Torque screw drivers

[guschash]

I was just checking Sears for troque screw drivers. They start at about $150 bucks. How many guys here use them?

 

[JohnJ0906]

I was just checking Sears for troque screw drivers. They start at about $150 bucks. How many guys here use them?

Do you mean torque screwdrivers in general, or Craftsman in particular?
Well, the answer for me is still the same - I do :grin:

 

[guschash]

I thinking of getting the Craftmans. Its $100 cheaper but is it good quality?

 

[JohnJ0906]

I thinking of getting the Craftmans. Its $100 cheaper but is it good quality?

It's the only one I've owned, so I have no basis for comparison.
However, it looks EXACTLY like several other brands I have seen, with the exception of the "Craftsman" name on it.

For instance, it is an exact twin of the Klien model, so it is probably the same source manufacturer.

 

[bphgravity]

Craftsman is great, especially when you need to get an exchange on a damged tool. I know people that alomost make a living going around to yard sales and flea markets looking for old craftsman tools, trading them in, and then selling the new ones.

I can't speak for the craftsman torque screw dirver itself, as I have a Klein model. I am sure it is of equal quality.

 

[busman]

I have the Klein screwdriver that came with my Klein torque wrenches. I rarely use it anymore since I got an SK model from MyToolStore. It's very hefty and easy to use. I think it was around $150, but it's been years.

Here it is:

 

[iwire]

I have a 3/8" drive inch pound ratchet and a 1/2" drive foot pound ratchet that I do use for feeders, service, bus bar connections etc.


I do have a torque screw driver, I will be honest and say I have never used it and have no plans to start using a torque screw driver to make up devices or other branch circuit sized connections.

 

[hardworkingstiff]

I do have a torque screw driver, I will be honest and say I have never used it and have no plans to start using a torque screw driver to make up devices or other branch circuit sized connections.

Did you ever use it to get the "feel" of what is the proper tightness of the screws?

 

[iwire]

Did you ever use it to get the "feel" of what is the proper tightness of the screws?

No, other then unwrapping it and looking at it I have not touched it.

I suspect it would feel too loose for me to be able to accept. Yeah I know that is the wrong attitude to have.

 

[mdshunk]

Just so you all know, the Craftsman torque wrenches and torque screwdrivers are NOT covered by the Craftsman lifetime warranty.

 

[peter d]

Just so you all know, the Craftsman torque wrenches and torque screwdrivers are NOT covered by the Craftsman lifetime warranty.

That's true, but a little pleading and prodding can change that.

 

[mdshunk]

That's true, but a little pleading and prodding can change that.

Or, go on a day when it looks like the dumbest clerk is on duty.

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

We all pay for insurance

We all pay for insurance

If for no other reason, having a torque screwdriver and ratchet wrench is like having an insurance plan...except you do not have to pay out each and every year.



Torqueing any termination is not difficult to do, if you own or are supplied a proper tool. I read somewhere that 83% of the failures in our industry are at terminations. There are more failures from over torqueing than undertorqueing.


I love it when I hear the "guys" say they have the "feel" for tightening terminations. :grin:

 

[iwire]

I love it when I hear the "guys" say they have the "feel" for tightening terminations. :grin:

And many do have that feel for small terminations. :smile:

It is just like learning the feel of stripping a cable with a knife, it is a skill that can be learned.

I am not saying I can tell the difference between 4 in lbs and 5 in lbs but I sure can tell the difference between loose good and about to strip / break.

I read somewhere that 83% of the failures in our industry are at terminations

Of course and I am surprised it is not higher. :smile:

Now out of the total number of terminations how many as a percentage actually fail? I bet the number has a large amount of decimal places.

 

[peter d]

It's beyond comprehension to me why so many electricians do not torque lugs and other large connections.

I agree though that torquing screws on a wiring device is a waste of time.

 

[busman]

I agree and make the distinction at wire binding screws (like on devices) versus screws that clamp down on the conductor (like ground bars, lugs, and most circuit breakers). For devices, no torque screwdriver. For the rest, I use it.

Mark

 

[wptski]

It's beyond comprehension to me why so many electricians do not torque lugs and other large connections.

I agree though that torquing screws on a wiring device is a waste of time.

Waste of time??? Have you followed the "Burnt Receptacle..." thread in this section?

 

[acrwc10]

And many do have that feel for small terminations. :smile:

It is just like learning the feel of stripping a cable with a knife, it is a skill that can be learned.

I am not saying I can tell the difference between 4 in lbs and 5 in lbs but I sure can tell the difference between loose good and about to strip / break.




Of course and I am surprised it is not higher. :smile:

Now out of the total number of terminations how many as a percentage actually fail? I bet the number has a large amount of decimal places.

Don't forget the "Back-Stab" on a device is a termination.

 

[iwire]

Don't forget the "Back-Stab" on a device is a termination.

Trouble maker.

 

[iwire]

Waste of time??? Have you followed the "Burnt Receptacle..." thread in this section?

Yes I have seen that thread I have even seen burnt out terminations in person.

I still will not use a torque screwdriver to install 15, 20 and 30 amp devices unless forced to.