About digital torque meter

[domer911]

Help! I have a need for a torque wrench that can deliver 400 ft lbs on a 3/4 socket. In fact, I already bought a Precision Instruments torque wrench for the job. After the fact, I have stumbled on what appear to be a much much cheaper method of accomplishing the same task. But I need people of knowledge to chime in.

I bought a $375 torque wrench, and a $75 breaker bar.

Powerbilt makes a digital torque meter for less than $100 that seems to turn any ratchet or breaker bar into a torque wrench. It fits between the wrench and nut and measures torque/emits signal/lights up when you are at your desired torque.

So it seems for about $175 I could have accomplished the same objectives as I will be able to accomplish having spent $450.

Is this correct? Any reason I should shy away from such a torque meter?

 

[franzdom]

Powerbuilt 940759 for $100 looks like it is 1/2" & stops below 150 lb-ft. What exactly are you looking at?

EDIT: I checked their website and it looks to be discontinued, probably wasn't quality enough. In theory it should work ok.

 

[domer911]

Well that would explain things...there seem to be many available that provide 0-200 ftlbs, but I have yet to find one that does more. I may have jumped to conclusions. Or I DID jump to conclusions.

 

[Steinmetz]

Help! I have a need for a torque wrench that can deliver 400 ft lbs on a 3/4 socket. In fact, I already bought a Precision Instruments torque wrench for the job. After the fact, I have stumbled on what appear to be a much much cheaper method of accomplishing the same task. But I need people of knowledge to chime in.

I bought a $375 torque wrench, and a $75 breaker bar.

Powerbilt makes a digital torque meter for less than $100 that seems to turn any ratchet or breaker bar into a torque wrench. It fits between the wrench and nut and measures torque/emits signal/lights up when you are at your desired torque.

So it seems for about $175 I could have accomplished the same objectives as I will be able to accomplish having spent $450.

Is this correct? Any reason I should shy away from such a torque meter?

Use a torque multiplier.

 

[royesses]

I have that torque adapter by Powerbuilt. It only goes to:
Torque Range: 29.5-147.6 lb-ft.(1/2 inch drive model)
Accuracy: + /- 1%

The PI torque wrench you purchased is the best solution. Congrats on a great tool purchase.

 

[GSteg]

The powerbuilt is okay, but it's cumbersome to use especially if you have a flex-head ratchet.

 

[knobby]

Like this? http://www.princessauto.com/pal/en/Torque-Wrenches/3-4-in-dr-Digital-Torque-Adaptor/8531188.p

 

[pipsters]

Like this? http://www.princessauto.com/pal/en/Torque-Wrenches/3-4-in-dr-Digital-Torque-Adaptor/8531188.p

I've had good luck with those adapters. They use similar technology to the old beam type style, which are incredibly reliable and accurate, but use an electrical current to determine strain. Very accurate, repeatable, if just a little bit clunky. Great for low repetitive stuff.

I have a torque + angle adapter from Eastwood, great buy.

http://www.eastwood.com/electronic-torque-angle-adapter.html#

 

[devoncoolman]

A torque wrench that goes to your needed torque is the best solution and least cumbersome and best accuracy. But like steinmetz said a torque multiplier and a 1/2 torque wrench with a little math would have worked as well.