Skidmore Bolt Testers
Bolt tension calibrators for pre-installation verification and rotational capacity testing of structural bolts.
CALL US NOW! 866-522-5464
WHAT ARE SKIDMORE BOLT TESTERS?
A Skidmore bolt tester, or bolt tension calibrator, is a hydraulic load cell that measures the actual tension produced in a high-strength structural bolt as it is tightened. The bolt is installed through the tester and tightened with the same wrench and method used on the job, and the gauge shows the clamping force achieved. Skidmore testing is required on steel buildings, bridges and similar structures for Pre-Installation Verification (PIV) and Rotational Capacity (RoCap) testing.
SKIDMORE BOLT TESTERS
Calibore Bolt Calibrator
SKIDMORE BOLT TESTERS
Skidmore-Wilhelm Tester
SKIDMORE BOLT TESTERS
Bushings & Front Plates
SKIDMORE BOLT TESTERS
Calibration Service
RENTALS
WB Equipment has provided jack & cylinder rentals for over 30 years,
We offer both short- and long-term rental options. Our extensive rental fleet includes high-quality hydraulic jacks, cylinders, torque and tension tools, lifting systems, and other specialized equipment. Serving industries such as construction, infrastructure, and energy,
SALES
WB Equipment provides hydraulic equipment rentals for the whole of the USA.
WB Equipment Rentals provides reliable, high-quality machinery for construction, industrial, and commercial projects. Their inventory includes hydraulic tools, lifting equipment, and power solutions designed for efficiency and safety.
SERVICE
WB Equipment has provided hydraulic jack & cylinder sevicing for over 30 years,
WB Equipment Servicing ensures machinery reliability through preventative maintenance, expert repairs, and safety checks. It minimizes downtime, extends equipment lifespan, and supports efficient, safe operations across industrial and construction environments.
Skidmore Bolt Testers
"Power Under Pressure:
Skidmore Bolt Testers from WB Equipment Corp."
PIV & RoCap Testing:
Verify bolt tension and rotational capacity before and during installation.
Works With Every Tool:
Impact, manual, pneumatic and hydraulic torque wrenches, tensioners, DTIs and TC bolts.
Lightweight Calibore:
Basic unit weighs about 17½ lbs, available in 350K and 1,000K capacities.
Calibration Traceable to NIST:
Bolt testers calibrated in house with certificates. [1]
OTHER PRODUCTS AVAILABLE FOR RENTAL
~ WITH SKIDMORE BOLT TESTERS ~
PEJ1401B, Two Speed, Electric Hydraulic Pump, 4/3 Manual Valve,115V, Use with Double-Acting Cylinders
Product code: PEJ1401B
Max pressure: 10,000 psi
Power source: Electric
Action type: Double-acting
Capacity: 1.5 gal
Motor voltage: 115 V
HA7206B, 6ft., Thermo-plastic High Pressure Hydraulic Hose, .25 in. Internal Diameter
Product code: HA7206B
Oil capacity: 3.54 in³
Maximum pressure: 10,000 psi
Accuracy: 1% of full scale
Thread: 1/4 NPTF in
Gauge adaptor: GA3
GF813P, Hydraulic Force and Pressure Gauge, Imperial Scale, for use with 20, 30, and 60 ton Cylinders
Product code: GF813P
Tonnage range: 20, 30 & 60 ton
Face diameter: 4 in
Accuracy: 1% of full scale
Thread: 1/4 NPTF in
Gauge adaptor: GA3
Enerpac P39 Single Speed ULTIMA Steel Hydraulic Hand Pump, 41 in³ Usable Oil, 10,000 psi
RENT NOW!Product code: P39
Max pressure: 10,000 psi
Max flow rate: 0.15 in³/stroke
Fluid capacity: 41 in³
Action type: Single-acting
Power type: Manual hand
WB Equipment Product & Services Catalog
Select Your Requirements from Popular Categories
Popular Categories
Enerpac & Simplex - Hydraulic Cylinders
Enerpac Cylinders
Low-Height Cylinders
Low-profile cylinders designed for low clearance applications
Capacity: 5 – 1,000 tons
Stroke: 0.24 – 2.44 in
Collapsed Height: 1.08 – 7.56 in
Enerpac Cylinders
Lock Nut Cylinders
Mechanically locking cylinders for safely holding a load
Capacity: 20 – 1,000 tons
Stroke: 1.77 – 11.81 in
Collapsed Height: 4.94 – 28.90 in
Enerpac Cylinders
High Tonnage Cylinders
Cylinders with the highest quality construction for enhanced durability
Capacity: 50 – 1,000 tons
Stroke: 1.97 – 11.81 in
Collapsed Height: 5.91 – 28.90 in
Enerpac Cylinders
Double-Acting Cylinders
Precise control and speed: the plunger advances and retracts hydraulically
Capacity: 4 – 1,000 tons
Stroke: 1.13 – 48 in
Collapsed Height: 7.19 – 64.75 in
Simplex Cylinders
Lock Nut Cylinders
Lock nut cylinders for extended, mechanically locked load holding
Capacity: 34 – 575 tons
Stroke: 1.77 – 11.81 in
Simplex Cylinders
High Tonnage Cylinders
Heavy-duty single- and double-acting cylinders, with lock nut options
Capacity: Up to the 1,000-ton class
Stroke: 1.77 – 11.81 in
Simplex Cylinders
Center-Hole Cylinders
Single- and double-acting cylinders with a center tube for pulling and tensioning with a rod or cable
Capacity: 12 – 646 tons
Stroke: 0.31 – 10.12 in
Simplex Cylinders
Low Height Cylinders
Compact, low height cylinders for tight spaces
Capacity: 10 – 150 tons
Stroke: 0.44 – 2.44 in
Enerpac Cylinders
Hollow Plunger Cylinders
Hollow bore cylinders for pulling and tensioning with a bar or cable
Capacity: 12 – 660 tons
Stroke: 0.31 – 10.13 in
Center Hole Diameter: 0.68 – 5.31 in
Enerpac Cylinders
Lightweight Cylinders
Durable aluminum cylinders for applications where weight is a factor
Capacity: 10 – 150 tons
Stroke: 1.97 – 9.84 in
Collapsed Height: 6.06 – 20.59 in
Enerpac Cylinders
Pull Cylinders
Cylinders designed for pulling objects together or apart
Capacity: 2.5 – 60 tons
Stroke: 5.00 – 6.02 in
Collapsed Height: 10.44 – 43.71 in
Enerpac Cylinders
Telescopic Cylinders
Multi-stage cylinders designed for extended lift heights
Capacity: 5 – 75 tons
Stroke: 0.67 – 23.62 in
Collapsed Height: 1.77 – 18.74 in
Simplex Cylinders
General Purpose Cylinders
General purpose cylinders built to ANSI/ASME B30.1, rated 10,000 psi
Capacity: 5 – 150 tons
Stroke: 0.62 – 24 in
Simplex Cylinders
Aluminum Cylinders
Lightweight aluminum cylinders, including spring return, lock nut and center hole models
Capacity: 30 – 150 tons
Stroke: 2 – 10 in
Simplex Cylinders
Pull Cylinders
Single- and double-acting pull cylinders
Capacity: 2 – 100 tons
Stroke: 5 – 6 in
Simplex Cylinders
Cylinder Tonnages
The full Simplex cylinder range, sorted by tonnage
Capacity Class: 2 – 1,000 tons
Max Pressure: 10,000 psi
Enerpac Cylinders
Production Cylinders
High cycle cylinders compatible with mounting attachments to simplify fixturing
Capacity: 4 – 25 tons
Stroke: 1.13 – 10.25 in
Collapsed Height: 7.31 – 20.69 in
Enerpac Cylinders
Long Stroke Cylinders
12 to 48 in stroke cylinders designed for extended lift heights
Capacity: 10 – 1,000 tons
Stroke: 12 – 48 in
Collapsed Height: 12.48 – 64.75 in
Enerpac Cylinders
Climbing Jacks
Designed for incremental lifting and lowering with cribbing
Capacity: 55 – 220 tons
Stroke: 5.91 – 6.34 in
Enerpac Cylinders
Single-Acting Cylinders
Simple operation: the plunger advances hydraulically in one direction
Capacity: 2.5 – 1,000 tons
Stroke: 0.24 – 23.62 in
Collapsed Height: 1.08 – 43.71 in
Enerpac Cylinders
General Purpose Cylinders
Versatile steel cylinders designed for a wide range of applications
Capacity: 5 – 500 tons
Stroke: 0.63 – 48.00 in
Collapsed Height: 1.63 – 64.75 in
Enerpac Cylinders
Cylinder Tonnage
Enerpac cylinders categorized by tonnage
Capacity: 2.5 – 1,000 tons
Stroke: 0.24 – 48.00 in
Collapsed Height: 1.08 – 64.75 in
Custom Cylinders
Center-Hole Cylinders
Center-hole cylinders designed and built by WB Equipment to your required capacity, stroke and hole size. Call our engineers to discuss your application.
VIEW PRODUCTSEnerpac Cylinders
Strand Jacks
Computer-controlled strand jacks for lifting and lowering very heavy loads
Capacity: 17 – 1,405 tons
Stroke: 9.8 – 23.6 in
Max Pressure: 5,000 psi
SKIDMORE BOLT TESTER SPECIFICATIONS
📘 What Is a Skidmore Bolt Tester?
A Skidmore bolt tester is a hydraulic bolt tension calibrator. As the bolt is tightened, it squeezes a piston that pressurizes fluid, and the gauge reads the bolt tension directly.
It lets crews confirm that their bolts, nuts, washers and tightening method produce the minimum required pretension before installing bolts in the structure.
Skidmore-Wilhelm is the best-known name, and the Calibore is a lightweight modern bolt tension calibrator supplied by WB Equipment.
⭐ Key Features & Benefits of the Calibore
The Calibore bolt tension calibrator offers:
Snap-in front plate
Quick change of front plate and hex bushing for different bolts.
Built-in reaction bar
Adjustable reaction bar for safe wrench use.
Dual-scale gauge
Reads in both pounds and kilonewtons.
Protected gauge
Solid, heavy-duty gauge protector.
Flexible mounting
Milled beam clamp plus drilled holes for table mounting.
Lightweight
About 17½ lbs versus 45 lbs for older units, with wheeled case.
🔧 Equipment Used with Skidmore Bolt Testers
A typical bolt testing setup includes:
• Bolt tension calibrator (350K or 1,000K)
• Front plates and hex bushings for each bolt size
• Beam clamp or table mounting
• Torque wrench or installation tool used on the job
• Spacers and shims for grip length
• Calibration certificate for the tester
• Test record forms for PIV and RoCap
🏗️ Common Applications for Skidmore Bolt Testers
Skidmore bolt testers are used for:
• Pre-Installation Verification (PIV) of structural bolts
• Rotational Capacity (RoCap) testing of bolt assemblies
• Calibrating torque wrenches for bolt tension
• Verifying turn-of-nut, DTI and TC bolt methods
• Steel building and bridge erection
• Wind tower and transmission structures
• Quality control and special inspection
📈 Advantages of Skidmore Bolt Testing
Testing bolts before installation provides:
Verified pretension
Proof that the tightening method reaches minimum tension.
Compliance
Meets RCSC and project requirements for high-strength bolting.
Fewer failures
Detects bad lots, poor lubrication or wrong procedures.
Calibrated tools
Sets wrench pressure or torque for the job.
Documented QC
Records for inspectors and owners.
⚠️ Limitations to Plan For
For accurate bolt testing, plan for:
• Testing at the start of each day and for each bolt lot
• Using the same wrench, method and washers as on the job
• Correct front plate, bushing and grip length
• Bolts too short for the tester need other verification methods
• Current calibration of the bolt tester
• Using fresh bolts, as tested bolts should not be reused
• Trained inspectors and test records
💡 Why Choose WB Equipment?
One supplier
Bolt testers, torque wrenches and calibration from one source.
Bolting expertise
Help setting up PIV and RoCap testing.
Rent or buy
Rent bolt testers for a project or buy for your crew.
Nationwide delivery
Equipment shipped to your jobsite, with overnight options.
🏭 Industries That Use Skidmore Bolt Testers
• Steel erectors and fabricators
• Bridge contractors
• Special inspection and testing agencies
• Wind tower and transmission contractors
• Power and industrial plant contractors
• Departments of transportation
• Structural engineers
🧭 How to Choose the Correct Skidmore Bolt Tester
Selecting the right tester depends on:
• Bolt diameters and grades to be tested
• Required pretension and tester capacity (350K or 1,000K)
• Bolt lengths and available grip range
• Tightening method: torque, turn-of-nut, DTI or TC
• Mounting: beam clamp or table
• Calibration date and certificate
WB Equipment can help select the correct bolt tester. Call 866-522-5464.
📋 What We Need From You
To quote or recommend equipment, please send:
• Bolt diameters, grades and lengths
• Tightening method used on site
• Number of crews needing testers
• Calibration certificate requirements
• Jobsite location and schedule
• Rental or purchase preference
• Project specifications
Choosing a Skidmore Bolt Tester
WB Equipment supplies bolt tension calibrators in several models to suit different bolt diameters and grades, along with the bushings, plates and spacers needed to test each size. The right tester depends on the bolts on your job, so we help match the model and accessories to your bolt schedule.
Testers are available to buy or rent, and each one is calibrated before it ships, so its readings can be relied on for PIV and rotational capacity reports.
When Is Bolt Tension Testing Required?
Bolt tension testing is called for wherever high-strength bolts are pretensioned, such as:
● Steel buildings: verifying pretensioned and slip-critical connections.
● Bridges: testing structural bolt assemblies before and during erection.
● Towers and transmission structures: confirming bolting procedures.
● Industrial plants: checking tightening methods on structural connections.
● Inspection and QA: providing documented evidence for inspectors.
Testing is done at the start of the job and again whenever bolt lots, wrenches or crews change.
Your Questions Answered - Skidmore Bolt Testers
What is a Skidmore bolt tester?
A hydraulic bolt tension calibrator that measures the actual tension in a structural bolt as it is tightened.
What is PIV testing?
Pre-Installation Verification confirms that the bolt assembly and tightening method achieve the required minimum pretension before bolts are installed.
What is RoCap testing?
Rotational Capacity testing checks that a bolt, nut and washer assembly can be tightened beyond the required tension without failing or stripping.
Which tools can be checked with a bolt tester?
Impact wrenches, manual, pneumatic and hydraulic torque wrenches, nutrunners, hydraulic bolt tensioners, DTI squirters and TC break-off bolts.
What capacities are available?
The Calibore is available in 350K and 1,000K capacities.
How heavy is the Calibore?
The basic unit weighs about 17½ lbs, compared with about 45 lbs for older designs.
How often should bolt testers be calibrated?
Usually once a year, or as your specification requires. WB Equipment calibrates bolt testers in house, traceable to NIST.
Can a bolt be reused after testing?
Generally no. Bolts tensioned in the tester should be discarded rather than installed.
What if bolts are too short for the tester?
Short bolts that do not fit need alternative verification methods set out in the specification.
Is Skidmore testing required?
It is required on many steel buildings, bridges and similar structures that use high-strength pretensioned bolts.
Can I rent a Skidmore bolt tester?
Yes. Bolt testers are available to rent or buy.
Do you calibrate torque wrenches too?
Yes. We calibrate hydraulic and manual torque wrenches as well as bolt testers.
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