Tightening Saddle Screws

[SeanD]

I'm trying saddle screws for the first time this year. I'm getting the saddles much tighter than I was with channel locks, but how tight is tight? The tab at the head of the screw is starting to bend, but I'm getting more teeth moved than ever. Should I be able to completely bring all the teeth together? Right now I've got them with about 4 or 5 teeth to go. It feels like I could keep going, but is that just the tab deforming? I don't want to ruin a good thing.

By the way, I still put a wire tie on each side.

Sean

[woodchuck]

Sean:
I started using the screws last year. The manifolds held high the first year but I found myself squeezing the another click every subsequent year. On my 1” lines I also have 3 teeth to go. I’m on black pipe and that may make a difference between 3 and 4-5 teeth..

Chuck

[lew]

I tighten until the plastic just starts to deform. You can tighten too far and tear the plastic.

[SeanD]

Ok, thanks for the feedback!