A retired diesel guy at the deli made me rethink my torque wrench habits

I was grabbing a sandwich last Tuesday and this older fella saw my work shirt, asked what I drive. He was a diesel mechanic back in the 70s, said he never torqued lugs by spec, just used a breaker bar and feel. I laughed it off, but then he showed me his hand with a busted thumb from over-torquing someone's wheel. That sat with me all week. Now I check my calibration before every big job, especially on fleet trucks. Has anyone else had a old timer drop a piece of advice that actually made you change your routine?

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milesp3811d ago

My Snap-On 3/8 drive has been dead nuts for ten years, but I still check it against the beam torque wrench every spring. That busted thumb story is the real deal, Ive seen cross threaded studs from guys who "feel it" too. Old school tricks are fine until they cost you a wheel bearing.