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Let's say you're going to install a red dot sight.

You don't want to over tighten the screws onto the Picatinny rail, but you don't want to under tighten either...

What to do?

Get a torque wrench use it and quit worrying or is spending the money for one really not necessary unless you're a perfectionist?

What say you?

P.S. I've always done without, but yep, I'm considering one, but then again, I've never over/under tightened anything...

I use a torque wrench after breaking mounting screw on a red dot. Not every manufacturer gives you the specs though and I have had to contact them to find out specs. You can never have too many guns or too many gun tools, gun screwdrivers (Grace) especially. I have one of the older Wheeler torque wrench but I see they have a new digital one. None are cheap and you don't need them very often. Some of these things you almost need a group buy and lend club. Like tools for gunsights, how often do you use them? I use my torque wrench once every few years.

I use a torque tool alot on rails, rings etc.
I have and use one of these. Always in my shooting bag as other tools are and have been needed at the range

BORKA TORQUE TOOL
http://www.shooterstools.com/

rotor,

Yeah, I looked at a gun use digital torque wrench recently and it cost about $80.00.

The thing is as I mentioned previously, if one doesn't think he has to tighten down on rather delicate screws like he's connecting a line pipe flange with a spud wrench and sledge hammer, he'll probably do fine. But, yes, being something of a perfectionist, I'd like a preset-able digital torque wrench, but can't really justify the cost. Unless, there's a digital one for far less cost than $80.00 I'm unaware of it... So, what to do? Tighten less than I''d like and use blue locktite...

I'd buy the darn thing if I was using one frequently, but I don't...

Are there lower cost, decent quality digital torque wrenches available for gun part installations out there? If there are, I haven't found them...

Bob Wolff,

Just before I posted to rotor, I saw your post, but with only a cursory look, I didn't see a cost? So, is there one and if so, what is it?

Thanks!

I bought my set on sale at Cabelas which included the Wheeler scope mount kit and a Caldwell sled for free. It was a deal I couldn't refuse. Amazon has the best price on just the Wheeler wrench.

I bought the Weaver scope install kit a while back and it has worked well.

I've had my eye on this little guy for a while, but haven't had a project to buy it for yet:
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/71802 ... crewdriver

Maybe I should, but I haven't used a torque wrench for simple installations.
I could never justify the expense for a tool I would use infrequently.

That said, in my limited experience with mounting hardware on firearms, I have
never had anything fall off or become loose because of loose [under torqued] fasteners.
I admit that the largest caliber I have used is .308 Win. I have mounted a rifle scope on
an air rifle and haven't had issues either.

In previous jobs I have taken classes to become a certified torque operator.
One thing that I learned is that most people, including many engineers, do not
understand the purpose of torquing fasteners.

Having seen (and once participated in) the destruction of great gear and equipment as a result of too much torque, I'm always an advocate for a torque wrench if it's warranted. Between stripped threads, broken bolts, and poor performance, the risks often outweigh the costs. I'll use a four way lug wrench if I'm changing a flat on the side of the road though.

I probably don't use my torque wrench as much as I should.

When it comes to mounting a scope though, I'm a perfectionist. I have the whole kit, including alignment and lapping bars. A properly mounted and torqued scope can turn a good rifle into an amazing rifle.

Get yourself one of these kits: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012 ... UTF8&psc=1. It's a torque bit driver. I use it all the time, especially for mounting optics. No more guessing.

Pawpaw wrote:I probably don't use my torque wrench as much as I should.

When it comes to mounting a scope though, I'm a perfectionist. I have the whole kit, including alignment and lapping bars. A properly mounted and torqued scope can turn a good rifle into an amazing rifle.

Exactly, when you are mounting a $1000 plus scope with $150 rings the cost of a torque driver is worthwhile to ensure it is properly mounted. When I used the $200 scopes I never worried about it.

The Annoyed Man wrote:Get yourself one of these kits: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012 ... UTF8&psc=1. It's a torque bit driver. I use it all the time, especially for mounting optics. No more guessing.

Same here.

Thanks all for your responses!

TAM and TexasJohnBoy both recommended the same T. wrench and I'm now going to have to buy it.