Torque screw driver anyone bother ?

Dustydazzler · Apr 25, 2019

Ok tin hat on for a minute...

I have never ever bothered to acquire or use a torque rated screw driver

I have been offered a second hand wiha one by a mate for £20 as he is buggering off to Spain to work

Are they worth using ?

Charlie_ · Apr 26, 2019

freddo said:
Perhaps the manufactures should just fit shear bolts to all their consumer unit terminals.

After looking at some of the installs about I think they already have

UNG · Apr 27, 2019

A torque screwdriver is a pretty useless piece of kit unless it is very regularly calibrated, just a small drop or knock could affect it's calibration . If you get it calibrated every 12 months and it is found to be working lower than it's set value do you then go back to all your customers of the last 3 or 6 or 9 months to recheck your work
In reality the only reliable way of using one is to have a calibration unit and check the driver before every job but that is an expensive option that no one will pay for. Therefore the age old talk method of "yes that's tight" works for me

Charlie_ · Apr 27, 2019

Torque tools only necessary for industrial applications imo

Deleted member 26818 · Apr 27, 2019

If an instrument is found to be out of calibration and giving incorrect readings/measurements, you only need to go back to previous customers for as far back as it takes you to find one that is correct.

Christian1981 · Apr 27, 2019

They are a load of ---- had to buy a set when working on new build housing. Specific torques for different manufacturers and all of them felt loose would not trust them as far as I could throw them. I saw them in the shed yesterday.

1Justin · Apr 27, 2019

IMO it's in many cases an overreaction to loose connections which just demand more care. A set-up which assumes we are all as ham-fisted as the worst.
I've found numerous completely never done up connections, and also note that torque settings by the book on screw terminals (N/E bars) with single 1mm cables can flatten them ready to break. Some manufacturers are beginning to provide different torque settings dependent on the cable diameter. Makes sense, but if they were wrong before..
I'll sometimes get mine out, but its quite rare.

baldelectrician · Apr 27, 2019

I have one and use it
I actually point it out to the client (if they are loitering) pointing out that the consumer units vary in quality and tightness
I use Hager and the main switch is 3.6 Nm, where some makes are only 2.1Nm
Just shows the difference in build quality

People who understand car stuff and torque wrenches get it- it's a selling point, seperates us from 'people who don't follow the rules'

Waiting for fireworks....

Charlie_ · Apr 27, 2019

I don’t see the issue..
I torque to my screwdrivers all the time. especially when the ******* thing won’t loosen a ******* screw or stabs me in the ******* finger

stevels4 · Apr 27, 2019

Is it not a requirement under 7671 Reg 134.1.1 to use the correct torque?

vjsmarwick · Apr 27, 2019

I have one that a main contractor got conned in to buying me one Christmas when we visited the wholesalers together ! I enquired about my Christmas present or Christmas bonus and said I fancied the torque screwdriver to which he agreed !
Was only after he received the invoice at the end of January he realises the price and I told him I had been surprised when he had agreed to pay for it lol but only used it a handful of times in about 4 years and never had another prezzie

Tony Reidy · Apr 28, 2019

Dustydazzler said:
Ok tin hat on for a minute...

I have never ever bothered to acquire or use a torque rated screw driver

I have been offered a second hand wiha one by a mate for £20 as he is buggering off to Spain to work

Are they worth using ?

Use mine regularly, mainly when installing a consumer unit

Tony Reidy · Apr 28, 2019

stevels4 said:
Is it not a requirement under 7671 Reg 134.1.1 to use the correct torque?

Its normally in the manufacturer's instructions which should be followed as good practice

stevels4 · Apr 28, 2019

At €54.00 a time for recalibration these are expensive maintainance.....the MFT is cheaper!

Deleted member 26818 · Apr 28, 2019

stevels4 said:
At €54.00 a time for recalibration these are expensive maintainance.....the MFT is cheaper!

View attachment 49056

Is that a complete unit, or can it be used with the kits that have a handle with interchangeable blades?

stevels4 · Apr 28, 2019

spinlondon said:
Is that a complete unit, or can it be used with the kits that have a handle with interchangeable blades?

The torque screwdriver alone is around £100.00 or you can get the complete kit with bits and wrap around case for more. I just have the screwdriver and 2 bits which suits my needs.