Chat with a retired FAA inspector at Oshkosh made me check my torque wrenches

He told me he saw a Cessna 172 lose a wing bolt because the mechanic's wrench hadn't been calibrated in over two years. I pulled all three of mine from the box and sent them out the next day. How often do you guys actually get your torque tools checked?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_emery1mo ago

Our shop sends them out every 12 months, no exceptions. That Oshkosh story is a good reminder for everyone.

oliver_mitchell1mo ago

That yearly check @the_emery mentioned is good, but it misses the wrenches that just sit in a box. The real danger is the guy who only uses his for one job a year and assumes it's fine. Storage and handling can throw them off just as much as regular use.

richardknight1mo ago

Yeah that actually made me reconsider my whole setup. I used to think if a torque wrench just sat in the drawer and only got used maybe twice a year it would stay accurate forever. Never really thought about how humidity or temperature swings in the garage could mess with the internals over time. I have a nice old snap on that hasn't been calibrated in like 5 years just because it barely gets used. Kind of wondering now if I've been making things worse by assuming it was fine.