Torque Drivers

[Pete999]

Probably been aired before, but how do the members rate the various Torque screwdrivers?, do they use them? and their opinion on the need to use them? if they have them what's the best set to get?

 

[martinh287]

I use torque screwdriver with auger bits and I couldn't do without it on rewires. Can be used with spade bits but need good quality bits. I find not only easier to drill the hole with less pressure or room needed but extends the life of the drill bits.

 

[Pete999]

I use torque screwdriver with auger bits and I couldn't do without it on rewires. Can be used with spade bits but need good quality bits. I find not only easier to drill the hole with less pressure or room needed but extends the life of the drill bits.

Not sure what you mean mate, maybe my thread wasn't clear I'm on about the VDE insulated Torque screwdrivers we have all been advised to use when connecting up CUs

 

[shanky887614]

Not sure what you mean mate, maybe my thread wasn't clear I'm on about the VDE insulated Torque screwdrivers we have all been advised to use when connecting up CUs

it was clear mate, i think he is struggling with the english.

i quite like wiha myself, i find wera drivers too soft

 

[robwgun]

Wiha is very good, I use the torque set all the time, just change the heads instead of carrying different screwdrivers, couldn't be without it though.

One issue I have is knowing what torque to set it to on standard socket outlets and ceiling roses etc; we have the settings for pretty much all switchgear, but general accessories are a grey area, so I end up cranking it up to the highest torque when I do accessories etc, and do the good old tug test.

 

[davesparks]

Wiha is very good, I use the torque set all the time, just change the heads instead of carrying different screwdrivers, couldn't be without it though.

One issue I have is knowing what torque to set it to on standard socket outlets and ceiling roses etc; we have the settings for pretty much all switchgear, but general accessories are a grey area, so I end up cranking it up to the highest torque when I do accessories etc, and do the good old tug test.

How often do you get it calibrated?

 

[robwgun]

That's a good question, only had them a few months, not sure what is recommended?

 

[davesparks]

If I remember correctly the interval should take in to account the number of uses.

Also worth remembering that a lot of adjustable torque tools are only accurate in the middle portion of the scale, accuracy drops away at the ends of the scale.
And they should always be set to their minimum when not in use.

There is a lot more to achieving a correctly torqued joint than just twisting until it goes click!

 

[CockneyReject]

Was "issued" with a whia one a couple of years ago and I liked it but have been given a kaluke one with the plus minus heads and I'm starting to like it more than the whia, the only problem I have with kaluke is the settings aren't as broad as the whia set, to get from 0.5Nm to 5Nm you need 3 handles to the Whias one

 

[Geordie Spark]

it was clear mate, i think he is struggling with the english.

i quite like wiha myself, i find wera drivers too soft

Aye .... the lad could be struggling a bit with the language. He's from Bishop Auckland.

 

[Tiny Spark]

I have never used one on a terminal and unless ime told I have to then i probably never will.
I torque them up as hard as I see fit and give em a tug.
Been doing that since I was an apprentice (fear of being beaten made sure they were tight lol) and have done since.
Never had a loose or burnt out connection yet.

Although some people say Ime ---- and have OCD when it comes to my connections, I just think it good practice.

Nothing makes me swear more than when I have to put my hands into a live board with wires stripped back further than the terminal on the breakers!

 

[robwgun]

I'm sceptical about all of it to be honest; but I will give my employers what they want, I will carry it round and use it.

As long as there are crap electricians we will still have an increasing number of fuseboard fires no matter what screwdriver they use.

I'm not quite sure how easy it is to get qualified now, as I know all the city & guilds codes have changed since my time, but some of the lads I come across that are being described as "qualified" are truly shocking, if this is the calibre of sparks coming out of colleges then god help us.

 

[Geordie Spark]

Any tradesman worthy of the title should not need one of these things. He should KNOW when the screw is tightened correctly!!

Torque wrenches where you need to tighten something like a cylinder head down evenly are fine, but tightening a few screws in a consumer unit??? .... Come off it - it's a joke!!

 

[Tiny Spark]

Not sure about the rest of you but I am of the opinion that when the screw is as tight as my wrist can turn it without A) rounding or shearing the screw and B) it doest hurt then thats tight enough.

Granted everyone is of a different strength but I have today tightened up the terminals in at least 5 plug tops that I wouldn't even consider finger tight, on the flip side I remember trying to remove a earth from a DB years ago where I had my biggest driver, 2 hands and had to lean on it to loosen it!!

 

[Geordie Spark]

Not sure about the rest of you but I am of the opinion that when the screw is as tight as my wrist can turn it without A) rounding or shearing the screw and B) it doest hurt then thats tight enough.

Granted everyone is of a different strength but I have today tightened up the terminals in at least 5 plug tops that I wouldn't even consider finger tight, on the flip side I remember trying to remove a earth from a DB years ago where I had my biggest driver, 2 hands and had to lean on it to loosen it!!

At last!! Some common sense has arrived.