Why You Should Use Skidmore-Wilhelm Devices for Superior Bolting Pre-Installation Verification

In the scheme of things, the nut and bolt are small parts of your job site, but as anyone who has experienced improperly tightened nuts can attest, they are absolutely integral for a safe and productive facility.

Bolting Pre-Installation Verification Purpose

Bolting is a precise operation that requires the right equipment and tools to ensure that tensions are properly dispersed and bolts can carry necessary loads. It also requires proper preparation. Pre-installation verification is testing your materials in the real-world setting of your jobsite to discover any possible issues that your fasteners and tools may encounter.

According to the Research Council on Structural Connections (RCSC), pre-installation verification is only required when the bolts are to be pre-tensioned. While the manufacturer tests its equipment prior to shipping, these conditions aren’t representative of what your site calls for. To that end, it’s necessary to apply real-world testing to ensure that your nuts and bolts will handle the torque tightening application properly.

As the American Institute of Steel Construction notes, there are two points of pre-installation verification:

Confirm the appropriateness of the fastener assembly (i.e. nut, bolt, lubricant) for pre-tension.

Confirm that the proper procedure is being used and the bolting crew understand its steps

Getting Bolt Tensioning Right the First Time

Pre-installation verification might seem a cumbersome step, but it will actually improve efficiency. By proving that your application method produces properly pre-tensioned and tensioned nuts and bolts, you can carry out the same procedure across the job without needing to reapply or re-inspect later on. And with the right tool, like the Skidmore-Willhelm Model MZ Bolt Tension Calibrator, proof the correct tightening is on the dial throughout applications. The Research Council on Structural Connections recommends that a tension measuring device such as the Model MZ be available at every job site.

Bolt Testing Equipment from the Best in the Industry

As the key provider of bolt testers for Aztec, Skidmore-Willhelm offers high-quality products that can keep your job site safer and more productive. They have more than 70 years of experience and, in fact, invented the bolt calibration unit. That level of experience gives you certainty that your bolting applications are secure.

With the right tools, you can test important criteria including:

Skidmore-Willhelm testers are compatible with bolt sizes from ½” to 1 ½” and test bolts up to 170,000 pounds of preload.

Click here to see the full lineup of Skidmore-Willhelm bolt testers and tool tests available at Aztec for rent or sale.

AZTEC: Your Supplier for the Best Bolting Testers for Your Job

We sell and rent only the most durable bolt testers from Skidmore-Wilhelm to increase the life of your equipment and keep your site safe.

We also provide in-house and mobile services to repair and calibrate torquing and tensioning tools and train your team on how to use our products to get the job done correctly. We utilize the latest bolting technology to serve petrochemical, oil and gas, wind generation, construction, maintenance and power generation leaders. Ready to experience unmatched customer service and the highest quality bolting tools in the industry?Contact the pros at Aztec today