Why are some vde torque screwdrivers so expensive ?

[littlespark]

Does anyone actually use their torque screwdriver?

Yes. When doing consumer units, and the customer is eyeballing over my shoulder.

Makes them think there’s more to it than just yanking it up by hand.


The professional touch

 

[nicebutdim]

Why wouldn't anyone use their torque screwdriver on a new cu? If you have one, it's not going to be far from hand and everything gets a final check, so why not do that to manufacturers specification? Not exactly a great hardship

 

[mattg4321]

Just because there’s no need really. Perhaps if someone were inexperienced, but I’ve got a good feel for it after 20 years. Never had a terminal burn out on me yet.

 

[SparkySy]

And surprising how much difference there is between elbow torque settings and proper torque settings!
I use mine a lot for consumer units dis boards and EV installs, I agree the terminals on the circuit board are very flimsy on some models and I wouldn't want to overtweak it! Mine is in my tester bag so goes everywhere with me. I like the fact that there can be no arguments that it was my fault something I did failed and caused an issue or worse a fire!
Sy

 

[nicebutdim]

Just because there’s no need really. Perhaps if someone were inexperienced, but I’ve got a good feel for it after 20 years. Never had a terminal burn out on me yet.

Whether or not a need exists is another argument entirely. My point was in answer to your question "does anyone actually use their torque screwdrivers?" and my point is that if you have one, why wouldn't you use it?

Obviously if you don't own one, you might not feel the need to buy one.

 

[LewisM]

I work in aviation and most issues with fasteners are caused by overtightening but I feel that's more because spanners and ratchets are used and it's very easy to overtighten when you have that extra leverage

 

[pc1966]

Some car chargers require surprisingly low torque - considerably less than I'd deem reasonable for most terminals. I suspect this is because the connector is soldered directly to the board and I find that stranded conductors need to be bedded in quite well and re-tightened several times.

Never dealt with EV chargers but I know that PCB terminals are fragile. Many only have one pin through the board per terminal, worse still are surface-mount only ones!

Having said that I got a CPN MCB once and tightened it to the manufacturer's torque and it split! One more brand in my "do not touch" box...

 

[Lister1987]

I have the Armeg, purely for the range of torque settings.