TIL a 20-year mechanic told me torque wrenches are overused on small fasteners

Had a chat with a guy who works on Gulfstreams at the hangar in Burbank, and he said most guys wreck threads on #6 screws by torquing them to spec when finger tight plus a quarter turn is plenty. Has anyone else shifted from following the manual to more feel for smaller jobs?

2 comments

2 Comments

hernandez.brooke2d ago

Does your wrist just know when it's tight enough for the little stuff? I started doing the same thing on my motorcycle fairings after snapping a bolt, and haven't had a problem since.

noah9142d ago

30 years of wrenching and yeah, your hand just knows. That little squeak the plastic makes when it's about to crack is pretty unmistakable too.