Ever wonder why you should invest in a torque wrench for scope mounting?

[baker3gun]

Disclaimer:

If I ever worked on an airplane or a rocket, I'd do what powermad does.

 

[Flopsweat]

This reminds me of my personal dilemma.

After many years of turning wrenches on big and small stuff, I got to this weird point where specified torque often felt like not quite enough to me.
So I was always going just a hair tighter.

This led me to question whether qualified engineers were correct, or I was.
Naturally, I decided that all of them have always been wrong.

Nowadays, I still use a torque wrench on head bolts and hub nuts and the like, but otherwise not very often.

Clearly, YMMV.

Perhaps what it really comes down to is: how much is a hair?

Well there are grades of hairs, you see, but that's for a different thread.

 

[sobo]

Well there are grades of hairs, you see, but that's for a different thread.

And he does not appear to have the proper ticket...

...although he meets all other qualifications for entry (time in grade, post count, etc.)...

 

[Flopsweat]

And he does not appear to have the proper ticket...

...although he meets all other qualifications for entry (time in grade, post count, etc.)...

It's the NWFA Fall Fundraiser this month; Time to step up and grab those membership perks.

 

[Xaevian]

Well there are grades of hairs, you see, but that's for a different thread.

In the land of the bald, the one-haired she/her is queen/king!

 

[po18guy]

My brother used to say "Torque until it strips, then back off 1/4 turn.

What I have done is purchase a used aerospace quality Consolidated Devices in.lb. /Nm dial torque wrench. I use it on mountain bike and motorcycle fasteners within its range. With proper drive sockets, would be perfect for the typical 4-40 or 6-40 scope mount screws.

 

[hongkong2]

This reminds me of my personal dilemma.

After many years of turning wrenches on big and small stuff, I got to this weird point where specified torque often felt like not quite enough to me.
So I was always going just a hair tighter.

This led me to question whether qualified engineers were correct, or I was.
Naturally, I decided that all of them have always been wrong.

Nowadays, I still use a torque wrench on head bolts and hub nuts and the like, but otherwise not very often.

Clearly, YMMV.

Perhaps what it really comes down to is: how much is a hair?

Muff Products Landing Strip 30 Foot / Cunt Hair Measuring Tape Measure - Gag Gift Funny Tools - - Amazon.com

Muff Products Landing Strip 30 Foot / bubblegum Hair Measuring Tape Measure - Gag Gift Funny Tools - - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

 

[Flopsweat]

My brother used to say "Torque until it strips, then back off 1/4 turn.

What I have done is purchase a used aerospace quality Consolidated Devices in.lb. /Nm dial torque wrench. I use it on mountain bike and motorcycle fasteners within its range. With proper drive sockets, would be perfect for the typical 4-40 or 6-40 scope mount screws.
View attachment 1279882

Is that a repair tag hanging off it?

 

[Flopsweat]

Muff Products Landing Strip 30 Foot / Cunt Hair Measuring Tape Measure - Gag Gift Funny Tools - - Amazon.com

Muff Products Landing Strip 30 Foot / bubblegum Hair Measuring Tape Measure - Gag Gift Funny Tools - - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

Is that Imperial Units?

 

[ma96782]

Aloha, Mark

 

[po18guy]

Is that a repair tag hanging off it?

Ripped the pic off the web.
Could be a calibration tag for all I know. And all torque wrenches need occasional re-calibration - or they are just a wrench.

 

[Mike_M57]

My brother used to say "Torque until it strips, then back off 1/4 turn.

What I have done is purchase a used aerospace quality Consolidated Devices in.lb. /Nm dial torque wrench. I use it on mountain bike and motorcycle fasteners within its range. With proper drive sockets, would be perfect for the typical 4-40 or 6-40 scope mount screws.
View attachment 1279882

When I was in welding school, I met a guy that swore Ford mechanics were actually taught "tighten it until it cracks, then back it off a 1/4 turn."

I pointed to another guy in class and said, "That guy said Chevy invented that" and then sat back and watched the show.


I picked up a Wheeler Fat Wrench a few years ago on Amazon. Just happened to hit a sale and used some points I had saved up and only paid $15.50 shipped to my door.

 

[tinhorn]

A picture says a thousand words.

View attachment 1278875

You're young. You'll learn. It's like playing an instrument.

 

[DirectDrive]

Torque Screwdriver
I have one of those and it's well-made, IMO.

Husky 1/4 in. Hex Inch Torque Screw Driver H4DTRQ - The Home Depot

The 1/4 in. hex torque drive has been calibrated for +/- 6% accuracy. It's positive bit locking to eliminate slippage or dropping in tight spaces. Perfect for technicians working on aluminum to copper

www.homedepot.com

 

[Hemlock]

 

[hongkong2]

View attachment 1280332

Standard hardware at Boeing...

 

[ZigZagZeke]

Well at least being a Vortex, if it hit the ground and broke, they would send you a new one...or so about 1,000 salespeople have told me.

And yet another vote for the Fat Wrench...used mine yesterday. And as a gentle reminder for those who don't always read directions (um, that would be me), you should unscrew the tension all the way out between each use. True on most stuff like this.

I've taken advantage of the warranty more than once. It's true. They stand behind their products.

 

[DizzyJ]

Even spark plugs have torque specs. And it's not just to keep from stripping the threads or coming loose.

 

[Hemlock]

Standard hardware at Boeing...

You know it. And so do I.

 

[Yarome]

Standard hardware at Boeing...

That's not entirely true. I happen to know the second from the left on the top row was discontinued after being reported to HR as sexist.