New Toy: Stanley Proto 6104 Torque Screwdriver - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: PedroDaGr8
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2013, 01:14:57 am
content: I was looking around at Proto Screwdrivers, one of the few brands left under the Stanley umbrella that are still Made in the USA. I came across this device on ebay, they seem to go for around $30-60 on ebay or $150-300 new. This one was in basically new condition and allows for settings between 2-100 oz-in of torque. Frankly, I had never seen a Torque Screwdriver before. The concept is really simple though, similar to a torque wrench. With this wrench there is a ring (the lower one) that is responsible for locking or unlocking the torque setting. You set the torque by rotating the upper portion and lining up the values with the dashes around the screwdriver. With your torque set, rotate the lower ring in the opposite direction locks it in place. You then use it like a normal screwdriver, once the torque setting is exceeded, it clicks and slips into a reset position so that you can't exceed the rated torque. You can use 1/4" sockets with it or use the included adapter to use standard screwdriver bits. All of this sits in a standard blown molded plastic case.

author: PeterG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2013, 01:31:58 am
content: Looks like a real life sonic screwdriver to me.......

author: PedroDaGr8
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2013, 04:09:24 am
content: Hahaha yeah it kinda does. I just like the fact I can set it to torques that I know wont strip out a screws threads.

author: Vgkid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2013, 05:38:29 am
content: That is a very nice looking piece of gear.

author: casinada
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2013, 07:27:07 am
content: They are not uncommon in the bicycling world to prevent destroying all the fancy unobtanium parts. It is impossible to feel carbon fiber. You twist a little bit too much and you hear craaack

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2013, 08:56:53 am
content: I got one of those new in the late 70's to adjust the brake bands in Borg Warner automatic gear boxes, which I graduated to after I got fed up with being a Horologist and confined to a tiny bench in a tiny room. The one I have looks identical to the one you have there not changed in all these years, but I guess if its not broke don't fix it.

author: adnewhouse
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2013, 04:01:34 pm
content: Funny you mention Borg Warner. They have a factory in my city (Ithaca NY) where they make automatic transmissions. I wonder if they made the one you had to adjust...

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2013, 04:54:19 pm
content: Most of the Borg Warner's if not all were US made in those day. They were the best auto boxes back then.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2013, 05:00:58 pm
content: Pretty much a bulletproof box. Had many come into the workshop next door with the output shaft ripped off the back and the very short propshaft turned into a pretzel. New output shaft housing, new universals and spiders and a new shaft welded to the UJ's and out it went again. Reason was always operator error, flipping the gear selector from 1 to R while in motion instead of N.

author: adnewhouse
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2013, 09:18:36 pm
content: They are a big sponsor of the robotics team I belong to as well.

author: ConKbot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2013, 04:52:29 pm
content: Torque drivers of various shapes and sizes are pretty standard when it comes to non consumer manufacturing. Anything that has a torque spec for the screws is gonna be put in with one of them. Ive even used them on CNC machine fixtures so that the clamping force is repeatable and the parts come out much more consistent.