Cheap tools keep getting better and better, there is no doubt, but torque wrenches have always been one of those tools that folks are afraid to cheap out on and we understand the thought behind it. Whether you are just tightening lug nuts or building engines, there are some things you’d really like to be accurate. Years ago, Car Craft Magazine did a cheap torque wrench test and found that some of the cheap ones were actually the most accurate when compared to high-dollar models.

A little over a year ago we ran a Torque Wrench Shootout video from the Torque Test Channel that you can watch RIGHT HERE. The results might surprise you. But regardless, sometimes a torque wrench needs to be calibrated and checked and here is one quick and easy way to do it at home, even with a cheap torque wrench.

Video Description:

Now that I’m in the middle of working on the brakes and suspension of my #Lexus #LS400 , I want to be sure that these parts won’t fall of. Usually I work by feel and rely on experience, but just to be sure I want to tighten important bolts to spec. Now, I have this cheap torque wrench that I’ve been using for years, but I never really checked or calibrated it. To make sure that I torque these safety-critical components to spec, I’m calibrating my trusty old torque wrench. In this video I show you how it’s done. PLEASE NOTE: This is not a certified method you should use for customer work, but it’s good enough for home mechanics and hobby projects. And for government work.