[R-390] clamps, screws and torque screwdrivers...

[Randy and Sherry Guttery]

First ran into (quality) torque screwdrivers in my "primary" 
work  - because so much on a submarine is hand-assembled - 
and fasteners need to be torqued correctly (not enough - 
they come loose, too much - and all manner of bad things can 
happen) - torque screwdrivers were just part of the 
"routine".  These didn't need to be super accurate- (though 
they required their calibration to be checked every so often 
- depending on the individual driver and it's intended 
use).  We had sever different kinds/brands - etc.

My last duty station was NWSYORKTOWN - Special Weapons 
Division - the Maintenance, Calibration and Repair Shop 
(MC&R). Since the principal business was assembly, 
diss-assembly, repair, testing, mating (to delivery system) 
and unmating of nukes - the number of fasteners - and 
installation, etc. requirements was truly staggering - and a 
great many called for a very accurate torque spec.  The 
"primary" drivers were the PM series by Sturdevant 
Richmont.  These are quite accurate, easy to set, can be 
calibrated, - and are extremely well built.   Today  a new 
one will set you back $175-$200 - however I just checked 
there is a used one on ebay (item # 110971985026) for 
something like $19.99 + S/H (no bid yet) less than a day to 
go...

Just before I got out - we had one in for calibration - and 
it failed - barely out of spec at an endpoint - we could 
adjust it to meet specs at one end or other - but then then 
opposite end would be *barely* out of spec.   I checked with 
the weapons plant that "owned" it - gave them three 
options:  1) accept a limited calibration (i.e. only valid 
between say 2 and 25in lbs), try and get it repaired at the 
factory (which cost nearly as much as a new one) - or survey 
it and replace it with a new one (which was in stock at the 
local supply depot).  The guy took the screwdriver from me - 
dropped in a near-by file 13 - and said "... draw the one 
from supply".  Which I did.  However - I couldn't help but 
think about the one in the trash - and checking with my 
supervisor - went back and asked if I could have it.  
"Sure".  Still have it - indispensable working on radios, 
teletype, etc.   Had an opportunity to check it on a torque 
tester several months ago - it's still "just barely" out of 
spec on the top end.  Since I use it primarily below 20In 
lbs - that works just fine for me!

just my .02 -  YMMV

-- 
randy guttery

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