TIL the debate on torquing versus feel on fasteners is alive and well after 20 years in the trade

I saw a huge before and after difference between the old timers who torque by feel and the newer guys using digital wrenches during a flap track repair last Wednesday, and I'm wondering what side you all fall on when the manual gives you a range and a split second call matters, has anyone else seen this split at your hangar?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_riley1mo ago

Your mileage will vary a ton on this one, but I've seen that before and after difference you're talking about too. The old timers have that muscle memory from doing it ten thousand times, but a digital wrench at 300 inch pounds is going to be way more consistent across a crew. One thing worth noting though, the manuals give a range for a reason, so that "feel" can still land you in the green if you're experienced. It's the guys who wing it without a spec and just guess that scare me.

tessa_kelly1mo ago

Oh man, @the_riley you nailed the biggest issue there. The guys who skip the manual completely are the ones I've seen snap bolts or strip threads on expensive parts. I've had way better luck just teaching my guys to set a torque wrench to the middle of the factory range and call it done. That muscle memory stuff is real but it only works if someone taught you the right "feel" to begin with.