1. A method for tightening a threaded fastener, comprising applying torque and imparting rotation to the fastener for advancing the fastener into a region of increasing torque and increasing rotation; sensing applied torque at a plurality of rotational locations; then stopping rotation of the fastener; then determining the torque rate of the fastener in a region preceding stopping of rotation including disregarding at least those torque sensings immediately preceding stopping of rotation where the magnitude of the sensing is affected by the act of stopping rotation; selecting a plurality of torque sensing sensed at rotational locations lower than the disregarded sensings; and averaging the selected torque sensings into an average torque rate.