torque recomendations for work holding

[doug8cat]

I work with cast iron 99.5% of the time, use 5/8-11 threaded rod for clamping. I have looked up some charts that give clamping force at a given torq value.
I am interested in what you guy/gals use to determine how tight to go on your clamps. To reasons;
1) As all of us we are getting older and my shoulders are protesting.
2) Part distortion, not knowing pressure is equal on all clamps has led to part distortion on rare occasions.
I use a T. wrench on my mill vises.
Any suggestions, what do you do?
Hope this esoteric odd question provoces some ideas and discussion.
My OCD + a UBAR shoulder has written this question.
If it is not clear let me know and will try and clarify.

 

[gbent]

Your question is far to generic. You haven't described the workpiece, machine, or operations.

If you use blocks and pushers your workpiece doesn't need to be so securely clamped. Direct your cutting forces against solid stops. Steel on steel is slick. Friction improvers such as plain brown paper can reduce required clamping forces.

 

[BugRobotics]

I rarely use a specific torque unless I'm running the same part in an iffy or delicate setup. I'll throw an indicator(s) on the workpiece and tighten to determine deflection then use my spider senses to determine if that clamping force is sufficient for the type of cuts I'm gonna perform. Sometimes I'll go adjust the cutting parameters and sometimes I adjust the work holding. Not scientific but works for me.

I feel for the people setting up processes for other people to run. Definitely much more involved there.

 

[michiganbuck]

If you have a part that naturally sets flat down on a surface you can pull a standard-length box or end wrench with one hand about as hard as you can pull. If the part is not flat facing and your hold-down clamping pulls it down or bends it in any way then machining will often change when you release the part.