Brazed joint torque test apparatus and methods

An appliance for applying a torque to a tool having a shank, comprising:

• an elongated base having a first end and a second end and an axis extending between the first and second ends;
• a first fixed jaw coupled to the base proximate the first end, the first fixed jaw defining at least one first bore internally threaded to engagedly receive a first threaded screw, the first fixed jaw having a first clamping surface;
• a second fixed jaw coupled to the base and spaced apart from the first fixed jaw, the second fixed jaw defining at least one second bore internally threaded to engagedly receive a second threaded screw, the second fixed jaw having a second clamping surface;
• a first floating jaw operatively coupled to the first fixed jaw and defining at least one third bore configured to slidingly receive the first threaded screw, the first floating jaw having a third clamping surface configured to engage the first clamping surface;
• a second floating jaw operatively coupled to the second fixed jaw and defining at least one fourth bore configured to slidingly receive the second threaded screw, the second floating jaw having a fourth clamping surface configured to engage the second clamping surface;
• at least one first tightening screw configured to slidingly pass through the third bore and to threadedly engage the first threaded bore such that rotation of the first tightening screw urges the third clamping surface toward the first clamping surface to clamp a first portion of the tool;
• at least one second tightening screw configured to slidingly pass through the fourth bore and to threadedly engage the second threaded bore such that rotation of the second tightening screw urges the fourth clamping surface toward the second clamping surface to clamp a second portion of the tool;
• and
• a torque-transmitting device including a chuck adapted to be coupled to the shank of the tool, and an engagement member coupled to the chuck and adapted to be coupled to a torque-providing member.

A method for testing a tool having a shank including a brazed joint, comprising:

• providing a clamping apparatus having a first clamping collar adapted to securely clamp a first portion of the tool and a second clamping collar adapted to securely clamp a second portion of the tool, the first and second portions of the tool being spaced apart and on a first side of the brazed joint, the first and second clamping collars being adapted to prevent movement of the tool;
• clamping the first portion of the tool using the first clamping collar;
• clamping the second portion of the tool using the second clamping collar;
• coupling a torque-transmitting device to the shank opposite the brazed joint from the first and second portions;
• and
• applying a torque through the torque-transmitting device to the tool.