

I was always told it would knock them out of calibration.

 

[TimeFlies]

I was always told it would knock them out of calibration.

I've been told yes, and no, hence my asking.

 

[dishdude]

I've been told yes, and no, hence my asking.

Makes sense to me, it's meant to set torque not be used as a breaker bar.

 

[midobo]

It's considered a poor work practice

 

[oilboy123]

I lent my 3/8 Snap On torque wrench to my neighbor one time. He needed to torque some fasteners. He returned it to me afterwards and mentioned breaking fasteners loose. I was horrified. Years later I had it calibrated. They told me it was damaged for counterclockwise.
This was 40 years ago.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Don't use a torque wrench like that. Use a breaker bar instead

 

[ragtoplvr]

every click there is a tiny bit of wear. continuing on after the click can do damage. Only use to torque for longest life.


In either direction.

 

[dogememe]

I don’t even want to know how often the loaner tool torque wrench at work is used as a breaker bar!

 

[RoadDukie]

It's certainly not the right tool for the job.

 

[The Critic]

I lent my 3/8 Snap On torque wrench to my neighbor one time. He needed to torque some fasteners. He returned it to me afterwards and mentioned breaking fasteners loose. I was horrified. Years later I had it calibrated. They told me it was damaged for counterclockwise.
This was 40 years ago.

I had the exact same scenario but with the 1/2" version. Team Torque tried to fix it and failed miserably. Years later I sent it to Snap-On under the flat-rate repair service; the wrench came back with a note saying everything inside (except ratchet head) was pretty much destroyed.

 

[Spro4Life]

I will say I'd try to avoid using a torque wrench to loosen, but some manufacturers claim some can handle being used for that. In a worst case scenario and it's the only tool I had to use in a pinch without being able to just visit a store for something more applicable I'd use to loosen. At the end of the day the best tool to have is the one in front of you when needed.

 

[Sayjac]

My thought is it's designed to be a precision tool, so it would seem common sense to use it only for the purpose for which it was designed/intended. One 'might' get away with using it to loosen occasionally, but why risk it.

 

[Astro14]

Yes.

And every manual for the five I own says not to do that.

 

[benjamming]

I agree with not using it to loosen fasteners, but I’m curious as to what gets damaged and why. For example, torque is set for 100 lb-ft and the breaking torque on a fastener is 75 lb-ft. What exactly is causing the damage?

 

[NYEngineer]

Ever notice how newer torque wrenches only have a one direction head?

 

[Wheel]

Would this be an issue if you stayed below whatever the torque is set to when loosening ?

Ever notice how newer torque wrenches only have a one direction head?

Some are capable of working either direction within their limits.

 

[JHZR2]

Ever notice how newer torque wrenches only have a one direction head?

I did through use. My norbar pro wrench is like that, not my snap on and precision instrument units.

 

[pcoxe]

Tightening or loosening, don't push it past its torque setting and you should be fine. They are probably bi-directional to allow for the occasional left-hand fasteners.

 

[Astro14]

Tightening or loosening, don't push it past its torque setting and you should be fine. They are probably bi-directional to allow for the occasional left-hand fasteners.

When the wrench manufacturer specifically states not to do that - don’t do that.

If you can’t afford a breaker bar for that task, you sure can’t afford a new torque wrench.