It's all in the wrist.  Having wrenched on German fasteners for over 30
years, I've acquired a feel for proper specs per 6mm, 8mm and 10mm, etc.
fasteners.  Even if using a long handled wrench, I always apply force as
close to the fastener as possible for smaller pieces and only use the full
length and my massive spaghettis for the larger items.  It's a zen thing.
My heavens, I've gone Pirsig on ya'll

Use the force (lightly) Luke

On Fri, May 27, 2011 at 8:32 AM, Jim Felder <jim.felder@gmail.com> wrote:

> He's kinda right. The notion that you would torque a fastener by hand runs
> counterintuitive to owning the wrench, in a way, but there is some truth to
> it. You can learn what a certain pull is if you pull it enough. Of course
> you have to figure in the length of the wrench you are using, but you learn
> that too. My dad used a torque wrench only a couple of times in my life
> that
> I saw; the other times he was "torquing by feel." He sure worked on a lot
> of
> stuff torquing by feel. He also snapped off more than his share of bolts. I
> use a torque wrench were I can, and by feel where I can't.
>
> You figure it out the same way you can tell what something weighs without
> using a scale just by hefting it. Same thing.
>
> Jim
>
> On Fri, May 27, 2011 at 9:13 AM, Rocket J Squirrel <
> camping.elliott@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > tencentlife's adapter kit for connecting a adapter which allows a fellow
> > to mount a oil pressure gauge sender alongside the stock oil pressure
> > warning light sender has this to say about torquing:
> >
> > "Torque recommendations are meant as relative guides, it will not
> > generally possible to actually use a torque wrench on the fittings in
> > this installation."
> >
> > "...Tighten the fitting carefully, it has a taper thread so it will seal
> > into the case hole with moderate torque, generally less than 8-10ft.lb."
> >
> > and
> >
> > "The compression fittings should attain a good seal with only
> > 10-12ft.lb. of torque, so don't overdo it."
> >
> > I'm assuming that some of yinz have fingers calibrated after many years
> > of experience. Is there any wisdom that can be shared here?
> >
> > -- RJS
> >
>

--
Casey