Thread: Scope mounting

I'm mounting a scope, and don't own one of those fancy tourque wrenches, was wondering how you guys mount your scope who also don't own a tourque wrench, cheers

Sorry but of no help to you I just go till I feel if i much more it tight enough and not goign to come loose without goign that tight the thread will strip.
It's a feel you learn over years. or you can improvise.
10 Nm is aprox a 1 kg weight on a 1 mtr lever arm.
So if the spec calls for 5 Nm and you have a 200mm long Allen key think of putting a 2.5 kg mass on the end of your Allen key.
Z

I did one the other day, I use feel, but am an engineer, doesn’t cause me grief. Don’t swing on a small screw!

As already mentioned you don't need a torque wrench. For scope ring top cap screws and scope mount base screws tighten the screws nice and snug holding the short end of the L wrench - this limits the amount of torque you can apply.

And make sure youve got the correct fitting tool

Sorry but of no help to you I just go till I feel its tight enough and not going to come loose without going that tight the thread will strip.
It's a feel you learn over years. or you can improvise.
10 Nm is aprox a 1 kg weight on a 1 mtr lever arm.
So if the spec calls for 5 Nm and you have a 200mm long Allen key think of putting a 2.5 kg mass on the end of your Allen key.
Z

It is a feel thing. Gunsmiths dont seem to use torque wrenches but mortals do.

First make sure the holes and screw threads are clean. Then lubricate with a light oil and wipe off /out as much as possible. This will reduce false binding before the screw is fully set.

I like to do them up holding the short end of the L as mentioned ie not too tight then after 5 or 10 shots go over them again to pick up any that werent fully snug.

Also if you have 4 screws on each ring, tighten then in a diagonal zigzag pattern like you would for wheel nuts.

The other point is try to end up with all of the screws at the same torque with all of the caps with the same gap on each side and front to back. Now we getting technical haha

Installing a scope one should think ahead a bit also. Saying so with an older and wiser ( hopefully ) mind than when younger.
With scopes it's not at all unusual to want to change scopes one day or to a lesser degree remove a damaged scope for repairs / replacement.
Sometimes with time rings screws either loosen themselves or become a bit bound into the threads and more difficult to unscrew. I have used Loctite which has been both good and bad as a solution. These days a good dab of grease on the screw threads seems to work. Seems effective in stopping screws backing out, holding them in position and making unscrewing at some point easier.

Pm sent

as others have said I just go by feel and make sure if its mounts requiring a screw driver- it fits correctly - nothing worse looking than munted screws

just buy a torque wrench.

the cheap aliexpress ones are perfectly fine.

or ask around (here) for example if somebody could give you a hand.

Some engineers indeed can get it right by feel, others are full of shit.

Do it once, do it properly.

Originally Posted by STC

just buy a torque wrench.

the cheap aliexpress ones are perfectly fine.

or ask around (here) for example if somebody could give you a hand.

Some engineers indeed can get it right by feel, others are full of shit.

Do it once, do it properly.

I wouldn't buy a cheap torque wrench.
I bet more screws have been broken/stripped by someone over torquing using a crappy torque wrench, than people over tightening with an Allen key.

I've seen trained engineers break bolts because "it didn't go click" and not thinking about what they are doing.

Originally Posted by Beetroot

I wouldn't buy a cheap torque wrench.
I bet more screws have been broken/stripped by someone over torquing using a crappy torque wrench, than people over tightening with an Allen key.

I've seen trained engineers break bolts because "it didn't go click" and not thinking about what they are doing.

every one i have seen used /used myself was perfectly fine.

those "engineers" breaking bolts need more trainung...

OK, buy a proper torque wrench and a scope levelling kit (Wheeler is good). I baulked at the cost, but have had so much use out of them, it was worth it. If you're ham fisted and OCD like me, they are essential items.