Overheard a tech say he never uses torque specs

Was at a supply house in Denver yesterday. Some guy bragging about how he just tightens until it feels right. On compressors, that's asking for a snapped bolt or a leaky head gasket. I torqued a Copeland scroll last week to spec, no comeback. Anyone else run into issues from guessing instead of using a torque wrench?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_patricia21d agoMost Upvoted

Totally feel you on this. I watched a buddy snap a bolt on a Trane RTU last summer because he went with the "calibrated elbow" method. He was fuming for an hour trying to drill it out in a parking lot. I always print out the torque specs from the manufacturer site and keep a sticky note on my torque wrench. It just saves a headache later.

skyler_smith8520d ago

Oh man, that drill-out story is giving me flashbacks. I've been there more times than I want to admit. Did your buddy ever get that bolt out or did he have to call in a favor? Those parking lot jobs are the worst, especially when it's hot and you're already running late for the next call. I keep a laminated card in my tool bag now with all the common torque specs for Tranes and Carriers. Saves my skin at least once a month.