Old me used to chase torque specs with just my arm and a wrench

Now I actually break out the torque wrench for every single fastener after snapping a manifold bolt on a customer's F-150 three years ago. That $60 tool saved me from a $400 screw-up, has anyone else had a similar reality check?

2 comments

2 Comments

calebw501mo ago

Ever notice how the guys who swear they don't need a torque wrench are usually the ones with the most stripped threads and broken bolts? I watched a buddy snap a head bolt on a Chevy 350 because he thought "good n tight" was good enough. Cost him a weekend and a head gasket set. Since then I keep two torque wrenches in my box, one for small stuff and one for big jobs. They pay for themselves the first time you don't have to helicoil something.

alex5241mo ago

Honestly, it's the same kind of thinking that makes people skip the instructions on anything from IKEA furniture to a new grill. They think they've done it a hundred times so they can wing it, then they're stuck with a wobbly table or a gas leak. It's just stubborn pride that ends up costing more time and money than just following the damn specs in the first place.