torqueing tools??

Status
Not open for further replies.
sundowner

sundowner

Senior Member
Location
West Wisconsin
What are you guys using for everyday torqueing tools...screwdrivers and small ratchets for bolts and stuff - (and the ranges they provide) I need to make a few purchases and am wondering what is good??

Thanks!!
 
I have an older Klein screwdriver type that goes low enough for connections on small terminals. It has not been calibrated lately and costs about as much as new to do so. Another we just purchased is a Wiha, but make sure the range is what you want. The first did not go low enough even for devices. The 3/8 In/Lb and 1/2 Ft/Lb are bar type.
 
In a pinch you can get a confirmation of whether or not your driver is calibrated by using a screw tightened firmly into a threaded hole on a lever.
Support the lever from the screw as a pivot point and rest the end of the lever on a kitchen or postal scale.
Using the difference in scale reading between the lever resting on the scale and the lever forced down by screwdriver torque and multiplying by lever length you can get an approximate idea of the torque being applied.

Another way to do it would be to hang weight from the lever in a way that you can adjust its position to get a balance and then measure the distance from screw to where the weight is hanging.
 
I have the wiha torque screw driver and the Craftsman 3/8" torque ratchet.
 
GoldDigger said:
In a pinch you can get a confirmation of whether or not your driver is calibrated by using a screw tightened firmly into a threaded hole on a lever.
Support the lever from the screw as a pivot point and rest the end of the lever on a kitchen or postal scale.
Using the difference in scale reading between the lever resting on the scale and the lever forced down by screwdriver torque and multiplying by lever length you can get an approximate idea of the torque being applied.

Another way to do it would be to hang weight from the lever in a way that you can adjust its position to get a balance and then measure the distance from screw to where the weight is hanging.
Click to expand...

I had been trying to figure out a way to test it. i was leaning towards your second method but I like the scale idea better.
 
What is the proper torque range for panel screws? I know I read it in the code but can't find it now. What range of torque should I be looking for in a screw driver?
 
Square D panel labels have had torque data on them for years. Many look at main lug data but ignore neutral/ground bus data in the past.

Breaker terminal data is on the breaker.
 
Unreachable terminals

Unreachable terminals

As an inspector I ran into a GE breaker that it's lugs facing sideways we couldn't find a torque tool to verify the terminations. Any suggestions
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top