I've had communication with a gentleman, who expressed his desire to post an article/review about latest Borka Torque Driver (BTD) and a kit, which he's purchased, and did not ask for a free kit. I also thought he's asked a number of interesting questions, which I've decided to post here, as it may be of interest for potential customers.
Q: Your website states that the Borka Torque Driver calibration accuracy is
+/- 4% Is every driver tested before shipping and is there a reference
standard referral?
A: Yes, every BTD (Borka torque driver) is calibrated and tested per our
company calibration/test procedures, which are proprietary and configured
specifically for the unique design of our adjustable torque driver (BTD).
Q: Does the driver need to be recalibrated after time or number of uses?
A: In real life, the answer is NO. BTD was tested up to 120,000 cycles of
torque application and remained in accuracy tolerance of +/- 4%, no
re-calibration was needed during this test run. 120,000 cycles is at least
10-15 more than an individual can apply by hand in estimated 50 years.
Q: I watched the recommended video on how to hold the driver. If the user
does not hold the driver correctly, is the accuracy affected? By how much?
A: That is why we have the video to show how to setup and use BTD, and
strongly discourage our tools users to come up with their own ways. There
is only one way, or else... We have no data regarding results of user deviation
from Borka instructions.
Q: The BTD is made in the USA. Where are all of the other parts made which
are included in the BTD based kits?
A: All BTDs and ECRs, included in all Borka kits, are made in the U.S., while
bits, sockets, ratchets and extensions are made in Taiwan. Taiwan is known
to make quality stuff like this at a reasonable price. We do not use
anything made in China. We could not find anybody who makes this stuff in
the U.S. at any reasonable price.
Below are some notes I've sent to him, in order to provide additional information for his article/review:
Please watch instruction video how to set up, hold and use BTD (Borka Torque Driver).
1. It is critical to reset torque driver before torque application, see user guide inside the pouch.
2. BTD is designed for use with the right hand.
3. Regarding corrosion resistance: BTD kits are designed for use both indoors and outdoors. For outdoor use, it is very important to provide improved corrosion resistance, particularly for naturally humid environments. For this reason, all BTD parts are made from stainless steel, zinc or chrome coated alloy steels, anodized aluminum and Delrin (part of driver spindle). All 1” long screwdriver bits are chrome plated, along with other accessories in BTD kit. FYI, 4” long bits (5/32” and 3/16” hex) are not chrome plated, as these bits are likely to be used indoors only, and chrome plating of these long bits increases the cost by 55%, which is not good.
4. BTD custom made Autolock bit holder is used in order to prevent accidental loss of screwdriver bits (1), which could a big problem in field conditions, and for the ease of bits removal (2).
5. BTD torque setting adjustment is done “geometrically”, while spring tension is kept constant at approximately 40% of the nominal load. In most of the conventional type torque screwdrivers, adjustment is done by changing the spring tension. Spring rate accuracy is known to change between the light spring load (5-15% of nominal), medium spring load (20-70% of nominal) and heavy spring load (75-100% of nominal), which will introduce considerable error if linear adjustment scale is used. Because we implement constant spring tension at a very comfortable 40% nominal load, BTD torque setting accuracy is sufficiently high and consistent within all of its 10-70 inch-lbs. adjustment range.
6. Adjustment range of 10-70 inch-lbs. is the most commonly used torque settings for scope mounting, barrel changes and action screws. So, it may be considered to be an optimized range of torque settings for a large variety of firearms. Adjustment scale is relatively large and easy to see, particular because the whole adjustment scale of 10-70 inch-lbs. is actually divided into 2 separate adjustment scales.
7. BTD provides 60 torque settings at less than $2 per each torque setting in comparison to torque limiter with a single torque setting, typically sold at $40 each (FIS). This means that BTD has a lot (!) more value than a collection of various torque limiters. $40 invested into BTD provides 20 torque settings, while the same $40, spent for a single torque limiter, provides only a single torque setting.
8. ECR is not recommended for cleaning with the brush or jag, because it does not have pivot (rotating) handle. ECR is intended for barrel bore obstruction removal and for pushing the wet or dry patches through the bore for a quick cleaning in the field. ECR is coated and has a rubber bumper, which makes it possible to just drop ECR into the bore to kick out stuck cartridge case from the chamber and not to worry about any damage to the barrel bore and muzzle crown.
FYI, no less than 1/3 of BTD kits are sold with ECRs. People understand that ECR is a great insurance that they will not lose ability to use firearm if barrel bore is somehow obstructed in field conditions. This has happened to me once, when I accidently run barrel muzzle end into the mud and had nothing suitable with me to fix it. After this accident, I’ve created ECR.
Take note that this post was created for both informational and obviously, promotional purposes. I do think that it covers many questions, which potential customers may have. I want potential customers to know as much as possible before they make a decision to purchase our products.
Boris
Borka Tools