While some torques do matter, the general principle is to do a nut up to short of the elastic limit of a bolt, or to a lesser degree that does not distort either of the surfaces being joined. And if more than one bolt is used, to get all of them done up to the same degree.
If one has a medium length selection of spanners, the length is usually dictated by the sort of torque that is expected with the use of high tensile fastenings to join components of a solid steel.
A set of long handled spanners used for doing stuff up could well overtighten, but are handy for getting things undone.
