[drail]

Most experienced mechanics have a pretty good sense of how tight is "enough". Most consumers just crank it on down for all they're worth. I have worked with too many clowns who torque every fastener until the wrench bends....... Sculptor - REALLY nice cutaway!

 

[dakota1911]

I think it would also depend on the grip material. A for instance is I like hard rubber grips on my carry 1911s like my 2013 Clapp Commander. You don't have to tighten the screws very much and the grips seem to act like their own "O" ring and the screws do not back out.

 

[jamiesaun]

"Edit: 90% of the fasteners on cars is not critical. A torque wrench is not used as often as you would think."

And not as often as they should be used.

True. It depends on the tech whose turning it. I torque head bolts, all lugs and some intakes. The torque pattern is more critical in my mind. Always start in the middle and work out in a spiral pattern. I have seen techs who torque nothing and one who torques just about everything. We'll put it this way, neither of those types would survive on flat rate....which is fine by the way. There's all kinds of different techs out there.

All fasteners produce a clamping force. The force is held via friction between the threads and inertia. The tighter the fastener, the higher the inertia to resist loosening. That's my theory anyway.

 

[1saxman]

I use just a super small amount of blue locktite, why not just do that next time?

Because the next time you go to remove a screw, you might just get the bushing and all. I actually lube my grip screws to prevent them locking by corrosion. If you wanted to use an adhesive, RTV silicone, just a little smear on the threads, would be sufficient to keep them from backing out while also releasing under moderate torque so the bushing doesn't break loose. Or, you could Red Loctite the bushing and Blue Loctite the grip screw if you run into a hard-headed gun that won't do what you want.

 

[drail]

I have never seen blue Loctite on a grip screw cause a bushing to back out of the frame (unless the bushing was only installed with fingers) FWIW, I have always used red Loctite on the bushing.

 

[stevemaury]

Here's 50 M1.5x3 for $4.45, free shipping - https://www.amazon.com/1-5x3mm-Metr...&qid=1477088170&sr=8-9&keywords=metric+o+ring

 

[Magnumite]

Best way I found to teach proper torque is have the individual torque with a wrench. Then put a wrench, even of different lengths, on it to feel it. Or tighten with a wrench then apply the torque wrench...measuring break away torque. Enlightening...