Torque screwdriver?

[JHZR2]

I was in HD the other day and saw a Husky 1/4" drive torque screwdriver. It was a nice little kit. Generally I've been of the mind that anything that small (this one was 8-40 in-lb iirc) can probably be done by hand, but it's not necessarily the right viewpoint.

Does anyone use a driver of this type for routine automotive work, interior or underhood?

 

[spackard]

I bought one to do some Cu pigtails on Al house wire.
Never used it for automotive use.

There used to be a need for a low torque screwdriver for CPUs in certain Sun computers, but all I see now is springs or zero insertion force sockets. Good, because the tool used to cost $150, an awful lot to a technician.

 

[Kiwi_ME]

I've purchased several for use in production assembly of small, low-volume hi-tech products. Profession versions cost about $300 but are less-easy to inadvertently upset the adjustment and are more repeatable. I've used some cheap consumer units as well and locked the adjustment with a length of shrink tube.
These are essential for quality control as every person we employ for this task has a different idea as to what "tight" means, and over a far wider range than a typical skilled mechanic.
Might be helpful in automotive repair if you have a torque spec to work with, and/or for training an apprentice.

 

[redbone3]

Could be handy for auto transmission adjustment, valve covers, etc.

 

[kb27]

When I used to mount daughtercard on motherboard in a professional environment, sometimes torque is specified and such screwdriver must be used.

Otherwise, I never use them.

 

[jcwit]

One like you describe would be ideal to tighten stock bolts on a rifle.

But somehow I doubt that's what you would use it for.

 

[JHZR2]

Why's that? Actually I have two AR-15 builds I need to get working on - if this is a smart tool for that, wonderful.

I was thinking more of precision underhood components of certain things under the dash, but good idea...

 

[jcwit]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Why's that? Actually I have two AR-15 builds I need to get working on - if this is a smart tool for that, wonderful.

I was thinking more of precision underhood components of certain things under the dash, but good idea...


I was thinking & speaking more in terms of tightening stock screws on precision Bench Rest rifles & Precision Small Bore Match rifles. All of those are single shot.

 

[another Todd]

Originally Posted By: jcwit
One like you describe would be ideal to tighten stock bolts on a rifle.

But somehow I doubt that's what you would use it for.


They work really good for mounting scopes also.

 

[artificialist]

TPMS sensors can easily be damaged if you don't use the torque screwdriver. That is why every good repair shop has one near the tire mounting machines.