Digital Torque Adapters
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,865
Likes: 1
From: I may be getting old but I refuse to grow up
Digital Torque Adapters
Anybody use these? Would they work to check the calibration of my torque wrenches?
http://www.princessauto.com/vmchk/to...torque-adapter
http://www.princessauto.com/vmchk/to...torque-adapter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 802
Likes: 1
I was looking at these at the store just the other day.
They are a very cute idea.
But these ones look kinda cheaply made.
Reading thru the manual at the store, they have audible and led light that beeps and flashes as you get within 20% of the traget torque. I thought that was a good idea.
At $59, I'll wait until they go on sale just to try it out and compare it with other torque wrenches that I have.
Steve L.
They are a very cute idea.
But these ones look kinda cheaply made.
Reading thru the manual at the store, they have audible and led light that beeps and flashes as you get within 20% of the traget torque. I thought that was a good idea.
At $59, I'll wait until they go on sale just to try it out and compare it with other torque wrenches that I have.
Steve L.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,693
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
I've got the Craftsman version of this. Seems to be very reproducable and based on my other Snap On torque wrenches, it seems to be fairly accurate. I do use it to periodically check my mechanical torque wrences to see if they are wandering. I've never had any calibrated though so I'm not absolutely sure.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
I would be amazed if you could find a well-made torque strain indicator for $60. But, I've been amazed before. I would recommend that you buy a decent beam-style torque wrench [or two]; one for up to 150 ft-lb (or a bit higher) and one for up to 250 in-lbs or so. That should cover almost everything you need to do on a car. Beam-type wrenches are reasonably accurate, they are very repeatable, and they are very durable and don't need to be calibrated unless they are damaged. They are also the least expensive of the torque wrench types.
If you buy one of those torque meter adapters, let us know how it works and how durable it is.
If you buy one of those torque meter adapters, let us know how it works and how durable it is.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,850
Likes: 959
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
I would be amazed if you could find a well-made torque strain indicator for $60. But, I've been amazed before. I would recommend that you buy a decent beam-style torque wrench [or two]; one for up to 150 ft-lb (or a bit higher) and one for up to 250 in-lbs or so. That should cover almost everything you need to do on a car. Beam-type wrenches are reasonably accurate, they are very repeatable, and they are very durable and don't need to be calibrated unless they are damaged. They are also the least expensive of the torque wrench types.
If you buy one of those torque meter adapters, let us know how it works and how durable it is.
If you buy one of those torque meter adapters, let us know how it works and how durable it is.
A while back I was trying to figure out how to calibrate or check my adjustable torque wrench. Couldn't come up with a high tech way without a lot of time and expense, so for kicks I thought I'd just check it against my beam torque wrench for consistency of results. I welded up a bearing/coupler fixture (the early mockup arrangement is below), and checked out the torque every ten pounds. To my amazement and financial relief, the two wrenches agreed up to the hundred foot pound point where I stopped.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,865
Likes: 1
From: I may be getting old but I refuse to grow up
I have 2 - 1/2" click type a 1/2" Beam and a 3/8" click torque wrenches when I found this in the flyer I was wondering if it would be worth it to check the click type wrenches.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Click-type wrenches are notoriously inaccurate. That is mostly because of "operator error"; there is a technique of how to apply torque with a click-type wrench that most folks are never told and/or never understand. Most pull till it clicks and give it another "tug" after the click. That will guarantee that the bolt is over-torqued. When the click is heard, all apply torque should be immediately released. Those wrenches also don't repeat torque very well and are temperature sensitive. The guys in the shop love them because they just hear a click and do whatever and go on from there. I don't have anything to do with them. 
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Steve, if you want to check your wrenches check them against each other or get the professionally calibrated.
That gadget there costs $60CND can you imagine how much it would cost if bought in bulk in Guangdong $5-6 ?
If you really want get one from Craftsman or some other brand name. Probably made in the same place though
That gadget there costs $60CND can you imagine how much it would cost if bought in bulk in Guangdong $5-6 ?
If you really want get one from Craftsman or some other brand name. Probably made in the same place though
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