© Attainable Adventure Cruising Ltd and the authors, all rights are reserved.
Nothing on this website or in direct communications received from us, or in our articles in the media, should be construed to mean or imply that offshore voyaging is anything other than potentially hazardous. Dangers such as, but not limited to, extreme weather, cold, ice, lack of help or assistance, gear failure, grounding, and falling overboard could injure or kill you and wreck your boat. Decisions such as, but not limited to, heading offshore, where you go, and how you equip your boat, are yours and yours alone. The information on this web site is based on what has worked for the authors in the past, but that does not mean it will work for you, or that it is the best, or even a good way for you to do things.
My brother, when he was an auto mechanic, used to suggest that you could just tighten a bolt until it snapped, and then back off a quarter turn.
Hi Karl,
Now, why didn’t I think of that?
Wera superfan
Hi James,
I think it goes past that, we might be members of a cult.
Hi John and all,
Do Snap-on tools enter the realm of preferred tools?
Decades ago, whiles still working, I would treat myself to a Snap-on tool or two every year as a present to myself. I immediately felt the difference with the wrenches: they were a joy to hold in one’s hand and did the job. The ratcheting screwdriver made many jobs faster and easier and was strong and well-built and kind to the hand for longer jobs. All the tools brought pleasure when used.
Unfortunately, all my boat tools were stolen off the boat and replacing with same was not in the budget. A trip to Sears and buying Craftsman (and Stanley) met my budgetary position and work needs (still does) and were much more in line with my skills (I liked to believe that using Snap-on tools automatically made me a better mechanic, carpenter technician etc.) (The ratcheting screwdriver was the only tool I replaced with another Snap-on.
Casual observation seems to have Snap-on to be the preferred tool by professionals in the US (perhaps also CA) and I am curious why they were not mentioned that I remember.
Thanks, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy
Hi Dick,
If memory serves, we discussed Snap On and others here:
https://www.morganscloud.com/2021/07/27/cruisers-tool-kit-wrenches/
That said, having used both Snap on (I had some on the old boat) and Wera I’m now firmly in the Wera fan boy camp.
Sorry to hear about the theft. That would be horrible.
Yes, really lousy. I will go back and re-read more closely.
Thks, Dick
Seems to me, with Snap on, McMaster Carr or Würth in Europe, you get convenience, especially when the rep stops by every week. The rep may tell you what the tool is, so my Knipex set is Wuerth-branded.
But usually you are better off to find the market leader for professional tools in their niche and then get that tool. You pay more but just as John describes for Wera, the top tool is an extension to your hand and brings joy to your workday. I spent a fortune on Festool and don’t regret a cent. My ancient Craftsman wrench set won’t die, but when it does I will get Wera, the cost be damned. I’d rather skip a few meals at a restaurant than be caught out with bad tools.
Hi George,
I agree, starvation is much less scary than working with bad tools.
Calculate the required torque.
When i was at university study engineering one of the courses was covering how to calculate the required torque for nuts and bolts in various situations. The text book was in German and very detailed with long list of equations, tables and plots to be used. In the end, after completed the procedure and finally could conclude the correct torque, the result was timed with 0.9
Why? Because, per experience, technicians always torque the bolts more than the specification. To have the right torque the engineer therefore specify only 90% of the calculated required torque.
Hi Niels,
That’s interesting. Of course the possible problem with that is under torquing has issues too, as I’m sure you know. More on that in the next tip. And then there is the problem that torque to bolt tension, even when done right, can be off 30% either way.
Yeah…. the whole process gets *very* sensitive to tiny variations in friction, material finish, temperature, etc. as you get close to the “ideal” torque.
It’s increasingly common to see sensitive items specified as “torque to 17 in.lb and then tighten another 40°” rather than “torque to 30 in.lb”
On applications where even a torque plus an angle isn’t accurate enough, you’ll often see hydraulic tools that directly tension the stud, and then release it once the nut is snug.
For what we do on our boats, torque wrenches and torque screwdrivers are the right tools – but I would add a torque angle gauge if my engine’s service manual called for one.
I am easily convinced that proper torque on nuts, bolts and screws will improve the sailing life of my boat. Not being groomed as a mechanic, I appreciate the intro into this mystic world of metal stress. Certainly the WERA tool line looks amazing (when compared to my Harbor Freight cheap salt water throw away tools that came with the boat).
Not wanting to empty the cruising kitty for a whole new tool box, do you have a NM measuring range for a torque tool that will serve most of the on boat demands. Keel bolts are not an issue on my 1974 Cal 35. The needs would be engine, aluminum spars and hardware attachment to the fiberglass deck.
Hi John,
Here you go: https://www.morganscloud.com/2020/01/03/four-hand-tools-i-should-have-bought-years-ago/
Don’t forget the search box on the menu, that’s how I found the above since after over 1500 articles (some deleted as no longer relevant) I forget all the stuff I have written!
Thank you.
Ahhhhh more Tool porn 😉 bring it on!
Joke aside, thanks for the hint, I will get that tool.
i still have the torque screw hex driver, that Sun packed with their CPUs, can’t get myself to throw it out – it looks so pretty.
hi John,
there are 5 bands available from Wera.
I assume this is the
050747010017441
1.2-3.0 NM
unit.
correct?
Hi George,
Yes, that’s it.