Old timer told me to stop cranking my torque wrench like a gorilla

I was out on a job in Gary last month, some big pressure vessel repair. This guy, must've been 60 years in the trade, watched me cinch down a flange. He just shakes his head. Says, 'You're fighting the threads, not the bolt.' Told me to back off the torque by 15% and use a light oil on the studs. I argued with him for a minute. Then I tried it on the next bolt. Honestly, it seated smoother and took half the effort. Now I keep a little squirt can of 30 weight in my bag for every flange job. Anyone else get humbled by a crusty old boilermaker like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_kevin1mo ago

Man's got a point that applies to way more than just wrenches. It's like how people mash elevator buttons or jam their key in a lock when it's stuck. Ease up a little and things tend to go where they're supposed to.

the_morgan14d ago

The elevator button thing is a perfect example. People punch those things like they're trying to summon a genie, but the car's already on its way. Same with a key in a sticky lock - a gentle jiggle works better than trying to muscle it in.

veramartin1mo ago

@the_kevin is spot on, same principle keeps me from breaking bolts on rusty farm equipment.