2oldman, perhaps OCD is too strong -- let's try mild paranoia, or even just well-founded self-doubt. Unlike the folks who get along without torque wrenches, I am a proven bolt-buster and thread-crosser and screw-snapper. (Maybe I am the only person with this affliction??)
And if torque is so trivial, I wonder why the water heater manufacturers specify torque for anode rods, or torque for lug nuts? I suspect that there are other under-skilled workers like me in the world. For example, I have caught auto mechanics over-torquing my lug nuts, making it almost impossible to change a tire on my own when circumstances demanded it.
This happened to me recently -- we got a flat way back in the boonies, 20 miles from the nearest cell signal. Nice, tight lug nuts -- very entertaining! But I got the tire changed. When we took the truck to a shop to be re-checked, the mechanic told me that yes, someone had over-torqued the lug nuts rather badly.
So for those of you whose hands are so skilled that you never have to worry about a torque wrench, my hat is off to you -- I envy your ability! I don't have it at all. So I have to compensate by double-checking my work.
