New HF digital torque adapter -PICS-

[TwoInch]

I just used an impact 1/2 to 3/4 adapter. No chrome to damage.

now your thinkin......

 

[SMKS]

Putting that tiny square drive in the vise doesn't do it any good, will mar it and chip the chrome eventually.

You're right about that, but with the amount I plan on using it I don't know if that will be an issue.

I do like the 1/2"-3/4" adapter idea.

 

[guy48065]

...
I'd be interested in seeing this done the other way around...someone using a certified/calibrated professional torque wrench to check THIS device (with both adapters, with an assortment of different wrenches)....

Apologies for resurrecting this old thread but since I just did this exact thing, I thought I'd comment. I run the Calibration Dept. at a large testing lab. My lab is accredited and the standards are all traceable to NIST. I just calibrated one of these HF digital adapters and found it to be amazingly accurate. My WORST reading (of 18 datapoints) was 1% low compared to the standard. This is accuracy I see all the time in $400-$600 electronic wrenches from SnapOn and CDI--did not expect it from a $30 gizmo from HF.

That's all.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Apologies for resurrecting this old thread but since I just did this exact thing, I thought I'd comment. I run the Calibration Dept. at a large testing lab. My lab is accredited and the standards are all traceable to NIST. I just calibrated one of these HF digital adapters and found it to be amazingly accurate. My WORST reading (of 18 datapoints) was 1% low compared to the standard. This is accuracy I see all the time in $400-$600 electronic wrenches from SnapOn and CDI--did not expect it from a $30 gizmo from HF.

That's all.

Good to know, I bought one based on the hype from here and haven't regretted it. Don't use it much, but good to hear that it is very accurate.

 

[rlitman]

Apologies for resurrecting this old thread but since I just did this exact thing, I thought I'd comment. I run the Calibration Dept. at a large testing lab. My lab is accredited and the standards are all traceable to NIST. I just calibrated one of these HF digital adapters and found it to be amazingly accurate. My WORST reading (of 18 datapoints) was 1% low compared to the standard. This is accuracy I see all the time in $400-$600 electronic wrenches from SnapOn and CDI--did not expect it from a $30 gizmo from HF.



That's all.

With a comment like that, there's no need to apologize. Thanks.

 

[Olafur]

Apologies for resurrecting this old thread but since I just did this exact thing, I thought I'd comment. I run the Calibration Dept. at a large testing lab. My lab is accredited and the standards are all traceable to NIST. I just calibrated one of these HF digital adapters and found it to be amazingly accurate. My WORST reading (of 18 datapoints) was 1% low compared to the standard. This is accuracy I see all the time in $400-$600 electronic wrenches from SnapOn and CDI--did not expect it from a $30 gizmo from HF.

That's all.

Did the adaptor perform like this - out of the box, or was this after calibration?

Not sure if meaningful, but between these 18 data points, what was the average error?

Thanks!

 

[NoSloCoupes]

I went through 4 or 5 of these things trying to get one that would work. All of them were the same....would power on and as soon as you'd add any torque it would shut off. Power back on, same thing.

The one that does work, i used it to see how close the HF 1/4 and 3/8 torque wrenches were...close but i did adjust them a bit.

 

[kdmoore]

Apologies for resurrecting this old thread but since I just did this exact thing, I thought I'd comment. I run the Calibration Dept. at a large testing lab. My lab is accredited and the standards are all traceable to NIST. I just calibrated one of these HF digital adapters and found it to be amazingly accurate. My WORST reading (of 18 datapoints) was 1% low compared to the standard. This is accuracy I see all the time in $400-$600 electronic wrenches from SnapOn and CDI--did not expect it from a $30 gizmo from HF.

That's all.

Given you do this for a living ....

Many years ago I used a torque wrench with a beam for motorcycle work. I was curious about the accuracy .... so I tried the following. I locked the wrench in place with something, keeping it level with the ground. Then I measured out 1 foot and hung differing weights at that point. The measurements were pretty consistent. I ran this along the range of the wrench and found that it was never consistently hi or low, but always "close".

So, I know there are many errors (I was in school at the time). But I wonder about the methodology. If I don't have access to the proper equipment, is this a viable way to gain some semblance of confidence in a torque wrench.... i.e. lock my torque wrench in a vise that I've leveled, measure a foot from the center of the drive, hang a weight from that point....

Merely curious

 

[RoundedCorners]

So the issue with these is that they might die at some point, but is otherwise a pretty accurate measure? Very interesting. That lifetime replacement warranty makes it seem like it's not so bad.


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[Nekit]

I was working at the Oshkosh Airshow last month and went over to the Sturtevant Richmont booth. They make high quality torque wrenches and were offering free torque check on their calibration machine. A guy brought in a 3/8 and 1/2 HF torque wrenches brand new, still in plastic wrap. They both tested over 10% off.

I would worry if these things are hit and miss with the acuracy? You buy one and it's perfect and the next one is 10% off?

I might have to get one and check it against my recently calibrated torque wrenches. I'll let you know if I do.

 

[Hootbro]

I was working at the Oshkosh Airshow last month and went over to the Sturtevant Richmont booth. They make high quality torque wrenches and were offering free torque check on their calibration machine. A guy brought in a 3/8 and 1/2 HF torque wrenches brand new, still in plastic wrap. They both tested over 10% off.

I would worry if these things are hit and miss with the acuracy? You buy one and it's perfect and the next one is 10% off?

I might have to get one and check it against my recently calibrated torque wrenches. I'll let you know if I do.

Did they run the HF wrenches adjustment up and down full scale 3-4 times before using? If not, they did evenly distribute the lubrication on the turn screw and is standard practice before cal checking wrenches of that design.

Also, the +/- 4% accuracy is only for the middle 80% of range. Lower and upper range is always going to be higher.

 

[dodge610]

Have never seen these at HF guess I am just missing them or in wrong aisle. What do they want for them wonder if they ever go on ITC I have a ITC membership.

 

[RoundedCorners]

Were there any negative reports on the accuracy/consistency of the digital torque adapter? If it's consistent then it might be a nice poor man's electronic. Breaker bar and adapter.

 

[guy48065]

Did the adaptor perform like this - out of the box, or was this after calibration?

Not sure if meaningful, but between these 18 data points, what was the average error?

Thanks!

Results were out-of-the-box--I didn't adjust it. Tested 3 trials at 20, 60 & 100%, CW & CCW. I'd put the average error at -0.5%

Given you do this for a living ....

Many years ago I used a torque wrench with a beam for motorcycle work. I was curious about the accuracy .... so I tried the following. I locked the wrench in place with something, keeping it level with the ground. Then I measured out 1 foot and hung differing weights at that point. The measurements were pretty consistent. I ran this along the range of the wrench and found that it was never consistently hi or low, but always "close".

So, I know there are many errors (I was in school at the time). But I wonder about the methodology. If I don't have access to the proper equipment, is this a viable way to gain some semblance of confidence in a torque wrench.... i.e. lock my torque wrench in a vise that I've leveled, measure a foot from the center of the drive, hang a weight from that point....

Merely curious

That is a valid method. A little hard to be consistent hanging weights on it, but it's a common way for a tech to check a beam- or dial-type wrench. Clickers must be tested using a peak-capturing meter since sometimes they "click" and release suddenly right at the peak, and sometimes they slide off the peak a bit before clicking.

I was working at the Oshkosh Airshow last month and went over to the Sturtevant Richmont booth. They make high quality torque wrenches and were offering free torque check on their calibration machine. A guy brought in a 3/8 and 1/2 HF torque wrenches brand new, still in plastic wrap. They both tested over 10% off.

I would worry if these things are hit and miss with the acuracy? You buy one and it's perfect and the next one is 10% off?

I might have to get one and check it against my recently calibrated torque wrenches. I'll let you know if I do.

I see 3-4 HF clickers each year and so far all have been in spec. They feel like garbage but do seem to hold their accuracy. A clicker is totally dependent on the spring holding it's temper over time and the hardness of a little steel cube pinched between 2 anvils inside. I wouldn't put a LOT of trust in Chinese metallurgy...

Did they run the HF wrenches adjustment up and down full scale 3-4 times before using? If not, they did evenly distribute the lubrication on the turn screw and is standard practice before cal checking wrenches of that design.

Also, the +/- 4% accuracy is only for the middle 80% of range. Lower and upper range is always going to be higher.

Actually the 80% specified range is 20-100% of scale. Most wrench scale markings starts at 20% of rated full scale. A digital is specified the same way but many--like this HF unit--can be used all the way to zero--but with no guarantee of accuracy.

Were there any negative reports on the accuracy/consistency of the digital torque adapter? If it's consistent then it might be a nice poor man's electronic. Breaker bar and adapter.

There are lots of negative reviews on the HF website. Most having to do with total failure and short battery life. Not surprising for a $30 piece of Chinese technology. If you you do buy one remove the piece of foam out of the lid that presses down on the buttons and probably drains the battery during storage.

 

[Olafur]

Thanks, much appreciated.

 

[RoundedCorners]

There are lots of negative reviews on the HF website. Most having to do with total failure and short battery life. Not surprising for a $30 piece of Chinese technology. If you you do buy one remove the piece of foam out of the lid that presses down on the buttons and probably drains the battery during storage.

I was reading over those last night as well. I'd be fine with it dying every so often (free replacements) as long as it was accurate. Hopefully it has been calibrated properly.