CDI 5T-I – J-Shank Preset Torque Wrench

The CDI 5T-I is a J-shank preset interchangeable-head torque wrench designed for production lines and repetitive assembly operations requiring consistent, tamper-proof torque in the 10–50 in-lb (1.1–5.6 Nm) range. At 6.50 inches long and 0.35 lb — the most compact torque wrench in the CDI lineup — it is purpose-built for the assembly and installation environments where the same small fastener gets torqued to the same value dozens or hundreds of times per shift.

What preset means in practice

A micrometer-adjustable torque wrench requires the operator to set the torque value, verify the setting, and apply — introducing adjustment time and human error into every cycle. A preset wrench has the torque value fixed in advance: position the tool, apply until the click confirms target torque, move to the next fastener. No setting to verify, no scale to misread, no accidental adjustment between fasteners. For production assembly, avionics installation, and repetitive maintenance where the same hardware specification is applied across identical fastener locations on identical aircraft, the preset wrench eliminates an entire category of error from the process.

User-set vs. factory-set: which to order

The 5T-I ships unset — the operator sets the torque value within the 10–50 in-lb range. No calibration certificate is included. For environments requiring a documented, NIST-traceable calibration at a specific preset value — Part 145 shops, AS9100-certified facilities, or programs with torque traceability requirements — order the 50T-I-SET, which CDI factory-presets to a specified value and ships with a NIST-traceable calibration certificate. Specify the required torque value when ordering the -SET variant; allow 10 days lead time for factory presetting.

Documentation and compliance

The 5T-I meets ASME B107.14 and ISO 6789. Accuracy: ±4% CW of indicated value from 20–100% of full scale. The user-set version does not ship with a calibration certificate — that distinction matters for Part 145 tool control documentation. If your QCM or quality program requires NIST-traceable documentation for preset torque tools, select the 50T-I-SET.

The smallest CDI torque wrench — built for small fastener production work

• 6.50" overall length and 0.35 lb — the most compact and lightest torque wrench in the CDI catalog
• 10–50 in-lb (1.1–5.6 Nm) covers avionics connector hardware, bonding strap terminals, and instrument mounting fasteners
• J-shank (27/64") accepts open-end, box-end, flare nut, and ratchet drive heads — same system as the 75MFIMHSS
• Tamper-proof single-setting mechanism — prevents accidental adjustment between production cycles
• Audible click plus tactile impulse confirms torque on each fastener without looking at a scale
• Cushion grip handle designed for repetitive use with minimal operator fatigue
• Made in the USA by CDI Torque Products, a Snap-on Industrial Brands company

Where production shops and avionics installers use the 5T-I

• Avionics connector backshell hardware and connector retention screws on MIL-spec and commercial connectors
• Relay and circuit breaker panel mounting fasteners throughout avionics bays
• Bonding strap terminal hardware and grounding screws on aircraft electrical installations
• Instrument mounting screws in composite and aluminum instrument panels
• Avionics box mounting hardware on fleet installations requiring identical torque at every location
• Any production line or repetitive maintenance operation where 10–50 in-lb is the target and consistency matters more than adjustability

Why source aviation tooling from Pilot John International

Pilot John International is an aviation-specialist distributor — not a general industrial catalog. We serve Part 145 repair stations, FBOs, MRO operations, and flight schools across the U.S. Whether your program calls for the user-set 5T-I or the factory-certified 50T-I-SET, both come from the same aviation-specialist source that understands the documentation requirements behind your torque program.