Looking around I found that even the cheapest torque wrench for SMA connectors cost nearly as much if not much more than the NanoVNA. I wondered if it would be possible to 3D print someting that would be usable. I looked around Thingiverse.com, and found a couple examples of torque wrenches that looked easy enough to model one on for SMA connectors. Looking as the specifications for SMA connectors, I found that they shold be tightened to 5 in. pounds of torque. For my use it would be adequate to have it somewhere near that value as long as it was consistant.
SMA connector nuts are 8mm. across the flats, so I went 8.2mm. to make it easier to get on and off. I also put a wide enough slot in the end of the wrench to allow it to slide over cables easily. While I was working on the design I decided to taper the other end of the wrench so it could be used as a stylus for the touch screen. I also added a small hole 2" from the center of the wrench opening, so you can use a small luggage scale to compute the actual torque.I printed a couple with different printer settings and tried them out. Just place over the connector nut and turn until the wrench slipps around to the next flat. I measured how much force I had to apply for this slip to happen. Then by adjusting the number of top and bottom layers, along with number of perimiters I got the torque to be somewhere around 4 in. pounds. With this value I appear to be getting more consistant readings than I hade before, and have a handy stylus for the touch screen. It also makes it easier to get the cables on and off than just using my fingers.
My settings for the print is for PLA filament. Three perimiters (wall line count), four top and bottom layers, and 40% infill.
The .stl file is located at.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/qt816x30fujt3kl/AABbUj5DdeNC5n3VE0RyJD9ra?dl=0
Not sure how long these wrenches will last, but only take 15 minutes to print and use about 3 grams of filament.
